10 Considerations for Choosing a Satellite

Technology Platform

Choosing the Right Technology

The satellite broadband market is a growing industry and one with an extremely
diverse set of opportunities. A typical service provider may be helping global
enterprises extend their IP infrastructure to remote offices, partnering with
cellular operators to backhaul voice and data traffic in rural locations, creating a
communications-on the-move solution for maritime and airline operators, or delivering
core infrastructure to militaries and government organizations around the world.
The satellite network technology required to serve these customers is just as diverse. Some require
a dedicated, point-to-point SCPC (Single Carrier per Channel) link, while others need a TDMA
(Time Division Multiple Access) system capable of sharing bandwidth dynamically across multiple
locations. Different networks require specific satellite bands, topologies, security standards or
demand specialized functionality like portability, durability or mobility.
The bottom line is that satellite communications is highly characterized by diversity, and managing
that diversity is the key to success. So when you choose a satellite technology provider, you need to
think in broad terms. You need to examine a manufacturers overall communications platform an
integrated system of core and specialized capabilities that provides the underlying technology
structure for a service business. The goal is to judge whether a specific platform will affordably
prepare you for the range of opportunities you wish to pursue.
The following guide outlines 10 considerations for choosing the right satellite communications
platform for your business. No matter what market you plan to enter or how large you want to
grow your operations, these considerations can make a critical difference to your immediate and
long-term success.

1: Flexible Core Architecture

At the deepest level, a satellite communications platform
is defined by its core architecture. Some platforms are
engineered to support a primary network configuration
or a specific vertical market. By contrast, others are
designed to support virtually any market requirement.
These are known as universal systems and typically can
support any satellite band, topology or application.
Consider a universal platform, even if you plan to
focus on a specialized industry. The platform does not
need to have all its capabilities activated. Instead, core
capabilities can be turned on through over-the- air
software upgrades when required. For example,
mobility technologies are certainly not required to
serve a majority of satellite communications customers.
If a service provider wants to expand into that market,
it is more feasible and affordable to activate capabilities
through software licensing rather than by investing in
a specialized mobility platform or swapping out
remote hardware.

Given the diverse customers that service providers

support, most of them manage both system types,
essentially running two platforms inside the NOC. Today,
there is a movement on the part of technology providers
to support both SCPC and TDMA on the same platform.
These advances offer significant cost savings and
better support customers with dynamic and growing
bandwidth requirements. Its a good idea to understand
what advances providers have made in this area.

2: Modular Design for Scalability

Launching a satellite communications network must be
a measured venture. Service providers need to match
investments in hardware infrastructure and space
segment with market opportunity. Find a platform that
minimizes your upfront capital and operating expenses,
while giving you enough core features to meet a wide
range of customer needs.
Consider a modular architecture design specifically, a
hub chassis that can be loaded with line cards based on
customer demand. With line cards, network capabilities
are built into a more affordable and flexible hardware
device. Service providers can populate a hub one line
card at a time, meeting varying markets and applications,
instead of purchasing and managing multiple hubs.

The concept of a universal platform has been recently

advanced. Traditionally, service providers did not have
a single platform to support both SCPC and TDMA
networks. SCPC systems provide point-to-point links for
each site that transmits consistently high volumes of data.
A hub chassis and line card combination enables
TDMA networks, by contrast, can share bandwidth across
a service provider to start small and grow in line
a group of sites based on changing bandwidth needs.
with demand. The goal is to begin earning revenue
immediately and scale when it makes financial sense. A

Flexible Core Architechture

Star TDMA

A universal platform that supports any topology, satellite bend or

vertical market, gives service providers greater business flexibility.

SCPC Return
Oil and Gas
Network

Mesh
Mobility Application

Internet
Hub System

Teleport

Maritime
Network

Military
Network

fully equipped hub with a capacity contract to match is

warranted only if the business to support it already exit.
This design also enables a service provider to lease instead
of purchase network infrastructure for an even more
affordable market entry strategy. A hub owner can lease
line card space to a Virtual Network Operator (VNO). The
VNO is then given direct control of its satellite network
through a distributed network management system (NMS).
Once a VNO has established its business and has reached a
desired customer base, it can then purchase and manage
its own network infrastructure.

3: Bandwidth Efficiency
Another cost of running a satellite service is space segment
or capacity. Its the core unit of a satellite business. And
as satellite communications becomes mainstream, more
bandwidth intensive applications and more traffic in
general crosses a network. Service providers need a way to
lease the exact amount of capacity they need and allocate
it across their total customer base as efficiently as possible,
while ensuring reliable service quality.
Lets examine bandwidth efficiency on the outbound and
inbound channels separately as the technologies differ
for each. On the outbound channel, a key development is
the introduction of faster, next-generation DVB-S2 coding
technology, which can improve bandwidth efficiency by
upwards of 30% over legacy systems. DVB-S2 efficiency
can be expanded through a companion technology

known as Adaptive Coding Modulation (ACM). With ACM,

a satellite router can adjust to changing weather and
satellite spectrum conditions and may deliver an additional
50% efficiency improvement.
Much of the industry has now moved to DVB-S2/ACM
on the outbound channel. Yet, on the inbound channel,
platforms can have very different bandwidth efficiency
capabilities that contribute to data efficiency.
First of all, there are two main transmission modes for
inbound connectivity: SCPC and TDMA. SCPC is designed
for sites that need a high-volume, fixed, point-to-point
link. TDMA is a shared channel engineered for service
providers that want to allocate a pool of bandwidth across
multiple sites. One of the challenges of sizing an SCPC
link is that, as a fixed link, it typically needs to be overdimensioned based on peak bandwidth demand. This can
waste costly bandwidth.
Look for a platform that supports both TDMA and SCPC
over the same hardware. The advantage is that a network
can run in TDMA mode when bandwidth is not at peak
levels and then switch to SCPC mode when greater
data throughput is required. In addition, TDMA can be
configured when a network is initially launched and
then be reconfigured to SCPC when a consistent traffic
threshold is met.
Another inbound technology to consider is 2D 16-State.
This is an extremely efficient coding technique that
provides maximum flexibility to satellite network

Modular Design for Scalability

With a hub chasis and line card system, service providers can build
out infrastructure in line with customer demand.
Oil and Gas
Customers

Military
Customers

Hub System

Line Cards

Maritime
Customers

designs. 2D 16-State can provide a 10-20% increase

over standard turbo codes for inbound IP throughput
without sacrificing link performance. It also provides
greater flexibility in network design with a more granular
selection of block sizes and code rates.
Another key technology to understand is Adaptive TDMA,
which delivers benefits similar to DVB-S2/ACM to the
inbound channel. Together, all of these technologies
allow service providers to design highly efficient
networks that adjust to dynamic conditions, increase
network availability and lower operating costs.

4: Advanced Quality of Service

A fundamental consideration when choosing a satellite
technology platform is Quality of Service (QoS). This is
especially important today as satellite networks support
increasing traffic loads, driven by diverse and dynamic
applications. Your ability to create highly flexible and
customized service plans will enable you to make
satellite connectivity more reliable and affordable for
your customers.

Look for a platform with advanced QoS capabilities that

enable you to adjust data rates dynamically based on
the widest possible range of network scenarios. With a
basic platform, you can segment bandwidth by customer
network and end user sites to establish corresponding
Minimum, Maximum and Committed Information Rates.
By contrast, a platform with advanced QoS enables
service providers to engineer more granular plans and
pricing models by introducing factors such as application
prioritization and response to weather conditions.
Its imperative that a satellite service provider be able
to prioritize down to the application level. Lets say an
enterprise customer wants a service plan to support
basic voice, data and video communications. Its likely
that if all these applications are running simultaneously,
it will result in network congestion. Service providers
need to be able to sort out with their customers which
applications should be given priority over others
and then code these criteria into the network and
incorporate them into a customized service plan.

Advanced Quality of Service

A platform with advanced Qos technology enables service providers to create
SLAs based on individual sites, local applications and other criteria.

2 Mbps

Bandwidth Pool
24 Mbps

3 Mbps

Service Groups
18 Mbps

6 Mbps

Customer 2

7 Mbps

Hub System
2 Mbps

2 Mbps

1 Mbps

1 Mbps

A satellite platform that links QoS to ACM allows for

additional service level categories based on how the end
user wants to respond to a possible degradation of service
due to weather. For example, a customer can choose to
tolerate a gradual degradation in CIR based on rain fade.
Or, the service provider can continue to guarantee CIR on a
per-remote or per-application basis, even during a
heavy downpour.
Not only can advanced systems segment bandwidth by
application and weather, they can switch transmission
modes based on changing bandwidth requirements. For
example, a platform that can support both TDMA and
SCPC on the same router enables service providers to tailor
a service plan based on time or volume conditions.
This enables service providers to offer a premium service
that will burst to a higher data throughput rate when
traffic exceeds a current SLA for example, during
file transfer, data back-up, video, military surveillance,
telemedicine and other applications. When customer sites
grow larger, they can upsell their customers to a dedicated
SCPC return link. All this can be done instantly from the
network management system and without the need for a
costly site visit to exchange hardware.

5: Data Security
Commercial customers want the freedom to transmit
sensitive information via broadband without the fear
that this data will be intercepted or deciphered. A
satellite platform needs to provide encryption on par
with terrestrial networks while respecting service level

agreements and maintaining data throughput.

Some encryption methods are not suited to this. IPSec
(Internet Protocol Security), for example, authenticates
and encrypts packets. However, Transmission
Control Protocol (TCP) Acceleration software, critical
for realizing acceptable performance over a satellite
link, must be able to read and modify packets before
they are transmitted. IPSec encrypted packets cannot
be read, and thus cannot be accelerated, resulting
in unacceptable degradation of performance.
Look for a platform that supports the Advanced
Encryption Standard (AES). With AES, all satellite traffic
is encrypted concurrently. TCP Acceleration can be
performed, preventing any throughput issues. AES
coupled with dynamic key exchange ensures even
higher levels of security necessary to classify an
offering as a true private network.

6: Integration with Terrestrial Networks

Organizations want broadband access and uniform
applications for all of their corporate locations whether
they are in major cities, remote parts of the world, or on
vessels in the middle of the ocean. Ultimately, it does
not matter to these end users what type of network is
carrying their traffic as long as the experience is consistent
throughout and they have the assurance of business
continuity in the face of a primary outage.
From a service providers perspective, a satellite platform
must seamlessly integrate with a terrestrial network. For

TDMA Mode

Adaptive TDMA Mode

SCPC Switching Mode

TDMA mode efficiently transmits

data and voice and supports
video conferencing.

As weather conditions change, the network adapts automatically to optimize

the transmission for speed, availability or efficiency.

At any time, the router can temporarily

switch to SCPC modeto efficiently send
large data files that require higher,
dedicated bandwidth.

Core
Applications

Bandwidth Intensive
Applications

Internet
VoIP

Technical
Reports

Video

Seismic
Data
Under clear skies,
the router can use
all carrier sizes
dynamically.

Under heavy rain

fade, the router will
use the smaller
carrier size.

starters, this means withstanding heavy data traffic,

guaranteeing bandwidth, and mirroring QoS protocols
down to the application level.
In addition, the satellite network must be deliberately
engineered to match advances in terrestrial networking.
For example, many carriers are transitioning to next
generation Multi Protocol Label Switching (MPLS)
technology. To integrate properly, a satellite platform
must support advanced routing protocols.
Some additional points to consider: In a shared network
environment, the network traffic from different sites
is separated through the creation of Virtual Local Area
Networks (VLAN). VLAN tags classify where data is to be
sent. A satellite platform must support these identifiers
to segregate traffic in the same way an MPLS network
does, where multiple VLANs can associate with one
remote router. The tags must translate between MPLS
and VSAT, keeping not only the addressing information

intact, but also any encryption data.

The same goes for QoS designations. Customers can be
assured of end-to-end prioritization only if the satellite
platform can offer guarantees identical to those of the
terrestrial network. For traffic with varying SLAs to be
handed off from MPLS to satellite, both need to be able
to identify the QoS rules associated with each packet.
For true integration, the satellite platforms management
system must sync with a carriers existing Operational
Support Systems (OSS). This will improve monitoring,
troubleshooting, billing and service establishment.

7: Mobility Capabilities
A versatile satellite platform should be able to tackle
both core enterprise applications and emerging vertical
solutions without requiring expensive hardware
upgrades or new network management systems.
One growing vertical market capability that must be

Integration with Terrestrial Networks

MPLS
Core

POP
Router

Hub
System

Teleport

MPLS labels map to VLAN tags

Network-wide QoS settings
OSS integration with NMS

Integrating Satellite
and Terrestrial
Networking Systems

BGP

Terrestrial
Router

Terrestrial SLA
Data security

VoIP

Data

Satellite
Router

Satellite QoS
VLAN tagging

Video

Delivering Seamless,
Constant Connectivity
Satellite and MPLS terrestrial networks can
be integrated to offer customers a single,
global service plan as long as core capabilities
on the terrestrial network are mirrored
on the satellite leg.

To accomplish seamless integration, MPLS labels

must map to VLAN tags on the satellite network to
preserve data privacy. SLA specifications on the
terrestrial network must be mirrored by satellite QoS
settings. In addition, a satellite Network Management System (NMS) must sync with a carriers
Operational Support Systems (OSS).

supported on a platform is mobility.

teleports and continents.

Three industries are rapidly adopting satellite for

communication-on-the-move (COTM): maritime, military
defense and aviation. With satellite-based COTM
networks, vessels become fully equipped stand-alone
remote offices, soldiers maintain contact with central
operations, and airlines increase customer loyalty and
revenue by offering in-flight connectivity.

An IP satellite platform must address all three. It should

also meet military requirements. That means satellite
equipment must be portable and compact enough to
fit in a backpack and rugged enough to withstand the
elements and rough terrain.

Meeting the needs of COTM networks requires several

specialized technologies. One of these is Automatic
Beam Switching, which enables a mobile unit to travel
from one satellite network to another without the
connection being dropped, or requiring technical
personnel to manually adjust an antenna. Another
technology is Spread Spectrum, which enables
broadband to run efficiently over a small antenna. And
finally, service providers need a global system to manage
remote IP routers as terminals move across beams,

An Operations Support System, or OSS, is what enables

a service provider to run an efficient and profitable
business. Its the system service providers rely on to
configure customer deployments, measure network
performance, manage troubleshooting and ensure
customer satisfaction. The overarching goal is to
effectively manage a shared and expensive resource,
satellite capacity, and ensure customer agreements
are continually met.

8: Operational Efficiency

Mobility Capabilities

Stockholm

Baltimore

Global Network Management

System

Automatic Beam Switching

With Automatic Beam Switching vessels can
travel across satellite footprints, maintaining
seamless connectivity without the need for
manual intervention by crew on board.

Rio de Janeiro

A single Global Network Management System

enables service providers to monitor and manage
each ships remote, ensuring a consistent
connection as it passes through separate
networks around the world.

An OSS is an increasingly important part of a satellite

platform and must be thoughtfully examined. One
of the growing requirements for an OSS today is to
integrate and manage all of the network management
technologies being utilized within a NOC. This reduces
technology complexity and lowers operating costs.
Another requirement is managing mobility applications.
Look for an OSS that can track remotes anywhere on
the planet through a single interface. It should also
provide real-time information on weather and satellite
spectrum conditions.
Technicians must also be able to proactively monitor
and troubleshoot network challenges from within the
NOC. When looking at different platforms, compare their
ability to detect problems before they occur, respond
to challenges rapidly and automate common trouble
shooting tasks.
An OSS should also give service providers complete
visibility into real-time and historical data so that network
performance can be tracked and measured. This allows
them to discover ways to fine-tune the network for
peak performance.

Operational Efficiency and

Customer Management
An OSS needs to feature several key capabilities, from
basic network configuration and monitoring to rich
data analytics, help desk automation, and advanced
trouble shooting and customer management tools.

Operation
Support
System

9: Customer Management
An OSS can serve another purpose: to build customer
confidence in a satellite network. If customers can see
what the service provider can see regarding the health of
the system, they feel reassured that they are getting a
premium service and that their SLAs are being delivered.
Consider a customer portal, which is a customized Web
interface. This option provides the customer with access
to the patterns and trends that affect their network.
If performance does suffer, understanding where
and why helps with the process of SLA reconciliation.
Also, customers who know how they are consuming
bandwidth can make more informed decisions about
current and future capacity requirements.

10: Brand Recognition

A companys brand reputation goes a long way in the
satellite industry. A well respected brand typically
signals a proven track record and an innovative culture. Is
the name recognized by service providers as well as end
users? What is the company known for? Researching this
information could help you determine a
companys strengths.
There are other considerations as well. For instance, if the
brand is widely used by an industry or within a region,
there will be fewer interoperability issues should you
need to partner with another provider. Does a company
have competing interests? Does it provide satellite
technology as well as offer satellite service? Consider
whether you want to be selling against your technology
partner, or if you want a technology partner that will
collaborate with you to make you more competitive.

Conclusion
Today, theres a rich opportunity for broadband
service providers and terrestrial and mobile carriers
to grow their business through satellite services.
But a large part of their success comes down to
choosing the right technology platform. They need
a platform thats highly reliable, that can position
them to serve any geography or vertical market and
thats easy to manage. They need a technology they
can invest in smartly entering the market affordably,
capturing revenue quickly and scaling in line with
business demand. And they require the advanced
tools to run a tight operation, flexible options to craft
a competitive adavantage and the ability to meet
increasing customer demands.

Ten Considerations for Choosing a

Satellite Technology Platform
1. Flexible Core Architecture: A platform that supports
multiple network technologies and works in any
satellite band can serve a diverse array of satellite
communications customers.
2. Modular Design for Scalability: Consider a hub chassis
and line card combination to ease start up costs and
grow with demand.
3. Bandwidth Efficiency: Understand your options
beyond DVB-S2 to increase bandwidth efficiency on
both the inbound and outbound channel.
4. Advanced Quality of Service: The ability to tailor
highly customized SLAs enables service providers to
create new pricing models, differentiate their service
and improve the end user experience.
5. Data Security: A satellite platform that utilizes the
Advanced Encryption Standard (AES) provides security
that mirrors a terrestrial network, while respecting SLAs
and maintaining data throughput.
6. Integration with Terrestrial Networks: Seamless
integration means a satellite platform must withstand
heavy data traffic, guarantee bandwidth levels, utilize
QoS protocols down to the application level, and stay in
step with advances in terrestrial networking.
7. Mobility Capabilities: A versatile platform should
include advanced mobility capabilities to compete
in the growing maritime, military defense and
aviation markets.
8. Operational Efficiency: An advanced network
management solution is what enables a service
provider to run an efficient, reliable and
profitable business.
9. Customer Management. Giving customers visibility
to network data is critical to maintaining customer
satisfaction and understanding and resolving
performance issues.
10. Brand Recognition: If a satellite brand is well
respected by both service providers and end users,
the company must have a proven track record and an
innovative culture.

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