Satellite Communications

Satellite based networking has been a mainstream communication means since the early 1980’s for corporate wide-area networking.  By their very nature satellite networks are fast to deploy and provide service to even the most isolated locales allowing many remotes to communicate with a centralized (HQ) computing facility.  Very small aperture terminal (VSAT)/DirecWAY networks have proved a perfect way to link retailers with their stores, suppliers with their customers, manufacturers with their dealers and bank headquarters with their branch offices.  These networks allow for such applications as point-of-sales information capture and updates, Internet/intranet access, electronic payment authorization, order entry, parts and warranty look ups, claims adjudication, in-store music, video for training, corporate messaging and brand enhancement.  Newer VSAT networks have broadband capabilities allowing corporations to use the sky as their limit for application choices.  Satellite networks can be configured for faster speeds than most land based technologies.

What is a VSAT network?

A VSAT network enables numerous remote sites to communicate with a centralized location or network operations center.  VSATs are installed at sites and are connected to the hub via a satellite link. Small Businesses can now enjoy the same high-speed, two-way Internet connection that powers global enterprises.

DIRECWAY gives your small business access to the same advanced technology that powers global enterprises - no matter where you're located.

This enables specific satellites to be used for delivery of services to specific regions.  At approximately 22,300 miles above earth the gravitational pull is right for keeping the satellite evenly spaced over the same section of earth so satellite service coverage is always consistent. 

The satellite is made up of multiple (32-54) transponders, a very tiny slice of which is needed to beam thousands of pages of data or many hours of video.  Because transponder capacity is finite and the cost of launching and operating satellites is very expensive, great efforts are taken to maximize the usage of that capacity or space segment.  This ensures you get the data through and put you need at the best possible price

VSAT terminals

A VSAT terminal (or remote) is made up of two major elements; the Indoor Unit (IDU) and the Outdoor Unit (ODU).   The ODU is composed of a “dish” shaped antenna that is typically 3 to 5 feet in diameter and the electronic components which receive or transmit data, or video signals to and from the satellite.  These dishes are a common site, mounted on the roofs of millions of houses that receive DirecTV programming or thousands of businesses that use them to access the Internet, corporate Intranet and other applications. The ODU is generally installed on the roof, but may also be mounted on a wall, pole or even the ground. It connects to the IDU by a coaxial cable similar to a cable TV connection. In order to send and receive information via satellite, the ODU must have an unobstructed view of the satellite’s location on the horizon.

The IDU is an electronic device that is about the size of a small VCR or cable TV box and is typically installed in the remote site’s back office.  The IDU is responsible for the transfer of the data and video images between your network and the ODU.  IDUs may even use a hard drive to provide content storage, caching of data and video.  One side of the IDU connects to the coaxial cable from the ODU and the other attaches to your network equipment.  IDUs come with various port configurations to meet a variety of network applications requirements. For instance, IDUs come with Ethernet, USB, and/or serial ports for data; and/or audio and video ports for audio and video delivery and playback.

Network Operations Center (NOC)

The NOC talks to the VSAT remote terminals on one side and interacts with the corporation’s central data processing center or headquarters location on the other. The NOC is the “brain” that controls and manages the network operations so that it is transparent to the user.  The network operator can configure, download, monitor and troubleshoot the entire network from a single monitor.  Transmission between the NOC and the corporation’s central data processing center is accomplished via a terrestrial backhaul.

Network Scheme

Many VSAT networks use Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA) to send data to and from each remote site.  This means that “slots” of space are divided into “time segments” and network traffic is “assigned” to a time slot for delivery.  TDMA is a very efficient means of utilizing space segment and provides security for the transported data.  Additionally, most VSAT networks use digital transmission and IP addressing which further increases the security of network traffic.

Network Configuration

The network structure enables two-way data and video operations.  The network configuration is a star network that connects the hub to all or some of the remote sites.  Remote sites uplink only to the hub, hence the star moniker. See wireless network., Voice over IP You can visit our partner's page now.

What satellite is doing for thousands today?

Hundreds of companies have been using satellite technologies for years to carry a wide variety of applications that keep their businesses running smoothly and efficiently.  Applications such as polling to query sites daily for their sales in inventory statistics; video transmission (live or stored) for training and updates; audio to pipe music and messaging throughout their properties for the benefit of customers and employees; credit transmission to authenticate sales activity; data transmissions of things such time and attendance, pricing updates and software enhancements.

Features and Benefits

• Quick installation

• Fast transaction speed

• High data integrity

• Easy expansion both in network size and bandwidth usage

• Consistent monthly expenditure

Broadband Wireless

Point-to-Multipoint (PMP) system, requiring line-of-sight communication, provides services to carry voice and high-speed data efficiently and economically. The PMP system also provides support for commercial as well as residential broadband multimedia services. Each PMP Hub comprises multiple sector radios and multiplexing equipment to connect with the back-haul system. The hub radios communicate with the remote terminals within their sector. The interfaces include the (SONET) backbone and dedicated trunks to the voice switch, as well as IP routers and other data delivery systems.

The hardware as well as the software design is proprietary to the customer. The software design and development for this system has been a joint effort on the part of global partners along with their customers.

Point to Multi-point Offerings

By virtue of the nature and size of projects iNetworks Canada global partner has the expertise to offer comprehensive PMP Broadband System domain to its customers.

The skill set available is diverse and iNetworks Canada offers its services for consulting, design and implementation of PMP Solutions. iNetworks Canada’s services may be combined with software building blocks in PMP and core technology areas to reduce risk by meeting time-to-market and system requirements.