HISPASAT satellite broadband solution powers Mars Spanish Mission sims

A HISPASAT-provided satellite broadband solution will ensure the Mars Spanish Mission enjoys high-quality web access and communications during its simulations.

The preliminary phase of the first Spanish simulated Mars colonization mission will take place in the Sierra Jubierre in Aragon, Spain from April 4 to 7, 2013. The final mission will be held in the U.S. province of Utah in 2014.

The researchers at the scientific camp will leverage HISPASAT's satellite broadband services and equipment to maintain communications with the Mission Support Center based at the European Business and Innovation Center (CEEI) in Zaragoza.

HISPASAT's satellite broadband solution grants the Mars Spanish Mission access to high-powered Internet from satellite connectivity wherever they may be the world, including areas outside the reach of terrestrial networks. The Company's services are supported by more than 4,000 dedicated satellite antennas in Spanish territory, cementing HISPASAT's command of the residential satellite broadband market in Spain.

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Gogo installs ATG-4, Internet from satellite in-flight solutions on new American Airlines aircraft

Gogo is installing two of its in-flight connectivity solutions -Ku-band Internet from satellite and the Company's new-generation Air to Ground-4 (ATG-4) technology- on the new deliveries of Airbus A320 family and Boeing 737 slated for use by American Airlines.

American Airlines aircraft equipped with the dual Gogo ATG-4/Internet fromsatellite solutions will be able to provide domestic and international passengers with flexible in-flight internet service no matter the aircraft's mission. Gogo will perform installations starting 2013 as American receives its new aircraft.

Gogo also installed in-flight Internet solutions on the MD-80 and Boeing 737, 757, and 767 aircraft in American Airlines' domestic fleet. Its systems currently equip more than 400 aircraft operated by American.

Advantech: Discovery satellite hubs achieve 155 Mbps forward link performance

Last week, Advantech Wireless reported that its new generation of Discovery satellite Internet hubs and terminals broke previous performance records by achieving a 155 Mbps forward link throughput performance.

The Discovery Series leverages A-SAT technology, which optimizes satellite bandwidth by switching between SCPC and TDMA modes as needed. This allows a Discovery hub to reach throughput speeds of 155 Mbps on the forward link.

According to CEO David Gelerman of Advantech Wireless, the Company’s next generation satellite hub designs are designed from the get-go to offer optimal performance and reliability. “Our customer set a goal of 155Mbps and in record time, it is realized,” he  said in his statement. “Our team of engineers are the best in the business and have built the best VSAT solution in the market.”

The Discovery Series Hub serves as an excellent starter system for new ISPs. The Advantech satellite hub is a two-way, open standard (DVB-RCS), broadband satellite access system. It includes a fully functional hub with 4 inbound carriers, which can be scaled according to the need for increased capacity through software license.

Previously, Internet Service Provider (ISP) start-ups required hundreds of thousands of dollars in equipment. Advantech bucks that trend with its Discovery Series, which sells for under $50,000 and can be easily upgraded for more bandwidth. The affordable Advantech satellite hub easy to establish small and medium private satellite networks, commercial enterprises, or government services that provide or rely upon Internet from satellite connectivity.

Computing for the maximum transmit cable length of a VSAT Internet system?

Note the BUC gain and power supply requirements. Note your minimum and maximum modem output levels.

Using the BUC gain work out the appropriate input level for saturation.

Calculate the modem levels for various BUC output levels and try to design a system that allows the BUC to saturate with the modem perhaps still 5 dB below its maximum output. Operating any equipment at its extreme limits is not recommended. That gives you the dB loss for the transmit IFL cable, review the cable spec at L band to find the length. If you will be operating a very small carrier, with the BUC at very low power, e.g. 0.1W then take this into account, or use a lower power BUC. You dont want to get into the situation where you can't reduce the power sufficiently, even with the modem ats it minimum output. A longer cable may provide useful L band attenuation while allowing the DC and 10 MHz reference through.

Using the power requirements of the BUC, e.g. 55W at 15 to 24V.What power can your modem put out without overheating etc. If marginal then use an external power supply with cooling fan etc.

For higher powers, like 55W, it helps to use the maximum voltage at the modem end, in this case 24V. This minimises the current (amps) and thus the voltage and DC power loss in the cable. Solid copper centre wire is mandatory. 50ohm cable may be helpful as it has a thicker centre wire, if the modem and BUC can match 50ohms. Copper coated steel centre wire must be avoided!. Be conservative. Ask if the DC current taken by the BUC is smooth. It may comprise spikes at the switch mode power supply frequency and may spike also when the modem transmits a burst. Work out the cable ohms and compare with the cable specification versus length. DC power is very demanding on the coax centre pins, centre socket springs and the sheath wire connection at the plugs. A smear of electronic grade silicone contact grease can help exclude oxygen and moisture from the metallic points of contact.

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Satellite making internet-on-the-go possible

In our globalizing world, more and more people are clamoring for internet-on-the-go. The demand for Wi-Fi connection has increased also due partly to the rise of more powerful, and smarter mobile devices. Smartphones, tablets, and laptops, are rendered almost useless in places where there is no Internet connection.

Many industries, sectors, and organizations are looking at internet from satellite to provide wireless connection anytime, anywhere. Terrestrial networks may be the most favored technology for broadband distribution, but in places where geography makes it impossible to lay cables, satellite technology is the ideal solution.

Internet by satellite is also being used in the transport sector. Airlines and cruise ships are installing satellite terminals to provide in-flight and on-board Internet connection to passengers. Even train stations and trains are using the wireless technology to provide greater connection on-the-go. 

Business travelers, tourists, and commuters are welcoming the arrival of such technology. This means they can read the news, send emails, use mobile travel applications on their phones, and even make video calls before they board trains and planes, or while honeymooning in a cruise ship of the coast of Chile. 

Satellite internet may not completely replace fibre technology. But it is certainly the best solution and coverage for the last mile.