ABSTRACT
The future direction being taken by Inmarsat is based on the recommendations of a development group—entitled Project 21—which has the task of planning and implementing the systems required for a global pocket-sized satellite telephone service by the end of the decade. Miniaturization is a constant fact of electronic engineering. Over the past decade we have seen satellite and terrestrial communications equipment shrink by approximately 50%. The level to which miniaturization can be taken is, of course, limited. The equipment is ultimately going to be used by human beings and consequently must be economically designed for ease of operation. Additionally, the enclosed battery tends to be bulky and accounts for almost one-third of the bulk of a hand-held unit.
