History

The conference, originally dedicated to the diffusion of information on all aspects of satellite communications at 20-30 GHz and higher frequencies, has in recent years been expanded to include satellite broadband communications at all frequencies and satellite-aided navigation.

Conceived in 1993, the conference was intended to publicize the achievements of the Italsat and ACTS satellites which had been planned to provide additional satellite spectrum by opening the Ka frequency band for use in satellite communications.

Both satellites demonstrated the usefulness of Ka-Band through novel system approaches including digital communications, on demand rain compensation, hopping spot beams, on board switching, integrated services, and demand-assigned channels of varying bandwidth to suit user needs. The programs also developed flight and ground components as needed to stimulate the use of this new frequency band, and a wealth of information about Ka-Band propagation characteristics in Europe and the United States .

In recent years, the conference has widened its scope to include fixed and mobile satellite broadband communications, and satellite-aided navigation topics.

The conference is held annually under the auspices of ASI, CRC, ESA, NASA, NICT, and with the support of several communications satellite manufacturers and service providers from around the world.