Satellite Communications and Networks

This textbook provides fundamental theory and application of satellite communications and networks in a format suitable for university students and professionals working in the field. The book first outlines the types of satellites and their uses, then goes on to cover satellite orbits and constellation design; satellite system architecture; air interface and physical layer; and integrated satellite-terrestrial networks. A thorough discussion on 5G and 6G non-terrestrial networking (NTN) is included. The book shows how and why satellites are playing a key role in supporting critical infrastructures of society, such as energy and telecommunication networks and different forms of traffic on roads, sea and in the air. The book also discusses threats to satellites and how cybersecurity plays a role. The book features end-of-chapter questions and exercises, homework problems including mathematical exercises and practice questions, PowerPoint slides, and a solution manual. The book is ideal for upper undergraduate and graduate students in telecommunications curriculum.

Marko Höyhtyä works at the Finnish National Defence University. His professorship focuses on disruptive technologies and application of them into defense needs. He was Research Professor of satellite communications at VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland Ltd. He has over 20 years’ experience in connectivity technology research and development both for terrestrial and satellite networks. He has led several European Space Agency (ESA) projects as well as prepared a joint vision with ESA for 5G and Beyond networks. He was a visiting researcher at the Berkeley Wireless Research Center, CA, from 2007 to 2008, a visiting research fellow with the European Space Research and Technology Centre, the Netherlands, in 2019 and a visiting professor at the University of Bologna in 2023. His research interests include critical communications, autonomous systems, space-based observation technologies and satellite-terrestrial connectivity.Developed technologies have been often piloted using software-defined radio (SDR) platforms or commercial equipment and Prof. Höyhtyä has several patents on dynamic spectrum management technologies. In addition to his position at the National Defence University, Marko Höyhtyä is an associate professor (docent) of autonomous and remote-controlled systems at the University of Oulu. He has over 100 scientific publications in journals and conferences, he is co-author of a book “Integration of MTC and Satellites for IoT toward 6G Era” and has published 10 other book chapters. Prof. Höyhtyä is regularly an invited speaker and a panellist in international conferences, providing visionary insights to the broad fields of SatComs and critical communications. During his free time, he competes in Olympic weightlifting and enjoys outdoor activities with his family—and in Northern Lapland locations where terrestrial network coverage does not always exist.