E2-E3/E&WS/V SAT

Rev date: 01-04-2011

E2-E3: ENTERPRISE & WHOLESALE

CHAPTER-14
V SAT
(Date Of Creation: 01-04-2011)

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V-SAT
1.0
Introduction
V-SAT stands for Very Small Aperture Terminal. V-SAT, also known as an earth station
is used to send and receive wireless transmissions by satellite. Millions of V-SATs are in
use around the world, allowing people to send and receive two-way data, voice or video
transmissions. The very small component of the V-SAT acronym refers to the size of the
V-SAT antenna or dish typically about 2 to 5 feet (0.55-1.8 meters) in diameter for Kuband systems that is mounted on a roof, attached to a wall or placed on the ground and
is capable of both receiving and sending satellite signals. V-SAT systems can be
designed to serve both broadcast and interactive applications whether data, voice or
video, which are now being served by terrestrial lines and can be operated in either single
or multi user environment. In single-user mode it interfaces directly to the customers
PC. In multi-user mode, seamlessly integrates into a Local Area Network with its built in
Ethernet Interface RJ-45 and also acts as an access router to support services to
connecting PCs.
V-SAT technology is a secure and reliable medium to connect geographically dispersed
locations and represents a cost effective solution for users seeking an independent
communication network. In a situation where other connectivity options are not feasible,
broadband V-SAT of BSNL, operating in Ku band of electromagnetic spectrum i.e. 11 to
18 GHz, offer value added satellite based services capable of supporting Broadband
internet access, VOIP, video conferencing, IP multicast, Local Area Network, voice, Fax
and can also provide powerful dependable private communication solutions.
Today V-SAT offers broadband services similar to cable and DSL services for the
computer which provides high performance two-way connectivity for Broadband access
as well as offers value added satellite based services with the added advantage to serve
remote and inaccessible areas of country and a cost-effective networking solution for
Corporate bodies, Training Centers, Hospitals, Stock exchanges, Banks, Technical
institutions, Government, military etc. wish high level functionality. V-SAT broadband is
another option for a high-speed Internet Connection that is considered to be one of the
best technologies available today.

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2.0
Benefits
The main benefits of the V-SAT network is the ease and rapidity with which they can be
installed and their independence from the traditional terrestrial communication networks.
Bypassing the terrestrial network is perceived by the users as attractive not only cost wise
but also it saves them from undue delays inherent in providing terrestrial leased lines.
Being self contained the V-SAT networks also lend themselves well to user controlled
end to end network management. The reliability and the quality are generally superior to
the terrestrial alternatives. The V-SAT networks enable the user to have advanced digital
services in places where the terrestrial infrastructure is not sufficient developed to do so.
V-SAT can be used to give immediate service to locations that can not afford to wait for
such long lead times. The V-SAT can be deployed for communication very quickly for
emergencies such as natural calamities etc.
Components external to the user networks, such as satellite transponder and the hub are
transparent and highly reliable. The V-SAT network can be engineered to very high
reliability. The figure of mean time between failures of the V-SAT is typically 25,000
hours allowing unmanned operation and minimal maintenance. The overall end to end
availability to the users is in excess of 99 percent. With V-SATs it is possible to construct
an end to end digital network without waiting for the gradual digitization of the terrestrial
network.
3.0
Components of V-SAT
V-SAT Equipment mainly consists of:

Outdoor Unit (ODU)

Indoor Unit (IDU) as shown in Figure

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Outdoor And Indoor (ODU & IDU)

3.1 Outdoor Unit (ODU)
The outdoor unit system is specifically optimized for use with the Indoor Unit and
consists of:

Transmit / Receive Dish (Antenna) (0.75 1.8m)

Block Up-converter (BUC) (1W-2W)

Low Noise Block-Down-converter (LNB)

BUC: Block up-converter converts incoming I.F. (from IDU) to RF transmitting
frequency, amplifies it and passes it to feed.
LNB: LNB amplifies incoming R.F. (Radio Frequency) from feed using low noise
amplifier, converts it to I.F. and passes it to IDU
IDU (Indoor Unit)
On receiving side, IDU converts I.F. (Intermediate Frequency)
from ODU
to
base band signals which may be data, video or voice. On transmitting side,
IDU
converts base band signals to I.F. and passes them to ODU. I.F. is generally in L band.
R.F. can be in C, Ku or Ka bands.
The indoor unit may be a small desktop box, or it may be a network module integrated
with a router providing V-SAT network connectivity just as any other network module

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and provide flexible Interfaces like Ethernet 10/100 BaseT (RJ45), USB with maximum
download speed of up to 4 Mbps and maximum upload speed of up to 2 Mbps.
4.0 V-SAT Network
Most of V-SATs are customer based and support mainly digital networks. Entire network
can be controlled from a single hub through appropriate commands. The network can be
defined operated from the hub. The hub also takes care of billing etc.
The V-SAT application started with receive only terminals for receiving TV broadcast
signals in C band. Small dishes measuring 1.5M to 3M are being widely used for receive
only applications for TV broadcast for DTH services.
With deregulation coming in number of private operation have been given license to
operate high speed data networks. Beside lot of private networks are going to come up
which will be used on V-SAT technology.
4.1 Network Topology
V-SAT networks can be arranged in point to point, star, mesh, star/mesh, and broadcast
configurations. The preferred arrangement depends on the kind of information flow the
network will service.

Point to Point Network allows two-way communications between two V-SAT

sites.

Star Network allows any number of V-SAT sites to have two-way

communication with a central hub.

Mesh Network allows two-way communications between any V-SAT sites in a

network. A central hub is not necessary. Each site communicates to another site
with a single satellite hop.
5.0
KU band Broadband V-SAT Network
V-SAT Broadband (Ku band V-SAT) networks of BSNL designed in a hub-and-spoke
fashion with customer locations connecting directly over the air to a central hub
facility. The equipment at a customer site is a V-SAT receiver/router (similar to a DSL
or cable modem), attached to a small dish mounted on top of or outside the building. At
the central hub facility, a large dish and sophisticated hub RF components receive and
transmit to the remote sites, and route information to and from the internet or private
networks via leased line. Internet router is connected to BSNL National Internet

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Backbone using multiple 2 Mbps leased line. All Remote V-SAT locations are having
private IP so that remote V-SAT users can connect to Internet.
MLLN customers will connect directly to this routers using lease line and they will be
able to access the V-SAT remote terminals. Customers may take 64 Kbps or multiple of
it for their main office connectivity.
MPLS: It will be connected to BSNL MPLS cloud using multiple 2 Mbps lease lines.
MPLS router will work as CE routers for the MPLS cloud.
BSNLs Ku Band HUB (Earth Station) at BANGALORE consists of:

Satellite antenna of 8.1m Cassegrain feed type.

Ku Band RF equipment and its control systems.

GATEWAY Networking Equipment with interfaces to Terrestrial Networks like MLLN,
MPLS and NIB.
5.1 V-SAT Services: The V-SAT network allows secure, reliable and cost effective data,
voice and video transmission and enables an organization to deploy nationwide different
services over IP using the shortest time span.

LEASED LINES Through V-SAT on IP PLATFORM: 4Kbps onwards

High speed Broadband Internet

VPN Networking

VOIP Telephony

Facsimile

Telemedicine

E-learning

IP multicasting

Video conferencing

Video streaming

Distance Education

Banking

On-demand services for WAN backup/disaster recovery etc.

6.0
V-SAT Market: The Indian V-SAT market was valued at Rs 650crore in 20082009. Around 25,000 V-SATs are sold every year, with the installed base growing at a
CAGR of 25 percent. Major V-SAT Equipment is given in table 1.

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The key driver of V-SAT markets growth in India is the need to spread connectivity to
remote areas, which lays emphasis on rural telephony, e-governance programs etc. The
common service center (CSC) program uses V-SAT extensively. The next important
driver is the demand coming from the BFSI verticals; with the de-licensing of the ATM
networks, core banking system implementation being made compulsory, and
centralization making it imperative to enhance connectivity with branches in far-flung
areas. Along with these, telemedicine, interactive distance education, digital
signage/cinema, stock-brokering SWAN projects, growth in the retail industry etc. will
drive the growth in the market for the next 2-3 years.
Some markets like oil and gas are not looking at using V-SAT services for their entire
supply chain management, which includes delivery and stock movement and monitoring
for all the retail outlets that they plan to setup around this vast country. Telecom/cellular
networks are another major growth area, since the only way operators can affordably
provide connectivity in some parts of India is through V-SAT.
India V-SAT Equipment Market Major Players
S.N.

Type

V-SAT Equipment Provider

1.

Tier 1

Hughes

2.

Tier 2

Gialat, Viasat

Tier 3
Others*
3.
* iDirect, ND Satcom, STM Wireless, and Comtech, and so on

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Rev date: 01-04-2011

Chapter 14: V SAT

Sample Self Study Objective Questions
1.

BSNLs Ku Band HUB (Earth Station) is available at

a)
Bangalore
b)
Thane
c)
Secundarabad
d)
New Delhi

2.

V-SAT antenna or dish size is typically about ------- to -------- meter in diameter
for Ku-band systems.
a)
2 to 5
b)
1 to 3
c)
0.55 to 1.8
d)
None

3.

Broadband V-SAT of BSNL, operating in Ku band of electromagnetic spectrum

i.e. ----- to ----- GHz,
a)
11 to 18
b)
4 to 6
c)
20 to 25
d)
None

4.

V-SAT equipment mainly consist of ODU & ------------.

a)
Modem
b)
Base band unit
c)
IDU
d)
All of the above

5.

The outdoor unit system consists of:

a)
Antenna
b)
BUC
c)
LNB
d)
All of the above

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6.

On receiving side, IDU converts

a)
IF to base band signals
b)
Base band to IF
c)
RF to IF
d)
If to RF

7.

V-SAT networks can be arranged in ---------------- configurations

a)
Star
b)
Mesh
c)
Broadcast
d)
All of the above

8.

V-SAT Broadband (Ku band V-SAT) networks of BSNL designed in a ------and-spoke fashion.
a)
Hub
b)
Mesh
c)
Ring
d)
None

9.

V-SAT systems can be operated in either ---------- or multi user environment.

a)
Single
b)
Double
c)
Triple
d)
None

10.

Point to Point Network allows two-way communications between ---------- VSAT sites.
a)
Two
b)
Any number of
c)
Three
d)
None
Subjective questions
Q1. Write short note on V-SAT ?
Q2. Write any five advantages/benefits of V-SAT ?
Q3. What are the diff. topologies in which V-SAT networks can be arranged?
Q4. Name the equipments available at BSNLs Ku Band HUB station ?
Q5. Write any five services offered by the V-SAT network ?

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