VSAT

OUTLINE..
• What is a VSAT ?
• Typical VSAT Applications
• Satellite Communication Fundamentals
• VSAT Network Architectures
• Network Components
• Network Management
• VSATs Applications in Amateur Radio
• Summary
 Introduction
 The old earth stations and antennas were large sizes.
 The Satellite was suffering from weak transmission and the
impact of higher noise on the ground stations.
 So the receiving stations must be large size and complex
installation.
 With time these satellites have developed
and become a high power transmitter.
 So the ground stations changed
to small size Stations
 These less expensive and less
complex are called VSAT.
 What is a VSAT?
A very small aperture terminal (VSAT) is a small
telecommunication earth station that receives and transmits
data, video or voice via satellite.
The "very small" component of the VSAT acronym refers to
the size of the VSAT dish antenna-typically about 60 cm to 3.8 m.
Contd..
• Satellite-based Wide Area Network (WAN), with centrally managed
hub
• Multi-service platform: Data, telephony and multimedia
communications
• Optimal for continent-wide networks of hundreds or thousands of
units
• Small networks integrated in shared hub service
• Large networks, in the tens of thousands, for Internet access
VSAT Advantages
• Full or partial independence from terrestrial infrastructure
• Cost savings over terrestrial lines
• Nationwide reach, distance-independent
• Network management from a single point
• Quick deployment, network flexibility
• Consistent and rapid response time
• Increased network availability
and reliability
• Inherent broadcast / multicast platform
Unicast, Multicast, Broadcast

Each Unicast Packet is Numbered and Acknowledged

Unicast, Multicast, Broadcast

Multicasts Packets are Not Acknowledged

Different Data Steams can be sent simultaneously to many users
Unicast, Multicast, Broadcast

• Broadcast Packets are sent to all users in the Network Simultaneously

• Broadcasts are Not Acknowledged
• VSAT Networks can use Reliable Broadcast Protocols and applications that
are based on NACK’s, not ACK’s
 VSAT Markets

• Enterprise
• Retail; Oil & Gas; Banking; Government
• POS; Back Office; Browsing; Telemetry
• Telephony
• Public: Public Call Offices, small businesses, farmers, private lines
• Corporate: Telephony/Data infrastructure
• Internet (IP)
• High-speed, always-on, Internet-access for consumers, small businesses and schools
• Intranet and IP infrastructure for the enterprise
• IP multicast-based services
• BTV
• Content delivery
 The satellites that are used in the VSAT system?
 VSAT system used geostationary earth orbit (GEO) satellites that
revolve around the equator at the same rotational speed as the
earth.

 Appearing as though they are not moving at all, GEOs are always
in the same place above the earth. They also cover a large
geographic area.

 Direction from earth:

36,000 km (22,282 miles).

 Speed: 11,300 Km/h.

Characteristics of GEO Satellites
• ~36,000 Km above the Earth
• ~24 Hour Period
• Average 14-17 Year Lifespan
• Single Satellite theoretically can provide up to 42% Earth Coverage
• Large, expensive, difficult to launch
o
• Located approximately every 2 above the equator
• Several Satellites may operate at the same azimuth on different
frequencies/polarization
 VSAT Network Topologies
 The connection between Terminal and Terminal called (Point
to Point).
The connection between Hub and Terminals called (Point to
Multipoint).


The most important types of link are:
- Star Topology.
- Mesh Topology.
 Star Topology
VSAT terminals cannot communicate directly with each
other, they have to go through the hub.
It is commonly used for internet connection purpose.
 Smaller VSAT antenna sizes (1.8 m typically).
 The performance of the network is directly dependent
on the performance of the hub.
 Mesh Topology
 This network enables direct communication from one point
to another.
 Its usually found in telephone and data lines.
 larger VSAT antenna sizes (3.8 m typically).
 If one of the components fails there is another line.
VSAT Network Architectures
One Way
• One-Way – Receive Only
• High Bit-Rate
• Inbound Return Channel via Dial-Up Modem
• Can be used with existing infrastructure
• Example: Harmonic’s CyberStreamTM
Baseband
Equipment

Satellite

DVB Modulator

LAN

DVB Receiver
RFT
IP Encapsulator
VSAT TVRO
Antenna

TCP/IP ACK’s NACK’s Modem/ISDN

Router Return

Internet
VSAT Network Architectures
Two-Way Star Topology
• All VSATs Communicate via a Single Hub
• Network is Independent of Existing Infrastructure
• VSAT Antenna Size dependent upon Power and Gain of Hub Antenna
• Also Upon Inbound Bitrate, ODU Power and Satellite Footprint
• Contention Based Access – Usually TDMA or FTDMA
• Typical Ping Times Approximately
VSAT650-700ms

VSAT VSAT

Hub
VSAT VSAT

VSAT VSAT
VSAT
VSAT Network Architectures
Two-Way Star Topology – Double Hop
VSAT Network Architectures
Two-Way Mesh Topology
• VSATs communicate directly with each other
• Some systems require initial signaling via the Hub
• Larger Antennas, Higher Power required at the VSAT
• Smaller Antenna, Lower Power required at the Hub
• Used extensively in Telephony Networks
• Delay minimized on VSAT to VSAT Calls
VSAT VSAT

VSAT VSAT

VSAT VSAT
What are the benefits of VSAT to the
customers?
• Across border - Wide area coverage.
• Satellite communication offers borderless communication within the
satellite coverage area.
• Reachable to remote areas with digital transmission
• Rapid deployment for new sites - Rapid commissioning of new sites within
an existing network
• Cost effective - The pricing is distance independant. No matter how far
your location is, the pricing is still the same.
• Flexibility and efficiency - Network configuration changes such as
bandwidth, interfaces, data rates, etc. can be performed remotely from the
central network management system.
• Independent of terrestrial infrastructures - Worldwide deregulation of
satellite communication services is fast becoming a fact.
• This allows worldwide implementation of truly private networks.
• Simplicity - quick deployment.

Reliability and Availability - Satellite communication gives 99.7%

availability at a BER of 10-7 or even better.
• No local loop issues - VSAT is installed directly on the customer's site,
no terrestrial backhaul costs, inflexibility with increasing bandwidth,
terrestrial link availability etc.
VSAT offers:
• highly reliable,
• flexible support of integrated multimedia communications.

Compared to alternative technologies, VSAT offers customers the

following features and benefits:

• Star network topology

• Full mesh connectivity
• Bandwidth-on-Demand
• Scalability of network capacity
• Modularity and open system architecture
• Economics of statistical multiplexing
• Network Management and Control
• Cost effective solution
  Summary

 VSAT is a perfect solution in answering voice, data and

video, especially in the absence of terrestrial transmission
coverage.
 Utilizing VSAT offers maximum benefit, which enables
company to expand very fast without affected by lack of
local telecommunication network infrastructure.
 VSAT is available anywhere with the ability to connect
remote areas.
Source:
Internet