Introducing you to satellite operated data collection platforms (DCP).

Abstract

The telemetering of information over long distances from unattended environmental monitoring equipment at remote sites can be difficult to carry out using conventional high frequency radio communication. This is because of the need to change frequencies to suit the time of day, because of the many forms of interference and because the appropriate radio frequency spectrum is usually very congested. A popular means of telemetry over land has been to set up a series of "line-of-sight" repeaters and operate in the VHF, UHF or microwave bands. By using a satellite as a repeater, large distances over land and sea can be covered with a single repeater in the sky. Trans-continental links for communication purposes have been operational for many years using this form of repeater. However, satellites able to handle reports from data collection platform (DCP's) have hitherto only been experimental. Within the next two years the operational phase for this type of activity will have been reached. This means that users can depend on the method for continuity of service, which is not guaranteed in an experimental system.