Satellite Communications in Canada, Barrie Kirk, Gloucester, Ontario: Telesat Canada Communications, 1989, 301 pages. |
VOL. 6, No. 2, 83-84
Satellite Communications in Canada, initiated under the leadership of Telesat Canada and published by that company, is intended to be a handy reference manual for both individuals and organizations considering using satellite communications as appropriate solutions to their business requirements. This is a complex industry and it is often difficult to determine where to begin in unraveling the mysteries of the industry. This reference manual was written with the novice in mind; that individual who is just beginning to think about using satellite communications. The language is relatively simple (if you discount the industry specific terminology), the issues are clearly outlined, and resources for follow-up are provided and helpful hints are included.
The resource manual is broken down into twelve separate chapters with headings addressing issues like basic uses of satellite communications; Canadian suppliers; American suppliers; ways in which satellite networks are designed; earth station design; a very brief and simple overview of policy and regulatory issues; and finally developing trends in the industry.
As a reference each of the areas is easily accessible and one can move into the reference manual at any point depending on the need for information. The reference manual also includes an extensive and helpful glossary of terms common to the industry. This is important given that this particular industry has a vast array of very specific acronyms and terms that are important to understand. The reference manual contains many "new words" as well. For example, "un-channelized," which the reader would only understand by placing it in the context in which the word is used.
The manual also contains a bibliography, which lists periodicals, newsletters, special papers, and other regular publications available to interested parties. The bibliography, however, is not exhaustive, nor does it include academic or technical references. The periodical references are selected to reflect applications of satellite communications within specific businesses or industries. These are listings of selected readings which further the argument for the effective use of satellite communications.
Finally, there is an extensive appendix in the manual, which describes organizations and corporations providing services that support satellite communications, hardware, and electronics in this field and/or combined access to space, electronics, and consulting services.
Overall, the reference manual does provide a clear and quick overview; it is a good starting point from which to become familiar with the basic questions. However, it should not be regarded as current in all areas, as changes have occurred since the document was published. Some of the examples used in the book were speculative and have not come to fruition or have changed in their focus. I would advise caution, then, in quoting from the manual. One would be well advised to go to the original source to confirm the status of some of the projects described.
The major strengths of the document are the way it is laid out and the way in which a fairly complicated subject matter and the issues attending it are explained in language most people will understand. This strength, however, can also be a weakness in that the simplicity of the format and writing style can cause the field to appear much less complex than it really is.
A shortcoming of the reference document is its limited shelf life. Some projects described, for instance, are no longer in place. Similarly, the status of some of the organizations mentioned has changed, as have their business objectives.
The resource is supplemented in the industry by regular newsletters that are published (for a price) by Telesat Canada. If one were to maintain a regular collection of newsletters and used the reference manual in conjunction with these, one could be reasonably certain of having the most current information available. Without the newsletter supplement, however, the challenge would be to determine what is current and what is not.
The writer clearly has put forward examples which he believes most accurately reflect the industry - one could argue that it may be a little biased in favour of the publisher as there are other applications and agencies or organizations involved in this field that have been ignored. It is not reasonable, however, to expect a full overview of all activities in the field in one relatively short reference manual.
I would recommend the document only as a primer for students and educators who want an overview and do not require an in-depth review.
Lucille Pacey, Vice-President
Open Learning Agency
300-475 West Georgia Street
Vancouver, B.C. V6B 4M9