NOV 12

2015

Maximising the New Antenna & Terminal

Technology Advantage with Advanced
Installer Training

Presented by:
CHRISTOPHER SIVERTZ
Director, S2C2 Satcom Thailand
Who we are
 The association of the global
satellite communications
industry
 Not-for-profit
 200+ member organizations
 All major satellite operators,
manufacturers, & service
providers
2 GVF Training and Certification Program
 Experienced satellite systems
engineers
 Instructional designers & Flash
developers
 Partnered with GVF
 Training content creation and
program administration
 Created content for, and
manages, the highly-successful
GVF training program (10,000+
trainees, VSAT, marine, mobile)
Training program mandate
 GVF members directed GVF to establish a VSAT installer
training program in 2002
 Initial mandate was to build a global cadre of training
technicians available to the industry, to enhance the quality
and reputation of VSAT as a solution.
– Subsequently interference prevention was added as a priority
 By 2005 volunteers had trained about 250 students in
classes in US and Africa
 We think there are 20,000-40,000 people in the world
installing VSATs
 How to scale up and deliver globally?

3 GVF Training and Certification Program

Solution: GVF online course delivery
 Courses are self-paced,
available 24 hrs
 Automatic course and
prerequisite linking for
certification management
 Registration self service or by
order.
 Dedicated student support staff
 Requires only a moderate-speed
Internet connection and browser
with Flash player
 Simulator skills assessments
connect to LMS student scores
 Multi-language instant-switch
capability

4 GVF Training and Certification Program

Why GVF online simulator-based training?
 Global, scaleable, low cost
– Over 10,000 enrolled
 Simulators teach and assess technical
skills
 Courses are self-paced, available 24 hrs
 Automatic course and prerequisite linking
for certification management
 Registration self service or by order.
 Dedicated student support staff
 Requires only a moderate-speed Internet
connection and browser with Flash player
 Simulator skills assessments connect to
LMS student scores
 Multi-language instant-switch capability
 Readily customized for each organization Student learning system user
interface, showing customization

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Who is using GVF training?

… and many, many more.

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Interference prevention mandate

In 2010, GVF’s satellite operator

members asked for interference
prevention to be made the primary
focus of the training program.

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How to fight interference
REACTION PREVENTION

CARRIER ID
EQUIPMENT
QUALITY

GEOLOCATION

TRAINING

COLLABORATION
INTERFERENCE
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Role of training in interference prevention

ASI

CARRIER ID CROSS-POL
EQUIPMENT
QUALITY

POWER/FREQ/BW

GEOLOCATION RE-RADIATION

TRAINING

COLLABORATION
INTERFERENCE
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Role of training in interference prevention

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Interference impacts all satcom users

Interference source: Adjacent Satellite (ASI)

Training objective: Beam-balance antenna pointing technique

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Interference impacts all satcom users

Interference source: Adjacent Satellite (ASI)

Training objective: Beam-balance antenna pointing technique

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Interference impacts all satcom users

Interference source: Cross-pol interference

Training objective: Feed alignment and cross-pol test skills

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Interference impacts all satcom users

Interference source: Cross-pol interference

Training objective: Feed alignment and cross-pol test skills

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Interference impacts all satcom users

Interference source: Excess carrier power intermodulation

Training objective: Transmit power lineup skills

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Interference impacts all satcom users

Interference source: Excess carrier power intermodulation

Training objective: Transmit power lineup skills

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Why is interference increasing?
The perfect storm: INTERFERENCE
Small dishes (wide beams) x INCIDENTS
Cheaper labor x
High volumes TERMINALS
With hardware costsINCIDENTS
= INTERFERENCE DEPLOYED
below $1000 As per
volumes grow,
hardware costs are
terminal, the
affordable now well
budget below $1000
for
Over 100,000
per Ku-band
terminal.
installation services
Spotis
VSATs are installed beams permit
veryevery
low! year. smaller, SATELLITE
Any one cheaper SENSITIVITY
terminals.
can cause serious
interference.

HARDWARE
COST
INSTALLER
FEES
1990 Today

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Satcom Professional Certifications
503i: iDirect
iDirect Specialist

510: 520: 521:

Core Skills for VSAT Satcom Practical Technique 503H: Hughes HN
Professionals Fundamentals for VSAT Hughes HN Specialist
Professionals

503G: SkyEdge II
Gilat Specialist
SkyEdge II
GVF Basic GVF Advanced
Satcom Satcom
Professional Professional Future courses
Certification Certification

GVF Basic Hands On Skills Test (HOST-B)

Supplementary instructor-led classes

Interference-prevention emphasis:
 Beam balance pointing (prevent ASI)
 Cross-pol alignment
 Connector attachment (prevent re-radiation)

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HOST + EXTRA HANDS-ON TRAINING

-Typical Basic HOST Exam takes 3-4 hours,

depending upon Student Experience.
-Many organizations want their staff to
receive Extra Hands-On Training for the
specific equipment used.
-GVF/S2C2’s Bangkok Facility is a “magnet”
for small groups of students/staff for
specific, ad-hoc Hands-On Training.
-GVF/S2C2 routinely travel to the customers’
locations for larger groups of students/staff.

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Sample learning page (GVF 561)

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HANDS-ON/SPECIFIC LBA TRAINING
-Many organizations want their staff to
receive Specific Training for the specific
satellites used.
-The GVF On-Line Course Material is
excellent in providing the basic theory of
Geo/Meo/Leo “Birds”.
-GVF/S2C2’s Bangkok Facility has in-house
experts for Advanced Link Budget (LBA)
Training for all “Birds”.
-GVF/S2C2 routinely travel to the customers’
locations for Basic LBA Training for larger
groups of students/staff.
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Fixed antenna skills simulator

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Dynamic language switching

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Beam balance pointing skills simulator

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 Examiners worldwide
• GVF Hands On Skills Tests ("HOST") are administered by authorized GVF Examiners.
• Examiners are experienced satellite engineers or field technicians who are themselves
GVF Advanced Certified, and are Qualified by the GVF Master Instructor.

GVF Examiners offering HOSTs Organizations with GVF Examiners administering HOSTs to staff and
to the public: customers:
 Australia  Pakistan  Afrikanet  Hermes UK  TCS
 Benin  Qatar  AFSAT  Inmarsat  Telenor Pakistan
 Botswana/Zimbabwe  Saudi Arabia  Al Jazeera  Intelsat  TIGRISNET INC
 Brazil  Senegal  ARABSAT  IRC/NetHope  UN
 Canada  Singapore  Astro Broadband  ITC Global  UNICEF
 China  South Africa  BAE Systems  KC and G Telecom cc.  Verizon Business
 Ghana  Spain  Brightday Engineering  Kin Marine Pte Ltd  Vizada
 India  Sudan Ltd  L3  Vsatel
 Indonesia  Tanzania  BT  Mahdi Bagh Computers  Wateen Telecom
 Iraq  Thailand  Chevron  MenaNets Pakistan
 Ivory Coast  United Arab Emirates  Cygnus Satellite  Oceaneering  Williams
 Kenya  United Kingdom  EMC International Inc  World Vision
 ETEC  Optimal Satcom International
 Mexico  United States
 FBI  Orange Business  YemenSATCOM
 Netherlands  Yemen
 Gateway Business Services
 Nigeria
Africa  PT.Aditech Matra
 GDC  RED52
 Global Data Systems  RigNet
 Global Innovative  SatQuick
Technologies  SES
 Global Technologies  SkyVision
Transfer
 SpeedCast
….with many more becoming qualified every year.  Harris CapRock

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Marine Certifications
Satcom Field Technicians and Engineers

Operators On Board Vessels

GVF Specialist GVF Marine
Marine VSAT Installation &
Operator Maintenance
Certifications Certifications

562E: Operating
the Sea Tel
Model '09 series 503E: Sea Tel 503E-S1: Sea Tel HOST-E
Marine VSAT Model 09 series Model 09 series Sea Tel hands
Installation and Installation and on skills test
561: 520: Maintenance Maintenance (appr. by Sea
Fundamentals 562E-IMA: Satcom Tel)
for Marine Operating the Sea Fundamentals
VSAT Tel Model 'IMA 503T: HCC HOST-T
Operators series Marine SpaceTrack 4000 ST4000 hands
VSAT Installation and on skills test
Maintenance (appr. by HCC)
562T: Operating
the HCC Future courses * HCC cert. also requires
SpaceTrack 4000 GVF 510 & 521
Marine VSAT
Interference-prevention emphasis:
Future courses  Blockage
 Workmanship
 Cross-pol

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Sample learning page (GVF561)

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Sample learning page (GVF562E)

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Sample learning page (GVF562E)

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Sample learning page (GVF503E)

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Mobile/SNG/Broadcast program

For operators of:

 Auto-deploy/auto-point terminals
 Uplinkers operating traditional SNG
vehicles
 Any terminal with manually-controlled
modem/RF/antenna equipment and
spectrum analyzer for pointing

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Mobile/SNG Certifications
Operators of SNG or other
Autopoint terminal manually-controlled uplinks
operators

Basic Autopoint General Autopoint Basic Technical Advanced

Operator Operator Operator Technical
Operator

GVF 530 GVF 531 GVF 532 GVF 909A

Core skills for Access Procedure Core Uplinking Skills Satcom Theory for
Mobile Satellite Skills Broadcast Uplinkers
Terminal Operators

Interference-prevention emphasis:
 Line of sight
 Verify pointing accuracy (beam balance)
 Verify cross-pol
 Identify correct satellite before uplinking
 Follow General Access Procedure
 Control uplink power and avoid IMD
 General theory

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Sample learning page (GVF562E)

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Line of sight skills 3-D simulator

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Autopoint acquisition simulator

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Cross-pol skills simulator (Autopoint)

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Frequency conversion simulator

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Frequency conversion simulator

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Computation skills assessment

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Computation skills assessment

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Non-linear effects tutorial with simulator

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Non-linear effects tutorial with simulator

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Full-arc spectrum simulator

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Full-arc spectrum simulator

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Full-arc spectrum simulator

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Cross-pol skills simulator (SNG)

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NEW: subscription & site license program
For a low, flat, monthly fee:
 Unrestricted and extended access to (almost) the
entire learning curriculum
– Courses in VSAT, marine, mobile, SNG, broadcast,
operations centers, engineering, and more.
– Over 250 learning hours; $5000 tuition value.
 All certification and recertification exams
 Access reference documents any time
 Practice and refresh your skills any time
 Access to the Experts Forum
– Instructors, experts, and the satcom community answer
your questions

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Cost reduction

 Individuals pay only $29/month

– A $5000+ tuition value
 Substantially lower cost than enrolling in
courses “a la carte”
 Additional discounts are offered for:
– Developing country, UN, and NGO
– GVF member company
– Quantity
– Site license

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You can leverage training:

SERVICE
QUALITY

COST SAVING
EQUIPMENT
QUALITY
CARRIER ID

DIFFERENTIATION

CUSTOMER
RETENTION
MARKETING TRAINING
GEOLOCATION
CSR
INTERFERENCE
OUTREACH

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Integrated Training
Integrated training program for
your satellite communications
staff and customers

Direct Reselling ITU-plan

GVF industry sponsorships sponsorships
certifications
On-site class Convert existing PPT
administration training to online

Standard GVF Custom courses for Document

training courses your organization repository

In-house GVF qualified Examiners

Individual student Organization training paths and in-house

accounts certifications

Dedicated portal with custom branding

Special reports and admin services

Standard GVF program Enhanced services

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Accreditation
 Accredited Organization for Training (AO/T)
 Means that your organization maintains a well-trained
staff through rigorous training relevant to their duties.
 90% of applicable* staff must have completed, or be actively
enrolled in, the appropriate GVF training
 70% must hold a current GVF certification or have completed
appropriate GVF courses
 May use AO/T seal in marketing and advertising

Staff member title or function Minimum GVF training or certification

VSAT field technician/engineer GVF Advanced Satcom Professional Certification

SNG uplink technician GVF/RFI-EUI Advanced Technical Operator or

GVF/RFI-EUI Basic Technical Operator

Marine VSAT technician/engineer GVF Marine VSAT Specialist

Satellite systems or network engineer GVF 520 (Fundamentals of Satcom)

Sales, Marketing, or Management of satellite GVF 500 (Introduction to Satellite Communications)

communications products or services

Operator of auto-point VSAT or uplink system GVF/RFI-EUI Auto Point Operator Certification

Operator of Marine VSAT terminal GVF Marine VSAT Operator Certification

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How to get started

 Contact any member of the GVF and SatProf

teams
 Visit www.gvf.org/training
– Click on Enhanced Training Services
– Browse brochures and service catalog
– Click “Starter Plan Application Form” or “Standard Plan
Application Form”
 We will quickly prepare a tailored proposal for
you
 Regular invoices based on actual student
enrollments

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Full-arc spectrum simulator

53 GVF Training and Certification Program

Full-arc spectrum simulator

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Contacts

Global VSAT Forum SatProf, Inc.

www.gvf.org www.satprof.com
David Hartshorn Greg Selzer
david.hartshorn@gvf.org greg@satprof.com
+1-202-390-1885 +1-214-507-7059

Thank you!

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