Amazon Leo Seeks Approval for Satellite Constellation
Amazon Leo has submitted a request to the U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to establish and operate a network comprising up to 5,105 low Earth orbit satellites.
This innovative constellation aims to deliver voice, messaging, data, and emergency communication services directly to standard smartphones and mobile devices in regions lacking terrestrial cellular infrastructure, with anticipated launches starting in 2028.
The initiative, termed Amazon Leo Direct-to-Device (D2D), will synergize with the existing framework and Mobile Satellite Services (MSS) spectrum licenses of Globalstar.
This collaboration is based on a prior agreement for acquisition made by Amazon in April, as outlined in the company’s regulatory submissions.
The network is designed to act complementarily with Leo’s initial and secondary generations of broadband constellations, in addition to Globalstar’s HIBLEO and C-3 systems.
The satellite deployment will be strategically distributed across five orbital layers, situated at altitudes ranging from 510 to 580 kilometers to address varied geographic needs.
Three mid-latitude layers will encompass urban locales and densely populated regions, inclined at angles of 55.7°, 58.2°, and 56.3°.
Meanwhile, two high-inclination layers positioned at 73° (high-latitude) and 84° (near-polar) will extend connectivity to polar and remote areas, as elaborated by Amazon Leo.
Communication between the satellites and standard mobile devices will utilize radio frequency links within the L and S bands.
The connection between the satellites and ground stations will rely on high-capacity links utilizing Ka and V bands. In a departure from conventional bent-pipe satellite designs, these new platforms will process signals directly in orbit, employing laser-based inter-satellite optical links for efficient traffic management in space.
To maximize spectrum efficiency and minimize interference, the network will incorporate digital beamforming and beam-hopping.
This technology will direct energy precisely where it is needed and confine signals within designated channels.
Furthermore, it will feature dual polarization reception, enabling the capture of signals in two orientations from low-power mobile devices, along with an adaptive modulation and coding protocol that modifies data transmission rates in real-time based on current link conditions.
On the commercial front, the D2D infrastructure will collaborate with telecom giants such as Vodafone, DirecTV, South Africa’s Herotel, and Australia’s National Broadband Network (NBN).
Additionally, a confirmed partnership with Apple aims to incorporate satellite functionalities into compatible iPhone and Apple Watch models.
Each satellite platform is projected to maintain an operational lifespan of six to eight years and is equipped with specialized propulsion systems designed to depressurize rather than explode upon collision with orbital debris, ensuring a controlled deorbiting process at the conclusion of its service life, as noted in the company’s formal documentation.
Source link: Aviacionline.com.
