Project and Report (M.S.)--Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University. M.S. 1992. / Vita. Abstract. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 109-111). Also available via the Internet.

<p>This report presents the design of a ground station for performing satellite communications using amateur radio satellites. The resulting design integrates commercially available hardware and software to provide effective communications using all current amateur satellite analog and digital operating modes. The station is capable of growth to support message forwarding, gateway, and satellite monitoring and control functions. The acquisition plan spreads the station's acquisition over several years to keep costs within an individual's budget, and maintains flexibility to adapt to changes in satellites and communications modes available over the station's life. The station's major design drivers are sufficient link budget for reliable communications, the station's life cycle cost, ensuring radio frequency energy fields are at safe levels, placement of antennas and supports to comply with local architectural restrictions, and selection of a 435 MHz transceiver for the station.</p> <p>This project illustrates the ability of individuals or small groups to economically acquire effective satellite communications capability by integrating largely off-the-shelf hardware and software. In conjunction with small, relatively low-cost satellites, this ability places space communications and related research within reach of groups otherwise excluded from participating in satellite programs.</p> / Master of Science

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Hawaii at Manoa, 1981. / Bibliography: leaves [159]-162. / Microfiche. / ix, 162 leaves, bound 28 cm

Amateur Packet Radio Networking presently uses the NET/ROM protocol to establish the network. NET/ROM is considered to be insufficient to support the expected growth of the network. This research work proposes to use the TCP/IP protocol suite instead to build the network. A comparison between features of both protocols supports this proposal. A new and simple hardware platform is introduced. This will provide adequate support for initial experiments. Design considerations for both hardware architecture and software architecture are discussed in detail. Implementation of the IP protocol used for routing is discussed. / Graduation date: 1992