Topol's expertise in microwave systems led to the development of the first effective portable television relay links, allowing broadcasts from even remote areas.
Topol also played a pivotal role in the development of international telecommunications trade policies and the promotion of high-definition television (HDTV), a technology that enhances video images by using digital, instead of analog, encoding techniques.
After retiring in the early 1990s, Topol continued to engage in philanthropic work, contributing to the educational and cultural life in Boston and Atlanta.
At Raytheon, Topol was involved in the development and installation of 100-foot (30 m) earth stations, which opened the traffic between cable and satellites, and allowed live overseas television coverage to be viewed in the United States.
Topol's confidence that HDTV would literally change the face of television placed him before Congress and in White House briefing sessions to testify on its behalf.
As a visionary in the field of telecommunications, Topol not only realized that the future of TV was in satellite communications, but also predicted the ultimate merging of cable, Internet and personal computers.