SatellitePro ME September 2013

ISSUE 21 | SEPTEMBER2013

2013SPECIAL

VOX POPIndustry players talk change, wishes and cool tech

HOSTED PAYLOADSThe industry-boosting trend is set to continue PUBLICATION LICENSED BY IMPZ

Al Aan TV Services uses satellite to transmit live from the line of fire

UPLINKINGFROM SYRIA

RAW CAPACITYUAE-based XSAT Global breaks into the market

EDITORIAL

The coolest thing…I love September, it’s a very exciting time of the year. For me, it’s a month of fun and new beginnings, probably because September 1 is officially the first day of spring – well, in the southern hemisphere it is anyway (yes, home for me is upside-down on the other side of the globe). Even though the first chills are making their way through Europe, I’m still enthused by the energy associated with blossoming flowers and green shoots. And what better place to enjoy my enthusiasm than in Amsterdam – I am very excited about IBC and VSAT 2013!

I may not see budding flora but I am looking forward to discovering the new products and innovation being displayed at both events. IBC will provide me a grand opportunity to learn about new companies, services and offerings, while VSAT 2013 will present vital topics and discussions on the biggest trends and pulses of the VSAT industry.

Learning about new technology is always fun and I can’t help but let my imagination run wild. Shaping products and gadgets in my mind’s eye allows me to adapt and create items perfectly tailored to my needs. But why stop there? I enjoy designing products capable of just about anything – how cool is that?! I find this all so interesting that I decided to round up some industry players to ask them for their cool and fun products. See what they have to say on page 14.

While I keenly look forward to exploring the latest offerings in the broadcast and VSAT sectors, I also hope to meet up with the many people I’ve met while attending CommunicAsia, BroadcastAsia and MilsatCom. Of course, meeting new people is always great, but if I don’t get to see you at IBC and VSAT 2013, feel free to drop me a line anytime.

Adrienne Harebottle Editor

© Copyright 2013 CPI. All rights reserved. While the publishers have made every effort to ensure the accuracy of all information in this

magazine, they will not be held responsible for any errors therein.

Publisher Dominic De Sousa

Group COONadeem Hood

Managing DirectorRichard Judd

[email protected] +971 4 440 9126

EDITORIAL

Group Editor - Broadcast DivisionVijaya Cherian


EditorAdrienne Harebottle

[email protected]+971 55 105 3776

ADVERTISING

Publishing DirectorRaz Islam

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Group Sales ManagerSandip Virk


Sales ManagerRodi Hennawi


PRODUCTION AND DESIGN

Art DirectorSteven Castelluccia

[email protected]

Graphic DesignerGlenn Roxas

[email protected]

PHOTOGRAPHYJay Colina

Abdul Kader Pattambi

Database ManagerRajeesh M


Production ManagerJames P. Tharian


DIGITAL SERVICES [email protected]

Digital Services ManagerTristan Troy Maagma

Web DevelopersJoel Azcuna

Janice Fulgencio

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In this edition:

“Oil and gas broadband service providers must consider whether their end-user customers will require an infrastructure upgrade in the future”James Collett, Intelsat’s Director of Mobility Services Product Management– page 38

“Why not have low-cost internet driving though the African Sahara? It’d be cool if the roof of the car were a flat panel antenna”Mazen Nassar, CEO at Mena Nets– page 14

“Extending an IF coaxial cable by sticking two pieces together with scotch is apparently completely acceptable to some VSAT installers”Guido Baraglia, Board Member of IRG– page 26

“High-throughput satellite technology is a very important trend to lower the cost of satellite bandwidth”Umar Javed, President of STM Group– page 42

Conference September 12-17Exhibition September 13-17

September 17 - 20Grand Hotel Krasnapolsky, Amsterdam

Space to deliver your vision

Es’hailSat is a newly formed satellite operator based in Doha, Qatar, which will own

and operate satellites to provide television, internet, corporate and government services

to customers across the Middle-East, North Africa and beyond. Es’hail 1

Highlights:

- Ku-band for broadc

- Ka-band for broadcasting, SNG and corporate services

- Coverage o

- Global connectivity to international POPs

Contact us for more information at:

[email protected]

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ESat_Ad_207x270_19thAUG2013.pdf 1 8/19/13 12:49 PM

DRIVING GROWTH IN THE MIDDLE EAST

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New office in Dubai:EUTELSAT MIDDLE EAST FZ-LLCThuraya Tower II – Dubai Media City

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A look back at the industryPlayers talk about some of the biggest changes of the last 10 years and share their wishes and favourite things

Taking the well-oiled broadband approachWith mobility networks and HTS, broadband providers can overcome the challenges

CONTENTS Issue 21 | September 2013

News SatLeadership

4 32

SatLeadSatAlignment

SatVox Pop SatVertical: Oil & Gas

1034Window to the war zone

Armed with the equipment in two SNG vans, Al Aan TV Services reports live from the battlefield in war-torn Syria

Time to tool upTechnicians can guarantee precise satellite terminal alignment by using the right tools

Co-operation Appointments, partnerships, new satellites and a talking robot in space…

Achieving success goes beyond great leadershipEmerging markets need a quality ecosystem for a sustainable space programme

14 38

24 46

28 56

Tapping the raw capacity marketXSAT Global breaks into the business with a GSM backhauling project

In the Spotlight We present some of the technology, products and solutions being showcased at IBC

Wave your RFI goodbyeWhether from equipment malfunction or human error, radio frequency interference can be arrested through geolocation

Countdown to self-reliance in space technologyAutonomy and progressive university space programmes are needed in the region

SatHosted Payloads SatEvents

SatCase Study SatTechnology: IBC Showcase

SatInterference SatGuest

18 42All aboard the space busThe trend of hosted payloads offers significant opportunities and looks set to flourish

What’s hot and what’s newVSAT 2013 offers new features this year and gathers leading professionals to address the hottest trends and topics

24

18

10

4 | SatellitePro | September 2013

NEWTEC APPOINTS NEW MIDDLE EAST SALES DIRECTOR Former Siemens Enterprise Communications and

Gulfsat Communications executive Eric Van Hoecke has been appointed by satellite communications specialist Newtec to lead its sales activities in the Middle East.

Having spent 22 years managing various responsibilities in satellite and enterprise communications, Van Hoecke brings to Newtec extensive marketing, sales and management experience. Van Hoecke will be in charge of Newtec business with its customers and partners in Iraq, Lebanon, Kuwait and Saudi Arabia.

Together with Newtec’s team based in Dubai, Van Hoecke will strengthen Newtec’s presence in the Middle East.

SatNews

Es’hailSat and Arabsat have announced the signing of a strategic

partnership to promote closer co-operation between the two companies and strengthen the reach and penetration of the 26-degree East hotspot used for TV broadcasting.

Under the terms of the agreement, Es’hailSat will acquire the rights to 500MHz of premium Ku-band bandwidth at the hotspot to be used by its second satellite Es’hail 2, which will be designed to provide direct-to-home (DTH) and other telecommunications services.

This will significantly increase Es’hailSat’s capacity and strengthen its in-orbit back-up capability when both Es’hail 1 and Es’hail 2 are operational. Furthermore, the arrangement between Es’hailSat and Arabsat will pave the way for enhanced operational flexibility and mutual in-orbit back-up between the two satellite fleets.

The agreement was signed in Doha by Ali Al Kuwari, Es’hailSat’s CEO, and Khalid Balkheyour, President and CEO of Arabsat, in the presence of Dr Hessa Al

Es’hailSat, Arabsat sign strategic partnership to promote co-operation

www.arabsat.com www.eshailsat.qa

www.arabsat.com

www.newtec.eu.

Arabsat delivers BBC World News HDBBC World News will be o!ered as a HD feed across the Middle East when it launches its international HD channel on Arabsat. Arabsat will be the BBC’s first distribution partner in the Middle East to o!er the news channel in HD.

Colin Lawrence, Distribution Director for BBC Global News, says: “We are pleased to be able to partner with Arabsat to launch BBC World News HD across the Middle East, which will showcase our news programmes at their best.”

Khalid Balkheyour, President and CEO of Arabsat, adds: “We are pleased to be the first satellite operator to bring BBC World News HD to its viewers in the region. Known for its professionalism and impartiality, the BBC enjoys a very good reputation and a wide range of viewers in the region.”

Eric Van Hoecke

Jaber, Qatar’s Minister of Information and Communication Technology, and Fareed Khashoggi, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Arabsat.

Commenting on the agreement, Al Kuwari says: “We are delighted to be able to work with Arabsat on the development of the 26-degree East prime TV broadcasting hotspot. With our first satellite – Es’hail 1 – scheduled for launch on August 29 and our plans for Es’hail 2 now confirmed, we are moving closer to providing the necessary capacity to enable our customers to substantially increase their communications capability, particularly in broadcasting in HD and 3D.”

Balkheyour adds: “We are very pleased with this strategic long-term partnership with Es’hailSat, which will provide our customers and viewers with more alternatives and variety of content that will be beneficial for both operators and will make 26 degrees East the premium hotspot of the region.”

September 2013 | SatellitePro | 5

www.jaxa.jpwww.inmarsat.com

SATCOMS TAKES BOATING TO NEW HEIGHTS

The Volvo Ocean Race 2014-2015 will be the most digitally connected around-the-world race in history, featuring the first purpose-built, one-design racing boat geared for 24/7 satellite communications to an audience of tens of millions. Inmarsat will be providing global broadband data and voice communication services for the competitors and race support teams.

Working with the Volvo Ocean Race for a fourth consecutive edition, Inmarsat’s global satellite network will be responsible for delivering cutting-edge safety services, vessel tracking capabilities, audio and video communications and social media access during the nine-month competition.

Inmarsat will supply the network and services for the FleetBroadband 500 (FB500), FleetBroadband 250 (FB 250) and Inmarsat C safety services and tracking devices.

FB500, Inmarsat’s flagship maritime service, delivers an always-on connection of up to 432kbps. FB500 also features streaming IP with guaranteed connection rates of up to 256kbps available on demand, for live

Japan sends talking humanoid robot to space

Japan made history after it launched the world’s first talking humanoid robot “astronaut”

towards the International Space Station.Kirobo — derived from the Japanese

words for “hope” and “robot” — was among five tonnes of supplies and machinery on a rocket launched on August 4 from Tanegashima in southwestern Japan, according to Jaxa, the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency.

The childlike robot was designed to be a companion for astronaut Koichi Wakata, however, it will also be communicating with another robot on Earth, according to its developers. Wakata and Kirobo are expected to arrive at the space station in November.

Robot designer Tomotaka Takahashi, of the University of Tokyo, advertiser Dentsu and renowned automaker Toyota Motor Corporation collaborated to work on the talking robot.

The challenge was making sure the humanoid robot could move and talk once it arrived in space where there is no gravity.

Ahead of the launch, the 34-centimetre-tall Kirobo told reporters, “one small step for me, a giant leap for robots.”

Japan boasts the most sophisticated robotics in the world, but because of its strong “manga” culture, it tends to favour cute robots with human-like characteristics and emotional appeal, a use of technology that has at times drawn criticism for being unproductive.

However, Takahashi says that sending a robot into space could help write a new chapter in the history of communication.

“I wish for this robot to function as a mediator between person and machine, or person and the internet and sometimes even between people.”

Jaxa says the rocket launch was successful, and the separation of a cargo vehicle, carrying the robot to the space station, was confirmed about 15 minutes after lift-off.

Inmarsat has entered into a strategic collaboration with Pearson, one of the world’s largest learning companies, to improve access to education and learning in rural and isolated communities around the world.

Inmarsat and Pearson are planning to undertake a real-life eLearning pilot project with a school in Southern Africa before the end of the year.

Through this collaboration, Pearson will leverage Inmarsat’s global 3G satellite network to extend the availability of its eLearning platform to areas that have little or no internet connectivity. A wide range of educational facilities, from basic elementary to higher learning institutions, will use Inmarsat’s

Broadband Global Area Network (BGAN) to access Pearson’s Education Technology Platforms, empowering students in these areas to achieve a higher standard of learning.

Pearson will provide educational content via satellite, whether over Inmarsat’s BGAN, BGAN Link or, in the future, the new high-speed broadband service Global Xpress.

With Inmarsat connectivity and Pearson’s online learning platform, teachers can access digital content, lesson plans and supplementary materials to deliver to their class, while students can download digital content, upload assignments and take online assessment, for example.

www.inmarsat.com

Pearson, Inmarsat collaborate on eLearning solutions

C-COM PARTNERS WITH SOUTH AFRICAN TELCO GIANT

C-COM Satellite Systems has announced that it has started supplying South Africa’s largest independent telecommunications firm Vox Telecom with iNetVu Mobile antennae. The

C-COM-manufactured antennae will be used by Vox Telecom on the YahClick Go broadband satellite service. YahClick offers Ka-band satellite connection across Africa.“Now YahClick can also be mobile, using C-COM’s technology,” says Jacques Visser, Project Manager for Vox Telecom.According to Visser, C-COM’s iNetVu mobile antennae have been designed from the ground up to be fast, robust and easy to operate.

SatNews

www.inmarsat.comwww.c-comsat.com


Sistec technicians

pass GVF training

www.sistec.co.ao

Luanda-based Sistec technicians have become the first Angolan satellite professionals to complete a Hands on Skills Test (HOST) delivered by the Global VSAT Forum (GVF). The test, administered by master examiner Onno Beemsterboer, follows delivery of GVF’s Portuguese-language online training to 10 members of the Sistec team. “HOST is an important step for building confidence in real-life situations for students of the GVF online course,” says Beemsterboer. “The students all performed really well and it was fantastic to be able to bring this programme to a new region.”

Inmarsat Government

appoints Susan Miller

as President and CEO

Inmarsat Government, the leading provider of secure, global, mission-critical telecommunication solutions to the US public sector, has

announced the appointment of Susan Miller as President and CEO. In this role, Miller will be responsible for the overall business strategy and direction for Inmarsat Government, a wholly-owned, independent subsidiary of Inmarsat, responsible for all direct US Government business.

Miller has over 20 years of senior executive leadership experience across a wide range of technologies that serve the US Government and commercial sectors. Prior to joining Inmarsat Government, Miller held leadership positions in the satellite and telecommunication industries, including MTN Satellite Communications, where she served as executive vice-president for strategy and corporate development; Spacenet Integrated Government Solutions, where she was CEO; and Intelsat General Corporation, where she held the position of president and chairman of the proxy board.

Other well-known organisations that Miller has worked with include LightSquared, Lockheed Martin and Hughes Aircraft Corporation.

Peter Hadinger, President of Inmarsat’s US Government Business Unit, says: “We are delighted that Susan has agreed to join the proxy company. The appointment of Susan as President and CEO of Inmarsat Government reflects Inmarsat’s ongoing commitment to serving the US Government with seamless, agile and high-value services.

“Her expertise and deep knowledge of the market will be essential for the growth of Inmarsat Government and are an excellent complement to our strong base of direct partners.”

www.inmarsat.com

Inmarsat will be sponsoring the University of Michigan’s World Solar Car Team as they race across the 1,864 miles of the Australian Outback this October in the World Solar Challenge.

Inmarsat will provide the team with access to its Broadband Global Area Network (BGAN) service, a global 3G network delivered by a constellation of advanced satellites. BGAN will enable the race team to communicate and share data between team members in Australia and back in Michigan, while at the

Inmarsat to sponsor students in World Solar Challengesame time keeping fans, friends and families up-to-date with their progress.

The University of Michigan is the second team competing in the world’s toughest solar endurance race for solar-powered vehicles to be supported by Inmarsat.

The World Solar Challenge is a biennial race across the Australian Outback and the University of Michigan’s car, called “Generation”, is one of 28 entrants in this year’s competition.

“Inmarsat is proud to support the University of Michigan’s World Solar Car Team as they seek not only to excel in this year’s World Solar Challenge, but also to further global efforts to harness natural sources of energy,” says Gerbrand Schalkwijk, Vice-President of Inmarsat Energy.

“Equipped with Inmarsat’s BGAN service, the team will have access to broadband speed data and uninterrupted connectivity throughout their journey across the mostly uninhabited Australian Outback, helping them to achieve maximum performance during the race.”


Asia Broadcast Satellite (ABS) has announced the confirmation of the build of ABS-2A, a multi-beam 48

transponder, Ku satellite, which will be launched in the Q4 of 2015 to ABS’ prime location 75 degrees East.

ABS-2A, covering the markets of Russia, India, the Middle East, Africa, South East Asia and the Indian Ocean region, will follow ABS-2, the largest satellite to be launched over Asia scheduled in late 2013. With 2.6 GHz of Ku-band spectrum, ABS-2A nearly doubles the available Ku-band frequencies available at 75 degrees East. Together with ABS-2, ABS-2A will deliver a

ABS confirms plan for ABS-2A satellite

www.inmarsat.com www.rig.net

RigNet acquires Inmarsat’s retail energy operationstotal of 100x54MHz Ku-band capacity to a

premium DTH customers, VSAT operators and maritime and mobility customers.

ABS-2A with 7.5kW of payload power is the second of the four Boeing 702SP all-electric satellites that ABS is purchasing from Boeing Satellite Systems International in partnership with Satmex. ABS-2A, along with ABS-3A, is part of the 702SP production line, an all-electric propulsion satellite that minimises the spacecraft’s mass and maximises available payload. It will be dual launched with its co-passenger Satmex-9, on SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket, in the Q4 of 2015.

“We are very excited to confirm ABS-2A, our second 702SP Boeing satellite, which carries the industry innovating, all-electric propulsion system. We are extremely pleased that we are able to partner again with Satmex to launch ABS-2A along with Satmex-9 in the fourth quarter of 2015,” says Tom Choi, CEO of ABS.

www.absatellite.com

www.arabsat.com

Inmarsat and RigNet have announced a wide-ranging strategic transaction involving the appointment of RigNet to distribute Inmarsat’s Global Xpress (GX) and

L-band services to the energy sector and the sale Inmarsat’s retail energy business to RigNet.

In connection with the appointment, RigNet has entered into to a significant four-year GX capacity pre-purchase.

Inmarsat has agreed to sell to RigNet its retail energy operations, which include its microwave and WiMAX networks in the US Gulf of Mexico; VSAT interests in Russia, the UK, the US and Canada; telecommunications systems integration business operating worldwide; and its retail L-band energy satcoms business.

SatNews

Arabsat and GlobeCast, a provider of media management and content delivery services, are offering new solutions for broadcasters seeking to distribute programming in North Africa. The collaboration will include GlobeCast’s teleport facilities, playout services, network and rich knowledge of the broadcast market, particularly in North Africa and will be carried on Arabsat’s BADR satellite at 26 degrees East. The goal is to foster a robust neighbourhood of quality channels for viewers in North African.

The initial rollout of the new service will include Algerian channels. Already, five

Arabsat, Globecast to offer new solutions for a robust neighbourhood of channels in North Africa

channels have just been launched on this new platform: Echourouk TV, Al Atlas TV, Dzair TV, Imed TV and Ennahar TV.

“Broadcasters have been hungering for a new opportunity to get coverage of the North African region,” says Samir Tizaoui, Senior Account Manager

of Mena at GlobeCast. “Thanks to our long-standing relationship with Arabsat, we are able to provide this opportunity to help broadcasters reach new audiences in an effective and cost-efficient way.”

Khalid Balkheyour, President and CEO of Arabsat, adds: “With our geographical expansion, we together with Globecast will be able to provide more alternatives and help our customers increase their reach.”

Eutelsat to open new

markets in Brazil,

Latin America Eutelsat Communications has confirmed the order of a new multi-mission, high-capacity satellite designed to serve dynamically expanding video and broadband markets in Brazil and across Latin America. The company has selected SSL to manufacture the EUTELSAT 65 West A satellite to be launched and operational in early 2016. It will be located at the 65-degree West position where Eutelsat’s subsidiary, Eutelsat do Brasil, was granted frequencies in C, Ku and Ka bands by ANATEL, the Brazilian telecommunications regulatory authority, in June this year.

www.eutelsat.com


www.intelsat.com

INTELSAT GVF TRAINING SURPASSES 1,000 PARTICIPANTSIntelsat has announced that more than 1,000 industry professionals have undergone training in

the Intelsat-sponsored Global VSAT Forum (GVF) training programme. Primary and subcontractor bandwidth customers, third-party installers, field service organisations and operators supporting customers are eligible for free or discounted Intelsat-sponsored GVF online training.

“By sponsoring training for our customers and connected organisations, we are helping them become more efficient while making an impact on reducing interference across the arc,” says Intelsat’s Ron Busch, Chairman of the Space Data Association. “We’re proud to support our customers and continue to accept applications for training.

Alphasat, reportedly Europe’s most technically advanced telecommunications satellites ever constructed for civilian applications, has successfully reached its temporary post in geostationary orbit. Alphasat was launched on an Ariane 5 ECA launcher from French Guiana on July 25.

In addition to deploying the massive arrays, which span almost 40 metres, the spacecraft also deployed its L-band reflector. In an operation lasting more than 24 hours, the reflector was released and unfurled slowly to its diameter of 11 metres.

All of these critical operations were successfully conducted by a team from Astrium and Thales Alenia Space, managed by Inmarsat and supported by Alphasat partner, the European Space Agency (ESA), and CNES.

The satellite will remain in its current orbit for several weeks while Inmarsat, together with ESA, continue in-orbit testing,including all AlphaBus platform subsystems,

Alphasat deploys massive, 11-metre L-band reflector in orbit

www.esa.int

commissioning its digital processing L-band payload and the spacecraft’s four Technology Demonstration (hosted) Payloads.

“We are extremely pleased with the performance of Alphasat so far. It has performed flawlessly and we have retired a significant amount of the mission risk after the successful mechanical deployments and Earth pointing acquisition. Once we finish testing the payload, Alphasat will be ready for operations,” says Ruy Pinto, Chief Technology Officer at Inmarsat.


SatLead


SatLead


Armed with two SNG vehicles, Al Aan TV Services was the first team to transmit live from within the borders of war-torn Syria. SatellitePro ME learns about the team stationed there and what it takes to give the world a view of the deadly conflict

WINDOW TO THE WAR

ZONE

Bombs are falling from the sky, snipers are keenly waiting for the next moving target and shelling

relentlessly thrashes the dilapidated buildings as well as everything in between. There is nothing inviting about the Syrian landscape at present, especially for international news correspondents who have been banned from entering the country while local reporters have been jailed. Despite the abominable situation, a handful of journalists still face the terrifying risks to go out and get the news for the world.

Abductions, missiles, attacks and murder; as if working in a war zone weren’t brutal enough, the news teams out in the field still have to overcome another major challenge: they are regularly cut off from the world. According to the Committee to Protect Journalists, a New-York based, independent non-profit organisation, mobile phones, landlines and electricity have been repeatedly disabled, while Google and other global internet companies have reported complete online blackouts. The situation is so unstable that if it weren’t for satellite communications, reporters would have nothing to rely on to not only broadcast and file their stories, but to reach out to their loved ones, too.

there, but nobody was operating from inside Syria. Everybody was operating from the border crossings – Bab Al-Halwa and Bab Al-Salama. We are the first team to go inside and operate from there.

“Each SNG has two cameras; one main and one back-up, however, there are 20 to 22 cameras out in the field with the freelance journalists. They shoot the footage and then upload it using the Thuraya IP to the headoffice in Dubai. One of our challenges is managing the generators, which we depend on fully because there is no elctrcity. We went through 10 generators in six months because the fuel, diesel or benzine, we get in from Turkey has been mixed and is contaminated. As it’s impure, it damages the generator in no time.“

Since beginning operations in February, the Al Aan TV team based in Syria has been attacked seven or eight times by missiles, says Gondal, adding that the team has learnt numerous valuable lessons.

“Every time we make an uplink, we are under threat because our location can be tracked by determining from where we are uplinking. So we only do around 5-10 minutes maximum of live transmission, and then we shut down and quickly move to

One such handful of daring correspondents is out on the frontline and this intrepid team is fully operating from inside the war-torn country, says Muhammad Irfan Gondal, CEO of Broadcast Systems Arabia and the consultant and key systems integrator for Al Aan TV.

A pan-Arab infotainment satellite TV station, Al Aan provides a few key services including uplink, down-the-line, or live stand up, playouts, live studios, post production, space segments and news coverage. Using satellite communication equipment and a satellite link via Arabsat, a principal operator in the region, Al Aan is able to transmit live from within Syria, explains Gondal.

SNG vehicles“Al Aan TV has a department called Al Aan TV Services, which has two outside broadcasting vans, better known as OB vans, and 11 satellite news gathering (SNG) vehicles operating in the UAE, Pakistan, Libya and Syria. The whole operation in Syria started in February this year, when two SNGs went there from Istanbul together with all the equipment we needed. At that time, all the other channels, from Sky, Al Jazeera and Al Arabiya, were


SatLead

another location. We learnt after about two or three attacks that we have to move fast after uplinking and that we cannot stand still for a long time.

“For security reasons, we cannot provide information about where we are at any particular time. We don’t provide any GPS coordinates at all – you can never tell who your ‘friend’ is. This is something we learnt from our experience in Libya, where we first set up similar operations following the fall of Gaddafi. However, in Libya, the situation was different; when they uplinked, we also uplinked and this caused a block – on the monitor you’d only be able to see a black screen. So for extra security, we wouldd try wait for them to uplink before we then did the same.”

While the Al Aan team is fully mobile; able to operate from any location, the crew is limited to working from within the “free” areas, explains Gondal, referring to the rebel-held zones.

“This is because the regime isn’t allowing anybody to go and make news. We have one SNG in Idlib, which covers half the [‘free’] side while the other half is covered by the SNG in Aleppo. In addition to cameras, we have full fly away kits, one main and one back-up, microphones, a tape player and spotlights. The satellite operator we’re using is Arabsat; so we’re uplinking via Arabsat with which we have a contract and when we need more capacity, we ask.”

Some of our crew is stationed with the SNGs while our reporters are based in various locations. We use any media possible for communication on the internet – Skype, Facebook all social media – so that we can arrange to meet up when needed. We have a subscription for internet access and for the satellite phones we use the scratch cards for airtime. We also use Inmarsat as a back-up for internet and satellite phones.

“With the bandwidth that we have available, which is multi-format, we’re able to shoot in either SD or HD. However, the uplink is with SD only. Of course, we have an HD system, but with the risks we’re faced wth, it’s not suitable to be used in Syria. Nobody is willing to insure our equipment. Fortunately, we do have insurance for our team members, who are far more important and valuable than our equipment, but the prices involved are considerable – around USD 6,000 a month per person.”

“With the bandwidth that we have available, which is multi-format, we’re able to shoot in SD or HD. However, the uplink is with SD only. Of course, we have an HD system, but with the risks, it’s not suitable to be used in Syria”

Images taken by Al Aan TV Services while operating out in the field in Idlib and Aleppo in Syria.

Satellite communicationWhile satellites are used to transmit live from within the country, they’re also the only way the team members can communicate with each another. Without a link to the satellites, the Al Aan team would not be able to get in touch and coordinate meeting locations and times.

“We’re using the Thuraya IP, of which we have about 21, for internet access and services and Thuraya satellite phones for communication between team members.


SatLead

another location. We learnt after about two or three attacks that we have to move fast after uplinking and that we cannot stand still for a long time.

“For security reasons, we cannot provide information about where we are at any particular time. We don’t provide any GPS coordinates at all – you can never tell who your ‘friend’ is. This is something we learnt from our experience in Libya, where we first set up similar operations following the fall of Gaddafi. However, in Libya, the situation was different; when they uplinked, we also uplinked and this caused a block – on the monitor you’d only be able to see a black screen. So for extra security, we wouldd try wait for them to uplink before we then did the same.”

While the Al Aan team is fully mobile; able to operate from any location, the crew is limited to working from within the “free” areas, explains Gondal, referring to the rebel-held zones.

“This is because the regime isn’t allowing anybody to go and make news. We have one SNG in Idlib, which covers half the [‘free’] side while the other half is covered by the SNG in Aleppo. In addition to cameras, we have full fly away kits, one main and one back-up, microphones, a tape player and spotlights. The satellite operator we’re using is Arabsat; so we’re uplinking via Arabsat with which we have a contract and when we need more capacity, we ask.”

Some of our crew is stationed with the SNGs while our reporters are based in various locations. We use any media possible for communication on the internet – Skype, Facebook all social media – so that we can arrange to meet up when needed. We have a subscription for internet access and for the satellite phones we use the scratch cards for airtime. We also use Inmarsat as a back-up for internet and satellite phones.

“With the bandwidth that we have available, which is multi-format, we’re able to shoot in either SD or HD. However, the uplink is with SD only. Of course, we have an HD system, but with the risks we’re faced wth, it’s not suitable to be used in Syria. Nobody is willing to insure our equipment. Fortunately, we do have insurance for our team members, who are far more important and valuable than our equipment, but the prices involved are considerable – around USD 6,000 a month per person.”

“With the bandwidth that we have available, which is multi-format, we’re able to shoot in SD or HD. However, the uplink is with SD only. Of course, we have an HD system, but with the risks, it’s not suitable to be used in Syria”

Images taken by Al Aan TV Services while operating out in the field in Idlib and Aleppo in Syria.

Satellite communicationWhile satellites are used to transmit live from within the country, they’re also the only way the team members can communicate with each another. Without a link to the satellites, the Al Aan team would not be able to get in touch and coordinate meeting locations and times.

“We’re using the Thuraya IP, of which we have about 21, for internet access and services and Thuraya satellite phones for communication between team members.

Muhammad Irfan Gondal, consultant and key systems integrator for Al Aan TV Services.

Security With such deadly risks involved, security is an absolute necessity, especially during live transmissions when the Al Aan team is completely exposed. A local team has been hired to provide 24-hour security, says Gondal, adding that the security team is “like having a body guard at all times”.

“We have local people we hired to help us with security and the Free Syrian Army is also helping and guiding us. Twice a day, Al Aan goes live from Syria, and we need extra security during these times. We also provide some general training to our staff and when they join the team, we openly and frankly discuss the realities of the situation and highlight the risks. Our team members are told to use their discretion and when they feel they are at risk, or when

it’s not easy or safe to move, they must decide to stay put. A reporter will know better what situation they’re in and so they decide whether to move or not.

“The story, however good it is, is not worth anyone’s life; safety and wellbeing comes first. Of course, the risk is everywhere, but that’s why our team members must use their discretion and act accordingly when the risk increases. The local people helping us are also important; they inform us about the surrounding areas and the situation; we depend on this information to best make vital operational decisions.

“A lot of effort is needed to get our operations done, and the effort is non-stop. In addition to endurance, it also takes guts. The most significant

KEY SUPPLIERSEQUIPMENT FOUND IN THE SNG VANS OF AL AAN TV SERVICES Sony HVR-S270E HD cameras

SWIT batteries

Sony VTRs and monitors

Manfrotto tripod systems

Libec dollies

Advent antenna system

Tiernan encoders

Vislink encoders and exciters

ROLLS Audio mixer

Comer sungun

Sony and Sennheiser mics

XICOM HPA high-power amplifiers

Promax Spectrum Analyser

Ku-band feedhorn

Low, mid and high LNBs

Up-converters


challenge that I’ve overcome, or trying to overcome, is trust. But the team is great and we’ve managed to do our job well. Despite all odd, we are actually running a successful business.” PRO

THEN AND NOW:

A LOOK BACK AT THE INDUSTRY


From new technologies and innovations to services and industry milestones, there’s been a host of significant developments in the last 10-15 years. A quick look back reveals that, as with most technology-related things, the satellite industry has gone through some great changes in a relatively short span of time. To find out which aspects have evolved the most, SatellitePro ME poses three questions to various players, who also say what they think is the “coolest” aspect of the industry

Q What milestone would you personally like to see achieved in the industry?

AHMED HASSAN “I’d like to see our auto-deploy antenna franchises sold to all countries across the Middle East so that more applications can be generated and developed.”

STUART DAUGHTRIDGE “We’d like to see the elimination of satellite interference as a significant QoS factor. This tends to be a black eye for the industry when compared to fibre and other transport options. Another milestone is to see satellite networks become fully integrated with terrestrial networks, such that they become another transport mechanism in the management of the larger network.”

T. SANFORD JEWETT “As an MSS operator, we’d like to see satellite devices, particularly satellite phones become as small as a regular mobile phone. This will further enable technology to become more readily adopted by more consumers.”

TORSTEN KRIENING “I’d like to see sustainable growth in emerging markets within the satellite industry. Today, around 60 counties have articulated their interest in space and about 40 have space assets. There is massive room for growth, counting more than 190 counties on our planet. The global cooperation on an equal level will be the enabler, starting at the regulation at the International Telecommunication Union and moving to manufacturing and usage of knowledge for the greater good.”

MALCOLM MCMASTER “Communications have moved off the ship’s bridge and into the crew mess and cabins, so the opportunity for access has really grown. At a time when we can WiFi-enable a ship, it’s incredible to think that crew once had to use the bridge phone with the first officer deducting the cost from their wages. The next milestone is for owners who still view communications as a cost to understand it can be simple, cost-effective and low-administration.”

STEVEN SOENENS “Next to the realisation of the new DVB-SX I’d like to see more efforts to reduce satellite interference. Radio frequency interference (RFI) is the largest cause of service outages. DVB released a standard in February, the DVB RF CID, that describes the format in which a unique Carrier IDentifier (CID) can be sent with the content by the satellite modulator. This allows us to find the cause of RFI extremely quickly. I’d like to see government regulations and satellite operators mandating the use of CID.”

JOERG ROCKSTROH “The development of ACM. The way DVB-S2 ACM affected two-way communication over satellite was the biggest step forward.”

WILFRIED URNER “The digitisation and convergence of TV that has been taking place in the past few years which has made it possible for one to watch content on multiple devices.

“I hope the VSAT industry will keep getting more efficient and reducing costs to eventually compete with fibre. After all, unlike what many believe, satellite is more reliable than fibre as well as many other connectivity solutions. It’s also more secure and private.”! !MAZEN NASSAR

“Global Ka band and more accessible bandwidth. I’d also like to see more integration to satellite technology with terrestrial systems.” NABIL BEN SOUSSIA

SatVox Pop

THEN AND NOW:

A LOOK BACK AT THE INDUSTRY


QWithin the last 10 to 15 years, what has seen the biggest change or development in the

satellite industry?

AHMED HASSAN, CEO of Wiseband “The introduction of Ka-band satellites has been a major change in the industry, even though Ka-band satellites have a huge limitation and a lot of the satellite operators are not able to manage them professionally. Ka band has helped to drop the ku-band prices dramatically.”

STUART DAUGHTRIDGE, Senior VP of Advanced Technology at Kratos Technology and Training Solutions “The growth in satellite applications has been extraordinary. The steady advancement in VSATs, DTV, cellular backhaul, maritime, aero applications and direct-to-home internet have all seen impressive developments.”

MAZEN NASSAR, CEO at Mena Nets “The VSAT industry has changed dramatically, from supply and demand to technology on the ground and regulatory. There is more technology and satellites and they’re bigger and more efficient. There are also new ones such as Yahsat and new bands such as Ka band. We now see a lot more TDMA networks, more efficient methods of processing such as adaptive coding and modulation (ACM), carrier-in-carrier, bandwidth shaping and compression.”

NABIL BEN SOUSSIA, MD of Safa Telecom Abu Dhabi “The size of satellite terminals became smaller and the equipment and bandwidth became more accessible. This made the industry rely more on satellite technology and created a more competitive market. Looking to the past, the only data transfer 10 years back was on limited bands with satellites mainly relying on TV broadcast. Now we have more bands, coverage, much more customers and plans for development.”

T. SANFORD JEWETT, VP of Marketing at Thuraya “We’ve seen the industry evolve to one that is pushing the boundaries in terms of creating smaller, more compact satellite terminals. Thuraya has been at the forefront of innovating mobile satellite terminals and devices. Earlier this year we unveiled the Thuraya SatSleeve, the world’s first satellite adaptor for the iPhone. The industry has also witnessed a transformation with the advent of high-throughput satellites (HTS), offering increased capacity and higher broadband downlink speeds to subscriber terminals.”

TORSTEN KRIENING, MD at Kriening International “The usage of GPS in a commercial and end-user environment is one of the biggest changes in the industry. This is followed by the opening of the space access market to private companies, where I see Elon Musk SpaceX as a great example.”

MALCOLM MCMASTER, President of Globecomm Maritime “For specialist maritime companies, the biggest change has been the availability of bandwidth for users at sea. Having gone from single- and double-digit kilobits per-second throughput to 128k, 512k and now to be approaching 1MB consistently is a big deal.”

STEVEN SOENENS, Director of Product Strategy and Product Management at Newtec “The emergence of multi spot-beam satellites and HTS, which in many cases are combined with Ka-band frequencies. These new technologies provide higher throughput at lower cost and enable new business models based on a variety of services all running on the same multi-service network.”

JOERG ROCKSTROH, Senior R&D Engineer at WORK Microwave “In the last decade, bandwidth growth didn’t always match the data transfer growth rate and even when it did, bandwidth was still not a guarantee of throughput improvement or signal quality. The industry responded with the introduction of Ka band and spot-beam technology. Additionally, the usage of the full DVB-S2 standard capabilities in combination with adjacent technologies such as traffic shaping/QoS enabled the industry to address this challenge.”

WILFRIED URNER, Senior VP of Product Development and

Management at SES “We’ve witnessed tremendous bandwidth

demand from our broadcaster customers. Not only are they

carrying more channels, they’re also broadcasting in higher quality.

Today, SES carries more channels than any other satellite operator;

5,800, out of which over 1,600 are in HD, to 276 million homes.”


QWhat do you think is the coolest thing in or about the industry?

STUART DAUGHTRIDGE “The new ways to get more data through satellites, whether by the use of HTS, or higher and more advanced modulation schemes – that’s very cool stuff. This has really helped level the playing field with fibre and helped drive the growth of new satellite applications.”

MAZEN NASSAR “Why not have low-cost internet while driving though the African Sahara? It would be cool if the roof of the car were a flat panel antenna, giving the car continuous connectivity. It would also be amazing if one could have an all-in-one briefcase that can be set anywhere outdoors and it will automatically link to the satellite, providing WiFi to the locality by simply having a dish, which would probably be a flat panel with the imbedded block up-converter, low noise block converter, modem and WiFi. That would be cool, and it is possible – I tried to promote it at CABSAT.”

NABIL BEN SOUSSIA“The success of Thuraya voice service, especially after the first failure of Iridium, was cool. It was an important breakthrough because it brought back the belief that this business has a future.”

TORSTEN KRIENING “Over the last decade, there has been something cool that came out every year. But

for 2013, the coolest thing is inflatable VSAT antennae.”

MALCOLM MCMASTER “M2M services have the ability to do some very cool stuff. Because ships are moving targets and because some carry high-value cargoes, M2M opens the door to monitoring and control, interrogating the contents of containers and making the shipping process much smarter. M2M also has huge potential for gathering data on ship performance, which has operational benefits that could mean lower fuel bills but it could also contribute to designing safer ships in future if that data is collected and shared.”

STEVEN SOENENS “The absolutely coolest thing is the way the industry is using the scarce satellite resources more efficiently. We’re passionate about this and in 2011 launched Clean Channel Technology, improving efficiency of the modulation by up to 15% compared to traditional DVB-S2. Then in 2012, we initiated a DVB project to create a more efficient modulation standard. We anticipate that DVB will release new specifications (DVB-SX) in late 2013 that will improve satellite space segment efficiency by up to 37% compared to DVB-S2.”

“The advancement of technology in terms of higher throughput and capacity is one of the most exciting milestones. However, we shouldn’t discount the convergence of the MSS and FSS sectors, which is still developing and will dominate in the next decade.”T. SANFORD JEWETT

“The best thing is satcom-on the move – SOTM products are the coolest!” AHMED HASSAN

SatVox Pop

JOERG ROCKSTROH “A mindful approach towards higher complexity. Technologies available today can sometimes bog down the user with complexities, and it becomes more challenging to make devices that are easy to operate. WORK Microwave makes it a goal to design technology that isn’t just for experts and scientists. The satellite industry as a whole should keep an eye on ease of use versus pure technical competition.”

WILFRIED URNER “As HD content becomes more prevalent and becomes the standard to watch TV, the next step up for broadcasters is to offer premium channels in Ultra HD, which promises not just more pixels but also better pixels. Ultra HD will then gradually become the standard from prime TV channels, while HD becomes the standard for the rest.”

Reaching the right audience comes down to a simple equation. Intelsat has

always been forward thinking when it comes to media. When we launched IntelsatOneSM,

we built the satellite industry’s largest IP/MPLS fi ber network to create fl exible, hybrid

content delivery options for our customers. And now, we’re introducing Intelsat EpicNG,

our next generation satellite platform, which combines high-throughput spot beams, for

content regionalization and targeting, with wide beams, for total continent coverage.

That’s intelligent design. Good for your operations and your bottom line.

Meet with Intelsat during IBC 2013 at Stand 1.C71.

Learn how Intelsat can help you reach more viewers.

Visit www.intelsat.com/Forward-Thinking for details.

Designed for 2030. Launching in 2015.

6846-Satellite-Pro_Media.indd 1 8/21/2013 1:49:05 PM


The hosted payload market is alive and well. With an increasing number of deals, recently including Arabsat, Es-hailSat, Iridium and Eutelsat, this robust market is poised to continue growing. Anthony Colucci, Vice-President of Marketing and Sales at SSL, talks about costs,

procedures, operations and benefits

ALLABOARD

THE SPACE BUS

Typically, who are hosted payload clients? The term “hosted payload” is typically used in reference to a government payload on a commercial satellite. Many commercial operators are interested in hosting government payloads on their satellites, and US Government organisations such as NASA, NOAA, DARPA and the US Air Force are interested in identifying commercial satellites that can transport instruments, sensors and other payloads to space. In addition to truly operational systems, hosted payloads also provide an important method of demonstrating new technologies or science missions that would otherwise not have an affordable access to space.

Why are communication satellite operators so keen to pursue hosting opportunities? For satellite operators, a hosted payload can lower the capital expenditures of building and launching a satellite. It can help the operator close the business case for investing in a new spacecraft and consequently stimulates industry growth.

How strong is this trend?SSL has been building satellites with hosted payloads for many years. Recently, we provided a satellite for SES that hosted a

navigation payload for the European Union, and before that we built a satellite for Intelsat that hosted the first commercial internet router in space (IRIS). As the leading commercial geostationary satellite manufacturer, we see many hosted payload opportunities and believe the trend will accelerate and benefit the entire industry.

How do you manage multiple clients? There can be many different creative solutions for companies and organisations to share satellite ownership. For example, SSL has built a satellite to be shared by Eutelsat and Es’hailSat. Another example of a satellite owned by more than one operator is MTSAT 1R, which was built by SSL for two different Japanese Government agencies. Launched in 2005, it has a payload for the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and

Transport for air traffic management and it has a second payload for the Japanese Meteorological Agency for weather forecasting. SSL also built a commercial communications satellite for Optus that was launched in 2003 which hosts three military payloads for the Australian Defence Force.

What are the criteria for providing a hosted payload?Of significant importance is where the satellite will be located. The organisation with the payload to be hosted must find a spacecraft that will be located at the orbital slot where it wants to operate. Additional criteria include size, power and schedule. It is important that the payload and satellite are both ready for integration and launch at the same time.

SSL is currently working with NASA Goddard Space Flight Center to host a Laser Communications payload on one of its satellites. NASA has taken an innovative approach by selecting the satellite manufacturer at the same time that it begins designing and building the payload. SSL is working with NASA’s Laser Communications Relay Demonstration (LCRD) team to

“We see many hosted payload opportunities and believe the trend will accelerate and benefit the entire industry”

18 | SatellitePro | January 2013

SatHosted Payloads



The hosted payload market is alive and well. With an increasing number of deals, recently including Arabsat, Es-hailSat, Iridium and Eutelsat, this robust market is poised to continue growing. Anthony Colucci, Vice-President of Marketing and Sales at SSL, talks about costs,

procedures, operations and benefits

ALLABOARD

THE SPACE BUS

Typically, who are hosted payload clients? The term “hosted payload” is typically used in reference to a government payload on a commercial satellite. Many commercial operators are interested in hosting government payloads on their satellites, and US Government organisations such as NASA, NOAA, DARPA and the US Air Force are interested in identifying commercial satellites that can transport instruments, sensors and other payloads to space. In addition to truly operational systems, hosted payloads also provide an important method of demonstrating new technologies or science missions that would otherwise not have an affordable access to space.

Why are communication satellite operators so keen to pursue hosting opportunities? For satellite operators, a hosted payload can lower the capital expenditures of building and launching a satellite. It can help the operator close the business case for investing in a new spacecraft and consequently stimulates industry growth.

How strong is this trend?SSL has been building satellites with hosted payloads for many years. Recently, we provided a satellite for SES that hosted a

navigation payload for the European Union, and before that we built a satellite for Intelsat that hosted the first commercial internet router in space (IRIS). As the leading commercial geostationary satellite manufacturer, we see many hosted payload opportunities and believe the trend will accelerate and benefit the entire industry.

How do you manage multiple clients? There can be many different creative solutions for companies and organisations to share satellite ownership. For example, SSL has built a satellite to be shared by Eutelsat and Es’hailSat. Another example of a satellite owned by more than one operator is MTSAT 1R, which was built by SSL for two different Japanese Government agencies. Launched in 2005, it has a payload for the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and

Transport for air traffic management and it has a second payload for the Japanese Meteorological Agency for weather forecasting. SSL also built a commercial communications satellite for Optus that was launched in 2003 which hosts three military payloads for the Australian Defence Force.

What are the criteria for providing a hosted payload?Of significant importance is where the satellite will be located. The organisation with the payload to be hosted must find a spacecraft that will be located at the orbital slot where it wants to operate. Additional criteria include size, power and schedule. It is important that the payload and satellite are both ready for integration and launch at the same time.

SSL is currently working with NASA Goddard Space Flight Center to host a Laser Communications payload on one of its satellites. NASA has taken an innovative approach by selecting the satellite manufacturer at the same time that it begins designing and building the payload. SSL is working with NASA’s Laser Communications Relay Demonstration (LCRD) team to

“We see many hosted payload opportunities and believe the trend will accelerate and benefit the entire industry”


SatHosted Payloads

determine the technical requirements for the instruments to be integrated with the SSL 1300 satellite platform. As the optical modules, flight electronics and ground stations are in development, SSL is working with its commercial customers to identify an appropriate host satellite for the demonstration.

What are the challenges associated with hosted payloads?In a discussion about hosted payloads at the April 2013 National Space Symposium, Major General Martin Whelan, of the Air Force Space Command, said the issue is not “an electrical engineering problem, but a social engineering problem in getting people to think differently.’” As a manufacturer, we know that designing and engineering a satellite with a hosted payload is not technically difficult. We have had many successes doing this in the past and the technical issues are relatively straightforward. The key to successful design and integration is to have the hosted payload well defined at the beginning of the process for the satellite design.

The bigger challenges are commercial, contractual and programmatic. Schedule compatibility is a good example. The host and the guest operator need to work out in advance contractual arrangements that are suitable for both parties. They must plan in advance for issues such as how projects are financed, policy and regulatory issues, who provides oversight, and how risk gets translated into dollars. With good communication, all of these issues can be resolved and each satellite contract can be tailored to the unique requirements and specifications of all of the parties involved.

What will support proliferation of government hosted payloads on commercial satellites?In the United States, the industry is working closely with government agencies to develop compelling mission capabilities for the proliferation of hosted payloads. This includes data encryption and information assurance so a hosted sensor can seamlessly link to a government

mission data processing centre. From SSL’s perspective, the hosted payload model is about much more than catching a ride on a commercial communications satellite. The larger concept is to leverage the abundant bandwidth of the host satellite, the commercial gateway, network management and ground fibre in an information-assured, protected internet protocol fashion.

How much autonomy does the hosted client have?This all depends on the nature of the contract. In some cases, the client may want the host to manage all operations, and in other cases they need to be very independent. There are opportunities for solutions to be very closely integrated or very carefully isolated.

How do you accommodate and manage multiple payloads?SSL has a history of accommodating multiple payloads on one satellite. For example, Optus C1 has 14 antennae that provide 16 different coverages. The satellite delivers commercial TV broadcast services for Australia, New Zealand and other parts of Asia. It also carries UHF, X-, and Ka-band payloads for the Australian Defence Force.

In some cases, such as with the navigation payload for the European Union hosted by a satellite that we built for SES,

the commercial operator manages the relationship with the manufacturer on behalf of the government agency. In other cases, such as the Laser Communications payload that we will integrate onto a satellite for NASA, we as the manufacturer will take the lead in coordinating the implementation between the commercial operator and the provider of the payload.

What is the typical workflow from inception to launch and management thereafter?The crucial planning and contract work to integrate a hosted payload onto a commercial satellite should come before the satellite design is firm. This includes definition of requirements and selection of a manufacturer, which can take three to six months, or longer. It takes about two to three years to build a commercial satellite, and typically the payload to be hosted should be ready to mount about 18 months before programme completion, when testing begins. In some cases, depending on the nature of the payload and how it is integrated into the satellite, it can be added later. In the case of the IRIS payload on the Intelsat 14 satellite, after the payload was fitted to the spacecraft it was removed and tested separately, and simulator boxes were placed on the satellite in the interim period.

Within this workflow, when is the ideal time for a client to get involved? Because of the nature of some of the technically advanced payloads that government agencies want to put onto commercial satellites, payload development must often begin several years before the host is selected. This enables the principal investigators at NASA and sensor and antenna providers at the US Air Force and other government agencies to develop new technologies at their own pace. A year or two before the payload is ready, the selection of the host can commence. NASA Goddard was particularly forward-looking in terms of selecting its satellite manufacturer before the laser communications instruments were developed in order to assure the payload design would easily integrate into one of many future satellites that SSL will build.

“The hosted payload model is about much more than catching a ride on a commercial communications satellite. The larger concept is to leverage the abundant bandwidth of the host satellite, the commercial gateway, network management and ground fibre in an information-assured, protected internet protocol fashion”

In the event of launch failure, or satellite failure in orbit, what are the liabilities involved?Risk is mitigated through purchase of insurance as well as through the terms and conditions of the contracts and architectural redundancy. It’s common in the commercial industry to use insurance, which can be purchased to cover the full value of the satellite and launch including the hosted payload. However, it is not uncommon for the owner of the satellite and/or hosted payload to self-insure, depending on whether the payload is experimental versus operational. This is commonplace for US Government missions.

One of the advantages of hosted payloads is the reduction in costs. How much of a reduction is this?Launching a geostationary commercial satellite generally costs between USD 80-150 million or more, depending on the launch vehicle and satellite mass. If this amount is shared between a host satellite operator and an additional payload operator, there are significant cost savings for both parties.

What support do you provide during launch and in-orbit operations? SSL works closely with launch service providers to integrate each satellite to its launcher and we continue to monitor the satellite through the launch phase. Once the satellite separates from the launcher, we control it through its manoeuvres to reach its final orbital position. Thorough in-orbit testing is conducted before the satellite is handed over to the operator. SSL continues to monitor every spacecraft it builds for its full life and also assists satellite operators as needed throughout in-orbit life and the deorbiting process. PRO

SSL and Hosted PayloadsSpace System/Loral (SSL) is a full-service provider of communications satellites and space systems and boasts a reputable history of delivering reliable satellites and spacecraft systems for commercial and government customers around the world. It has recently had several successful launches and has a current backlog of 17 satellites, including the satellite to be shared by Eutelsat and Es’hailSat. An additional hosted payload will be with the satellite that will host NASA’s LCRD, while several other potential hosted payload projects are still in the study phase at present.SSL works closely with satellite operators to provide spacecraft for a broad range of services including television and radio distribution, digital audio radio, broadband internet and mobile communications.

Anthony Colucci is Vice-President of Marketing and Sales for SSL. He is responsible for Asia, the Pacific and the Middle East, and assists customers in starting and building satellite businesses. Colucci has more than 20 years’ experience in satellites and space. He holds a Bachelor of Science in astrophysics from the University of New Mexico and a Masters in business administration from the Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania.


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SatCase Study

TAPPING THE RAW CAPACITY MARKET

Dubai-based XSAT Global won its maiden contract to sell raw capacity for a GSM backhauling project. Managing Director Gleb Larionov shares the details, challenges and experience


SatCase Study

TAPPING THE RAW CAPACITY MARKET

Dubai-based XSAT Global won its maiden contract to sell raw capacity for a GSM backhauling project. Managing Director Gleb Larionov shares the details, challenges and experience


“The biggest and most unexpected challenge arose when 19 out of the 20 VSATs were up and running. We discovered that the last station was not commissioned due to an obstacle, in this case a mountain, preventing it connecting to the satellite. The whole project was on the verge of cancellation – and after all the hard work was done!”

The ability to offer better satellite capacity at a lower price – that’s what did it. This is how UAE-based XSAT

Global beat competitors to win its first contract to sell raw satellite capacity for a GSM backhauling project in Central Asia. This, together with various other factors, explains Gleb Larionov, the Managing Director. The company, which is focused on supplying mobile and fixed satellite services (FSS), GSM products and telecommunication services based on VoIP, was awarded the contract in July this year.

“We stared the project on July 1 this year, but the whole negotiation has been going on for much longer. In fact, initial talks started back in 2011, so it has taken two long years. However, for this kind of project and customer, it’s quite normal. It simply takes time to get in.

“For the contract, we were competing with a variety of European and Asian operators. There was a number of factors as to why we were chosen over the others. But the main factor was that we offered better satellite capacity at a lower price. “

The client is a GSM operator and the project was based in Tajikistan, a mountainous landlocked country in Central Asia, says Larionov.

“One of the GSM operators in Central Asia has more than 20 VSAT stations that are utilised for GSM backhauling in the remote and mountainous areas. The objective of the project was to organise satellite channels to be used for GSM backhauling. The project, which went live right from the start on July 1, is for a 12-month period with the option to renew the contract.”

Specialised skills and experience are required for a project of this nature, says Larionov, explaining that the team involved has to be able to calculate link budgets, frequency allocation and antenna alignment – not to mention unmeasurable patience for the operator and client.

“Selling raw capacity is quite a unique business and suppliers and clients have usually known each other for many years. Such an environment can be challenging for a newcomer to enter. Our challenge was to prove to both the satellite operator and end customer that XSAT can add value through

our offering and be a reliable, long-term supplier. Entering the business, getting to know the people involved and ultimately proving that we’re a dependable and capable supplier isn’t a quick feat. That’s why it took XSAT a long four-year period to close our first FSS deal.

“Another challenge posed by this project was related to technical issues involving the link budget, cross poles and antennae alignment. We had our technical team ready but we also received great support from Intersputnik, our partner in this project, which helped us greatly in both technical and commercial areas.”

Intersputnik International Organization of Space Communications, commonly referred to as simply Intersputnik, is an intergovernmental organisation headquartered in Moscow. Intersputnik, which today unites 26 countries around the world, has a core business in leasing satellite capacity to telecommunications operators, broadcasters and corporate customers under agreements with partner operators, as well as providing full-scale services for the establishment and operation of satellite networks. With its sound reputation and experience, Intersputnik proved to be a valuable partner for newcomer XSAT, explains Larionov.


“Usually, satellite operators are not eager to deal with new partners. They tend to rely on old and confirmed partners. For new players, it’s very difficult to get the attention of operators, unless you have you have a multi-million-dollar deal, or course. Intersputnik is a very professional, patient and flexible operator with a fast reply time, which is very important. As for our partnership, XSAT has been responsible for the client relationship and financials, while Intersputnik has provided the capacity and technical support.”

On the technical side, difficulties were abound, as the GSM operator’s staff were inexperienced in VSAT, says Larionov.

“They have great experience in the area of GSM, but they’ve had some difficulties in connecting VSAT stations. Since our technical team was working remotely, we also had some issues in communication with the GSM operator’s technical staff.

Going beyond link budgets, technical training and alignment issues, the geographical location was problematic; its mountainous terrain created one of the biggest challenges of all, reveals Larionov.

“The biggest and most unexpected challenge arose when 19 out of the 20 VSATs were up and running. We discovered that the last station was not commissioned due to an obstacle, in this case a mountain, preventing it connecting to the satellite. The whole project was on the verge of cancellation – and after all the hard work was done! The operator’s technical team spent three full days relocating the VSAT station and in the end: success. The newly located station was able to get signal and could commissioned – It was finally up and running!”

Having completed the project, which had a budget of USD 300,000, and meeting the service-level agreement of 99.7%, XSAT has successfully proved its capabilities as a supplier of raw satellite capacity. The client is satisfied, says Larionov, and this will open more opportunities in the near future. “We are already talking to the client to sell C-band capacity as well as other projects. For XSAT, this project has given us important experience as well as the confidence to conduct these types of business.” PRO

SatInterference


WAVE YOUR RFI GOODBYE


The majority of unwanted radio-frequency interference (RFI) plaguing commercial satellite systems is caused by equipment malfunction or human error. Guido Baraglia, of the satellite Interference Reduction Group, discusses the most common RFI generated by a combination of these two causes

An intermediate frequency (IF) pick-up describes radio-frequency interference (RFI) generated by

satellite ground terminals, of whatever size and purposes, which are affected by local terrestrial transmissions and in one way or another, retransmits those terrestrial signals towards the satellite they are pointing at.

The impact of such an anomaly to the communication networks available on the affected satellite largely depends on the nature of the terrestrial disturbance and the type of satellite ground terminal that retransmits it.

A VSAT ground terminal is more likely to be the source of this type of RFI either through a bad grounding or a damaged IF cable. In both cases, the effects on the affected satellite will be equal.

The most common type of IF pick-up is generated by satellite ground terminals that are located near FM radio distribution stations that retransmit parts or the entirety of the FM radio broadcast. This happens because the CCIR FM radio frequency allocation between 87.5 and 108.0 MHz, with all the known exceptions, falls within the IF range of the satellite ground terminal, when this is 70 or 140 MHz in value. A different scenario opens for more recent terminals that use L band as IF, but it

doesn’t mean these will not generate RFI; on the contrary, it will be a different type of interference, which actually has a bigger impact than the FM radio pick-up.

Unintended aerialsA damaged cable, a non-terminated input connector and a bad or missing ground assembly can transform the IF cabling between the indoor modulator (modem) and the outdoor frequency conversion and amplification system, or the entire installation into a perfectly functional aerial that will “receive” and “inject” the FM radio stations in the air into the transmit path to the satellite.

Damaged cables or installations gone awry are by far the most common sources of IF pick-up. Unqualified VSAT installers, with no knowledge of RF systems, can be the cause of serious anomalies that affect several MHz of transponder bandwidth. Extending an IF coaxial cable by sticking two pieces together with scotch tape seems like a horrifying thing to do to those familiar with satellite communication. However, it is apparently completely acceptable to some VSAT installers (as I’ve sadly witnessed!).

There has been a case where VSAT modems were accidentally left on in a cupboard being used by a cleaner for

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detergents. While this is causing absolute havoc, the end user, in this scenario a convenience store at a petrol station, has no clue of the existence of such equipment, even less how it works or to whom it belongs. Then there is also the fact that in some countries, registering VSAT terminals is not mandatory and this hampers the policing of such events.

The frequencies at which this interference will be visible on the satellite vary depending on a number of factors: the original FM radio broadcasting frequencies, the IF used (70 or 140 MHz), or the set-up of the ground station frequency conversion system. Sometimes this could generate interferences that are detected on adjacent transponders from the one used by the ground station.

FM radio interference is usually easy to detect and characterise, first and foremost, because with appropriate spectrum analysers, it’s possible to demodulate the FM radio broadcasts. Not that this solves all problems, but it generally provides great insight of the country of origin of the FM radio and, thus of the ground station generating the anomaly at hand.

These interferences are often characterised by a triangular shaped signal,

or group of signals, with a bandwidth of around 200 kHz and a seemingly bursting behaviour. Setting the spectrum analyser at the centre frequency of the rogue signal at zero span allows the operator to visualise the analogic nature of the signal. Adding specific instrument settings for the resolution bandwidth and the video bandwidth of the spectrum analyser with FM demodulation capabilities, the operator will also be able to “tune” the radio station and listen to the broadcast, normally with very good quality.

As mentioned before, this will only partially help the troubleshooting of such anomalies, simply because chances are the radio station will broadcast in an unknown or obscure language.

If it is possible to demodulate and listen to the radio station broadcasting name, hence country of origin, there are numerous online databases that list all known and registered FM radio channels around the world, including those radio networks that use different frequencies according to the part of the originating country they are covering.

If and once the country of origin can be established, it will be, theoretically, possible to filter all registered ground

“FM radio interference is usually easy to detect and characterise, first and foremost, because with appropriate spectrum analysers, it’s possible to demodulate the FM radio broadcasts”


SatInterference

Guido Baraglia is the SAT Corporation Sales Director for EMEA and a Board Member of the

satellite Interference Reduction Group. Considered a leading expert in carrier monitoring and

interference geolocation, he has almost 20 years’ of experience in combating RFI.

stations or network providers that are operating from the origin, and report the anomaly. It will be also possible to attempt a reverse engineering calculation of the frequency used by the offending ground station to transmit its legitimate carrier, even if this will require a number of assumptions that could mislead the search. In particular, not all ground terminals have their uplink frequency converters set to the centre frequency of the transmitted signal, and those that are transmitting more than one carrier are often set to the centre frequency of the transponder or, even worse, to an arbitrary frequency that best fits the knowledge of the installer.

If this procedure cannot be applied, or if this procedure does not provide the necessary clues to solve the anomaly, the last resort would be the geolocation of the interfering signals.

Geolocation of such type of interferences are quite common and quite often successful thanks to the often small aperture of the faulty ground terminal. On the other hand, the identification of the malfunctioning ground station can be far more challenging. This depends on the fact, especially if the target is a VSAT terminal, that there will be several

terminals within the search ellipse defined by the geolocation result.

Contacting each installation isn’t practical; the person that uses the terminal often doesn’t have a clue where it is or how it works, and they are not keen to take any action on the basis of a phone call from an unknown entity (the satellite operator control centre).

Going through the service provider is often as challenging as the end users, so satellite operators resort to the last-mile search using a specifically equipped helicopter. PRO

“It will be also possible to attempt a reverse engineering calculation of the frequency used by the offending ground station to transmit its legitimate carrier, even if this will require a number of assumptions that could mislead the search”

Terms & References

A zero span setting on an angle analogic spectrum analyser allows visualising the signal in the time domain, using the analyser as an oscilloscope.A recommended online database that lists all known and registered FM radio channels from around the world can be accessed at: www.fmlist.org

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SatLeadership

Every country, culture, sport or industry around the world is awash with inspirational tales of leaders past and

present. Although each leader is unique, they all share specific traits: exceptional

communicating and motivating all those concerned. However, how many leave an ecosystem that will ensure sustainable leadership for those that follow?

Napoleon, Alexander the Great, Mandela,

ACHIEVING SUCCESS GOES BEYOND GREAT LEADERSHIP

Emerging markets need a quality ecosystem support at grass-roots level to have a thriving space programme, says Ed Capaldi, a Strategic Advisor and Coach to the CEOs

purity of vision, laser-sharp focus, a winning drive and an ability to take the right decisions at the right time to align short-term priorities to their long-term audacious goals. They’re also masters in


SatLeadership

Every country, culture, sport or industry around the world is awash with inspirational tales of leaders past and

present. Although each leader is unique, they all share specific traits: exceptional

communicating and motivating all those concerned. However, how many leave an ecosystem that will ensure sustainable leadership for those that follow?

Napoleon, Alexander the Great, Mandela,

ACHIEVING SUCCESS GOES BEYOND GREAT LEADERSHIP

Emerging markets need a quality ecosystem support at grass-roots level to have a thriving space programme, says Ed Capaldi, a Strategic Advisor and Coach to the CEOs

purity of vision, laser-sharp focus, a winning drive and an ability to take the right decisions at the right time to align short-term priorities to their long-term audacious goals. They’re also masters in


Martin Luther King Jr, Ghandi, John D Rockefeller, Dino Zoff, Mahendra Singh Dhoni, Bill Gates, Ratan Naval Tata, Prince Alwaleed: all five-star leaders. But who would you have lead your space programme? If the goal is to build a thriving, sustainable space programme, then building leadership competencies supported by a continuously evolving ecosystem is what counts, not a flash in the pan super-star leader. Of the aforementioned figures only one, John D Rockefeller, has to date left a sustainable leadership system to follow.

The fundamental challenge facing emerging markets looking to build successful, sustainable space programmes is not the availability of great leaders, but the need to create a quality ecosystem support at the grass-roots level. This cannot be realised overnight and must overcome the unique challenges found within emerging markets; most notably, unprepared and poorly trained people assuming a higher level of positions due to lack of experienced talent, and the assumption that developing and traditional markets are different and need different approaches.

Very few institutions have mastered the art of leadership as a core competency; those that have are assured greater success over the long term. As far as space programmes go, NASA is the global point of reference. Yet, its early years showed all the signs of a typical government entity awash in a sea of mediocracy, drifting from one project to another; a black hole of ineptitude. Why then did NASA succeed? Did they have the right budget? The right technologies? The right people? Partially they did, but these only came into play because NASA suddenly found itself under a great leader who set a clear and audacious vision: “landing a man on the moon and returning him safely to Earth” by the end of the 1960s. This was US President John F Kennedy’s national goal. What JFK did was bring into the government sector private sector traits; setting audacious goals and the discipline of prioritising actions to achieve the vision. With a compelling goal, the space programme became a talent magnet and had no difficulty in raising budgets.

An ancient proverb says: “What has been will be again, what has been done will be done again; there is nothing new under the sun.” All too often decision makers in emerging markets are focused on reinventing the wheel, or are sidetracked by the latest management fad preached by whichever consultant is in vogue. But there is nothing new under the sun. The priority should be to identify the core competencies and traits that are at the root of great leadership, and build a centre of excellence where you can nurture your next generation of leaders and produce wave after wave of great talent that is needed in order to thrive as a space programme.

There are five proven steps to successfully build the foundations of a sustainable leadership ecosystem: Clarify your programme’s core purpose.

Why does your space programme

“NASA suddenly found itself under a great leader who set a clear and audacious vision: landing a man on the moon and returning him safely to Earth”

exist? Is it to be the catalyst for space innovation? Is it politically driven?Identify your core values. They are your DNA and are fundamental in recruiting the right people.Set a goal. Could it be setting up a colony on another planet by 2050? Or to democratise space travel by 2035 by making it as accessible as air travel today? Define the competencies fundamental to your programme’s success, then create a systematic approach to maintaining these competencies within the workforce.Build a centre of excellence where tomorrow’s leaders will master the core disciplines of great leadership, gain cross-functional and international exposure for a holistic understanding of operations, and follow a framework such as the Rockefeller Habits for effective, institutionalised decision making. My advice is to remember that your best

leaders will always come from within. Enable yourself to produce wave after wave of great leadership talent and you will thrive as the NASA of the 21st century. PRO

SatAlignment

TIME TO TOOL UP

From hampering signal reception to causing interference, poorly aligned satellite terminals can be a major problem. Norsat’s Sam Fasullo discusses the issue in detail, outlining methods and practices to correct and avoid improperly positioned terminals


“Aligning and pointing a satellite terminal is relatively straightforward, however, if a technician doesn’t have the basic tools, a simple task could become difficult and very time consuming as well”

Although a satellite’s footprint covers a large area, it is imperative that your satellite terminal is aligned in the exact direction of the satellite to ensure a precise transmit path to the satellite, resulting in maximum signal strength for the receiver. If your terminal is slightly out of position, it could reduce your signal strength and make your received signal unusable. In addition, an improperly aligned terminal could affect adjacent satellites because your transmitted signal could interfere with their operation. This interference could potentially cause issues with your satellite service provider and you may be prevented from operating your terminal.

To guarantee precise alignment while keeping you on good terms with your service provider, it is imperative that a technician has the proper satellite alignment tools in their toolkit. Although this is not an extensive kit list, some of the more frequently used tools include a GPS; satellite angle calculator; current satellite almanac; level; compass; inclinometer; signal/power meter; spectrum analyser; DVB receiver; and modem

Aligning and pointing a satellite terminal is relatively straightforward, however, if a technician doesn’t have the basic tools, a simple task could become difficult and very time consuming as well. Not only should a technician have the appropriate physical tools, but they should also follow a set of standardised methodology for satellite acquisition.

Methodology should include determining your location as well as the location of the desired satellite; calculating the azimuth, look angle and polarisation; leveling your terminal; pointing your terminal at the satellite; and fine tuning adjustments of your terminal.

Tools The first step in terminal alignment is determining where to point the dish. To calculate the azimuth and inclination angles, you will need to know the terminal’s location relative to the satellite’s location. Although you could use a map and calculate the latitude and longitude of the terminal’s current


position, a GPS is more accurate and relatively inexpensive. There are many free online mapping tools that you can use as an alternative to using a GPS. For example, Google Maps gives you an accurate location by drilling down and clicking on your location through its interactive GUI.

The next step will be to calculate the pointing angles. A satellite angle calculator is basically a reference source that will provide the proper compass heading, azimuth, elevation and look angle for the terminal relative to the terminal’s ground position and the particular satellite. This tool is quite easy to use (and usually free), whereby one only needs to input the terminal’s latitude and longitude along with the satellite that you are trying to lock onto. Websites such as dishpointer.com, or an iPhone app such as Norsat’s Satellite Locator are some examples. If you do not have access to these types of online tools, a satellite almanac is required. A satellite almanac is a reference source that gives you the location of each satellite.

After this step you will be ready to point your terminal. The first physical tool you should use is a level to ensure that your terminal base is as straight as possible. This is extremely critical for assisted acquire terminals, since many auto acquire terminals have a leveling feature. Leveling will safeguard you from missing the satellite as you rotate your dish.

As previously stated, the look angle is the angle between the ground plane of the terminal and the satellite itself.


SatAlignment

This measurement can be done using a simple compass ruler and plumb line, or a mechanical inclinometer. These tools would be attached to your terminal and one would directly read off the angle. Additionally, depending on your system, your terminal could have an integrated electronic inclinometer that works with the system’s GUI. One caveat of measuring the elevation is that you must account for any offsets of the feedhorn from the centre axis, and either add or subtract the difference accordingly.

Measuring the azimuth is another relatively straightforward calculation that is accomplished by utilising a compass. There are many types of compasses and it doesn’t really matter if you use a traditional floating needle compass or a digital compass. However, you must account for the magnetic declination when taking a compass bearing. The magnetic declination is the difference between true north and magnetic north.

Pointing your terminalThe satellite calculator, compass and inclinometer are standard tools to use to get your terminal aligned and pointed in the general direction of the satellite. Once pointed, you will then need to fine-tune these measurements to actually acquire the satellite. The following tools are the tools that will help you accomplish this task.

Signal meters or power detectors are quite inexpensive. These tools will measure the relative power of a satellite signal and give you an indication of whether your terminal is pointing to a satellite. Unfortunately, a large disadvantage of a signal meter is that they cannot tell you which satellite you are on. However, if you know the location of a reference satellite, you should be able to rotate you dish along the orbit, counting the satellites that you have detected until you reach your desired satellite’s location.

Spectrum analysers are a step up from signal detectors. Like signal meters, spectrum analysers will indicate that

you are on a satellite and you can adjust your terminal to that signal. However, just like a signal meter, a spectrum analyser will not tell you which satellite you are on. However, each satellite does have a particular signature and unlike a signal detector, one can view these signatures with a spectrum analyser. Over time, a technician can build up a library of spectrum views and have full confidence that they are on a specific satellite. Another advantage of a spectrum analyser over a signal detector is that a spectrum analyser is more sensitive. That is, if there are two satellites close together, you would be able to see the difference. Also for a narrow band carrier, the spectrum analyser will see the satellite where the signal detector will not.

Location validation Finally, a modem and/or DVB receiver will allow a technician to validate that they have locked on to their desired satellite. A modem will only lock onto a specific satellite signal when the technician has aligned and peaked the terminal. Same with the DVB receiver, it will decode and allow a technician to view the transmission from the satellite, but again, only if the terminal has been properly aligned. If the technician knows what is being transmitted and can view it or lock on the signal, they have just confirmed they are on the correct satellite, however, a spectrum analyser or a signal meter should be used in conjunction to guarantee they are receiving the best maximum signal possible.

In the end a satellite signal is only as good as the terminal is tuned and thus technicians need the correct tools to do this job effectively. PRO

Sam Fasullo is the Satellite Product Manager at Norsat International, a market leader in communications solutions. Norsat’s technologies enable the transmission of data, audio and video for remote and challenging applications.

Included in Norsat’s product offering is the SAA (Satellite Acquisition Assistant) toolkit, which provides an all-in-one convenient, cost-effective solution for quick, simple and accurate acquisition of satellites.

Satellite Alignment Toolkit The 10 most frequently needed tools include:

1 GPS 2 Satellite Angle Calculator 3 Current Satellite Almanac 4 Level 5 Compass 6 Inclinometer 7 Signal/Power Meter 8 Spectrum Analyser 9 DVB Receiver 10 Modem

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YAHSAT-1A INTELSAT-901 EUTELSAT-W6 INTELSAT-15

Energy operations take place in increasingly distant or isolated locations around the world,

often well beyond the reach of existing communications. In such environments, workers find themselves far removed from infrastructure and support teams and often face extreme and dangerous conditions. At the same time, energy companies looking to improve productivity and profitability are relying on a mix of complex mission-critical applications, such as real-time drilling data management, seismic information, live video monitoring and surveillance, plus extended organisational network capabilities. If the world’s leading providers of broadband services to oil and gas customers want to improve the end-user experience amid a hotly competitive landscape, it is vital that they offer the optimal combination of technical and economic performance for remote areas. “Always-on” broadband connectivity is not just a luxury for remote outposts, but a necessity, too.

Around 70% of global conventional oil and natural gas reserves are concentrated inside the so-called “strategic energy ellipse” – stretching from the Middle East to the north of West Siberia. Energy companies’ sites, including drilling rigs, remote offices and shore bases, are often located in harsh, isolated places that are difficult to access and in multiple regions. This means that analysts, for example, who need large amounts of important, time-sensitive exploratory and operational data may be thousands of


kilometres away from a drilling site.Oil and gas customers that operate in these hotspots often see their broadband performance stretched to breaking point when delivering vital business and bandwidth-intensive applications. Service providers can address this issue and ensure a consistent user experience by identifying where geographic demand for connectivity is greatest among their oil and gas customers.

Where capacity is needed mostNo one builds roads with uniform capacity, so why build a satellite communications network that way? In rural areas, for example, you might find just a few single-lane roads spread across a large area. This is analogous to today’s wide-beam Ku-band networks, which provide reliable broadband connectivity to users on a national or continental scale.

“If the world’s leading providers of broadband services to oil and gas customers want to improve the end-user experience amid a hotly competitive landscape, it is vital that they offer the optimal combination of technical and economic performance for remote areas”

Service providers in the oil and gas sector can overcome the challenges facing them without costly infrastructure upgrades or changing their service design and management

SatVertical: Oil & Gas


TAKING THE WELL-OILED BROADBAND APPROACH

Energy operations take place in increasingly distant or isolated locations around the world,

often well beyond the reach of existing communications. In such environments, workers find themselves far removed from infrastructure and support teams and often face extreme and dangerous conditions. At the same time, energy companies looking to improve productivity and profitability are relying on a mix of complex mission-critical applications, such as real-time drilling data management, seismic information, live video monitoring and surveillance, plus extended organisational network capabilities. If the world’s leading providers of broadband services to oil and gas customers want to improve the end-user experience amid a hotly competitive landscape, it is vital that they offer the optimal combination of technical and economic performance for remote areas. “Always-on” broadband connectivity is not just a luxury for remote outposts, but a necessity, too.

Around 70% of global conventional oil and natural gas reserves are concentrated inside the so-called “strategic energy ellipse” – stretching from the Middle East to the north of West Siberia. Energy companies’ sites, including drilling rigs, remote offices and shore bases, are often located in harsh, isolated places that are difficult to access and in multiple regions. This means that analysts, for example, who need large amounts of important, time-sensitive exploratory and operational data may be thousands of


kilometres away from a drilling site.Oil and gas customers that operate in these hotspots often see their broadband performance stretched to breaking point when delivering vital business and bandwidth-intensive applications. Service providers can address this issue and ensure a consistent user experience by identifying where geographic demand for connectivity is greatest among their oil and gas customers.

Where capacity is needed mostNo one builds roads with uniform capacity, so why build a satellite communications network that way? In rural areas, for example, you might find just a few single-lane roads spread across a large area. This is analogous to today’s wide-beam Ku-band networks, which provide reliable broadband connectivity to users on a national or continental scale.

“If the world’s leading providers of broadband services to oil and gas customers want to improve the end-user experience amid a hotly competitive landscape, it is vital that they offer the optimal combination of technical and economic performance for remote areas”

Service providers in the oil and gas sector can overcome the challenges facing them without costly infrastructure upgrades or changing their service design and management


SatVertical: Oil & Gas

Satellite operators, therefore, need to work closely with their oil and gas customers in order to determine where capacity is needed most, so that end-user requirements for network capacity and throughput can be met and surpassed.

Avoid infrastructure overhaulOil and gas service providers exist in a world where up-front costs are considerable and development timelines are lengthy. When the customer is a large oil and gas company that operates several fields with hundreds, or even thousands of active wells, the installation of state-of-the-art VSATs on all of its sites represents a tremendous capital expense.

This is why service providers must consider whether their end-user customers will require an infrastructure upgrade in the future. Oil and gas companies, which have already invested millions in their networks, hardly want to incur additional costs or operational disruptions should they decide to transition to a high-throughput solution.

The ideal solution is for broadband providers to continue leveraging their expertise in service design and management, while reusing both the installations they have already made on their clients’ sites and their own network infrastructure. Such is possible due to the continuing expansion of mobility networks. Today, satellite capacity can be incorporated with fibre as well as teleport services, and end users are provided a path to transition to high-throughput services without a complete overhaul of hub infrastructure.

Keeping an eye on the futureAs industry requirements continue to evolve, service providers need powerful, flexible satellite infrastructure that can offer solutions that meet not only today’s requirements, but tomorrow’s as well. With oil and gas companies looking for new opportunities further away, high throughput satellites (HTS) will enable service providers to meet their customers’ growing demands.

While all HTS platforms offer the promise of higher data rates, not all are created equal. Some have made advancements in efficiency, enabling carrier-grade services and performance, which means that users can expand their addressable markets, lower the cost per bit and even use the hardware platform of their choice. The existence of next-generation platforms that combine wide beams and spot beams afford oil and gas users not only the right type of coverage, but offer it where they need it, too. Some platforms give service providers a level of freedom of choice, enabling them to offer customised solutions to their end-users and adapt to specific variables such as geographic region, customer architecture or specific applications.

Satellite technology provides flexible, reliable and powerful solutions for service providers in the oil and gas industry. With the technology available, they can deliver the much needed robust, high-speed connectivity that meets end-users’ needs, even in the most remote areas. In short, the satellite industry is moving forward with connectivity solutions and service providers can better meet the energy sector’s needs now as well as in the years to come. PRO

James Collett is the Director of Mobility Services Product Management at Intelsat

“The ideal solution is for broadband providers to continue leveraging their expertise in service design and management, while reusing both the installations they have already made on their clients’ sites and their own network infrastructure”

SatEvents

PROFESSIONAL PERSPECTIVE


For its 15th instalment, VSAT 2013 has crafted a top-notch line-up of speakers, who will address the hottest issues in the industry. From executive insight and case studies to expert analysis and industry

awards, this year’s event will cover the latest technology, services, developments and trends.Among the speakers are Nabil Shanti, Vice-President and CCO of Arabsat, and Umar Javed, President

of STM Group, who have answered a range of industry-related questions

SatEvents

PROFESSIONAL PERSPECTIVE


For its 15th instalment, VSAT 2013 has crafted a top-notch line-up of speakers, who will address the hottest issues in the industry. From executive insight and case studies to expert analysis and industry

awards, this year’s event will cover the latest technology, services, developments and trends.Among the speakers are Nabil Shanti, Vice-President and CCO of Arabsat, and Umar Javed, President

of STM Group, who have answered a range of industry-related questions


Q: What are the end-user expectations for VSAT services at present? A: They want hybrid and customised solutions. Customers are looking now for more portfolio solutions not only for data in higher speed rates, but also accompanied with voice and video capabilities. Broadband consumers, even within the maritime and oil and gas businesses, are in strong need for higher bandwidth to support the regular internet usage as well as the OTT applications for the consumer devices. Some private entities are looking for designated satellite connectivity solutions to satisfy their requirements beyond the terrestrial networks offering, where the idea of hosted payloads has emerged positively.

With a range of significant services about to enter the market, how do you see prices changing in the near future?In preparation for the new birds coming to intersects with our operations areas with more capacity supply, the average market prices have started to alter for C- and Ku-band capacity, and [this is also] anticipated on Ka band after the launch and operations of multiple Ka satellites globally, such as O3b and Global Xpress. The markup value applied by the intermediaries on the ground has started to shrink, and will be reflected on the deals with the satellite operators eventually, and this consequently affects the revenue levels of the complete value chain.

What is driving or affecting broadband supply and demand?Optimisation of utilisation. The development of the new technologies of broadcasting or VSAT applications, such as DVB-S2, carrier-in-carrier, Equalinqs, HD and Ultra HD, changes the formula of supply and demand in terms of bandwidth. Although some technologies require higher bandwidth rates, applying the other techniques will help the customers to optimise their utilisation and hence the overall demand and supply.

How has the development of high-throughput satellite technology impacted your company?Positively; Arabsat is the first satellite operator in the MENA region that has adopted the

high-throughput model within its payload of the Arabsat-5C satellite. This payload was kind of “hosted”, and based on the success story and the positive feedback from the customer, Arabsat has considered these kind of high-throughput systems in all of its future plans of satellites. And we are encouraging the use of this technology to cope with the evolution of market demands.

What are Arabsat’s biggest milestones of the past year?Arabsat, which ranks No 7 of the top-10 satellite operators globally, has fulfilled tremendous achievements during the last 12 months. There has been the acquisition of 99.05% of Hellas-Sat, the satellite operator in Greece; signing the contract of the new Arabsat Badr-7 satellite to be launched in the Q4 of 2015; and carrying a hosted payload of Ka band in addition to the primary payload. We also launched MyHD, a pay-TV platform for the MENA region, with top-of-class entertainment content shown for the first time in the Middle East. Arabsat was awarded

the best satellite operator in Africa during the SatCom Africa 2013 exhibition, and the company has expanded its orbital resources and gained the rights of two orbital positions on 39 degrees East, which is Hellas-3, and 44.5 degrees East.

What major challenges do you foresee in the near future? Since the launch of our fifth-generation satellites in 2010, Arabsat has created a sonorous echo in the market and acquired a leading position both in the MENA region and worldwide. Now with the new acquisitions of new resources coupled with the multiple strategic partnerships made with various governmental and private entities around the world, Arabsat needs to prove its leading position and develop its services portfolio beyond customer expectations.

The strategic plans for expansion and entering new markets through the new generation of satellites need to be designed carefully in order to survive the competition in the coming three years and to find a profitable frame of work with the incumbents and new entrants to the market.

Different governments in the MENA region have started to realise the importance of satellite communication business to satisfy the needs of both public and private sectors, and have started to consider this in their strategic national plans. Arabsat, as an IGO ruled by the Arab League members, believes it is our responsibility to support these programmes with all resources and expertise available. Now we are pursuing different opportunities with a few governments in order to contribute to the development of their own programmes until they see the light. The challenge here is to prove that Arabsat wouldn’t be less than their best and optimum partner to achieve success.

“Broadband consumers, even within the maritime and oil and gas businesses, are in strong need for higher bandwidth”

NABIL SHANTI is giving a presentation on hosted payload

solutions and how to best have your own space. The presentation is taking

place on September 18 at 2:30pm. With more than 25 years of experience, Shanti is an

executive in the area of satellite telecommunications

and holds a Masters degree in telecommunications engineering.

60 SECONDS WITH ...


SatEvents

Q: What are the current key drivers for VSAT services globally?A: At STM Group, we see the current key drivers as lower costs of satellite bandwidth, higher performance VSAT equipment driven by new technologies and VSAT mobility services.

There have been significant developments in high-throughput satellite technology. What impact do you expect this will have?It will affect costs. High-throughput satellite technology is a very important trend to lower the cost of satellite bandwidth. It is also a key part of our strategy at STM Group and is part of our growth plans.

What are some of the milestones achieved by your company over the past 12 months?We managed to rapidly increase our market share in equipment and services for VSAT mobility as well as upgrades to and new shipments of many VSAT networks using DVB-RCS2 technology, which we feel is the best performing VSAT technology for multi-frequency time-division multiple access.

What challenges do you foresee in the next two years?A challenge is in seizing and serving the ever increasing and wider diversity of VSAT opportunities around the globe.

“High-throughput satellite technology is a very important trend to lower the cost of satellite bandwidth”

UMAR JAVED is presenting his “Making the Most of Mobility” case study on September 19 at 9:30am. Having joined STM Group in 2009,

Javed oversees global corporate affairs and operations for the

organisation, leading the company’s three business units, satellite services,

telecom products and fibre optics, and maintaining various disciplines and strategic relations with partners and customers. He has a Masters in

business administration from the University of Phoenix in the

United States.

60 SECONDS WITH ...

Now in its 15th year, the VSAT conference will be run for the first time by Informa Telecoms & Media, in partnership with COMSYS. New additions to the packed, three-day agenda include interactive panel discussions on how to maximise the potential of high-throughput satellites and how the role of VSAT service providers is changing, particularly in relation to the rest of the satellite value chain.

!The introduction of collaborative regional roundtable sessions, taking place on day three, will provide delegates with an opportunity to dig deeper into geographically specific developments and issues. Distinguished roundtable experts will lead the hour-long discussions, showing their expertise with regards to the geographical market they are addressing.

!The inaugural VSAT 2013 Industry Awards also add a new level of entertainment to the event. Delegate passes include an invitation to the VSAT Industry Awards and Networking party, taking place on the evening of September 19.

!A highlight is the combination of the networking opportunities and the conference agenda. We have a fantastic speaker line-up this year that really pushes the boundaries of innovation in VSAT communications. Presentations from LiveU, O3b Networks and Kymeta will really serve to highlight the scope for disruption in the telecoms market and the effects on VSAT specifically, while speakers from Globecomm Systems, Skyvision, DataGroup and Signalhorn will provide tangible first-hand examples of the evolution of VSAT services.

!!VSAT 2013 is the only truly global event aimed exclusively at the VSAT industry. The combination of unrivalled networking opportunities, forward-thinking content and a bustling exhibition showcasing the latest technological developments provides delegates, speakers and sponsors with a unique experience that simply cannot be replicated anywhere else.

WHAT’S HOT AND WHAT’S NEW

CAROLINE HICKS, Research Manager for VSAT at Informa Telecoms & Media, discusses the VSAT 2013 event highlights and new features. The conference is

running from September 17-20 at NH Grand Hotel Krasnapolsky, Amsterdam


SatTechnology: IBC Showcase2103

2103

IN THE SPOTLIGHTThe International Broadcasting Convention (IBC), first held back in 1967,

is Europe’s pinnacle event, offering an incredible exhibition of cutting-edge technology, leading services and ingenious innovation

As IBC is Europe’s largest broadcast show, you can expect to see relevant companies flocking to Amsterdam en mass to showcase their latest offerings, from services and products to innovations and breakthroughs. It’s a jam-packed occasion marked by major networking opportunities, discussions on the hottest industry trends and topics, as well as paramount presentations.

A global gathering of innovation and expertise, the event is an unrivalled source of inspiration, providing a valuable exchange of ideas, information and practices. For this year’s instalment, more than 50,000 professionals from 160 countries are attending, promising to create a remarkable buzz at the vibrant exhibition, which boasts the latest in state-of-the-art technology.

Highlighting some of the gadgets, devices and products on show, this tech section holds a wide variety of companies together with the technical details of each offering.

Cobham Broadcast, a company specialising in RF, is featuring its HD COFDM, touted as the world’s smallest wireless camera transmitter. The size of a matchbox, the new SOLO7 Nano TX provides vital transmission stability for HD images and has a latency as low as 15 milliseconds.

It enables wireless and wired cameras to perform as a single unit to capture and transmit details at events of any size, therefore enabling viewers to experience news, entertainment and drama from vantage points never before possible.

An SD version of the Nano TX is also

available and is being featured at the IBC exhibition.

Cobham is also showcasing an HD MPEG4 IP Encoder, which not only enables bi-directional connectivity, but also gives the camera operator the ability to encode and transmit live broadcast-quality HD video from anywhere that has broadband access. The encoder can easily be connected to virtually any camera and includes balanced audio inputs with integral broadcast-standard IFB talkback.

Making a return to IBC is also MediaMesh. The rapid set-up field newsroom unit enables users to instantly set up a live broadcast-quality transmission on the fly. Included in a single, lightweight case is the ability to establish a transmission path for live two-ways, remote camera controls, high-quality file transfer capabilities and the ability to establish a high-capacity internet connection with access to base newsroom computers and mobile phones.


Newtec is promoting the S2 Extensions, the new standard for satellite transmission for which Newtec has been consulting with DVB to create. The extensions have the potential for up to 37% improvements on top of the current standards – a jump to 64% or more when applied to 72MHz wideband transponders.

The S2 Extensions, which have already been deployed in a couple of projects, work in a number of different ways. They have lower roll-offs, advance filtering for improved carrier spacing, support different network configurations and they can increase the modulation and coding granularity.

They also have higher modulation schemes of up to 64 APSK. Some of the extensions still provide interoperability

Hiltron Communications is introducing its triple-axis motorised, 2.4-metre, receive-only Ka-band antenna with switchable linear and circular polarisation, purportedly the only one of its kind in the world. The new HMAM-Ka was developed in close cooperation between Hiltron and ESA Microwave, based on a newly designed Ka-band polariser. Ka band includes the 21GHz band, which is becoming increasingly important for satellite downlinks.

The HMAM-Ka incorporates a complete, high-precision rotatable satellite antenna mount designed for use in commercial satellite operations. It includes professional-grade motorised drives for azimuth and elevation plus a high-accuracy polarisation drive.

Hiltron’s HMAM-Ka is able to accommodate antennae of up to 3.7 metres in diameter and is fully compatible with Hiltron’s standard HACU antenna positioning system. Also available from Hiltron is an HMAM-IOT version of the motorised antenna. This enables cost-efficient uplinks to be operated via inclined-orbit satellites.

Hiltron takes Ka band further at IBC

www.hiltron.de

Cobham in a matchbox

Newtec’s hubs, modems, modulators

www.newtec.eu

www.cobham.com

with existing ground equipment.Newtec is also exhibiting many

of its latest hubs, modulators and modems, which are compatible with the soon-to-be-updated standard, both for data and video transport.


SatTechnology: IBC Showcase

2103

2103

IN THE SPOTLIGHTThe International Broadcasting Convention (IBC), first held back in 1967,

is Europe’s pinnacle event, offering an incredible exhibition of cutting-edge technology, leading services and ingenious innovation

As IBC is Europe’s largest broadcast show, you can expect to see relevant companies flocking to Amsterdam en mass to showcase their latest offerings, from services and products to innovations and breakthroughs. It’s a jam-packed occasion marked by major networking opportunities, discussions on the hottest industry trends and topics, as well as paramount presentations.

A global gathering of innovation and expertise, the event is an unrivalled source of inspiration, providing a valuable exchange of ideas, information and practices. For this year’s instalment, more than 50,000 professionals from 160 countries are attending, promising to create a remarkable buzz at the vibrant exhibition, which boasts the latest in state-of-the-art technology.

Highlighting some of the gadgets, devices and products on show, this tech section holds a wide variety of companies together with the technical details of each offering.



Espial in the cloud

Harmonic, a provider of video delivery infrastructure, is demonstrating its latest solutions designed to optimise the production and delivery of high-value video services in the broadcast, cable and multiscreen environments.

A principal provider in pay-TV encoders, broadcast playout servers, IPTV headends and cable edgeQAMs, Harmonic’s solutions enable broadcasters and operators to efficiently prepare and deliver high-quality video content to any viewing device.

Encoding and Stream Processing!

powered by Harmonic’s HEVC-ready ProMedia family of multiscreen solutions will showcase the resolution offered by the new format. It will feature

reference footage, which will be made available to customers for testing interoperability with HEVC clients.

and distribution workflow,

support on the Spectrum

encoder/decoder, as well as

decoder and stream processor.

real-time stream processor, which harnesses the powerful new Quad GbE I/O card for local and regional ad insertion directly into

www.espial.comwww.espial.com

Harmonic’s advanced broadcast, multiscreen solutions

Storage and Playout

shared storage system.

Spectrum ChannelPort branded channel playout module, which

dual live inputs, independent branding of simulcast channels and support for external key/fill to enable more powerful graphics; the addition of AVC-Intra and

flexibility; and new dynamic subtitle insertion for just-in-time playout of multilingual content.

Harmonic Spectrum media server product line, including support for seamless ad insertion via

capability for Adobe Premiere Pro in the Adobe Creative

playout support for accelerated production-to-playout workflow; dynamic audio shuffle for on-the-fly audio channel mapping during playout; and audio mixdown for mixing primary and secondary

Cable Edge

Pro, which possesses the ability to converge high-density universal edgeQAM capabilities with future, integrated CMTS functionality.

and supporting a variety of video and data services, such as cloud

and M-CMTS to make it an ideal platform for operators making the transition to an all-IP infrastructure.

Espial is demonstrating its newest Espial STB Client

STB Client optimises the development and deployment of compelling TV services on managed STB platforms. Through recent innovations and technological developments, including open web standards such as

exceptional user experience with faster time-to-market and significantly lower development costs.

Also in the showcase is the Espial Media Service Platform (MSP), a powerful headend system with

delivery and TV service management capabilities. The MSP can be customised to support TV Everywhere services by market segments based on region, language and other requirements. This allows operators to tailor TV channel line-ups, pricing models, movies and services including linear TV, video-on-demand, time-shift television, digital video recording, and pay-per-view for their target markets.

any other commercial browser. It is one of the first TV browsers to be approved for YouTube on TV.

manufacturers and content providers worldwide can deliver a richer multimedia user experience that

access to web video and social media from the cloud. Through a highly intuitive user interface, the Espial TV Browser delivers an advanced browsing and over-the-top video experience on a wide range of devices, including Smart TVs, set-top boxes and media streamers.

FGC will assess your Satcom requirements, whether you’re

building a new facility, expanding a current one, relocating to an

existing building, or just revamping the existing facility. We’ll discuss with you

requirements. We’ll guide you

as you upgrade your network to achieve faster, more secure and cost-effective results.

FGC offers the most advanced and reliable solutions on the market. Our satellite-based broadcast solutions are being deployed by leading DTH platform providers to deliver a vast array of DTH services across the Gulf region. The modulators that we deliver demonstrate optimal performance in both DVB-S and DVB-S2, also enabling HDTV services at a cost widely accepted by the industry.

We believe that TV has a bright future – and with good reason. The global market for ‘anytime, anywhere’ media consumption has only just begun – and the visual medium is at the heart of an increasingly personalised consumer experience.

As we move away from one-way, single-screen viewing into an interactive, multiscreen environment, the need for multiple architectures, platforms and processes gains clarity. So do the b s of streamlining technology, expertise, and consumer and business insights that allow you to focus on the bigger picture.

A complete TV solution, strategic collaboration, unmatched insights and adaptable pricing models support a new vision of multimedia. It brings our unique range of cross-segment expertise – combined with award-winning technology and solutions – to help you thrive in this new business landscape.

www.fgcltd.com

P.O.Box 25560, Riyadh 11476, Saudi Arabia Tel: +966 1 219 0888, Fax: +966 1 219 1888Email: [email protected]


2103


Espial in the cloud

Harmonic, a provider of video delivery infrastructure, is demonstrating its latest solutions designed to optimise the production and delivery of high-value video services in the broadcast, cable and multiscreen environments.

A principal provider in pay-TV encoders, broadcast playout servers, IPTV headends and cable edgeQAMs, Harmonic’s solutions enable broadcasters and operators to efficiently prepare and deliver high-quality video content to any viewing device.

Encoding and Stream Processing!

powered by Harmonic’s HEVC-ready ProMedia family of multiscreen solutions will showcase the resolution offered by the new format. It will feature

reference footage, which will be made available to customers for testing interoperability with HEVC clients.

and distribution workflow,

support on the Spectrum

encoder/decoder, as well as

decoder and stream processor.

real-time stream processor, which harnesses the powerful new Quad GbE I/O card for local and regional ad insertion directly into

www.espial.comwww.espial.com

Harmonic’s advanced broadcast, multiscreen solutions

Storage and Playout

shared storage system.

Spectrum ChannelPort branded channel playout module, which

dual live inputs, independent branding of simulcast channels and support for external key/fill to enable more powerful graphics; the addition of AVC-Intra and

flexibility; and new dynamic subtitle insertion for just-in-time playout of multilingual content.

Harmonic Spectrum media server product line, including support for seamless ad insertion via

capability for Adobe Premiere Pro in the Adobe Creative

playout support for accelerated production-to-playout workflow; dynamic audio shuffle for on-the-fly audio channel mapping during playout; and audio mixdown for mixing primary and secondary

Cable Edge

Pro, which possesses the ability to converge high-density universal edgeQAM capabilities with future, integrated CMTS functionality.

and supporting a variety of video and data services, such as cloud

and M-CMTS to make it an ideal platform for operators making the transition to an all-IP infrastructure.

Espial is demonstrating its newest Espial STB Client

STB Client optimises the development and deployment of compelling TV services on managed STB platforms. Through recent innovations and technological developments, including open web standards such as

exceptional user experience with faster time-to-market and significantly lower development costs.

Also in the showcase is the Espial Media Service Platform (MSP), a powerful headend system with

delivery and TV service management capabilities. The MSP can be customised to support TV Everywhere services by market segments based on region, language and other requirements. This allows operators to tailor TV channel line-ups, pricing models, movies and services including linear TV, video-on-demand, time-shift television, digital video recording, and pay-per-view for their target markets.

any other commercial browser. It is one of the first TV browsers to be approved for YouTube on TV.

manufacturers and content providers worldwide can deliver a richer multimedia user experience that

access to web video and social media from the cloud. Through a highly intuitive user interface, the Espial TV Browser delivers an advanced browsing and over-the-top video experience on a wide range of devices, including Smart TVs, set-top boxes and media streamers.

FGC will assess your Satcom requirements, whether you’re

building a new facility, expanding a current one, relocating to an

existing building, or just revamping the existing facility. We’ll discuss with you

requirements. We’ll guide you

as you upgrade your network to achieve faster, more secure and cost-effective results.

FGC offers the most advanced and reliable solutions on the market. Our satellite-based broadcast solutions are being deployed by leading DTH platform providers to deliver a vast array of DTH services across the Gulf region. The modulators that we deliver demonstrate optimal performance in both DVB-S and DVB-S2, also enabling HDTV services at a cost widely accepted by the industry.

We believe that TV has a bright future – and with good reason. The global market for ‘anytime, anywhere’ media consumption has only just begun – and the visual medium is at the heart of an increasingly personalised consumer experience.

As we move away from one-way, single-screen viewing into an interactive, multiscreen environment, the need for multiple architectures, platforms and processes gains clarity. So do the b s of streamlining technology, expertise, and consumer and business insights that allow you to focus on the bigger picture.

A complete TV solution, strategic collaboration, unmatched insights and adaptable pricing models support a new vision of multimedia. It brings our unique range of cross-segment expertise – combined with award-winning technology and solutions – to help you thrive in this new business landscape.

www.fgcltd.com

P.O.Box 25560, Riyadh 11476, Saudi Arabia Tel: +966 1 219 0888, Fax: +966 1 219 1888Email: [email protected]



Pilat Media targets small media firms Pilat Media is demonstrating its complete IBMS Express product suite. Designed for smaller and developing media businesses, IBMS Express is a modular, quick-to-deploy, easy-to-configure and maintain business management system derived from the company’s Integrated Broadcast Management System (IBMS).

IBMS Express addresses the full gamut of management functions including scheduling, media, airtime sales, traffic, and reporting for linear and on-demand multiscreen services with a streamlined workflow and user interface.

Deployed as a cloud-based Software-as-a-Service solution, IBMS Express offers a “pay-as-you-grow” pricing model, minimising IT investment and maintenance as well as reducing up-front deployment capital. IBMS Express is designed to be easily configured and ready for use in a matter of weeks, with Pilat Media’s professional services team providing configuration, training and ongoing maintenance of the live system.

Pilat Media’s IBMS Express product suite currently comprises Content, Sales, Rights, and OnDemand modules that can either be deployed as stand-alone or as end-to-end solutions.

The Content Express solution allows users to schedule and manage media assets throughout the broadcast lifecycle. Sales Express provides a multichannel, multilanguage and multicurrency system for advertising sales activities including proposal and order entry, inventory management, pre-emptions, make-goods and revenue reporting. Rights Express offers a platform for capturing multidimensional rights to support a wide range of delivery platforms and interactive services. Lastly, OnDemand Express provides a solution with powerful tools for managing nonlinear services, including catalogue offers as well as service navigation.

WISI Communications, a provider and of reception and distribution solutions, is demonstrating its next-generation headend systems Chameleon and Tangram. The new optical platform Optopus and WISI’s fibre node and amplifier portfolio completes the product offering.

Chameleon Utilising a single hardware, all Chameleon modules are configured and programmed by software only. The conception offers extreme flexibility in transforming different input signals into all relevant current output formats to the operator and reduces total cost of ownership of the network headend. Among others, available software modules for Chameleon are DVB modulators for different inputs, transmodulators, IP- and ASI streamer as well as re-multiplexer.

Tangram Tangram’s new modules include the DVB-IP Gateway IP streamer GT 31, switch extension board GT 12, decryption module GT 42, Edge-COFDM module GT 24 and ASI Input/Output module GT32. Tangram is a high-density platform for extremely cost efficient Edge applications (IP-Gateway, Edge-QAM, Edge-COFDM, Edge-PAL and

Edge-FM) and the answer to the ongoing digitalisation of networks and the fact that more video signals are transported via IP transmission. Tangram offers all required features to be used in professional networks such as redundant power supplies, 1+1 and n+1 redundancy, time sharing, SNMP management, hot plug replacement of modules, fans and power supplies.

Optopus and LX 35Optopus access platform fits into every optical network such as FTTx with RF Overlay, RF over Glass architectures as well as HFC applications. This modular system provides the operator with high flexibility, reliability and a very high density. The new optical high performance amplifier (EDFA) LX 35 has a very high packing density and offers the performance of two conventional amplifiers. The LX 35 is part of WISI’s RF Overlay portfolio that consists of a comprehensive range of optical 1550nm transmitters and amplifiers, meeting the necessary requirements of blast and split architectures used in Point-to-Point or PON networks.

WISI Communications’ broadband solutions

www.wisi.de

www.pilatmedia.com



2103

Pilat Media targets small media firms Pilat Media is demonstrating its complete IBMS Express product suite. Designed for smaller and developing media businesses, IBMS Express is a modular, quick-to-deploy, easy-to-configure and maintain business management system derived from the company’s Integrated Broadcast Management System (IBMS).

IBMS Express addresses the full gamut of management functions including scheduling, media, airtime sales, traffic, and reporting for linear and on-demand multiscreen services with a streamlined workflow and user interface.

Deployed as a cloud-based Software-as-a-Service solution, IBMS Express offers a “pay-as-you-grow” pricing model, minimising IT investment and maintenance as well as reducing up-front deployment capital. IBMS Express is designed to be easily configured and ready for use in a matter of weeks, with Pilat Media’s professional services team providing configuration, training and ongoing maintenance of the live system.

Pilat Media’s IBMS Express product suite currently comprises Content, Sales, Rights, and OnDemand modules that can either be deployed as stand-alone or as end-to-end solutions.

The Content Express solution allows users to schedule and manage media assets throughout the broadcast lifecycle. Sales Express provides a multichannel, multilanguage and multicurrency system for advertising sales activities including proposal and order entry, inventory management, pre-emptions, make-goods and revenue reporting. Rights Express offers a platform for capturing multidimensional rights to support a wide range of delivery platforms and interactive services. Lastly, OnDemand Express provides a solution with powerful tools for managing nonlinear services, including catalogue offers as well as service navigation.

WISI Communications, a provider and of reception and distribution solutions, is demonstrating its next-generation headend systems Chameleon and Tangram. The new optical platform Optopus and WISI’s fibre node and amplifier portfolio completes the product offering.

Chameleon Utilising a single hardware, all Chameleon modules are configured and programmed by software only. The conception offers extreme flexibility in transforming different input signals into all relevant current output formats to the operator and reduces total cost of ownership of the network headend. Among others, available software modules for Chameleon are DVB modulators for different inputs, transmodulators, IP- and ASI streamer as well as re-multiplexer.

Tangram Tangram’s new modules include the DVB-IP Gateway IP streamer GT 31, switch extension board GT 12, decryption module GT 42, Edge-COFDM module GT 24 and ASI Input/Output module GT32. Tangram is a high-density platform for extremely cost efficient Edge applications (IP-Gateway, Edge-QAM, Edge-COFDM, Edge-PAL and

Edge-FM) and the answer to the ongoing digitalisation of networks and the fact that more video signals are transported via IP transmission. Tangram offers all required features to be used in professional networks such as redundant power supplies, 1+1 and n+1 redundancy, time sharing, SNMP management, hot plug replacement of modules, fans and power supplies.

Optopus and LX 35Optopus access platform fits into every optical network such as FTTx with RF Overlay, RF over Glass architectures as well as HFC applications. This modular system provides the operator with high flexibility, reliability and a very high density. The new optical high performance amplifier (EDFA) LX 35 has a very high packing density and offers the performance of two conventional amplifiers. The LX 35 is part of WISI’s RF Overlay portfolio that consists of a comprehensive range of optical 1550nm transmitters and amplifiers, meeting the necessary requirements of blast and split architectures used in Point-to-Point or PON networks.

WISI Communications’ broadband solutions

www.wisi.de

www.pilatmedia.com



BW Broadcast is showcasing its software update for the recently released V2 transmitters. The advanced 4-band audio processing is built in every transmitter, making stations sound great right out of the box.

New features such as Gold-Clamp transistors and quick change slide-in power supplies (not every model) make the V2 transmitter range easier to maintain and service.

The new software update (v1.4) contains a much-improved, updated Ethernet interface. The new web based control system doesn’t require software to be installed, so can be easily operated from any smart-phone (including Apple iPhones).

Aspera’s advanced broadcast, digital media solutionsAspera, a creator of high-speed file transfer software, is showcasing high-speed data transfer and automation solutions, all part of its expansive software portfolio for deployment on premise, the cloud, or in combination, at IBC.

Aspera OrchestratorThe Aspera file-based workflow automation platform has been enhanced with full failover support, integrated Active Directory and LDAP support, and multi-tenant capabilities.

It also includes a new workflow editor with workflow checkout capabilities for team-based development, offers an expanded plug-in library for a host of leading transcoding, watermarking, quality control, antivirus, ad insertion, asset management and an application notifier, which allows external applications to receive real-time progress updates from plug-ins.

Aspera On Demand The Platform as a Service (PaaS) enables media companies and content service providers to use high-speed fasp transport to ingest and distribute large files to and from the Amazon Web Services and Microsoft Windows Azure clouds, and integrate their platforms into media services running in the cloud.

Aspera faspex and Shares Web applications and transfer clients for fast, ad-hoc file exchange enable collaborative, person-to-person workflows spanning on-premise, cloud and hybrid deployments.

The faspex and Shares solutions are designed to allow media files to be securely transferred between any storage locations (on premise or in the cloud) on behalf of users or project groups with privacy, security and fine-grained access control.

www.asperasoft.com

www.asperasoft.com

www.bwbroadcast.com

Thuraya IP+Thuraya Telecommunications Company is showcasing its Thuraya IP+, touted as the fastest and lightest mobile satellite broadband terminal. Without compromising on portability, it is also designed to achieve the fastest IP speeds, ensuring quick and reliable access to broadband data services over Thuraya’s extensive satellite network.

Enhanced capabilities facilitate a wide range of applications including live, high-quality video broadcasting, web browsing, email, social media communications, data transfer and VoIP applications, as well as access to corporate networks from remote locations.

Weighing just 1.4kg and smaller than a regular laptop, the Thuraya IP+ can be rapidly deployed to support high-bandwidth applications at speeds of up to 444kbps on standard IP and 384kbps on streaming IP with a built-in antenna. The satellite broadband terminal can be configured to provide asymmetric streaming capabilities, enabling users to control their upload and download speeds based on usage requirements to optimise bandwidth cost.

Easily portable and rugged, the Thuraya IP+ device seeks to serve various mission-critical operations including broadcast media, defense, telemedicine and disaster response.

From supporting offshore operations to establishing critical field communication links, Thuraya IP+ provides the portable connectivity required by Thuraya’s customers who live and work beyond the reach of traditional terrestrial networks.

BW Broadcast’s updated V2 Transmitter

THE INDUSTRY EVENT

THAT BRINGS THE MENA BROADCAST

COMMUNITY TOGETHERTO DEBATE

TO CELEBRATE

12TH NOVEMBER 2013

SUMMIT & AWARDS

13TH NOVEMBER 2013

ARAB HDTV GROUP MEETING

12 November, 2013 The Address Dubai Marina

SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES

PUBLISHING DIRECTOR Raz Islam | +971 50 451 [email protected]

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION

MARKETING MANAGER Carole McCarthy | +971 4 440 [email protected]

NOMINATION ENQUIRIES

GROUP EDITOR Vijaya Cherian | +971 55 105 [email protected]

GOLD SPONSOR

www.broadcastprome.com/summitandawards2013

AWARDS CATEGORY SPONSORS PARTNER SPONSOR ENDORSED BY ORGANISED BYMEDIA PARTNER



2103

BW Broadcast is showcasing its software update for the recently released V2 transmitters. The advanced 4-band audio processing is built in every transmitter, making stations sound great right out of the box.

New features such as Gold-Clamp transistors and quick change slide-in power supplies (not every model) make the V2 transmitter range easier to maintain and service.

The new software update (v1.4) contains a much-improved, updated Ethernet interface. The new web based control system doesn’t require software to be installed, so can be easily operated from any smart-phone (including Apple iPhones).

Aspera’s advanced broadcast, digital media solutionsAspera, a creator of high-speed file transfer software, is showcasing high-speed data transfer and automation solutions, all part of its expansive software portfolio for deployment on premise, the cloud, or in combination, at IBC.

Aspera OrchestratorThe Aspera file-based workflow automation platform has been enhanced with full failover support, integrated Active Directory and LDAP support, and multi-tenant capabilities.

It also includes a new workflow editor with workflow checkout capabilities for team-based development, offers an expanded plug-in library for a host of leading transcoding, watermarking, quality control, antivirus, ad insertion, asset management and an application notifier, which allows external applications to receive real-time progress updates from plug-ins.

Aspera On Demand The Platform as a Service (PaaS) enables media companies and content service providers to use high-speed fasp transport to ingest and distribute large files to and from the Amazon Web Services and Microsoft Windows Azure clouds, and integrate their platforms into media services running in the cloud.

Aspera faspex and Shares Web applications and transfer clients for fast, ad-hoc file exchange enable collaborative, person-to-person workflows spanning on-premise, cloud and hybrid deployments.

The faspex and Shares solutions are designed to allow media files to be securely transferred between any storage locations (on premise or in the cloud) on behalf of users or project groups with privacy, security and fine-grained access control.

www.asperasoft.com

www.asperasoft.com

www.bwbroadcast.com

Thuraya IP+Thuraya Telecommunications Company is showcasing its Thuraya IP+, touted as the fastest and lightest mobile satellite broadband terminal. Without compromising on portability, it is also designed to achieve the fastest IP speeds, ensuring quick and reliable access to broadband data services over Thuraya’s extensive satellite network.

Enhanced capabilities facilitate a wide range of applications including live, high-quality video broadcasting, web browsing, email, social media communications, data transfer and VoIP applications, as well as access to corporate networks from remote locations.

Weighing just 1.4kg and smaller than a regular laptop, the Thuraya IP+ can be rapidly deployed to support high-bandwidth applications at speeds of up to 444kbps on standard IP and 384kbps on streaming IP with a built-in antenna. The satellite broadband terminal can be configured to provide asymmetric streaming capabilities, enabling users to control their upload and download speeds based on usage requirements to optimise bandwidth cost.

Easily portable and rugged, the Thuraya IP+ device seeks to serve various mission-critical operations including broadcast media, defense, telemedicine and disaster response.

From supporting offshore operations to establishing critical field communication links, Thuraya IP+ provides the portable connectivity required by Thuraya’s customers who live and work beyond the reach of traditional terrestrial networks.

BW Broadcast’s updated V2 Transmitter

THE INDUSTRY EVENT

THAT BRINGS THE MENA BROADCAST

COMMUNITY TOGETHERTO DEBATE

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12TH NOVEMBER 2013

SUMMIT & AWARDS

13TH NOVEMBER 2013

ARAB HDTV GROUP MEETING

12 November, 2013 The Address Dubai Marina

SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES

PUBLISHING DIRECTOR Raz Islam | +971 50 451 [email protected]

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION

MARKETING MANAGER Carole McCarthy | +971 4 440 [email protected]

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Zappware, a provider of digital TV applications, and KATHREIN TechnoTrend (KTT), a developer and supplier of innovative digital technology, are demonstrating their new business cooperation in a joint showcase.

KTT will be integrating Zappware’s Nexx application on its new HTML5-based, HbbTV hybrid STB series based on broad-com technology and various encryption systems. Nexx is Zappware’s flagship product for set-

top-boxes and connected TVs, and provides a next-generation user experience in the living room.

Nexx allows viewers to easily gain access to the content they need via ultra-short click-paths. It provides a consistent content-driven navigational pattern throughout the application and uses animation and acceleration to create a lively dialogue with the viewer.

In addition, it gives the ability to personalise the experience, which can additionally be shared using social networks. KTT’s open API middleware enables system providers to integrate their services according to customer needs and create unique business models for the operators.

Inmarsat is showcasing its new high data rate service (HDR), which o!ers media organisations and broadcasters significantly increased streaming rates for higher quality video newsgathering.

Its full channel option provides broadcasters with an expected streaming rate of around 650kbps which, when combined with the compact, lightweight and highly portable Explorer 710 terminal, will deliver a step-change in video quality.

“Since 2005, the BGAN (Broadband Global Area Network) platform has transformed newsgathering, enabling live broadcasts from the farthest, most inhospitable reaches of the planet”, says Martin Turner, Inmarsat’s Media Business Director. “We improved the streaming speeds with BGAN X-Stream in 2009 and today, we’re introducing the next revolution in satellite newsgathering with BGAN HDR.”

WORK Microwave is presenting its comprehensive portfolio of DVB-S2 modems, modulators and demodulators, as well as the company’s new video ACM system, which combines the DVB-S2 Modem SK-DV with Adtec Digital’s EN-91 MPEG-4 HD ultra-low delay encoder to improve an operator’s video quality significantly while reducing operational expenses.

In addition to enabling continuous communication between the two devices via SNMP, the integration of the modem and encoder into one environment simplifies the set-up and monitoring of parameters and options influencing bandwidth and link allocation. Leveraging DaVid technology, the SK-DV modem concurrently transports up to six MPEG transport streams and IP data into a DVB-S2 multistream, enabling simultaneous transportation of data (network connection) and live broadcasting (video content) over a single satellite carrier. WORK Microwave’s multichannel ACM functionality dramatically reduces the margin traditionally required for rain fade.

Satellite link performance is optimised in real time, balancing efficiency and availability www.inmarsat.com

www.kathrein-technotrend.com

www.zappware.com

www.inmarsat.com

The Cobham SATCOM’s Explorer 710 is the latest BGAN terminal and the first that is capable of accessing Inmarsat’s new HDR

Inmarsat’s BGAN HDRWORK Microwave’s DVB-S2 Modem, Modulator, Demodulator portfolio

KTT-Zappware joint showcase

as link conditions change due to adverse weather conditions. Satellite capacity is further optimised via transport stream null packet deletion and reinsertion. The bandwidth saved from removing the null packets from the transport streams can be reused for IP data.

5th-generation Frequency Converter Series New enhancements to WORK Microwave’s

fixed frequency block converters include Ka-band support for both uplink and downlink services. The Ka-band uplink uses frequencies between 25GHz and 32GHz while the downlink uses frequencies between 18GHz and 23GHz. A sophisticated new synthesiser allows the frequency converters to deliver Ka-band signals with phase noise at a level that significantly exceeds the respected industry standard, according to Intelsat Phase Noise Specification, IESS-308/309. The frequency block converters feature a compact, multichannel module design that enables operators to support up to four channels within a 19-inch housing, lowering their operational expenses.



2103

Zappware, a provider of digital TV applications, and KATHREIN TechnoTrend (KTT), a developer and supplier of innovative digital technology, are demonstrating their new business cooperation in a joint showcase.

KTT will be integrating Zappware’s Nexx application on its new HTML5-based, HbbTV hybrid STB series based on broad-com technology and various encryption systems. Nexx is Zappware’s flagship product for set-

top-boxes and connected TVs, and provides a next-generation user experience in the living room.

Nexx allows viewers to easily gain access to the content they need via ultra-short click-paths. It provides a consistent content-driven navigational pattern throughout the application and uses animation and acceleration to create a lively dialogue with the viewer.

In addition, it gives the ability to personalise the experience, which can additionally be shared using social networks. KTT’s open API middleware enables system providers to integrate their services according to customer needs and create unique business models for the operators.

Inmarsat is showcasing its new high data rate service (HDR), which o!ers media organisations and broadcasters significantly increased streaming rates for higher quality video newsgathering.

Its full channel option provides broadcasters with an expected streaming rate of around 650kbps which, when combined with the compact, lightweight and highly portable Explorer 710 terminal, will deliver a step-change in video quality.

“Since 2005, the BGAN (Broadband Global Area Network) platform has transformed newsgathering, enabling live broadcasts from the farthest, most inhospitable reaches of the planet”, says Martin Turner, Inmarsat’s Media Business Director. “We improved the streaming speeds with BGAN X-Stream in 2009 and today, we’re introducing the next revolution in satellite newsgathering with BGAN HDR.”

WORK Microwave is presenting its comprehensive portfolio of DVB-S2 modems, modulators and demodulators, as well as the company’s new video ACM system, which combines the DVB-S2 Modem SK-DV with Adtec Digital’s EN-91 MPEG-4 HD ultra-low delay encoder to improve an operator’s video quality significantly while reducing operational expenses.

In addition to enabling continuous communication between the two devices via SNMP, the integration of the modem and encoder into one environment simplifies the set-up and monitoring of parameters and options influencing bandwidth and link allocation. Leveraging DaVid technology, the SK-DV modem concurrently transports up to six MPEG transport streams and IP data into a DVB-S2 multistream, enabling simultaneous transportation of data (network connection) and live broadcasting (video content) over a single satellite carrier. WORK Microwave’s multichannel ACM functionality dramatically reduces the margin traditionally required for rain fade.

Satellite link performance is optimised in real time, balancing efficiency and availability www.inmarsat.com

www.kathrein-technotrend.com

www.zappware.com

www.inmarsat.com

The Cobham SATCOM’s Explorer 710 is the latest BGAN terminal and the first that is capable of accessing Inmarsat’s new HDR

Inmarsat’s BGAN HDRWORK Microwave’s DVB-S2 Modem, Modulator, Demodulator portfolio

KTT-Zappware joint showcase

as link conditions change due to adverse weather conditions. Satellite capacity is further optimised via transport stream null packet deletion and reinsertion. The bandwidth saved from removing the null packets from the transport streams can be reused for IP data.

5th-generation Frequency Converter Series New enhancements to WORK Microwave’s

fixed frequency block converters include Ka-band support for both uplink and downlink services. The Ka-band uplink uses frequencies between 25GHz and 32GHz while the downlink uses frequencies between 18GHz and 23GHz. A sophisticated new synthesiser allows the frequency converters to deliver Ka-band signals with phase noise at a level that significantly exceeds the respected industry standard, according to Intelsat Phase Noise Specification, IESS-308/309. The frequency block converters feature a compact, multichannel module design that enables operators to support up to four channels within a 19-inch housing, lowering their operational expenses.

PRINCIPAL SPONSOR:

MAJOR SUPPORTINGSPONSORS:

OTHER SPONSORS INCLUDE:

17-20 September 2013NH GRAND HOTEL KRASNAPOLSKY, AMSTERDAM, THE NETHERLANDS

Packed with executive insight, case studies and expert analysis

Network with the movers & shakers in the VSAT Market

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Announcing the VSAT Industry Awards networking evening

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NEXT GENERATION VSAT: TECHNOLOGIES & APPLICATIONS

Nabil ShantiVP & ChiefCommercial Officer, Arabsat, Saudi Arabia

Simon BullSenior Consultant, COMSYS

Dave Bettinger CTO, iDirectUSA

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“THE PLACE TO MEET THEMOVERS AND SHAKERS

OF THE VSAT INDUSTRY”VP Marketing,

Gilat Satellite Networks

Jean-FrançoisLeprince-RinguetCCO, EutelsatFrance

Andrew SilbersteinSenior Vice President &General Manager,Services, GlobecommUSA

Adrian Morris CTO, HughesUSA

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David HartshornSecretary General, GVFUSA

Serge Van HerckCEO, NewtecBelgium

Dr. Arunas SlekysVice PresidentCorporate Marketingand General Manager,Russia & CIS Business, Hughes NetworkSystems, LLCUSA

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10% DISCOUNT FOR GVF MEMBERS

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SatGuest

A 28-year-old Ugandan scientist made the news with his satellite that he’s building in his mother’s backyard.

Chris Nsamba, who founded the African Space Research Program in 2009, is working with a handful of student volunteers to build and launch Uganda’s first space observer. The probe, equipped with solar panels and a camera, is to make its maiden voyage with a live rat as its sole passenger. As basic as this set-up may sound, it is still a milestone not only for the country but its universities as well. There is a strong link between universities and satellite industry successes.

Space technology start-ups often emerge from university projects. Skybox Imaging is one such example. It started out as an assignment from a technology entrepreneurship class at Stanford University. Today, it’s a USD 91-million company that intends to deploy a 24-Pico-satellite cloud by 2018 that will scour the globe for information capable of an industrial revolution. Hedge funds, for example, could follow the ship to predict where the price of oil is going while governments could use it during times of calamity. How much devastation could be reduced if bodies used hourly snapshots of disaster-stricken areas to identify collapsed roads after an earthquake, or to determine how quickly a forest fire is spreading?

Raising manpowerUniversities have played a major role in the research and development of space technology. Many international tertiary-level institutions have government-funded, specialised space research projects and programmes, and a lot offer Masters and PhDs in the field of space technology. One such MSc programme in space science and technology, also known as “Space Masters”, is funded by the European Union, which offers scholarships to students from all over the

world. The main aim of the course, which is conducted by six top European universities, is to develop manpower for the ever-increasing demand of the space industry and to conduct government-funded research projects within the universities.

Some universities have also been able to produce and launch their own CubeSats, which are Pico-satellites that weigh up to 1kg and have 10cm-cubed dimension. They are usually launched as piggyback satellites and are meant for scientific and technology demonstration purposes. So far, international universities have demonstrated technologies inlcuding testing novel communication links between a ground station and a satellite, testing different communication protocols to increase data rates, earth-imaging using mobile phone cameras, earthquake monitoring, weather monitoring, attitude determination algorithms, solar array performance, radiation monitoring and star constellation mappings.

All CubeSat missions to date have had technological objectives; they have either demonstrated devices and system

architectures that were developed in house, or demonstrated non-space-rated commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) component performances.

It is evident that universities play a crucial role in the advancement of a country’s space technology. Therefore, it is vital that universities across the Middle East are progressive and offer the best in space-related courses and programmes. Not only does this contribute to regional advancements, but it sets a “home-grown” precedent; a country can depend on local universities to supply manpower and develop locally-produced technology using local recourses. From sustainability to security, depending less to as little as possible on foreign countries for satellite technology is highly beneficial.

Benefits of CubeSatsMiddle Eastern universities ought to focus

on CubeSats as they are a great way for students to participate and contribute their research skills towards space technology. And who knows what can happen under the right circumstances? Students could start off by developing a simple transceiver and next thing, they could be developing a complete communication satellite with components developed entirely in house. What a significant achievement that is!

While Nsamba’s project and plans seem rudimentary, the most important thing is that they are 100% home-grown. He is effectively building the best foundation for a sustainable space programme. It would be hugely beneficial for the Middle East to follow on in this example. PRO

COUNTDOWN TO SELF-RELIANCE IN SPACE TECHNOLOGY

Autonomy in satellite-related technology is key for the Middle East. Countries in the region need to offer progressive programmes at university and a good place to start is with CubeSats

Hamza Baig is a double Masters holder in space science and technology.

[email protected]

SatellitePro ME September 2013

Documents

Transcript of SatellitePro ME September 2013