Synopsis
This report discusses latency, microwave propagation and the reliability and security of PDH and SDH terrestrial microwave links, and the microwave bands used on Earth and for satellite communications. The report describes geostationary and geosynchronous satellite systems, with special focus on direct broadcast and the Thuraya system. Also discussed are the LEO systems Iridium and Globalstar, the MEO ICO system and proposals to use Highly Elliptical Orbits for Western communications satellites.