VSATs, very small aperture terminals, are small earth stations capable of receiving from and sometimes transmitting to satellites. They represent an important addition to the telecommunications world because they can provide a service directly to the user at virtually any geographic location covered by a suitable satellite beam. They do not require any support from a local terrestrial communications network and can even be run from portable or alternative power supplies.

Inspec keywords: satellite ground stations

Other keywords: business system; terrestrial communications network; VSAT; alternative power supply; satellite beam; very small aperture terminal; earth station; satellite transmission; satellite receiving

Subjects: Satellite communication systems