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SatMagazine Worldwide Satellite Magazine March 2013 SatBroadcastingWorldwide Event Coverage Via Satellites
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We reserve the right to edit all submitted materials to meet our content guidelines, as well as for grammar and spelling consistency. Articles may be moved to an alternative issue to accommodate publication space requirements or removed due to space restrictions. Submission of content does not constitute acceptance of said material by SatNews Publishers. Edited materials may, or may not, be returned to author and/or company for review prior to publication. The views expressed in SatNews Publishers various publications do not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of SatNews Publishers. All rights reserved.All included imagery is courtesy of, and copyright to, the respective companies or named individuals. Published monthly by SatNews Publishers 800 Siesta Way Sonoma, CA 95476 USA Phone: (707) 939-9306 Fax: (707) 838-9235 2013 SatNews Publishers Silvano Payne ........................................... Publisher + Writer Hartley G. Lesser ....................................... Editorial Director Pattie Waldt ................................................ Executive Editor Jill Durfee ........................ Sales Director, Editorial Assistant Simon Payne ..................................... Development Director Donald McGee ..................................... Production Manager Dan Makinster .......................................... Technical Advisor Chris Forrester ............................ Senior Contributing Editor Alan Gottlieb .............................. Senior Contributing Editor Bob Gough ................................. Senior Contributing Editor Jos Heyman ................................ Senior Contributing Editor Giles Peeters ............................... Senior Contributing Editor Mike Antonovich ......................... Senior Contributing Editor Richard Dutchik ..................................... Contributing Editor Bert Sadtler ........................................... Contributing Editor Cover Image: Built into a Toyota Land Cruiser by Lithuanian systems integrator TVC, KTKs DSNG station features a SWE-DISH/Rockwell Collins Drive Away Antenna system, two Ericsson Voyager II multi-format integrated DSNG encoders, and two fully redundant Ericsson RX8200 advanced modular receivers. This fully operational HD live production system connects with TV studios and Outside Broadcast vehicles and is being used for live broadcasting. DSNG Vehicle Photo Credit: TVC Adrienne Alessandro Mike Antonovich Eran Avni Noel Brown Greg Caicedo Greg Dolan Louis Dubin Simen Frostad Alan Gottlieb Richard Harvey Lance Hiley Matthew Huntington David Leichner Hartley Lesser George Mancuso Bert Sadtler Paul Seguin Mylan Tanzer Mike Tippets Pattie Waldt SatMagazineMarch 20134 Publishing Operations Authors + Contributors SatMagazine. March 2013, Vol. 5, #11
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SatMagazineMarch 20135 2013 International Satellite Directory ..................... Page 104 Advantech Wireless ................................................. Page 107 AIS Engineering, Inc. .................................................. Page 65 ANTCOM, Inc. ............................................................ Page 03 AMOS by Spacecom ................................................... Page 31 AnaCom, Inc. .............................................................. Page 59 Arianespace ................................................................. Page 15 Arabsat Satellite ......................................................... Page 13 Asia Broadcast Satellite (ABS) ................................... Page 23 AvL Technologies ....................................................... Page 81 Azure Shine International Inc. ................................... Page 25 Bridge Technologies .................................................. Page 05 Brel & Kjr ............................................................... Page 06 CPI Satcom Products .................................................. Page 39 EADS Astrium Limited ............................................... Page 07 C-COM Satellite Systems ........................................... Page 37 Comtech EF Data .......................................... cover + Page 29 Comtech Xicom Technology ...................................... Page 49 Dubai World Trade CenterCABSAT ........................ Page 85 FOXCOM, INc., A Division of OnePath ...................... Page 41 Gilat Satellite Networks, Ltd. .................................... Page 21 Global Link Productions, Inc. ..................................... Page 71 GlobeCast .................................................................. Page 04 Gottlieb International Group ................................... Page 103 Harris Corporation ..................................................... Page 09 iDirect ......................................................................... Page 45 KRATOS Defense & SecuritySAT Corporation ....... Page 77 Microspace Communications Corporation ................ Page 99 MITEQ, Inc. / MCL ...................................................... Page 02 NABNational Association of Broadcasters ......... Page 79 Newtec CY .................................................................. Page 11 ONE CONNXT ............................................................ Page 47 Optimal Satcom .......................................................... Page 61 RRsat ........................................................................... Page 12 RUAG Space ................................................................ Page 17 Satlites Mexicanos S.A. DE C.V. ............................... Page 53 SatService GmbH ....................................................... Page 08Singapore Exhibition ServicesCommunicAsia 2013 .. Page 93 Smartershows Ltd.Space Tech Expo .................... Page 101 Space Foundation (National Space Symposium) ....... Page 73 SSPIGALA ............................................................... Page 67 ST Teleport ................................................................. Page 57 Superior Satellite Engineers SSE ............................. Page 33 Teledyne Paradise Datacom .................................... Page 108 Terrasat Communications ...........................................Page 19 W.B Walton Enterprises, Inc. ..................................... Page 27 WORK Microwave ....................................................... Page 51 SatMagazineMarch 20135 Index to Advertisers SatMagazine. March 2013, Vol. 5, #11
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Driving A Double Initiates The 2013 Launch Program (Arianespace) ........................................................... Page 14 Up + Away Without A Hitch (ULA) ................................................................................................................ Page 14 Beefing Up The Bouquet (Spacecom) ............................................................................................................ Page 16 Same Transponder Segment, Full Duplex Data (NovelSat) ........................................................................... Page 16 Interoperability Pilot Tests (iDirect) .............................................................................................................. Page 16 A Dignitarys Visit, Then Space Bound (ISRO) ............................................................................................... Page 18 Flyaway Feedback Incorporated (Norsat Intl) .............................................................................................. Page 18 A Spatial First For Singapore (ST Electronics) ............................................................................................... Page 19 Meshing With Mozambique (PolarSat) .......................................................................................................... Page 20 Teleport Revitalization In Africa (BringCom) ................................................................................................. Page 20 Lose That Latency (Fujitsu) ............................................................................................................................ Page 20 Big Plans For Small Sats (Skybox Imaging) .................................................................................................... Page 22 Bringing Beidou Into The Picture (Spectracom) ............................................................................................. Page 22 Landing Landsat (Honeywell) ......................................................................................................................... Page 22 The Technology + The Challenges ................................................................................................................. Page 22 Kepler Discovers A Tiny Planet System (NASA) ............................................................................................ Page 24 X-Band Certified (GATR Technologies) .......................................................................................................... Page 26 Antarctic Imagery, Courtesy Of Inmarsats BGAN ........................................................................................ Page 26 SSPIs Honorees (SSPI) ....................................................................................................................... Page 28 Driving Content, Quite Literally (SIS LIVE) .................................................................................................... Page 29 Successful Robotic Refueling Demo (NASA) .................................................................................................. Page 30 SatMagazineMarch 20136 SatMagazine. March 2013, Vol. 5, #11 InfoBeam
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8SatMagazineMarch 2013 Page 32 SatBroadcastingIs C-Band The Next Beachfront Property?One of the trends Ive seen over the last decade is a winners and losers environment when it comes to standard plan C-band satellites, especially over North America. By Mike Antonovich Page 34 SatBroadcastingSNGs New EdgeA quick review of the Broadcast Industry and its use of satellite technology suggest some very interesting information. By Paul Seguin Page 38 SATCOM SolutionsCPIs HPAs + BUCsThere are several primary applications for SATCOM HPAs and BUCs. Page 40 SatBroadcastingReducing Satellite Transponder BandwidthAn increased need for satellite transponder bandwidth is being driven by greater use of Full-Motion Video (FMV) gathered by Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS). Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance. By George Mancuso Page 42 Executive Spotlight: Tore Morten Olsen, Astrium ServicesTore Morten Olsen has 17 years of experience in the satellite communications sector working for Telenor and Vizada. Page 46 SatBroadcastingIn Search Of Quality Monitoring of is that there is constant evolution in the way satellites are being used. By Simen Frostad SatMagazine. March 2013, Vol. 5, #11
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When It Matters MostTRUST OS/COMETDigitalGlobes ability to provide unique imagery to its customers is dependent on the OS/COMET TT&C product suite. OS/COMET provides DigitalGlobe with a TT&C solution that is scalable, customizable, and extensible for the management and operation of the QuickBird, WorldView-1, and WorldView-2 satellites. With over thirty years of experience in the satellite TT&C business, the OS/COMET team will help guide your growth into the future of space. Because our customers matter to us. Visit us at www.oscomet.com.harris.com DG-MCC-8.5x11-SEC.indd 1 9/15/2011 12:24:17 PM
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10SatMagazineMarch 2013 Page 48 SatBroadcastingSports Broadcastings Future ChallengesToday, consumers are faced with many ways of accessing and watching television programs. Whether via a television set, PC, mobile or tablet device, the change in habits ... By Mylan Tanzer Page 52 Ensuring Satellite ReliabilityVibration Testing Page 56 Executive Spotlight: David Ball, NewSat Limited of his career specializing in satellite communications. Page 62 SatBroadcastingThe Four-Point Advantage make real-time IP encoding over satellite the ideal method for news and sports applications. By Richard Harvey. Page 66 Satellite Backhaul In Emerging Countries technologies have helped reshape the landscape. By Louis Dubin Page 68 Executive Spotlight: Dr. Aimee Chan, Norsat InternationalDr. Amiee Chan has more than 15 years of experience in executive management and research and development in the telecommunications industry. Page 74 SatBroadcastingChanging SNG Forever Page 76 SatBroadcastingProtecting Broadcast Content DeliveryWhat if more than the lights went out during the Super Bowl? Imagine sitting at home and losing the audio of the broadcast and missing the refs call... By Greg Caicedo Page 80 Sadtler On Careers: Good Doggie?As a long time dog owner, I have found there is nothing more loyal than your dog who welcomes you with unconditional love when... By Bert Sadtler Page 82 Business TVWatch Your Way To KnowledgeChange is constant in successful businessesthey continuously invest in new systems, sales programs and other efforts to maintain a competitive edge. By Mike Tippets Page 86 The Global Perspective Offered @ NSSEach spring, the Space Foundations National Space Symposium is offered in conjunction with a separate Space Foundation cyber conference. Cyber 1.3 is a full-day event taking place on April 8th... Page 88 SatBroadcastingBroadcasting To The DiasporaAs the world becomes a smaller place and people move from one end of the Earth to the other, broadcasters are realizing new opportunities. In the Diaspora World people may be far from... By Eran Avni SatMagazine. March 2013, Vol. 5, #11
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An inside view on how broadcasters look at future network technologiesrffnft b b b rf ntf b b
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12SatMagazineMarch 2013 Leave the rest to RRsat. NAB SU11321 www.rrsat.com | info@rrsat.com NAB SU11321 N A B S U 1 1 3 2 1 www.rrsat.com | info@rrsat.com N A B S U 1 1 3 2 1 Page 90SatBroadcastingA Submerged Challenge For DSNGDeep underneath the QianDao Lake in Zhejiang province of China rests the thousand-year-old Lion City. This ancient site was submerged half a century ago... By David Leichner Page 94SatBroadcastingBridging The GapBroadcasters and payTV service providers are seeking to exploit the potential of convergence and are increasingly focusing on multiscreen delivery, enabling content to be enjoyed everywhere and on any device. By Matthew Huntington Page 98SatBroadcastingEnd-To-End SNG + Asset Management By Greg Dolan Page 102Gottlieb On MaritimeThe Price Must Be Right arrived on March 1st (in addition to the increases imposed by the Company last May)... By Alan Gottlieb SatMagazine. March 2013, Vol. 5, #11
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Our world. Whole African coverage. Full spectrum of satellite services. Your world. 8.5 inx 11 in Magazine Ad With Arabsat's new generation of state-of-the-art satellites, your world is growing larger and closer than ever. With four orbital positions in the sky covering an ever-expanding footprint across the Middle East, Africa, Central Asia and Europe, now you have unrivalled capacity to reach farther and connect in more ways than ever before. That means all the power to meet the growing and evolving needs of large telecom companies, government entities, the military sector and VSAT or IP networks. Connect more of your world, and join the Arabsat neighborhood today! www.arabsat.com
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InfoBeam14SatMagazineMarch 2013 InfoBeamDriving A Double Initiates The 2013 Launch Programs Artistic rendition of Amazonas-3. Courtesy of Space Systems/Loral. Photo of Azerspace/Africasat-1a. Courtesy of Orbital Sciences.
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SEPTEMBER 28 Ariane 5ASTRA 2F and GSAT-10OCTOBER 12 SoyuzTwo Galileo navigation system IOV spacecraft NOVEMBER 10 Ariane 5EUTELSAT 21B and Star One C3DECEMBER 1 SoyuzPliades 1BDECEMBER 19 Ariane 5Skynet 5D and Mexsat BicentenarioF EBRU AR Y 13 V egaLARES, ALMASat-1, multiple cubesatsMARCH 23 Ariane 5Automated Transfer Vehicle (ATV) Edoardo AmaldiM A Y 15 Ariane 5JCSAT-13 and VINASAT-2JULY 5 Ariane 5EchoStar XVII and MSG-3AUGUST 2 Ariane 5Intelsat 20 & HYLAS 2 arianespace.com In 2012, the workhorse Ariane 5 orbited 13 spacecraft in seven missions, including the 20-metric-ton Eduardo Amaldi Automated Transfer Vehicle, and 12 commercial telecommunications satellites. On February 13, Arianespace added a new chapter to the history of space ight with the inaugural launch of the Vega light lift vehicle at the Guiana Space Center. In total, three Soyuz missions, two at the Guiana Space Center and one at Baikonur with Starsem, lofted four satellites into orbit. With this flawless record, Arianespace has earned the confidence of its customers, who time and again have chosen to launch smart.Launch Smart
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InfoBeam16SatMagazineMarch 2013
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As the largest independent supplier of space technology in Europe, RUAG Space develops, manufactures and tests sub s ystems and equipment for satellites and launch vehicles. From our locations in Switzerland, Sweden and Austria we offer a comprehensive portfolio of products and services for institutional and commercial space missions. Our heritage and our flex ibility as well as the outstanding reliability of our products have made us a long lasting partner of choice for satellite and launcher primes worldwide. Where successful space missions start: wwww.ruag.com/space.RUAG Schweiz AG | RUAG Space Schaffhauserstrasse 580 | 8052 Zrich | Switzerland Phone +41 44 306 22 11 | Fax +41 44 306 29 10 | info.space@ruag.com www.ruag.com/space Connecting the world is essential. We help satellites communicate. Ins_RUAG Space_Satnews.indd 1 19.02.13 09:16
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InfoBeam18SatMagazineMarch 2013 SARAL-ALtika satellite. Image courtesy of CNES.
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SatMagazineMarch 201319
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InfoBeam20SatMagazineMarch 2013 The IP-9610 encoder/decoder
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TotalNMS SkyEdge II-c Aries VSAT ODU SkyEdge II-c HUB VSATS MODEMS AMPLIFIERS ANTENNAS in Internet Connectivity Its never been easier to offer your customers the totally right internet service plans and bandwidth usage levels to t their needs. Thats because our SkyEdge II-c platform has been enhanced with The New Simple in Internet Connectivity. Simply put, weve done all the hard work for you. So you can now give your VNOs the autonomy to choose their business model and the ISPs the exibility to provide customized and competitive plans and services. SkyEdge II-c simply enables: Customized value-add services and usage plans for ISPs Flexible business models for operators and VNOs Minimal initial investment with the ability to scale Better web experience with patented HTTP acceleration Integrated and automated Ka/Ku network management Ka VSAT self-installation that saves time and money Rapid and efcient hub assembly and installation E R S A N T S ER AMPLIFI E E R To get the full skinny on The New Simple, visit www.gilat.com/the-new-simple-in-internet-connectivity and come see us at Satellite 2013, booth #6057 and NAB, booth #SU11102
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InfoBeam22SatMagazineMarch 2013 Artistic rendition of the Landsat 7 satellite. Courtesy of NASA.
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LAUNCHING 2013 Satellite Highlights Meet our Sales representatives at Satellite 2013 www.absatellite.com
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InfoBeam24SatMagazineMarch 2013 The artists concept depicts the new planet dubbed Kepler-37b. The planet is slightly larger than our moon, measuring about one-third the size of Earth. Image credit NASA/Ames/JPL-Caltech. Artistic rendition of the Kepler spacecraft
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InfoBeam26SatMagazineMarch 2013 Mount Ulvetanna
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InfoBeam28SatMagazineMarch 2013
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SatMagazineMarch 201329
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InfoBeam30SatMagazineMarch 2013 Story by Adrienne Alessandro NASAs Goddard Space Flight Center On July 12, 2011, spacewalking astronauts Mike Fossum and Ron Garan successfully transferred the Robotic Refueling Mission module from the Atlantis shuttle cargo bay to an temporary platform on the International Space Stations Dextre robot. Image Credit NASA.
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TitleByline32SatMagazineMarch 2013 SatBroadcastingIs C-Band The Next Beachfront Property? One of the trends Ive seen over the last decade is a winners and losers environment when it comes to standard plan C-band satellites, especially over North America.By winners I mean those primary cable distribution satellites in both deliver literally hundreds of channels to thousands of cable headends that serve over a hundred million television viewers. While there are plenty of rumblings within the programmer community on the wisdom of end-of-life satellite terms on the pending satellite replenishment cycle, there is, and will remain, a compelling business case for national broadcast and cable distribution for many, However, beyond the 10 or so mainstream cable a very healthy satellite distribution business for program contribution for major news events and sports is still robust, What that leaves are about a dozen market challenged C-band satellites (or C-band payloads on hybrid birds) without a clear mission and with lots of excess avoid committing to replacement and, in some cases, havent relinquished their licenses, either...So, right over the heart of the worlds richest economy sits this wonderful satellite asset, perfectly coordinated, robust from rain fade, and in this market By Mike Antonovich, Senior Contributing Editor SatMagazineMarch 201332
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SatMagazineMarch 201333 One of the most elegant applications I know of is from my good friends at Roberts Communications Network, who Ive had the good fortune to have served as their carrier, reseller and employee at various and sundry moments in my career. They operate more than 110 MPEG-4 video uplinks for live horse and greyhound racing, that serves their 80-channel DTH distribution platform businesses, feeding back to their racing and wagering industry clients. They long than lockdown C-band service for ubiquitous nationwide and reliability that C-band satellite affords.But they are the exception to the rule. Where are the rest of the takers for this capacity? The terrestrial wireless carriers here and abroad continue to poke at radio frequency dead wood and will end up encroaching, usurping or out-lobbying government regulators to get more precious bandwidth. The carriers cant do much without new customers and a new round of innovative applications to put this bandwidth to work.While Im no spell-binding, stupefying, savant or soothsayer (try saying THAT three times fast) it seems pretty clear to me that the future of C-band for the communications satellite community depends on more creative and innovative use of the inventory. C-band is either prime Malibu, California beachfront, or prime beachfront on the Salton Sea. The clever people...get cracking!About the author Mike Antonovich has been recently announced as ATEMEs Senior Vice President & General Manager, Americas, a worldwide leader in advanced video compression and transcoding solutions. Mike welcomes your comments and counter-points, but asks that in lieu of throwing overripe fruit and cegetables at him, you instead donate to your local food pantry. 33SatMagazineMarch 2013 Designed specifically for the popular Series 8345 4.5M T ripod mount for outstanding stability Remote site & pc interface available Optional r esolver based positioning 5-ton Joyce Dayton actuators 90V DC motors SUPERIOR SA TELLITE ENGINEERS
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34SatMagazineMarch 2013 SatBroadcastingSNGs New EdgeA quick review of the Broadcast Industry and its use of Satellite technology suggest some very interesting information. Prior to the use of satellite, video images shot on site needed to be put on tape and hand delivered to a studio for editing and broadcast. While this provides a secure delivery method, it could prove to be a very lengthy process, making the event being covered less than current. As all agencies were in the same position, the public was used to this obscene delay, and it was considered a normal course of events (e.g., during World War 1, stories were often submitted by Post). The obvious issue with this type of delivery was the location have to be carried a long way before it could be reviewed, edited and broadcast over the air. A shared system was installed in certain large cities where a video tape player would be located in a building. A hardwire communication line was installed such that a story could be uploaded to the appropriate news agency for editing. These portals provided a way for agencies to upload stories quicker than it would be to transport the tape back to the studio. This advancement meant that the time between the event and the viewing could be reduces to hours, rather than days.The thought of using a satellite to transfer data was very intriguing to the broadcast engineers of the day. If you could around and get it setup in reasonable time to make it quicker then broadcast over the airwaves to their viewing audience. Moving forward, a gentleman named Dudley Freeman, from Massachusetts, decided that there was a way to install a 4.8m antenna on a truck and drive to the required location to upload the video captured at the event. In fact, with some creative electronics, the video could be transferred live back to the studio. Mr. Freeman found that by folding the edges of the 4.8m antenna and by locating the antenna at the right needed to be used. It was standard to use two 600 watt (or device should a failure occur. TWT (Travelling Wave Tube) and required that the tube be allowed to warm up to temperature before the frequencies would stabilize and amounts of power to operate; the trucks had to be equipped with high power generators to produce the required voltage and current. It was normal for a 12.5kw generator to be installed in the truck to power the system. These trucks were a marvel of modern broadcast electronics and typically would cost north of a half a million dollars. Due to the amount of equipment and the size of the SatMagazine March 201334By Paul Seguin, Application Specialist, C-COM Satellite Systems, Inc.
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SatMagazineMarch 201335 truck chassis, with a large box body. These trucks could be used to uplink to any satellite needed in order to transfer video and audio from any event that was newsworthy. These early broadcasts would push an analog video and audio of (SD) quality that required a whole transponder for one video image. If multiple camera feeds were to be used, multiple transponders needed to be available. Obviously, the cost to use a whole transponder was quite high. Only the truly worthy news events would warrant using these live feeds. Once the market saw the usefulness of these trucks, some smart operators began to build such vehicles with the sole purpose of renting them out to news agencies that needed to uplink a story. These users would listen for the intelligence of the day and drive their trucks to the location of the newsworthy stories. Once on site, the operators could sell their uplink services to whichever agency had sent reporters but had no satellite truck of their own. This allowed for live feeds from these events to be picked up and carried as either a breaking story or on the next scheduled news broadcast. The use of these large antennas and C-band satellites continued until late 1990s when some operators began to build trucks to use Ku-band satellites. The Ku-band operates at a higher frequency than the C-band; so, the antenna size can data could be smaller, and the transponder had more capacity. MHz or 54 MHz, less than a whole transponder was needed addition, a smaller truck was more nimble getting to and from the event, and less expensive to keep on the road. A 2.4m antenna became the choice for the new trucks being built. Ku-band, being a smaller wave than C-band, was needed. Ku-band bandwidth was more expensive than C-band but more transponder space was available. That, in turn, reduced the power requirements and also the size of the required generator. The advent of encoders/decoders/modulators brought with it the ability to reduce bandwidth requirements by being able to put more data into a smaller space. This made the delivery of stories even less expensive than previously thought possible. The demand of the television viewing audience to watch live events forced broadcasters to have more trucks, pushing more live video, than ever before. These smaller trucks equipped with smaller antennas became the king for many years. Broadcasters were switching to Ku-band as the older C-band trucks were in need of replacement. A new breed of video broker sprang up as the new trucks were less expensive and much easier to maintain and operate. During the 90s, and into the new millennium, a quick look at any newsworthy event would reveal a number of broadcast trucks, both station-owned and broker-based. As the worlds demand for more and more coverage to breaking news events continued to increase, the pressure to provide the live feeds created a situation where Kubandwidth was becoming a scarce commodity. Without long-term contracts in place, occasional use bandwidth was in limited supply in many locations across the globe. Satellite operators were reticent to leave empty transponders in their inventory event happened. Large agencies had the availability to purchase contracts for bandwidth that they could then share amongst their various locations. Smaller operators were at a disadvantage when it came to buying bandwidth. They needed to be able to acquire the bandwidth they needed, when they needed it and not have to worry that the bigger players had taken all of the available bandwidth. Satellite operators were looking for a way to offer additional bandwidth and meet these demands. Hughes Network Systems launched Spaceway 3, of bandwidth covering the North America market, which is equivalent to approximately 8 Ku-band satellites. In 2010, Avanti launched HYLAS 1 over Europe and the company now offers services the Middle East, Russia and Australia. Yahsat has taken up the Hughes model and has rolled out Kaofferings in the Middle East & Africa.October 2011 marked the date of the launch of Viasat 1 was activated in January 2012 and has a total capacity of over 140Gbit/s. This is more capacity than all the satellites currently serving North America. With its spot beam technology, these Ka satellites are capable of tremendous speed and bandwidth simultaneously. New dedicated SNG service plans were developed to offer the market an alternative to the standard C-band and Ku-band programs. Viasat named their new offering Exede and has actively pursued the video media markets in North America. In the Viasat model, each spot beam is approximately 300km in size and each beam has 450Mbps of throughput. In Europe, Eutelsat, in partnership with Viasat, offers their Newspotter service to agencies that need occasional use bandwidth.
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36SatMagazineMarch 2013 The Newspotter Ka service can be roughly one-third the cost of similar Ku-band service. This service is offered on a contracted committed volume basis, where total volume for the year can be contracted, and the actual usage is deducted from the total. The more volume contracted, the less expensive the bandwidth. This allows smaller operators Of course, availability of all of this bandwidth is great, but if you do not have the equipment to access it, you are not C-COM Satellite Systems Inc., the manufacturer of the iNetVu line of portable and mobile auto deployable satellite antenna systems, was contacted to produce a series of antennas that would operate on these new Ka-band services. As the beam for the Ka service is so much tighter than the Cor Ku-band services, the antennas are also expected to be smaller. This leaner antenna, given the strict requirements of this new service, demanded extremely accurate and exact pointing requirements. Ka-75V. This was a to handle all of the transceivers and modems offered by Viasat and Eutelsat. The iNetVu 7024 in, allowing the operator to simply press one button and the controller sets all of the internal parameters needed to locate and lock onto the satellite. This feature works in North America and in Europe, as well. The next offering was a Ka-98H to address the Hughes the HNS supplied Kaservice. This antenna system has been designed to work in North America on the Hughes Kaoffering, in Europe on the Avanti service and in the Middle East and Africa on the Yahsat service. All models of the transceiver and modem have been tested and are fully operational.To address a request for a new iDirect Kaoffering, C-COM developed the Ka-98G. This unit handles the iDirect Kaas well as the Gilat Kaservice. The Ka-98G has and other countries.A Viasat/Eutelsat version of the 98cm antenna, the Kawith Eutelsat at the time of this writing. This product will provide better RF performance on the fringe areas of spot beams, and offer better margin for higher bandwidths. A Ka-band antenna (iNetVu FMA120Ka) has been designed and tested, offering a pole mounted Ka-band antenna solution that provides enough mobility to be moved to a new satellite when needed, by program control. This unit is perfect for remote locations where sending a technician to perform a re-point is simply too expensive. By using remote access to the Controller, command remotely, and the antenna will locate and lock on to the new satellite with no additional intervention required. C-COM is developing a number of additional new products for the Kamarket place. Some are going to be released at Satellite 2013 in Washington DC, while others will be introduced at a later date. With the roll out of new Ka-band solutions, companies deploying iNetVu antennas have begun performing their own acceptance tests. At the present time, iNetVu equipped Netherlands, Poland, Italy, Romania, Spain, Russia, Finland and France. Several other service providers are also in the process of completing testing of these small, extremely powerful mobile antenna systems. SatBroadcastingSNGs New Edge (Cont.)
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38SatMagazineMarch 2013 SATCOM SolutionsCPIs HPAs + BUCsThere are several primary applications for SATCOM HPAs and BUCs. These include the Internet, Digital Satellite Newsgathering (DSNG), mobile communications, maritime VSATs and offshore energy, Direct-To-Home (DTH) television and military communications (MILSATCOM). These applications demand a wide variety of products. climate controlled room or shelter located some distance from the antenna. (ODUs) and high power BUCs are typically mounted at the antenna in a hub, or on the actual antenna feed. Regardless of the type and reliable. Ka-Band The emergence of Ka-band is a key element in CPIs business and the company has been at the forefront of the developing the 1980s. The company has been involved in a number of band for both broadcast and IP applications. Today, CPI possesses the broadest and most established offering of Kaband HPAs on the market. To address the crucial Ka-band market, CPI developed the following solutions...1. High power BUCs with RF output powers up to 40 Watts PSAT/20 Watts PLIN; in very small, lightweight packages2. Helix TWTAs with RF output powers ranging from 120 Watts up to 500 Watts 3. Coupled cavity TWTAs and extended interaction KPAs with RF output power up to 1000 Watts of the broadband, high throughput systems across the globe. Reducing Environmental Impact creation of SuperLinear TWTAs. These take the concept of have gained considerable interest and market acceptance. In many applications where they are applied, these TWTAs are GaN based SSPAs), SuperLinear TWTAs are now replacing both older TWTA and SSPA systems. operational cost savings; as well as being smaller and lighter. This new range of SuperLinear TWTAs also provides higher mean time between failures (MTBF), The SuperLinear TWTAs are designed for optimal operation at the backoff power levels that are required in order to meet standard international intermodulation and cooler running HPAs. Most traditional HPAs are designed to run from small signal to saturated power. However, the true usable RF power in a typical uplink application is limited by linearity requirements set by Intelsat and other satellite organizations. what is still required is the top-end peak power to avoid clipping of the transmitted signal. This clipping results in intermodulation products, spectral regrowth, and other nonlinearities. Operating power must be limited to a maximum dB from the maximum peak power for low bit-error rates when transmitting signals like QPSK, QAM, CDMA, or OFDM. When the TWT, linearizer, and HPA can be optimized to work best at the 3dB backoff point (half average power), and weight are dramatically reduced. 2250 W HPA against those of traditional TWTAs (nonoptimized and non-linearized) and SSPAs reveals a 30 percent reduction in size, a 20 percent reduction in weight, and a 25 of win-win-win, with no penalty for the extra performance. Predistortion linearizers are a highly effective option with the SuperLinear HPA and, as with traditional HPAs, are Direct-To-Home (DTH) Television 1.25kW Ku-band SuperLiner outdoor TWTASatMagazine March 201338
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SatMagazineMarch 201339 the world. These systems normally transmit to dedicated transponders and compress many TV channels on each transponder. DTH systems typically uplink at Kuor DBS-band RF power to overcome any potential atmospheric losses such as rain fade, which can be extreme at these frequencies. GEN IV klystron power (KPAs) are an ideal selection for many DTH service providers. The technological breakthrough for the GEN IV was the invention of the multi-stage depressed collector (MSDC) klystron in the late 1990s, developed by CPI SATCOMs sister divisions: Microwave Power Products (MPP) and Communications & Medical Products (CMP). The MSDC klystron has demonstrated MTBF in excess of 200,000 hours.Higher power TWTAs in Kuand DBS-bands have also recently become available to the market. This provides some options for DTH service providers in certain areas of the world where atmospheric losses are not too severe. These TWTAs are available from CPI packaged as either indoor (IDU) or outdoor (ODU antenna hub itself. This reduces the RF losses between the away in a building. There are always other issues to consider when deciding must balance ease of service, equipment reliability, and service availability in certain environments. Today, CPI offers TWTAs with RF power up to 1.25 kW SuperLinear in Ku-band Mobile Applications + Solid State Mobile communications systems are addressed by CPIs Ka-bands, with quick turnaround for custom solutions. Plus, the acquisition by CPI of the Codan and Locus Microwave state products. Codan SATCOM consisted of the Codan and Locus Microwave product brands, both providing SATCOM Military commercial and government/military applications. The company is familiar with DISA and ARSTRAT customer terminals product lines. Such products need to be rugged, reliable, and able to operate in a variety of scenarios Celsius. Together with the former Codan SATCOM products, various locations and environments all over the world.39SatMagazine March 2013
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40SatMagazineMarch 2013 By George Mancuso, President + Principal Consultant, DivSatSatBroadcastingReducing Satellite Transponder BandwidthAn increased need for satellite transponder bandwidth is being driven by greater use of Full-Motion Video (FMV) gathered by Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS). Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) systems collecting mosaic wide area imagery are accelerating the pace at which bandwidth is required. The situation is further compounded by the proliferation of Very Small Aperture Terminals (VSAT) requiring higher performance satellites which further worsen the scarcity of usable bandwidth. Approximately 80 percent of all data carried on the Internet is video, with estimates used by the military falling into a similar range. In short, there is an insatiable demand for video which is a prime consumer of satellite transponder bandwidth. transponder bandwidth requirements with the use of commercial satellites. Funding for commercial satellite bandwidth has been obtained through Overseas Contingency Operations (OCO) accounts which are being considerably reduced. For reference, the 2012 OCO enacted funding for Operation and Maintenance vs. the 2013 request is 23.3 percent lower. Consequently, the Pentagon may not be able to meet their demand for commercial transponder satellite bandwidth in the future. High Efficiency Video Codec Enter a new (HEVC) standard, otherwise known as H.265 standard have the ability to reduce video data rates by as much as 50 percent as compared to the most current H.264/ AVC (MPEG-4, Part 10 opposed to the older MPEG-2. (.) ITU-T (VCEG) and the (MPEG 2013. The standard is maturing with additional capabilities being incorporated. Manufacturers are also currently demonstrating products using this codec. The Compression Factor Video compression (data rate reduction) is achieved by eliminating temporal and spatial redundancies. An encoded Transport Stream is used by a decoder to recreate an approximation of the original video. H.265 is an evolutionary standard which exploits similar techniques as employed in MPEG-2 and H.264 but to a more elaborate degree. an encoder is to generate the related Transport Stream. For this reason, not all encoders are created equal, with individual manufactures determining how to best implement the H.265 toolsets. The increase in encoding complexity requires processing power 3 to 5 times that of a H.264 encoder and lends itself to parallel computing. The H.265 encoded video is designed however to operate on handheld devices, media players, (STBs) and other types of decoders. SATCOM Adoption Presuming 80 percent of satellite bandwidth is composed of H.264/AVC video (legacy MPEG-2 exists), then moving to H.265/HEVC compression has the potential to result in a substantial 40 percent saving in satellite bandwidth. Due to the dramatic impact H.265 can have on reducing transponder bandwidth, it is anticipated SATCOM will be an early adopter of H.265. Further, by use of transcoding, the existing ground receive infrastructure can be maintained while achieving the much needed bandwidth savings. Watch for initial H.265 SATCOM deployments during 2013. About the author George Mancuso is the President and principal consultant at DivSat a solutions. His background includes various government projects involving the Army, Navy, Air Force and the National Laboratories. Georges Satcom experience includes the development and deployment of earth stations throughout the world ranging from small aperture terminals to Television encoders to enter the broadcast market and has continued involvement with advanced video codecs. For additional information regarding this article, contact gmancuso@divsat.com. Editors Note To learn more about satellite communications and its application and SatMagazineMarch 201340
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Celebrate 20 years of Excellence with Foxcom at Satellite 2013 Washington, D.C.
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42SatMagazineMarch 2013 Executive Spotlight: Tore Morten Olsen, Astrium ServicesTore Morten Olsen has 17 years of experience in the satellite communications sector working for Telenor and Vizada. He started in 1994 as a Technical Product Manager and moved into the governmental market sector in 1997. In 1999, he moved to Slovakia to lead the international satellite communications activities of Telenor and then returned to Norway in 2004 to head up Telenor Satellite Networks AS. Since 1999, Tore Morten has held several senior positions within the company that include CEO Telenor Slovakia spol.s.r.o, Chairman of the Board of Directors in several Telenor Satellite Networks companies, Country Manager for Telenor in Slovakia, and CEO of Telenor Satellite Networks. Following the establishment of Vizada, Tore Morten has taken responsibility of the Maritime VSAT and Mobile Satellite Services retail activities of the company, operating under the Marlink brand. He was CEO of the Marlink Group and held numerous Board positions in the Vizada group.After Astrium Services acquired the Vizada Group in December 2011, in September 2012 Tore Morten was appointed CEO of Astrium Services Business CommunicationsMaritime division, taking responsibility for both indirect and direct sales within the Maritime segment in the newly established business division.SatMagazine March 201342
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SatMagazineMarch 201343 SatMagazineGood day, Mr. Olsen. Would you please tell our readers how you became interested in the satellite communications industry, and why Astrium Services Business Communications (Astrium Services) became your company of choice for your career?Tore Morten Olsen I completed a Masters degree in engineering at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology. Norway was one of its domestic telecoms infrastructure. Additionally, the stateowned telecoms company, at the time known as Norwegian Telecom, was at the forefront of these developments within the satellite industry. by nature, this industry is highly dependent on SATCOMs. Selecting this career path enabled me to bridge a link between maritime and satellite communications. Its a way of combining the innovativeness of telecoms with the requirements of maritime customers. Norwegian Telecom became Telenor, which then merged with the then France Telecom Mobile Satellite Communications, before the rebranding to Vizada Astrium Astrium Services.Throughout my career with this company, in its different forms, I have had some great opportunities and challenges to sink my teeth into. SatMagazine Is Astrium Services involved in helping youngsters become more interested in careers within our various market segments? Given the need to educate trained professionals to support companies advanced technical needs for various projects, how can we, as an industry, encourage todays youth to consider careers in SATCOMs, as well as further courseware in middle and high school for such future employment? Tore Morten Olsen Todays youngsters are our future. With the innovations and development taking place in the SATCOM industry, we need challenge traditional thinking and help us to bring new ideas to market. This is a core focus for both Astrium. Some of the elements we focus on are: SatMagazine How has Vizadas transition to Astrium Services affected the company and their customers? Is everyone onboard for the changes ahead? Tore Morten OlsenThe new Business Communications unit of Astrium Services was birthed from the acquisition by Astrium of the Vizada Group and Marlink at the close of 2011. Partners and complete range of satellite services that cover the full range of systems (L-, C-, Ku-, Ka-band) and a scope of solutions from airtime and hardware sales to fully managed and outsourced solutions.Following the acquisition, we now have an enhanced backing of EADS, the global leader in aerospace, defense and space related services, to continuously develop new of Astrium and its resources will enable us to continue a technology-agnostic approach, with a sales strategy dedicated to providing maritime customers, such as shipping companies, enterprise and energy companies, with an extensive choice of satellite systems, through indirect and direct channels. SatMagazine What moves are major satellite operators taking to satisfy the current thirst for broadband data communications as well as the associated market implications? Tore Morten OlsenWhat were seeing right now when it comes to evolutions in satellite technology is a race for speed. Satellite operators, equipment manufacturers and solutions providers are all currently moving towards the same common goal: Develop an offering capable of satisfying increasing demand for data throughput.Data speeds are currently available at around 10 Mbit/s over Cor Ku-band, depending on the service and the provider. The arrival of Ka-band is due to boost throughputs up to 2012 by Eutelsat (and built by Astrium), and has multiplied by Inmarsat will be close on their heels with the launch of their Global Xpress Kaservice this year following a satellite launch in 2013-14, with global coverage expected in 2015.43SatMagazine March 2013
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44SatMagazineMarch 2013 SatMagazine An area of constant conversation and project analysis is that of hosted payloads, with the commercial and MAG sides of the industry seemingly willing to work together to lower the cost and shorten launch timeframes. What are your thoughts regarding HPA? Is Astrium Services involved in such projects? Tore Morten Olsen Hosted payloads can be an interesting model on a caseby-case basis, as long as it creates a win-win situation and Anik-G1Astrium is not the manufacturer of this Telesat EDRS SatMagazine How is Astrium Services positioning itself as a broadband communications expert, catering for shipping companies increasing need for high-speed data? Tore Morten Olsen Astrium Services has been at the forefront of a number of during the recent years. In 2012, the company launch Pharostar, the new addition to its maritime VSAT portfolio. This latest innovation was developed with a view to make maritime VSAT easier to install and more accessible to a wider range of vessels, including medium-sized transportation, Pharostar is based on data allowances to compliment the traditional throughput-based VSAT offering. An important development in late October saw the Pharostar coverage zone Indian Ocean Region (IOR), with a further expansion due over the southern part of the Atlantic Ocean by the end of the year. Customers currently using all Astrium Services VSAT systems will automatically be able to receive coverage in the new areas. SatMagazine Even with military drawdowns across the globe, the need for mobile communications continues to increase. What can Astrium Services offer in this regard? Tore Morten OlsenAt the moment, a number of leading nations are withdrawing and this is obviously having an impact on the militarys satellite communications requirements. However, were seeing many civil organizations working to stabilize the situations of SATCOMs. The enterprise entity within Astrium Services remote areas. We continue to provide services to military elsewhere, particularly maritime services as navies make the Ku-band.SatMagazine What technologies or events do you believe will carry the weigh heavily on all sectors of the industry? How do see such projects coming to fruition? Tore Morten OlsenLeading satellite operators Inmarsat and Intelsat are working Intelsat is due to evolve its Epic service over time to offer throughputs of 100Mbit/s, and Inmarsat will launch their Global Telenor, providing Ka-band capacity, are also worth watching. What were experiencing is an important increase in throughput per dollara good thing for customerscommunications become more affordable and attractive to more and more people on land and in maritime environments. Well probably have to wait until 2013-14 for many to comeseveral of these systems wont be launched until at least the end of this year. Astrium Services is in talks with all of these companies and SatMagazine environments, which projects or programs have brought you the most satisfaction?Tore Morten Olsen As a general rule the most satisfaction comes from meeting a Following the Tsunami in Asia in 2006, through the relationship able to mobilize people and equipment within three days of the disaster. Its during this kind of situation that you realize SatMagazine March 201344 Executive Spotlight: Tore Morten Olsen (Cont.)
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46SatMagazineMarch 2013 By Simen Frostad, Chairman, Bridge TechnologiesSatBroadcastingIn Search Of Quality MonitoringYear on year we are noting greater proliferation only thing we can be sure of is that there is constant evolution in the way satellites are being used. In addition to the traditional applicationsif we can talk about practices that are only a few years old as traditionalthere are newer ways of in mobility, in professional and consumer domains. When the pace of development is so rapid, what often happens is that there is a lag between the introduction of new technologies and the support systems operators need for delivering robust commercial services in the real themselves in today. The tools available for monitoring satellite data are lagging behind the reality of the new wave of services. Traditional monitoring tools continue to provide some of the functionality operators need. However, there are large gaps opening up where monitoring would be quite valuable, but where the current crop of tools cant be applied. Take, for example, the way OB (outside broadcast) mobile units have developed their exploitation of a satellite connection in recent years. Broadcasters used to use OB satellite vans for a simple uplink of the HD feed, but now, for many operators, the OB unit has become more of a mobile production center, with the satellite link being used additionally to connect the unit to the studio and the wider world. Sideband channels provide a variety of twostaff, allowing them to search for information on the net, conduct picture research, download clips from the studio, conduct VoIP and video calls, and so on. This devolved mobile production unit role can be of using mobile units becomes more extensive, these sideband links become more and more important to the production. A failure of these channels could be as serious as a problem with the main feed. For the mobile unit operator, there is no readily available monitoring solution that can be used on the unit to provide valuable diagnostics for these services and the main feed, leaving the potential for service interruption, and occur. Whats needed is a solution that provides good RF data performance, a good ETR290 analyzer, and is compact and cost-effective.The combination of strong RF performance and good ETR290 analytical capability in an affordable unit would make it deployable throughout the satellite transmission chain, extending serious monitoring capability outside the central headend to other locations, including the mobile uplink van. An operators SatMagazineMarch 201346
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SatMagazineMarch 201347 distribution, but contribution links and data services too.Monitoring satellite input into the central headend remains a critical requirement for digital media operators: Satellite services are still used for 90 percent of all IP-based service delivery, so its vital for operators to validate the quality of the signal they are receiving, before pushing it out to the network. The technology to monitor the quality of the feed from the satellite as it reaches the central headend is already available, but the ability to add sophisticated monitoring capability to contribution links and the increasingly important satellite data services will give far greater control over service quality and maintenance. include the rapidly expanding category of users in the marine and industrial sectors. SCADA (supervisory control and data acquisition) is becoming a key operating method for a wide power generation to experimental climate data gathering stations. The integrity of the link and the data transmitted over it can be vital for applications like these, as can the ability to monitor remotely and link the monitoring data into an enterprise-wide system.In the arena of satellite data services theres a proliferation of providers supplying Internet connectivity to communities that cant use a cable connection, for reasons of geographical remoteness or lack of infrastructure. Among these are not only of the developing world, but also some parts of Europe and less densely populated areas in other regions. Satellite receivers are readily available at an affordable price for communities and individuals who need to connect this way, and the providers are often incentivized by governmental grants. the kind of end-to-end advanced monitoring capability that is available to operators delivering over a cable infrastructure. The ability to diagnose, isolate and correct errors quickly is vital when establishing and maintaining a competitive service quality in any market.About the authorSimen K. Frostad is Chairman and co-founder of Bridge Technologies. With 22 years of industry experience Simen founded Bridge Technologies in 2004, nonlinear sports editing facility during the 1994 Winter Olympics. SatMagazineMarch 201347
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48SatMagazineMarch 2013 By Mylan Tanzer, Director of Sports Services, SatLink CommunicationsSatBroadcastingSports Broadcastings Future ChallengesToday, consumers are faced with many ways of accessing and watching television programs. Whether via a television set, PC, mobile or tablet device, the change in habits and the audiences desire to watch what they like, when and where they like, is an area that has involved much discussion. These developments pose many challenges for sports broadcasters as they look to meet customer demand, stay ahead of competitors, and retain audience share. In sports, more than any other genre, new technologies are in great demand, but there is still a need for traditional delivery methods. Making Way For OTT + Second Screen TechnologyThe rise of OTT and second screen technology is having a widespread affect on how media is consumed, with viewers now favoring the ability to watch television while accessing social media applications on their mobile/tablet device. This requires broadcasters to look at developing innovative ways to address this evolving market and to engage with the audience. One example of where a broadcaster has adapted is that of Sky and its SkyGo application, a model that broadcasters will need to emulate in order to successfully compete. By enabling device, it increases customer satisfaction and retention, not to mention monetization. SatMagazineMarch 201348
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It is also highly likely that sports social media technologies currently being developed will, in future broadcasts, provide an additional layer, which will enhance the viewing experience for an audience that is increasingly immersed in social media, enabling them to view sports on a simple screen. Platform Neutral Distribution Another factor to be considered is that the sports content distribution market has changed dramatically over the past two to three years and has presented broadcasters with a distribution conundrum. The traditional linear model of content distribution has to make way for the rise in mobile and Internet-based delivery.For example, the current method of distribution of content was, and is, managed on a territoryby-territory basis. The emergence of mobile and Internet platforms cannibalising the traditional content distribution method, and the legal and technical limitations a real threat for rightsholders. As these mediums have introduced a multitude of new players into the boundaries or limits in sharing content via the Internet, it content being shared further than originally agreed upon, resulting in a loss of earnings.As a result, content providers are turning the tables by adopting an if you cant beat is seeing digital media content rights offered on a platform neutral basis. This means successful bidders routinely exploit their content distribution rights across all media platforms in their territory including television, Internet and mobile on a linear and on-demand basis. This is aimed at ensuring maximum exposure while providing partners fully exploit the properties they invest in. Additionally, many international rightsholders, such as the Spanish La Liga, the NBA, and the UFC, have launched their own globally-accessible YouTube Channels, enabling them to exercise a degree of control and exploit new digital opportunities.However, sports programming is still dictated by the linear reality of live events, the hours of which are based on local requirementsthe TV everywhere approach of OTT is and mobile and live events take place in different time zones. 49SatMagazineMarch 2013
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Nonetheless, sports broadcasters/rightsholders, who internalize that the crucial function of programming is moving to this new reality and should reap the rewards. The Rise Of Ultra HD With sport content being in high demand and traditional linear delivery of live events still important, and with audiences demanding high quality imagery, it is now becoming the de facto standard that all content be delivered in HD. This by sports broadcasters as a way to enhance the viewing experience. Yet, alongside the burgeoning demand for challenges as carriers will need to be upgraded and, while the DVB association discusses new standards, there is a For many broadcasters, budgets remain tight and they are adopted, this is still new technology that has not reached full market penetration and, consequently, there is no immediate requirement for change. There is the additional consideration that these options are a huge drain on satellite bandwidth, which is already strained, and could cause problems with the quality of Addressing Broadcasting Challenges With audiences requiring high quality transmissions for live sports broadcasts so they dont miss a single second of the action, sports broadcasters are having to constantly rethink and evaluate how their content is viewed and distributed. Looking beyond 2012, sports broadcasters will need to adapt offerings and work out how consumption models such as OTT can be adapted so they dont cannibalise traditional television distribution across the globe.While each region has its own individual quirks and modes of operation, the common theme to unite broadcasters is the need to provide the highest possible quality broadcast in the most cost effective manner over as many platforms as possible.About the company SatLink Communications provides global satellite transmission services with an emphasis on Global Content Distribution for Television, Radio and As a leading provider of transmission solutions for Video, Audio and Data, SatLink provides an array of advanced solutions to broadcasters, communication enterprises and Maritime as well as to other teleports. SatLinks broadcast solutions include satellite uplink, downlink and turnaround; occasional use services for Sports, News and special events, satellite capacity on Satlinks own Digital Platforms or on any desired and Media Analysis Technologies. addition, the company provides solutions to the Maritime industry and satellite engineering consultancy services. infrastructure, products and relationships. Delivering superior service focused on our customers and partners for the long run, SatLink is the ultimate solution for Global Content Distribution. at Sports Broadcastings Future Challenges (Cont.)SatMagazineMarch 201350
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TitleByline52SatMagazineMarch 2013 By Noel Brown, Program Manager, Brel & KjrEnsuring Satellite ReliabilityVibration TestingThe ever-shortening design and development timeframes and budgets of modern space engineering. High quality, goal-focused, time meeting programme milestones. RAL Spaces contribution to the new James Webb Space Telescope required a new vibration test systemthey selected to stay with the LDS range of shakers. Rutherford Appleton Laboratory RAL Space RAL Space provides world-leading space research and technology development for customers around the world. They offer space test and ground-based facilities, design and build instruments, analyse and process data, and operate ground-station facilities, as well as leading conceptual studies for future missions. Working with space and ground-based groups around the world, they are now the largest space science department in Europe and have been involved in more than 150 missions in recent years. These have included the groundbreaking SOHO and STEREO solar missions, the Earth Remote-Sensing missions ERS-1, ERS-2 and ENVISAT, and solar system missions such as the Rosetta lander, the Cassini/Huygens mission to Saturn and its moon Titan. They also continue to work on MIRI ( ) for the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST). SatMagazineMarch 201352 James Webb Space Telescope mockup on display in Europe. Photo courtesy of EADS Astrium.
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SatMagazineMarch 201353 Science and Technology Facilities Council and there are approximately 200 staff who are dedicated to supporting the programs of the Council and those of the other research councils, as well as undertaking a large number of contracts for agencies, industry and other commercial customers. The Company is based at the Rutherford Appleton Laboratory (RAL), located at Harwell, Oxford, and at the Chilbolton Observatory and a range of institutes around the world. Most of these collaborations have been set up to support the European Space Agency and NASA missions, although RAL is also that include Australia, Japan, Morocco, Pakistan, Russia and History laboratories that had been named after the physicists and respectively. The Rutherford Laboratory grew out of the National Institute for Research in Nuclear Science (NIRNS operate the Rutherford High Energy Laboratory established next to the Atomic Energy Research Establishment on the The Appleton Laboratory side of RAL Spaces history goes back 50 years, with an anniversary celebrated in 2012. Ditton Park in Slough was the starting location as The Radio Research Station, later becoming The Radio and Space Research Station and The Appleton Laboratory. The James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) Project to the venerable Hubble Space Telescope. The JWSTs tenassembly of galaxies, the birth of stars, the birth of planetary systems, and the origins of life. from the European Space Agency and the Canadian Space Agency and includes contributions from 15 nations. RAL and acceptance testing of MIRI, a mid infra-red camera and imaging spectrometer developed in Europe, which will be one of the four main instruments carried by the JWST. be in low-Earth orbit, but will be parked at the semi-stable second Lagrange point, or L2. This EarthSun L2 point is 1,500,000 kilometres (930,000 miles) from the Earth, or nearly four times farther than the Earth is from the Moon. At such a great distance, the Webb telescope will be considerably more From JWSTs point of view, the Sun will always be behind the Earth, reducing the harsh effects of solar radiation.JWST might appear serene, but that fragile mass of technology must endure being stowed as the six ton payload of a launch vehicle. The satellite and its components (such as MIRI) must endure the noise and subsequent vibration of the 53SatMagazineMarch 2013
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TitleByline54SatMagazineMarch 2013 ~145dB interaction between the rocket engines and launch-pad stages separate, turbulent boundary layer excitation, and more.Testing Regimes The launch forces can induce fatigue in resilient metal structuresnot to mention the sensitive electrical and optical components of instruments like MIRI. Consequently, the space industry has the most demanding requirements for vibration testing anywhere in the world. Given the fact that a damaged satellite cannot easily be repaired once it has been deployed, thorough testing is of fundamental importance before the violent ride into orbit. Protecting the multi-million euro investment in the robustness of components, subsystems and ultimately the different testing regimes are adopted. qualify the assumption that it is equally resilient. Design Qualification Tests These are usually carried out on the structural model during the development phase in order to demonstrate that the design enables the equipment to withstand the vibration level In the words of Senior Engineer You break it. All you would know is that you are still within its deliberately break things, so occasionally that is what we will do on development models. mathematical model by measuring motion at resonant frequencies at which elements of the satellites structure are prone to self-vibrate once vibration is initiated. Acceptance Tests workmanship and ensure that the equipment does indeed launch. Naturally, this is a critical test period. According to When you are actually therethen it is a little nerve-wracking. Of course you have there is always that slight nervousness, in case it is not. Clearly, reliability of the test equipment is of paramount concern here, as causing a failure through accidental overloading however with the high demand placed on the testing facilities, where time is of the essence. Fast setup and rigorous schedule adherence are highly important considerations. Vibration Testing Systems @ RAL SpaceIn 2010, RAL Space decided to replace their existing LDS V954 Vibration System meet its increased testing needs. Their older V954 had served them well, but with increasing payload masses and more severe tests required, RAL Space needed to improve their capabilities.The new solution provides the increased capacity necessary for test programs going forward and is based on the LDS V8 electro-dynamic shaker, with the ability to operate in horizontal or vertical orientation. An integral slip table measuring 1200 x 1200mm is coupled to the shaker as slip table has nine high-pressure hydrostatic bearings arranged MIRI Vibration Testing. Photo: RAL Space / STFC / Stephen Kill. MIRI Alignment Testing. Photo: RAL Space / STFC / Stephen Kill.Ensuring Satellite Reliability (Cont.)54SatMagazineMarch 2013
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SatMagazineMarch 201355 overturning restraint for devices under test with a high centre 56kVA The shaker cooling fan includes an all-weather acoustic laboratory, in order to separate the shaker cooling air from the ambient air in the laboratory. This is an important measure to maintain the integrity of the cleanroom environment and conditioned air. This is achieved with a sealed upper-air plenum and associated hoses to enable cooling air to be drawn from, and exhausted to, the atmosphere outside the laboratory. The PC used for vibration test control is loaded with a softwarebased remote control kit that can... When specifying the guided load support platform, RAL Space had the MIRI in mind as well as an eye to testing larger, heavier structures in the future. This can be removed from the shaker and set aside when not required, and provides additional load support, and cross-axial and rotational restraint.Brel & Kjr to enable the MIRI to be attached to the vibration system This allows testing of the MIRI on its feet, using three mounts to keep it securely upright. Of Critical Importance Deciding to replace their LDS shaker with another, more from a customer whose reliability concerns are among the most discerning in the world. With an extremely tight margin consequences from the slightest testing problem, it is easy to see why such is critically important. Balancing time constraints engineering is absolutely critical for RAL Space. MIRI Vibration Testing. Photo: RAL Space / STFC / Stephen Kill. MIRI Vibration Testing. Photo: RAL Space / STFC / Stephen Kill. 55SatMagazineMarch 2013
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TitleByline56SatMagazineMarch 2013 Executive Spotlight: David Ball, NewSat LimitedDavid Ball has 25 years of experience in the telecommunications, media and portion of his career specialising in satellite communications. David has held senior positions encompassing sales team management, product development, engineering and space systems development. Prior to joining NewSat, David was the Regional also held that position for PanAmSat prior to the merger between PanAmSat and Intelsat in 2006. More recently, David was the Managing Director for Intelsat Broadband Pty Ltd, a subsidiary of Intelsat Corporation. David holds a Bachelor of Engineering degree (Communications Engineering) from the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology and a Graduate Diploma in Business Management from in the Royal Australian Air Force specialising in communications systems management. David joined NewSat in April 2011 and has been instrumental in the strategy and development Jabiru-1, which will deliver high-powered Ka-band coverage across the Middle East, Africa and Asia. SatMagazineMarch 201356
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SatMagazineMarch 201357 SatMagazine (SM) communications industry, you have witnessed a great many changes in the world of communications. What do you believe to have been the biggest change in the satellite industry over the last decade? David BallThe emergence of digital video compression is probably the last decade. It has enabled the move from transmitting one analogue channel per transponder to transmitting multiple digital channels on a single transponder. Due to algorithms, this technology has greatly evolved over the years, allowing for better quality digital signals in smaller amounts of capacity. The digital receivers have also come down in price markedly and this has facilitated wide adoption in consumer markets as well as in professional broadcast quality environments.On the telecommunications side of the business, there have been notable advances in ground VSAT technology with more coding technologies. Satellite services can now be delivered to remote and rural users in a more cost effective manner, as the cost of remote terminals has SM How did you decide that NewSat was where you wished to develop your career? David BallI had been waiting for a homegrown satellite company to come along and create a step-change in the commercial satellite industry in Australia, and I saw this great potential in NewSat. I wanted to apply my experience the Jabiru Satellite Program was a real attraction for me. I was extremely drawn in by Adrian Ballintines vision and commercial satellites which would lead Australias space quest, and I was offered the amazing opportunity to build NewSat as an organisation and really have an impact on the future of the company. SM Looking over your time at NewSat, what would be some projects that have brought you the most satisfaction?57SatMagazineMarch 2013
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58SatMagazineMarch 2013 David Ball extremely rewarding. The Jabiru Satellite Program has been incredibly satisfying to work on, as I was given the opportunity to oversee the whole process from end-to-end. Being involved in the capital raising process was also something new to me, and I have gained a lot of know-how along the way about satellite funding and what it takes to launch an key vendors, Lockheed Martin and Arianespace, to bring the Jabiru-1 design to life. We still have a lot to do in terms of ground systems; nonetheless, we are getting closer and closer SM How do you think the satellite communications industry in Australia has evolved over the last few years? David BallSatellite technology is a growing market in Australia, as it is so well suited to our geography. Australia is a vast country with people in remote locations who all have a need for reliable communications. The customer base for SATCOM services spans the oil, mining and gas sectors, the maritime sector and farming industries, as well as the Australian Defence Forceall have a need for reliable communications in locations beyond the reach of terrestrial networks. Satellites are playing an increasingly important role in bridging the digital divide in Australia due to their ability to service those areas which cannot This illustrates the natural advantage of satellitesthe ability to cover the entire service area from day one without the need to wait for the rollout of terrestrial infrastructure or to worry about the impact of terrain or geography on service deployment.Similarly, in disaster recovery situations satellites have proven to be vital in providing much needed disaster response communications when all other communication lines are severed. In terms of natural geography and a place to originate services into the Indian Ocean region, Australia has many advantages. We have political stability, a good climate for from overseas. SM what has been happening?David Ball In 2012 NewSat continued achieving milestones towards the Jabiru Satellite Program and focused on expanding its signing a contract with Kyprosat to secure eight orbital slots SatMagazineMarch 201358 Executive Spotlight: David Ball (Cont.)
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SatMagazineMarch 201359 contracts for Jabiru satellite capacity, including customer contracts with MEASAT and TrustComm. The Jabiru Satellite Program is now well under way, band satellite, set to launch in 2015. NewSat also grew its teleport business by signing new contracts with government and enterprise-grade customers across the Americas, the Middle East, Asia and Australia and achieved record results, with a 29 percent increase in its yearly revenue growth. SM currently under construction. How is this project progressing? David Ball selected industry leaders Lockheed Martin and Arianespace, the most reliable launch providers in the world, to build construction milestone with the completion of the Preliminary Design Review.A satellite as large as Jabiru-1 can take some time to launch from the Guiana Space Centre in French Guiana in 2015 and will provide superior coverage over South Asia, the Middle East and North Africa. Jabiru-1 will provide new capacity to these high demand regions through a range of separate payloads and, regional, multi-spot and steerable beams.SM satellites out there? David BallThe Jabiru-1 satellite has been designed to provide customers networks. The design provides broad coverage beams which can be used for a diverse range of applications through the life of the satellite. These applications include cellular backhaul, applications and video applications. Through the Jabiru Satellite Program, NewSat is focused on the provision of raw satellite capacity which can be used for a wide variety of applications. The Jabiru-1 satellite has been designed to address the requirements of enterprise, government and telecommunication users. It is important to note that NewSat is leveraging Ka-band in much the same way as the satellite industry has leveraged C-band and Ku-band with great success for decades.59SatMagazineMarch 2013
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60SatMagazineMarch 2013 By way of contrast, most existing and planned Ka-band systems are designed to provide managed service solutions, broadband service. These systems involve the deployment of antennas and equipment to hundreds of thousands of users and the provision of through-life subscriber management and help desk services to that retail user base. NewSat is not at all focused on providing retail service to consumersour focus is on enterprise users and telecommunication service providers. Our open architecture approach to the business enables customers to tailor solutions to meet their unique service requirements (e.g. dedicated non-contended links, asymmetric services, etc.) rather than managed service solution. SM NewSats Australia-based Teleports in Adelaide and Perth Excellence Awards. Could you please tell us more about NewSats Teleport business? David Ball We are extremely proud of the results we achieved in our teleport business last year. This is testimony to the dedicated team that we have at the teleports and the team that works with our customers to get their services on-air. NewSats throughout 2012, growing its yearly revenue by 29 percent maritime, construction and government sectors. At the start of the year, the teleport business signed its Australia. In addition to being rated in the Top 3 teleports in the world at the 2012 World Teleport Associations Awards for Excellence, NewSats teleports are also accredited to supply services to the Australian Department of Defence (DRSS) and are recognized as a highly secure Global Access Point, ensure the transmission of vital and sensitive information for government clients.SMWhat is in store for NewSat for the rest of 2013?David BallThis year, NewSat will continue working towards realising its long-term vision of becoming a satellite operator and there is a tremendous amount that needs to be completed in order to make this transition. As part of the Jabiru-1 program, we have placed The resident engineering team is responsible with interfacing closely with Lockheed Martin on a daily basis and constantly reviewing the details of the satellite build to ensure that all infrastructure that needs to put in place to be ready for the design for the expansion of our teleport facility in Adelaide. The expanded facility will house the Jabiru Satellite Control Facility and Jabiru Customer Support Centre as well as provide extra technical facilities for customer equipment. The Jabiru engineering team will also be focused on procurement of the ground Earth stations and the TT&C facilities as well addition to all of that, we will continue to work closely with Arianespace to complete all the mission analysis and planning for the Jabiru-1 launch. At the same time, our sales pipeline is looking very promising this year and our sales team will continue to grow, and Africa. We are also looking forward to the launch of NewSats Jabiru-2, which is a hosted payload on MEASATs M-3b satellite, currently under construction at Astrium and scheduled to lift-off aboard an Ariane 5 launch vehicle at the end of the year. Jabiru-2 will deliver highly targeted coverage in and around Australia, Timor Leste and Papua New Guinea, and will be in strong demand.Executive Spotlight: David Ball (Cont.) SatMagazineMarch 201360
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62SatMagazineMarch 2013 By Richard Harvey, Product Manager, Fujitsu Network Media Solutions, Fujitsu Frontech North AmericaSatBroadcastingThe Four-Point AdvantageI concatenation make real-time IP encoding over satellite the ideal method for news and sports applications. As IP video delivery becomes increasingly more common within the industry and H.264 encoders are around the world are discovering that a hybrid IP-oversatellite approach to real-time newsgathering is the ideal satellite has numerous advantages for news and sports concatenation, and cost-effectiveness. approach to newsgathering, and utilizing advanced IP video encoding solutions. Included is a real-world case study of an IP-over-satellite application in a war zone. Flexibility Traditionally satellite links and remote locations are unidirectional; therefore, operators are unable to connect to computer networks without employing a separate network that can be expensive, possibly unreliable, or sometimes unavailable. IP links, on the other hand, are bidirectional. Supporting IP within a satellite setting gives operators the communicate with offsite personnel effectively, such as between onsite talent and an offsite producer. Internet services via satellite in order to send and receive effective low-bandwidth links. When high-value video/audio content needs to be moved, the system switches to a higher SatMagazineMarch 201362 Photo courtesy of PRESSTV, Ltd., U.K.
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SatMagazineMarch 201363 operation in a balanced and cost-effective method. Remote Configuration + Monitoring Entering an IP address on a web browser or using a the settings of the remote equipment, such as encoders, and issues may include, but arent limited to, loss of video signal, rain fade, bandwidth limitations, scheduling changes, etc. This makes it incredibly easy for engineers in the studio to access equipment at a remote location and troubleshoot to determine the root of the problem. need for additional engineering personnel to be deployed. For example, if packets are being lost due to overloading of the circuit, a user could easily access the unit from any location around the world and reduce the transport streams aggregate middle-of-nowhere types of operations, such as news coverage Reduced Concatenation Reducing concatenation is critical for video operators. As few integrity of content can be severely compromised. For a through 10 or more concatenation cycles before it is delivered addressed by broadcasters and content providers relying on a traditional DVB satellite for video delivery. format or real-time IP stream, video operators can ensure the it can be stored, transported, decoded, etc., and the archive version avoids additional concatenation cycles. Therefore, supporting a hybrid IP/satellite approach to newsgathering helps broadcasters maintain the highest level of consumer video quality. Cost-Effectiveness newsgathering provides, such is also cost-effective, especially requiring longer than typical onsite operations. During these events, there are only bursts of activity when an operator needs operator could pay for satellite time not used. The need to arrange other network connections for data and voice circuits also increase costs over the already high satellite costs. from companies such as OnCall Communications, ND SatCom, and ViaSat, the remote team could have access to a narrow bandwidth IP network via satellite for email, data, and voice bandwidth connection is needed for high-value content, the system shifts to a per-minute cost. For example, rather than pay-per-minute for the entire duration of the event, operators only pay for the time when theyre actually streaming video. bandwidth, a hybrid IP/satellite approach dramatically reduces operating expenses and adds features that would not normally be available in isolated areas. Another advantage of using a hybrid IP/satellite approach is that IP-connected DSNG trucks can be managed remotely, enabling a video operator to keep a trained operator in the truck and higher-skilled engineers in the control room to manage multiple trucks. Additional costsavings are realized by the operator in this situation because Figure 1. 63SatMagazineMarch 2013
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64SatMagazineMarch 2013 a fully trained engineer is not required in each truck/facility. Real-World Case Study A great example of a successful hybrid IP/satellite approach needed to transmit news content from Kabul, Afghanistan, to New York. There was no easily available local solution for video, voice, data, and phone services. A standard satellite link was not cost-effective and was not safe, given the fact the territory was a war zone. To resolve these challenges, the broadcaster switched to an IP-over-satellite architecture using a VSAT that could be placed in a secure location and quickly moved if needed. (See Figure 1 on the previous page.) broadcaster streamed live video and audio via IP over the satellite link to Oslo, Norway, at which point the signal travelled to New York where the decoder was located. This solution was more cost-effective as the broadcaster could access phone and data services on the same link, enabling them to the number of people needed onsite in a dangerous region. error correction feature, which combines FEC and ARQ QoS of payload packets. This type of FEC can recover randomly lost packets, but burst errors on the public Internet are more One of the most popular types of FEC is ProMPEG CoP3. ProMPEG CoP3 is an excellent FEC method; however, it cannot effectively recover packet losses when the packet loss ratio is very high. For example, in a scenario where there is 4 percent packet loss: ProMPEG CoP3 (10,10) => Packet Parity Ratio is 20 percent. The remaining PLR is 2E-4 (0.0002). If the bitrate is FEC adds to a video operators bandwidth requirements and ether requires more bandwidth at additional cost, or reduction in bandwidth used for video and audio data which reduces the In a conventional ARQ scheme, a decoder detects a lost NAK, the encoder retransmits the lost packet to the decoder. ARQ provides better performance than FEC and can recover bursts of packet loss; however, ARQ will increase the endto-end latency of the link and, if used carelessly, it can cause further network congestion, impacting upon other co-existing sessions such as TCP. (See Figure 3 for ARQ diagram.) that seamlessly and carefully blends FEC and ARQ methods. The end result is that the overhead bandwidth shared by FEC and ARQ remains constant and end-to-end latency is kept as low as possible. (See Figure 4.) In normal operation, the decoder uses FEC to recover randomly lost packets. When there is a burst of packet lost and/or random lost is so high it overwhelms the FECs ability to recover, the decoder sends a NAK requesting lost packets Figure 2. Figure 3. Figure 4. SatBroadcastingThe Four-Point Advantage64SatMagazineMarch 2013
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SatMagazineMarch 201365 be resent. When the encoder receives NAK, it resends the lost packet and simultaneously reduces the ratio of FEC packets relative to the increase of ARQ packets. This enables broadcasters and content providers to achieve a dramatic improvement in packet loss recovery, bandwidth utilization, and end-to-end latency compared with other QoS methods. The Future of IP Satellite NewsgatheringIP networking and video delivery over IP are becoming more combines both IP and satellite gives broadcasters and content and manage video delivery systems effectively from remote locations or even support point-to-multipoint applications. as well as reducing bandwidth requirements and costs, IP technology greatly decreases the complexity of the system required. For example, instead of needing a high-end routing system with massive amounts of bandwidth, broadcasters can use a more cost-effective system with reasonably priced bandwidth. Supporting point-to-multipoint communications, and eliminating the need to use IP terrestrial networks the entire Given the recent introduction of Ka-band systems and release of the HEVC standard coupled with the continued demand for more satellite broadband, the hybrid IP and satellite newsgathering approach is expected to gain even more traction within the industry. Currently, ViaSat has an IP trucks supporting the Ka-band, and the military is also taking advantage of this spectrum. As this equipment matures, HEVC becomes readily available and more IP satellites go into orbit, we will see an increase in IP video over satellite with smaller, portable, multifunctional system allowing us to do more with fewer resources, deployed personal, and bandwidth requirements.About the authorRichard Harvey has more than 18 years of experience in the broadcast, satellite, and video distribution industry, including; the management of a equipment manufacturer; and as the video product manager for another industry leader. Harvey has been involved with some of the industrys digital milestones, including the Navy Broadcast Services digital satellite Sydney, Australia and other notable accomplishments. Additionally, Harvey AIS Engineering, Inc. (AIS) is a full-service Telecommunications and Information Technology company, specializing in Satellite Communications (SATCOM). AIS performs worldwide installations, operations and maintenance. Services Provided: System Engineering Managed, Satellite Network Services (SCPC, Star, Mesh and Hybrid) Information Assurance (IA) Services 24x7x365 Network Operations Control Center (NOCC) Logistics Satellite Space Segment: C, Ku, Ka and X Band Design, Installation, Operation and Maintenance of IP Networks (Satellite, Wireless and LAN/WAN) ViaSat EXEDE Wholesale Business Partner IP Anywhere Anytime Global Provider of Telecommunications, SATCOM & IT Solutions INC. AIS ENGINEERING, www.aisengineering.com +P: +1-301-585-1238 Silver Spring, Maryland (Headquarters) Melbourne, Florida 65SatMagazineMarch 2013
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66SatMagazineMarch 2013 By Louis Dubin, Vice President Product Management, Comtech EF DataSatellite Backhaul In Emerging CountriesThe rural cellular market in emerging countries has Newer usages and technologies have helped reshape the landscape. Social networking, smart and feature phones, sophisticated voice and data plans have all fueled the uptake of mobile communications These changes have implications on satellite backhaul. High throughput requirements with excellent quality of service (low jitter, low latency) have become crucial. Quality of service has to be guaranteed. Any limitation can immediately lead to dropped calls, degraded user experience, revenue mobile operators stringent OPEX and CAPEX objectives.In order to address the challenges, the available solutions have followed two general trends: The TDMA VSAT operates under the assumption that not capability at the same time. This allows overbooking of the However, this is often an inaccurate and generally costly as the bandwidth and capital equipment has to be provisioned sites need much less bandwidth than the total shared capacity they are burdened with the larger aggregate TDMA carrier. the case in mobile networks), the classic issues with an oversubscription model become apparent. Suddenly there due to the need to frequently re-allocate the bandwidth with the shared technology and the lesser ability to convey realto review the satellite backhaul technology strategy.SCPC technology has a different concept. Here, the system dimensioning is made such that quality of service and latency, and low packet losses ensure that the mobile latter is a determining factor today in deploying a successful satellite backhaul solution.While not all SCPC solutions are alike, the latest ones frame encapsulation and protocol optimization. Advanced modulation capacity combined with better FEC helps increase spectral performance and maximize throughput or power. Optimized frame encapsulation eliminates overhead, which can hamper throughput, compression addresses IP protocol overhead; payload compression also reduces the bandwidth required for In the end, there can be as much as 100 percent overall capacity improvements The choice of the technology is at a turning point in emerging markets today. From the remote village, which customers use their smartphones to upload their vacation videos, the requirement gaps are wide. Subscribers expect to be able to initiate a voice call and to seamlessly watch streaming content at any moment. Quality of service has therefore, become a key component. Hence the technology choice relies upon a single option: SCPC. It is the http://www.comtechefdata.com/About the author Louis Dubin is Vice President of Product Management at Comtech EF management of the high-speed modems, TDMA modems, and broadcast products. Dubin joined Comtech EF Data in 2008, through the acquisition of Radyne Corporation. During his tenure at Radyne Corporation, he and Vice President of Sales. Dubin has over 18 years of experience in the telecommunications and transmission industry. He holds a degree completed the Stanford Executive program in Technology Management. 66SatMagazineMarch 2013
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SOCIETY OF SATELLITE PROFESSIONAL S I NTERNATIONALHow will YOU break through? Our Industrys Preeminent Social & Networking Event Launches Tuesday, March 19, 2013 a t the Renaissance Washington, DCUnderwriting and sponsorship opportunties available. F or mor e information or to purchase tickets, please visit www.sspigala.com or call 212-809-5199 x103 Help us honor 2013 Stellar Award Winners and the 2013 Hall of Fame AwardeesRomain BauschRobert ZitterSusan IrwinProf. U.R. R aoDick T auber D O NT M I SS THE A FTER P A R TY FOLLOWING THE SSPI GAL A Party is the perfect way to end your evening! Dubbed The Anti-Gala by some, the After Party will provide you with a unique opportunity to not only network with other industry professionals, but to have some fun! Whether youre coming to the Gala earlier in the evening, or just looking for a fun you dont want to miss this party!If you already have at ticket for the Gala, you will be a ble to attend the after party. F or those not a ttending the Gala, After Party tickets can be purchased.
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68SatMagazineMarch 2013 Executive Spotlight: Amiee Chan, President + CEO, NorsatDr. Amiee Chan has more than 15 years of experience in executive management and research and development in the telecommunications industry. Offering a rare blend of technical and corporate strength, Dr. Chans strategic vision has driven Norsats innovative product development program and has resulted in consistent revenue growth since her appointment as the CEO in 2006. In 2012 Dr. Chan won a Womens Executive Network Top 100 Award, ranked third in PROFIT/ Chatelaines list of Top Female Entrepreneurs, and led Norsat to win a BC Export Award for Advancing Technology & Innovation. Dr. Chan holds an Executive MBA from Simon Fraser University, where she majored in Strategy and New Ventures, and a PhD. in Satellite Communications from the University of British Columbia. An accomplished engineer, she has been published more than a dozen times, holds three U.S. patents, and has contributed her expertise with high level research teams such as the NASA ACTS Terminal Program. Dr. Chan is a member of the UBC Engineering Advisory Council and serves on the Deans External Advisory Board for the Beedie School of Business at SFU. SatMagazineMarch 201368
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SatMagazineMarch 201369 SatMagazine (SM) to take the company in the near future? Aimee ChanNorsat has a long history of strength in research and development and our aim is to continue investing in these activities to bring the latest cutting edge technology and the next generation product offerings to our global customer base. Were also pursuing an aggressive growth strategy based on a combination of organic growth, mergers and acquisitions. Our new Norsat Power Solutions segment, which was launched last February 2012, is an example of this strategy in action. The Power Solutions segment provides solutions in the communications, transportation and resource sectors. We are also working to diversify our customer base to pursue opportunities with other militaries, and in other markets including commercial, resource, transportation, public safety, utilities and broadband. Additionally, we are actively pursuing merger and acquisition opportunities. The current recessionary trends, structure, have created excellent conditions for realizing growth through business combinations. SM How did you decide on a career in satellite communications? Aimee Chan I always had a pretty good instinct that I wanted to work however, I didnt become hooked on communications technology until an internship in university that helped me realize the value of this work. As part of this internship, I performed a lot of testing, which can be tedious. On one particular day I was given a box of 400 identical orange boxes and asked to take each lid off and replace one of the circuits. When my supervisor noticed I was getting bored, he began describing the purpose of the device, which was a rescue beacon. He told me about how the beacon had recently been used off the into some trouble. A sudden storm capsized the boat and it sank, but because of the rescue beacon, the search and rescue team were able to locate the boat and save the lives of this family in a matter of hours.This forever stamped into my mind the value of what communications technology today as I was back then, so I know Ive made the right choice. SM Norsat has historically relied heavily on sales into the U.S. Military. Do you have plans to diversify in the future? Aimee Chan Were actually now operating in 15 militaries worldwide including work with the Finnish Defence Forces, Portuguese Defense, and Defence Forces Ireland. We continue to focus satellite system development on improved transportability, ruggedness and ease-of-use, and we have developed expertise global militaries. Our recent contract with NATO resulted in a (DART+), which is currently in use for operational communications in Afghanistan and on showcase to many of the 28 NATO Member nations, with further opportunities for purchase by them under the program.With the development of HD broadcast technology in the broadcast market, and a new line of M2M solutions Sinclair division, were already heavily involved in the resource, transportation and utility markets, and we plan to continue to offer complementary products to our combined customer base.SM What kind of trends are you seeing in terms of customer needs, and what do you anticipate in the future? Aimee Chan Customers are increasingly looking for communications technology that is lighter, faster, more portable and easier to use. Communications technology is used for a wide range of a distinct advantage. 69SatMagazineMarch 2013
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70SatMagazineMarch 2013 As customers around the world have increasing access to smartphones and other communications technologies they expect to remain connected at all times, regardless of where they are. Communications technology will need to continue to expand into the more remote regions of the world to meet this growing need. SM Are you developing products to meet these changing needs? Aimee ChanYes, through our customer focused product development program were always looking to more closely align our product offerings to our customer needs. As an example of this, we recently re-engineered our GLOBETrekker away terminal to be even more rugged, easier-to-use, and more compact for easy transportation. We also develop leveling for use on uneven terrain, and a one touch interface that makes satellite acquisition as simple as pushing a single button. smartphone application, the Satellite Locator, in response to a common customer request for assistance with locating satellites and assessing obstructions. The free app has already been downloaded nearly 20,000 times, and were pleased to see this simple solution has had such a big impact on customer success.We recently introduced a line of (BDCs) to better enable customers to maintain constant connectivity, and were also developing complementary SM Have you made any changes to your service offerings? Aimee Chan We frequently note that customers seek our assistance in the provision of complete end-to-end solutions, so weve made some changes to better leverage our expertise in integrating hardware, software and services. For the maritime market, we launched a Global-VSAT hardware and service bundle, which provides VSAT terminals, installation, satellite air time, global coverage and customer service to better meet the needs of the maritime market. Through our contract with the First Nations Emergency Services Society of BC (FNESS) were continuing to provide broadband Internet access through a custom designed, managed network for remotely located First Nations communities. Weve been able to grant Internet access to program, and continue to grow this scalable network, add features like video conferencing software, and increase the speed of the network. as a service platform, through Sentinel RMC. This is another example of a hardware and service bundle, this time designed for the Oil & Gas market. Sentinel is a revolutionary offering, both for Norsat and for the market, and weve already seen how the provision of this kind of package is really what the market is looking for. SM solutions in the Oil & Gas market. How will you compete in this new market place?Aimee ChanSentinel RMC offers remote site monitoring and control for down hole well monitoring, but the solution requiring real-time data monitoring and control. Our product and service package is a complete end-to-end solution including the remote hardware, communication service, data storage facility and a customized web-based interface. Although many of our competitors offer a piece of this puzzle, were providing a complete end-to-end solution, a package our Were also one of the few players in the market to offer a truly global service, since weve engineered Sentinel to take advantage of a variety of communication services, including satellite, aspect of Sentinel is also really attractive because it works, for not only our customers, but as a solution for our customers customers; which means were offering something that can be used for a variety of applications. SMWhat are some of the challenges facing the SatCom market, and how do you anticipate Norsat will navigate these challenges?Aimee Chan Customers are demanding more complex solutions such as Dual and Tri Band terminals to reduce their operating expenses, and the challenge is in meeting these needs while remaining competitive in the marketplace. The new GLOBETrekker 2.0 is a great example of our success in addressing this challenge we were able to introduce the customer requested feature actually reduce the price. Executive Spotlight: Amiee Chan (Cont.)SatMagazineMarch 201370
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SatMagazineMarch 201371 SM do you anticipate this will affect product development at Norsat?Aimee ChanWhile Cand Kusatellites are becoming more congested, Kacapacity has increased globally, so were staying ahead of this trend by developing a deeper, broader product line for Kause. Nearly all of our satellite terminals now operate in Ka-band needs of emerging service providers and system integrators. Norsat continues to offer these products on an off-the-shelf and to company for Ka-band needs. SM Are there geographic regions in which you would like to increase Norsats presence? Aimee ChanWe already have a very global presence, with products sold Russia. These emerging markets demand increasing attention, so we remain focused on providing products to meet their needs, and are actively growing our distribution network to better serve these customers locally. SM How important has customer support been in Norsats growth and development? Aimee Chan Strong customer support has been absolutely essential to our success and we frequently hear that our commitment to excellent service is a key differentiator for our customers. Our ability to offer customized solutions ensures we can continue to listen to our customers needs to provide the solutions they ask for. Through our Elite service to our global customer base and weve time and time mile. I could list dozens of examples, but a recent success story involves our work with a Public Affairs detachment with and needed to conduct an HD broadcast from Tonga back to Atlanta, but unfortunately there was no existing capacity for this link in Tonga. They reached out to our customer service the link through Australia and shipping equipment to the 71SatMagazineMarch 2013
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72SatMagazineMarch 2013 Australian teleport. The team worked nearly through the night to meet their deadlines, and the result was a successful link and a happy customer. Our expertise and commitment to support ensures our customers trust us, and have peace of mind for their critical communications needs. SM integration of the company gone? Aimee Chan Integration has gone extremely well and Sinclair continues to operate with strong revenues. With the successful application also bringing Sinclair onboard and look forward to seeing SM Looking ahead at Norsat, which projects are you especially excited to see succeed? Aimee Chan better serve our commercial customers this year. This line will round our satellite terminal family and complement the military grade products we offer, so were looking forward to better serving our commercial customers this year. Sentinel RMC marks our entry into the world of M2M belts, were already seeing the value we can bring through this equipment and data as a service package. With any new venture, theres always an element of risk, so its gratifying to see Sentinel already succeeding in its short life. Were looking forward to seeing Sentinel expand in use throughout the Oil & Gas sector, and as well as through use in other applications in new markets. Executive Spotlight: Amiee Chan (Cont.) SatMagazineMarch 201372
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Secure Online Registration NSS29_SatMag_032013_FINAL_OL.indd 1 1/10/2013 2:53:46 PM
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74SatMagazineMarch 2013 SatBroadcastingChanging SNG Forever...I the production of lightweight, compact SNG systems that can be operated by a smaller news crewusually need for an additional engineer to organize the uplink. The need for see it now news and event coverage is predominantly driven by the expectations of todays modern, multi-device audience. This, of course, means that broadcasters are under more pressure than ever to arrive at a scene and transmit because, after all, thats often where the action is. available satellite uplink, let alone booking and paying for the time. Satellite capacity in more traditional frequencies is being squeezed to meet this demand, resulting in reduced margins of availability. However, with the satellite communications market growing rapidly and an ever-increasing demand for bandwidth, Ka-band is now being recognized as the next generation of satellite technology. Ka-band is providing new capacity, faster speeds and has driven the development and manufacture of smaller VSATs to enable more cost-effective network deployments. Ka-band is well suited to support the next generation of communication applications. Ka-bands footprint is already expanding rapidly in Europe, North America, the Middle East and Russia and initiatives are under way in Australia and Latin America. The costs of Ka-band services are also far more reasonable. They can be as much as 30 percent less expensive than BGAN transmission in many markets. With multiple satellite launches already completed and more planned for the future, competition among service providers is making booking and using satellite time much easier, as well as a far more economic proposition.Vislink recognized Ka-bands potential some time ago. A case in point is the 2012 launch of Vislinks Advent Mantis MSAT looks set to transform SNG forever. Never before has Vislink construction bundled into a single product. In less than a year, our MSAT system has become the fastest-selling satellite antenna in Vislinks companys history.The reason for this is that MSAT is a lightweight, portable tri-band satellite data communications system deployment in all environments. At 12.5KGs, it is easily carried by a single person and is ideal for secure and non-secure satellite broadcast, including military and special operations forces as well as civilian and emergency services applications. It supports VoIP and meets stringent military operating and environmental requirements (MIL 810F & IP65) for shock, vibration, humidity and rain.There is a perception that Ka-band is more susceptible to interference from rain. It is true that water absorbs radiation much more in higher wavelengths, and Ka-band, at 31GHz, is higher in frequency than other popular bands; for comparison, Kuis 14GHz and C is closer to 6GHz.However, Ka-band system designers have compensated for this by designing-in an additional power margin that can be
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used by modems such as the iDirect e850mp to automatically increase output power when weather-induced fade is detected. The net result is high availability with outages only experienced in the most extreme weather and amounting to terminals designed to take advantage of the technology are considerable. Commercial sector companies such as Inmarsat, Eutelsat and Avanti arent simply launching numerous satellite initiatives to drive the use of Ka-band because they of interest in using Ka-band as it offers much needed access Of course, as the popularity of Ka-band continues to grow and more and more operators and service providers take advantage of it, there may be a question as to whether its availability will diminish in a fashion similar to Ku-band. However, techniquesand with satellite operators continuing to launch new satellites to provide even greater capacityany squeeze on Ka-band capacity is unlikely in the foreseeable future. of use. With Vislinks MSAT system, a single setup of camera, tripod, sound gear and data transmission unit can be acquired the system will have paid for itself when compared to BGANcapable only units. In addition, the higher frequency Ka-band enables smaller systems to transmit higher data rates. For example, all other things being equal, a 65cm Ka-band system is similar in transmit capability to a 1.2m Kusystem, but with an obviously much smaller form factor. Thats one of the advantages of Vislinks MSAT system. Its small size, and ability to take advantage of any available band by simply swapping out a module, means that one person anywhere in the world. The ability to respond to a location, capture the images, whatever band is available, and move that information back to base to feed the hungry public maw with news and information as quickly as possible is a now requirement, not an option. The catalysts in providing broadcasters with the immediacy their audiences demand. About the author including its Advent, Gigawave, Link and MRC brands. Hileys career includes more than 20 years in strategic marketing for a range of high 75SatMagazineMarch 2013
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By Greg Caicedo, Vice President + General Manager, SAT Services, SAT CorporationSatBroadcastingProtecting Broadcast Content DeliveryWhat if more than the lights went out during and losing the audio of the broadcast and missing the refs call... or, what about watching video that is so jumbled that would have some unhappy customers and, no doubt, you would hear about it. Unfortunately, these things happen all the time. In todays highly competitive broadcast video marketplace, delivery of error free content is key to retaining your customer base. Delivering high quality video content to an end-user customer is a highly complex process that involves multiple players and many different delivery methods. Stated another way, if theres a problem somewhere in this article well look at the delivery of broadcast video from the perspective of the broadcaster and the cable operator, and how to preempt network disruptions and service related problems. RF Interference + Broadcasting Revenue Threats While there are numerous factors that can contribute to the degradation of the video carrier within the RF spectrum, lets address one of the most bothersome and most challenging to resolvesatellite interference. As more satellites are squeezed one another, that crowding increases the possibility for the contamination or leaking of extraneous signals. Interference also results from incorrect power levels at the uplink, a poorly tuned antenna, or an inexperienced operator. Additionally, the proliferation of VSAT terminals without RF operator expertise or terminals that are simply left unmanned (at the local gas station or convenience store using VSAT, terminals for point of sale operations), add to the problem. This unintentional interference accounts for roughly 90 percent of RF interference. Then theres the growing phenomenon of deliberate or intentional interference, which is most prevalent in areas occurred in the Middle East and North Africa during the 2010 World Cup, with Al-Jazeeras broadcasts being deliberately knocked off the air. degraded services from their customers, thats probably what broadcasters see and dont see, and how to improve the visibility for identifying and locating problems before service goes dark, advertising revenue is lost, and customers complain. Are You Doing Enough To Protect Your Content?Broadcasters typically monitor their video feeds by receiving the signal via a small receiveonly antenna, often collocated with the satellite uplink facility. While this provides a quick instant look at the actual (broadcast) picture as transmitted, it provides little diagnostic information about the satellite signal itself. A more proactive means of monitoring broadcast signal quality involves inserting a carrier monitoring system that demodulates the signal to support digital monitoring of the spectrum, both on the RF output at the broadcast uplink terminal and on the receive-only antenna. This technique allows the signal to be characterized, or read, for potentially degrading signal anomalies often before such errors cause video distortion. Another effective measure is to monitor the receive signal from another location using an identical signal monitoring device. This allows all three signal sources to be compared engineers can quickly diagnose the sources of signal distortion. By analyzing the resulting signal measurement values from the different locations, it can be determined whether the problem is on the uplink or downlink side of the satellite transmission. A caveat to note is that manual RF spectrum analyzers are limited and can demodulate the signal, then identifying issues below the troubles begin. Reading The Signal Even with the right equipment in place, monitoring the satellite RF for QoS requires an operator who understands the relationship between key performance indicators that comprise signal quality metrics. These indicators include C/N, Eb/No, Es/No, and various types of in-band noise. As an example, there may be a slight increase in the C/N that deeper, a skilled RF technician would immediately see the interference. The signal can then be further characterized to determine whether interference is present using digital carrier under carrier techniques, and to initiate steps to remediate the issues well before it affects customers. If Video QoS is the ultimate goal of any broadcaster, then employing digital RF monitoring can be one of the most valuable investments when it comes to delivering nothing short of perfect customer experience. Fortunately, in todays market, broadcasters have access to the signal measurement and characterization systems to identify troublesome issues before perceptible service degradation arises. There are also SatMagazineMarch 201376
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powerful service options available that can help broadcasters with the technical tasks such as accurate signal reading. Full Control Once the pristine video has left the broadcaster, its up to the cable operator to (cleanly) move that content through their distribution networks. This presents a different set of manage a complex, multi-layer grid of systems and components designed to support the delivery of content over multiple platforms. Managing these transport and service layers as the standalone, stove-piped systems that they are creates more friction and disconnects, masking the causes and slowing the response to service degradation and outages.In these complex ecosystems, advanced video content monitoring, network control, and redundant switching based on multiple NMS, EMS, and network probe data, are not on the network, not the services. These integrated network management systems also have to accommodate a wide-range TCP/IP, Serial 422/485, and TTL/Relay, to name a few. No matter how sophisticated the network elements and their management systems are, they can fall short of providing umbrella visibility, let alone one touch recovery and restoration of service if theyre only focused on the network, and not the services, too. Operators need insight into the actual video service performance across the network. If you cant see or understand how the video services are traversing the distribution network, then you wont have full control over the quality of the product being delivered to the end consumer. How Will You Recover?The basic understanding of where each instance of a service resides on the network at both the ingress and egress ports of each network component is a great starting point. Take, for example, the monitoring of MPEG transport streams across all of the different transport domains; IP, ASI, RF, QAM. Each domain has its own tools to monitor the MPEG streams and report out issues through alarms. An operator may identify an alarm condition reporting from one tool that may be incongruent with conditions reported by another tool. Troubleshooting often occurs reactively through responses to network element alarms, and not the underlying Only through the correlation of millions of messages, events and alarms across platforms and service layers will operators gain the insight into the actual video performance across the network, along with the knowledge of the service instances impacted and the quality of the MPEG stream. Intelligent monitoring platforms can now account for these varying conditions, making those complex associations and recommendations far more quickly and accurately than manually reconciling the events and logs from each separate system.With our on-demand, always-on world making the cable market ever more competitive, truly customer-focused, proactive organizations will want to understand system health and performance and how content services bear directly on key metrics such as call volumes, customer wait times, and expensive and unneeded truck rolls. Poor content quality or lack of availability impacts the business in a direct and measurable related credits and increased operating expenses. As these complex delivery networks continue to grow, protecting highly valuable content requires the tools and knowledge provided by experts. With the proper systems, processes and people in place, broadcasters and cable operators can have the peace of mind that they will continue to provide outstanding service to the customer. About the authorGreg Caicedo is Vice President and General Manager of SAT Services SAT Corporation, the leading provider of products and managed services for RF interference mitigation for over 25 years. Readers may contact Greg at gcaicedo@sat.com. Advanced Network Monitoring + Integrated Network OperationsFor more than 25 years SAT Corporation, a Kratos Company, has delivered RF Spectrum Monitoring and Network Management solutions. SATs products and services are used world-wide by prominent Satellite and Cable Operators and Service Providers to achieve their QoS goals. Innovative Digital Video Monitoring + Management Using Advanced Network and Services Monitoring, broadcasters and cable operators can quickly identify and gain near real-time response to network and service related anomalies that will directly impact service calls, poor service credits, and risk of lost revenue. Protect your digital video services and network and help ensure service availability, increased reliability and video quality. The Standard For RF QoS Monitoring The only independent provider of managed RF QoS Monitoring Services, SAT offers a complete suite of services to monitor the RF spectrum and detect costly RF interference. Our enterprise Managed RF QoS Monitoring Service, supported by SATs stateof-the-art Monics product, is used by the largest satellite operators and telecommunications providers in the world. A combination of hardware and software provide monitoring for satellite up and downlink performance to enable operators to provide the best signal possible. Accurate + Fast Geolocation Solutions SATs Interference Detection and Geolocation Service provides a fast and accurate all-in-one solution for locating and identifying ground-to-satellite transmission sources of interference due to equipment failure, operator error, intentional jamming, and unauthorized users. Based on the only global network of dual antenna sites, SATs satID product, and dedicated RF engineers, SAT delivers complete RF interference mitigation services to reduce the costly effects of interference. For more information, please contact sales@sat.com or visit www.sat.comProtecting Broadcast Content Delivery (Cont.) 78SatMagazineMarch 2013
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80SatMagazineMarch 2013Sadtler On Careers: Good Doggie?By Bert Sadtler, Contributing EditorA have found there is nothing who welcomes you with unconditional love when the other hand, there is nothing your neighborhood that is family. bad dog-owners. Put another way, once you have seen What does a doggie tale have to do with the business world and recruiting? Todays business world faces constant challenges. Success is frequently the result of a cohesive team of employees who have overcome obstacles to win new business, retained a critical customer or solved an almost impossible issue. Many times, the sum of the team is greater than the parts, thanks to the teams leader. Motivating the team and keeping them focused on the mission becomes a true challenge of leadership. Failure to retain good employees and retain critical customers is frequently a sign that leadership has missed its mark. Great business leaders give their employees a long leash and provide the employee with a feeling of empowerment. When such is done well, these employees motivated employees are spending some time being silly while their weak leaders are not watching them. It is the weaker leaders that we might liken to a bad dog who may show aggression or intimidation to his or her employees. The result is a team of employees who perform under their potential and spend unproductive time talking about their leaders weakness and inconsistency.The distraction alone of discussing the bad leader drives a loss of productivity. While this type of leader is an issue, is this leader really the issue? Who is responsible for this leader? Who is the leaders manager, and why arent they providing appropriate direction to their direct report? Once you have seen the bad leader, shouldnt you direct your focus to the manager of the bad leader? Is this a situation of, There are no bad dogs, only bad dog-owners? How long can a business afford to perform under its potential, thanks to a bad dog-owner? Top performing employees become frustrated and move on. Customer and clients take their business elsewhere. There is no recruiting in the world that can acquire enough replacement employees to overcome the destruction from the bad dog-owner, weak leader. Good money and resources are being thrown away.
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SatMagazineMarch 201381Make the commitment and remain committed to being a Good Dog Owner. Strong leadership requires being accountable and holding all employees accountable. Leaders need to be strong enough to have good leaders reporting to them. Bring in and build up strong leaders, so youll be leading the pack. About the company just networking within the community of friends and business associates. We are committed to reaching a successful outcome. Our recruitment We exclusively represent employers in the marketplace as a dedicated resource and discrete trusted advisor. Through original research and to consider the opportunity. We screen candidates against key criteria, employers advocate and an active participant in communicating with the candidate until offer acceptance has been secured. Results are guaranteed.
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82SatMagazineMarch 2013 Business TVWatch Your Way To KnowledgeBy Mike Tippets, Vice President, Hughes Solutions Group Change is constant in successful businesses they continuously invest in new systems, sales programs and other efforts to maintain a competitive edge. However, its folly to expect success by pushing out new systems and programs to the employees on the front lines with nothing Leaders need to talk to the people on the front lines and share the how and the why any change will help to further drive the business. Training reps and CSR professionals in how to use the new systems and work the new programs is not enoughthey need to buy into the changes and become committed to such, in order to maximize success. They need to see and hear your message. Video is a powerful tool for communicating the message and managing change. Your audience will retain more information and get more from the messages when they watch you deliver it. Whether its new hires, regional managers, or even corporate headquarters staff, they hear your words and they can see the passion and commitment of your presentation, which deepens their belief and motivates them to action. The message also registers more deeply in their minds. Old school employee handbooks or online documentation introduction to new ways of doing things should be visual. Studies show that information retention improves about 38 percent when delivered through videothey watch their way to knowledge. Additionally, smarter employees yield better business results. of video is particularly critical in todays busy 24-hour business world. Classroom training, or live mentoring, may be the ideal way to educate. However, a national retailer scaling up dozens or even hundreds of new hires for the holiday season, for example, cant afford such luxuries. Delivering classroom-style training or one-on-one mentoring to hundreds of locations presents enormous logistical challenges and delays. Plus, its incredibly expensive. The company needs to get these people out Another concern is consistency. If you have multiple people delivering the same message, its likely each will skew the information to their own style and interpretation of what they believe is important. Delivery + DistributionThe solution is a virtual classroom where an instructor presents from the corporate Employees will have access to the same content in Boston as they do in Baton Rouge. Live, interactive sessions, if required, can be achieved with twoway voice communications between the instructor and trainees. You cant, realistically, reach all employees with a live broadcast. You need to select a video delivery model that makes the most sense for your organization. One large retail customer of Hughes prefers to gather all store employees together in its employee break room where they can watch live and recorded videos and interact as a group. But, what if you are in a small footprint location, such as a mall or convenience store that doesnt have the room for such larger group participation? In this environment, making recorded content available to employees on demand, whenever and wherever it is convenientis the better model. Whether its a computer, tablet, point-of-sale system, or smart phone, employees can train visually and virtually through browser-based video and become immediately more
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SatMagazineMarch 201383 Retailers are investing in smart mobile devices for services such as call routing and mobile checkout. Providing browser-based training over secure in-store WiFi would allow them to maximize that investment with the ability to log in and watch the content on their smartphones wherever they are situated. Theres no need to try to catch up with training during downtime. The same video content solution can be used to share product information videos with customers on these devices, enhancing customer service delivery as well. An example of such a media hub at the retail location is the Hughes HS3400, offering on-demand video training materials as well as access to the content using web-enabled devices on service delivery, increases customer satisfaction and builds customer loyalty.Delivery Video distribution is another critical issue for large, distributed enterprises. The choice comes down to a cloudor premisebased platform. The choice is largely based on cost, bandwidth and security concerns. A premise-based media appliance, such as the aforementioned Hughes HS3400, enables businesses to securely and reliably over the corporate network. Employees select content on the appliance using a remote control. Available training materials are then available for employees to watch on demand. creation and management, with videos produced at corporate headquarters and multicast to all locations simultaneously over a satellite or terrestrial network. Training material can be easily managed and updated. Most premise-based platforms also provide tools to manage users and generate reports, so that corporate can track employee engagement and progress with the training content. Cloud-based video training solutions, such as the Hughes Learning Portal, offer a web-based training management system that is cost-effective and easy-to-use. It allows you to create, deliver and manage online training programs fast, with limited IT involvement and minimal hardware investment. Cloud-based training is typically offered as a hosted, (SaaS) model where your company is given a private-label, secure website on which to organize, manage and distribute online training over the Internet. An online portal makes it easy to upload and manage video to users anywhere, anytime and on any web-enabled device. However, web-based training at stores and branch enterprises that rely heavily on the corporate WAN for their transactional and operational data. They simply cant afford a situation in which a few employees are consuming the broadband connection doing video training to the detriment of processing credit card transactions, as an example. At the other end of the spectrum, many large distributed to install and manage specialized hardware at thousands of locations. If the greater concern is price per site, then situate the training in the cloud. If bandwidth is a concern, putting it on premise may be the better solution. Or, the optimal solution may be a combination of both, where some sites have premise-based devices and others use the cloudthe training management system is seamless between them. In this scenario, employees can take their training with them when they are on the road, tapping into the cloud, and it all feels like a single system. They can minimize access to the same content when theyre not. The Satellite Advantage Satellite offers many advantages when working with video and other rich-media solutions. Reliable multicast delivery of content is one; the ability to broadcast live video events Helm Hotels Group Hughes HS3400. Photo courtesy of Hughes.
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84SatMagazineMarch 2013 is another. Rapid deployment and high availability are also important advantages. Business TV: Beyond Video Training A premise-based solution offers one other advantage for businesses (especially retailers) that want to maximize their ROI in video: An integrated corporate communications platform, or what some are calling Business TV. This platform addresses three corporate communications customer-facing information. When you consider that the target audience, theres no reason to use a different system them to learn a new system or program. Or, you may want to update them on corporate related news. If its customers, youll want to enhance their experience and increase sales all the while building loyalty to your brand. Business TV combines employee training, corporate broadcasting and digital signage in a single solution. Digital signage is often misunderstood to be the replacing of store That assumption severely limits the opportunity for a business to take advantage of the dynamic power of video. Digital signage can improve customer service, which increases customer satisfaction and loyalty. As an example, beyond PoS (point of sale) promotions, such signage can provide a digital concierge service with localized, helpful information as well as providing a customer-facing digital associate service who is presenting product information using simple to understand photos, graphics and videos. Security Once youve accepted that video is the most effective way to communicate with your people and customers, security is another decision point. You need to distribute proprietary company video securely. Whether its streaming a live broadcast update from the CEO, or delivering on-demand training videos, you will want the delivery mechanism to use IP encryption for protection. Satellite offers a great toolset for this secure delivery requirement. Once at the store you can use access control mechanisms (user ID and passwords) to manage access to content. A training video for store managers on cash control procedures or employee reviews would not be appropriate for the staff to watch. In these cases, access control through secure user logins should be and for how long to monitor their professional development. The Preferred Mechanism In this era of YouTube, video has proven to be the preferred mechanism which people use to learn new things and improve their knowledge. Watching the delivery of the message is as important as the information itself. Consistent delivery of information is particularly critical to large, distributed organizations. Delivering the same instruction and communications to all team members at all remote sites can be enormously challenging. Ondemand video brings the personal experience of one-on-one communication to a vast audience affordably and effectively, allowing businesses to outperform their competitors. About the author Mike Tippets is vice president of the Business Solutions Group, North American Division at Hughes, responsible for the development of managed services, software applications, and other solutions based on Hughes products and technologies. Previously, Mr. Tippets served as president of Helius, which was acquired by Hughes in early 2008 and became fully integrated into the Hughes family in January 2010. As a provides solutions for training and learning, digital signage, and corporate communications to business customers around the world. Mr. Tippets is a 20-year veteran of the high-tech industry and brings a dynamic and 21st century. Hughes Video-on-Demand (VoD) Main Screen Business TVWatch Your Way To Knowledge (Cont.)
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86SatMagazineMarch 2013 The Global Perspective Offered @ NSSEach spring, the Space Foundations National Space Symposium is offered in conjunction with a separate Space Foundation cyber conference. Cyber 1.3 is a full-day event taking place on April 8th at The Broadmoor Hotel in Colorado Springs, Colorado, immediately preceding the opening ceremony of the 29th National Space Symposium. Cyber 1.3 is for anyone with an interest in, or responsibility for, the cyber domain, whether government policymaker, industry executive or military cyber professional/ practitioner at any level. Secure online registration for both Cyber 1.3 and the Space Symposium is available online now at www. NationalSpaceSymposium.org. Plus, an early bird discount for the Space Symposium is in effect through March 15. General Hyten is Cyber 1.3 Luncheon SpeakerLieutenant General Hyten Air Force Space Command, will be the featured speaker at the Cyber 1.3 conference luncheon. As vice commander, Hyten assists the commander in organizing, equipping, training and maintaining mission-ready space and cyberspace forces and capabilities for North American Aerospace Defense Command, U.S. Strategic Command and the other functional and geographic combatant commands. Cyber 1.3 Panel Discussions Topics for discussion among leading cyber professionals at Cyber 1.3 will include... Collateral Damage in Cyber Operations Digital Natives and Their Solutions The Future of Cyber Joint Cyber Operations with Friends and Allies The Cyber 1.3 registration fee includes: which can be combined with Space Symposium registration for additional savings. Register now for Cyber 1.3 at www. NationalSpaceSymposium.org. International Participation @ Space Symposium The Space Symposium will be held April 8th through the 11th at The Broadmoor Hotel and is expected to bring together more than 9,000 international participants from all sectors of the global space spectrum to address opportunities and issues. Some of the Space Symposiums key speakers and panelists will include: Andrea Jaime Albalat, executive director, Space Generation Advisory Council Wanda M. Austin, Ph.D., president, The Aerospace Corp. Craig R. Barrett, Ph.D., retired CEO/chairman of the board, Intel Corporation Romain Bausch, president & CEO, SES Charles F. Bolden, Jr., administrator, NASA Yannick dEscatha, president, Centre National dtudes Spatiales (CNES) dent, The Deptula Group Jean-Jacques Dordain, director general, The European Space Agency (ESA) Estes & Associates, Inc. Aragosto Global, LLC Lori B. Garver, deputy administrator, NASA 14th Air Force (Air Forces Strategic) Air Force Space Command, and commander, Joint Functional Component Command for Space Kiyoshi Higuchi, vice president, Japan Aerospace Jean-Yves Le Gall, chairman & CEO, Arianespace Gilles Leclerc, Acting President, Canadian Space Agency Gerrit Nieuwpoort, Ph.D., director, Netherlands Space Thales Alenia Space Italia Frank A. Rose, deputy assistant secretary of state for Space and Defense Policy Kay N. Sears, president, Intelsat General Force Space Command Johann-Dietrich Worner, chairman, German Aerospace Center (DLR) SatMagazineMarch 201386
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SatMagazineMarch 201387 General Kehler is Corporate Partnership Dinner SpeakerGeneral U.S. Strategic Command, is this years featured speaker at the Space Symposium Corporate Partnership Dinner, sponsored by Raytheon. The dinner will be held April 9th at The Broadmoor Hotel. conducting strategic deterrence and Department of Defense space and cyberspace operations. Previously, he served as commander, Air Force Space Command, based at Peterson AFB, Colorado. A key event at the annual Space Symposium, the Corporate Partnership Dinner recognizes the organizations that support Space Foundation programs. Admission to the dinner is included with military/government registration, and is an extra purchase for industry attendees. Seating is limited and the event tends to sell out early. Reserve Dinner Tickets Now Register for the Space Symposium and reserve dinner tickets now at www.NationalSpaceSymposium.org/register. Gen. Pawlikowski is Acquisition Luncheon SpeakerLieutenant General Space and Missile Systems Center, Air Force Space Command, will discuss the importance of space to national Acquisition Luncheon will be held on Thursday, April 11th, at The Broadmoor Hotel, and is co-sponsored by United Launch Alliance. was the featured speaker at last years Acquisition Luncheon and she will continue her message for this years attendees, addressing budget reductions and manages research, design, development, acquisition and sustainment of satellites and the associated command and control systems. Luncheon Tickets the Space Symposium and advance meal ticket selection is encouragedadditional meal tickets may also be purchased.See details about Space Symposium registration and meal selection at www.NationalSpaceSymposium. org/register, which includes a live chat tab for customer service questions. 87SatMagazineMarch 2013
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By Eran Avni, Executive Sales Manager, ECS (European Communication Services)SatBroadcastingBroadcasting To The DiasporaAs the world becomes a smaller place and people move from one end of the Earth to the other, broadcasters are realizing new opportunities. In the Diaspora World people may be far from each other physically, but they are never far from enjoying each others experiences, lives and feelings. A sense of unity, in spite of the scattering of peoples across the globe, is enabled through the streams of information and entertainment produced by broadcasters, linking all to their homelands and their sense of oneness. In the same way that the Diaspora World provides ships, planes and trains and just about anything with wheels that enable almost any person to search and reach new geographic horizons, the broadcast world can reach each and every person who has changed his or her geographic identityall the while remaining with the one in which they were born. Savvy broadcasters and content providers realize that migrations and population movementsno matter how large or smallare new opportunities for increasing their audience. The prospect to expand ones marketplace into far away lands, while still remaining loyal to a local audience, can provide a breakthrough moment for a business.Likewise, the opposite is true when an immigrant becomes a successful entrepreneur and wants to broadcast from his or her new place in the Diaspora back to the homeland. The beauty is to do this with relatively minimal initial investments and being able to take advantage of market forces to keep prices low. At ECS, European Communication Services, we know and understand these trends. We work to take the twists and turns of the Diaspora World and create advantages thereby opening new opportunities to transform broadcasters into winners. The New RealityThe phrase Glocal is pithy and is now a clich. However, the phrase really does represent our new reality. Being locally based yet reaching the rest of the world, and for broadcasters, reaching that target audience far, far away, is the most recent trend for the broadcast market. As broadcasters and content providers seek to extract new revenues from advertising, reach new audiences and re-connect the homeland with the Diaspora, it is important for them to know that this can be done easily, with low expense and intelligently. One of the most important caveats that broadcasters need to realize concerns the sensitivities of penetrating various types of markets. Whether reaching Nigeria, Kurdistan, Australia, SatMagazineMarch 201388
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India, the Middle East, Bosnia, East London or Somalia, understanding that the right approach incorporates both the correct technology as well as the knowledge that cultural and business operations sensitivities abound. Whether recognizing how to best use the correct types of technical infrastructure that will enable a signal to be picked up by the most people for the least cost, or understanding how best to work with local distribution packagers, are extremely important. It is imperative to have an advisor onboard that understands how to operate in various local environments. This is especially important for smalland medium-sized broadcasters that need to be included in local content packages. Advisors that can put together an end-to-end solution with a low expense threshold are highly appreciated by broadcastersthese advisors understand technology and culture and can operate in various localities to provide that extra plus thats required for growing a business. For instance, ECS provides such advisory services in researching the best methods for penetrating a market as well as providing the tools and means to reach and expand a market. world, and IPTV capabilities, we bring broadcasters and content providers to any geographic location. Offering remote and fully managed playout, uplink, downlink and turnaround, encryption, video monitoring and services for IPTV platform operators, ECS can provide all within a one-stop environment. The Application Of Technology ECSs ability to use technology and its knowledge of the markets enables it to reduce worldwide distribution costs. For broadcasters, this is excellent news, especially those from the in Africa. ECS full slate of broadcast services is able to take broadcasters from Europe to Africa with their programming. ECS turnkey solution for OHTV includes collecting its signal at a London PoP (Point of Presence), sending the signal contacts around the continent, the channel is able to locate local distributers for rebroadcasting throughout the region. Another opportunity for ECS was the companys work with a Sub Saharan African TV channel to build out a worldwide multi-year distribution plan via four satellites to cover America. The channel has now received positive feedback from all over the world. Another example of Diaspora broadcasting is the business of faith-based broadcasters. These groups wish to reach new audiences and shower the world with Gods words. Many faith-based broadcasters either belong to, or are related to, movements with missionaries around the world, expansion in the air, broadcasters seek novel methods to reach their audiences. Transmitting programming via TV and around the world and support on-the-ground missionaries. that reach cable, terrestrial and satellite operators, these Other faith-based broadcasters understand that the Diaspora has sent their believers around the world and they want to reach these men and women with a targeted message. Again, using any combination of distribution services can keep those far away linked to the religion. Thus, a local broadcast sent over a backhaul satellite to a centrally located ground to a point (or points) around the world is a perfect solution for the faith-based broadcaster or content provider. ECS works with a number of these broadcasters, both small and large, to enable them to bring the word of God to the people who really want to hear it. will accelerate as the world continues to move into a Diaspora environment. Migrations for economic, health, political and religious reasons are age old. Now that technology has caught up, ECS is addressing the market with comprehensive and easy-to-create solutions that provide access and links between communities. We see these links as the backbone of world-wide growth. 89SatMagazineMarch 2013
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90SatMagazineMarch 2013 By David Leichner, Vice President, Gilat Satellite NetworksSatBroadcastingA Submerged Challenge For DSNGDeep underneath the QianDao Lake in Zhejiang province of China rests the thousand-year-old Lion City. This ancient site was submerged half a century ago to build a reservoir that later became a hydropower station. On April 27, 2012, China Central Television (CCTV), Chinas national TV station, launched a live broadcast of the depth of 90 feet. By leveraging Gilats satellite-on-the-move transmit live coverage of the exploration from a boat in high days and was viewed by approximately 200 million viewers.A Substantial ChallengeChina Central TVs cameramen had to dive to the bottom of The crew also used remote control robot cameras for from the divers and robots, in addition to interviews with the exploration teams, was processed from a small boat on the lake itself. SatMagazineMarch 201390
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SatMagazineMarch 201391 The processed (HD) video needed to be broadcastthe lack of suitable terrestrial infrastructure meant that they could only rely on (DSNG) technologies to further their broadcast. The challenge over a satellite link while in constant motion. The system would also need to be small enough to This would call for a compact, lightweight and powerful broadband satellite communications system that could remain continuously locked onto the satellite while the boat is rocking and moving. The Compact SolutionThe solution arrived in the form on an integrated on-themove satellite broadband system provided by Gilat Satellite Networks. The system included a RaySat EagleRay 7000 satellite antenna system and a Wavestream 40W Ku-band BUC. performance satellite antennas designed for two-way antenna was the perfect solution for CCTV as it has the necessary key features that include... The RaySat EagleRay 7000 on the deck of the small CCTV boat. Photo courtesy of Gilat. Wavestreams 40W Ku-band BUC. The EagleRay in use at the 2012 London Olympics. EagleRay in use for Hurricane Isaac in the U.S.91SatMagazineMarch 2013
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92SatMagazineMarch 2013 made it possible to deploy onboard the small boat, and its high power output enabled the antenna to transmit at the high Thanks to Gilats on-the-move DSNG solution, CCTV successfully broadcast the exciting footage of the exploration of the submerged city. A Moving Tale timeit is also about being able to broadcast immediately and to follow a story as it moves. For DSNG, the importance of a reliable, on-the-move solution is paramount. Gilats solutions for DSNG that have been used to hurricane in London, as well as other key events such as the of inaugural visit to Mexico of Pope Benedict the Gilats on-the-move DSNG solution is optimized to enable broadcast of continuous live video while in motion. Improving ability and agility, Gilats DSNG solutions enable news teams to: To learn more about Gilats Fast and First DSNG solutions, please visit www.gilat.com/dsng.About the author David Leichner is Vice President at Gilat Satellite Networks responsible for marketing and business development. Mr. Leichner has over 20 years of technical, marketing and management experience in the areas of space and defense, communications and enterprise solutions. A Submerged Challenge For DSNG (Cont.)SatMagazineMarch 201392
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94SatMagazineMarch 2013SatBroadcastingBridging The GapBroadcasters and payTV service providers are seeking to exploit the potential of convergence and are increasingly focusing on multiscreen delivery, enabling content to be enjoyed everywhere and on any device. Over-the-top (OTT) delivery of video content to Internetconnected devices inside and outside the home is at the heart of this multiscreen revolution. OTT started with delivery to personal computers, but now extends to a wide range of IP devices including phones, tablets, connected TV sets, set-top boxes and games consoles. been on-demand content. However, increasingly consumers are watching and demanding linear/live TV content on these devices. Linear TV presents a much greater technical challenge to deliver OTT than on-demand content, requiring much greater scalability and reliability. There is also an alternative, and complementary, approach to providing linear television content for multiscreen reception in the home. This is to transform the existing broadcast signal at the edge of the home using a gateway device into a format that can be consumed on IP devices. Satellites Big Challenge In this new multiscreen world, satellite payTV providers face a particular challenge. Satellite has some clear advantages over cable and DSL in terms of delivering broadcast channels. For instance, satellites ubiquity of coverage means wider geographical reachmost satellite payTV platforms are able to offer more channels than their cable or ADSL rivals. However, when it comes to interactive and Internet-delivered services, themselves at a disadvantage against the two-way digital networks of cable and ADSL operators. They do have various options for providing on-demand programs to their subscribers and thus strengthening their competitive position against traditional payTV rivals and the new Internet players such as Hulu, LoveFilm, MaxDome and First, and most straightforward, is where programs are downloaded to the hard drive of a (DVR) from which the content can be accessed later by subscribers. This approach has some clear advantages broadcast quality can be guaranteed and content is securely protected by the DVRs persistent (DRM) system. The drawback is that the architecture involved broadcasting by satellite and storage on a hard drivemeans that only a limited amount of content can ever be offered for on-demand viewing via push-VOD as compared to the tail offered by Internet services. A second approach, which more and more satellite payTV operators are adopting, is to use broadband connectivity (., DSL) to deliver a much wider range of content. In some cases, this means entering into partnerships with an ISP, but some satellite operators are becoming ISPs themselves as a way to ensure full control over the delivery of their OTT services to subscribers and thereby offer a guaranteed quality of service. A third approach is simply to offer OTT content via the public Internet. This means that service can be offered to a larger audience than would be the case if limited to the geographic footprint By Matthew Huntington, Vice President, Product Marketing, NAGRA
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SatMagazineMarch 201395of a limited set of ISP partners. This does mean that quality of service cannot always be guaranteed because of the policies and limitations of third-party networks that deliver the content to end-users. Inherent Advantages When payTV service providers (whether satellite or other) clear advantages: 1. They can exploit their existing billing relationships with subscribers to sell new OTT services2. They can build on their existing relationships with studios and other content providers by acquiring additional rights for OTT delivery alongside their broadcast rights3. If they are able to be providers of triple-play services (TV, telephony and Internet), service providers can seek to gain market advantage by pricing OTT television services very competitively, using them to add value, increase customer satisfaction and reduce churn. If satellite operators opt to become ISPs, or work in partnership with an established ISP, they are also able guarantee quality levelsfor instance, by setting a minimum bandwidth for OTT TV so that reception quality is not affected by other broadband usage elsewhere in the home. The Gateway Alternative An alternative to using OTT to deliver linear TV to multiscreen devices in the home, is to transform, at the edge of the home, the existing broadcast television signal into a format that can be consumed by multiscreen IP devices (., tablets, phones and personal computers). This approach seeks to maximize the potential of traditional broadcast delivery by extending it to other screens in a secure environment. It means that satellite providers can compete more effectively with their old and new competitors. This transformation can be done with a gateway device, which can be a (STB) or a standalone device. The required transformation is dependent on the capabilities of the target device. Typically it requires transcoding of codecs audio and video codecs supported by the target device),
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96SatMagazineMarch 2013 secure transcrypting (to move from a conditional access used by the broadcast signal to a DRM supported by the target device) and re-packaging. There are various ways to offer a gateway. One approach involves the deployment of a new generation of advanced STBs (such as the Horizon device now being deployed by Liberty Global) that are full home-media gateways in a single device and able to distribute broadcastand broadband-delivered content around the home to any suitable IP-enabled device. expensive upgrade of STBs and may not be a viable option for some operators. An alternative is to complement deployed STBs with a dedicated gateway device. NAGRA will launch such a devicethe HomeCruise microGatewayduring the second quarter of 2013 (). This approach presents many advantages over a direct OTT service for the service provider and consumer. For the service provider, it enables a revenue-generating multi-screen experience that leverages their investment in the existing payTV in-home infrastructure and STBs, all the while drastically reducing bandwidth requirements (the number of streams from the headend does not need to scale with number of devices in the home.) Second, it allows the secure delivery of premium content beyond the main screen, and third, it provides a uniform user experience across screensa key requirement from consumers that also allows service providers to extend their brand to CE devices while offering consumers a viewing experience they are familiar with through their television. Service providers can also consider using the micro-gateway to complement a full home media gatewayfor example, by adding additional transcoding to increase the number of IP devices that can concurrently access linear TV services. they receive one subscription for premium content across all through a single user experience and the ability to navigate and discover content using a companion device. Security Remains FundamentalWhichever form of delivering OTT is selected, and whatever device is used to view it, robust content protection is a fundamental requirement for service providers, broadcasters and rights owners. STBs, the traditional client devices of satellite payTV operators, can offer the highest level of content protection for OTT delivery when using a DRM solution that use chips with hardware security built into them, therefore being the most secure way to deliver television via broadband. However, in todays multi-device world, devices such as PCs, tablets and phones, need software-based security, while connected TVs and Blu-ray Disc Players have varying degrees of openness and an increasing number are able to include some hardware-based security in their chipsets. To address all of these cases, and deploy television services to multiple devices service providers, requires a versatile and robust DRM solution that spans the multiscreen environment. One such solution is NAGRA MediaAccess PRM () which supports all of these scenarios by... NAGRA On-Chip SecurityNOCS A robust DRM solution also needs, like MediaAccess PRM, to be constantly raising the bar in terms of content security and service providers need to be able to show them that they can offer the required high level of security. There is no pushing the OTT genie back into the bottlepayTV providers increasingly recognize that they, themselves, need to deliver TV over-the-top, alongside their traditional TV services. Despite the threat from new OTT-only providers, established satellite operators have many factors in their favor and can position themselves to make the most of the multiscreen and OTT opportunity. Bridging The Gap (Cont.)
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The NAGRA HomeCruise microGatewayNAGRAs HomeCruise microGateway, as with a full home media gateway, is a device that enables service providers to distribute live linear channels to tablets, phones, connected TVs, IP set-top boxes and personal computers within the home. It is a pre-integrated solution that can be that can be deployed with minimal integration effort in a NAGRA conditional access (CAS) environment.NAGRAwhich is also is working with service providers on full home media gateways that combine multiple functionality in a single devicebelieves that there is a gap in the market for such complementary device. In addition to offering an incremental upgrade to existing set-top boxes, NAGRAs microGateway can also be used alongside full home gateways as a way to increase their potentialfor example, by adding additional transcoding capability to enable live channels to concurrently reach a greater number of devices within the home.capability and uses NAGRAs MediaAccess content protection and OpenTV middleware. The box is (either cable or satellite). It acts as an independent content-access point that tunes into channels to which customers have subscribed and then transcodes the signals into the correct format for viewing on additional devices without disrupting viewing on the main TV set.It is powered by NAGRA MediaLive multiscreen, a solution built proven components including the MediaAccess, NAGRAs content protection technologies. With the NAGRA HomeCruise microGateway, end-to-end security is provided through NAGRAs MediaAccess PRM (Persistent Rights Management), a DRM solution approved by the Hollywood studios, complemented by the NAGRA Media Player, a secure media player for open devices such as phones and tablets. The MediaLive Client Framework completes the MediaLive multiscreen solution by providing the right tools for creating compelling and seamless user interfaces across screens. compatible device within the homes at little extra cost and in a convenient plug and play format. Service consumer but also the service provider because it reduces the risk of calls to customer-management centers.Whats more the solution offers a compelling and seamless user experience, giving the viewer the ability to enjoy the same high-quality programming he or she is used to on the television but on the device of his or her choice. Whats more, the HomeCruise microGateway can be deployed quickly and cost-effectively, offering service providers a solution that enhances the value of already installed set-top boxes. 97SatMagazineMarch 2013
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98SatMagazineMarch 2013 SatBroadcastingEnd-To-End SNG + Asset ManagementF acquisition of content is no longer a major and high-speed Internet connectivity put crews on the scene quickly, transmitting back to the facility repeatedly during the day from diverse locations. Compared to only a few years ago, the amount of content that now arrives at a facility is staggering. The number of times that content is repurposed continues to grow at an exponential rate as additional formats and platforms emerge and are monetized.Think of the life cycle of a typical piece of feature footage. An original video can air live on one broadcast, be edited and formatted as a feature for use on several other broadcasts, edited again to live on the stations website and fed to news aggregators for use on their platform, then edited again for use in advertisements and promos for the variety of programs running through the day. If the video is part of a major story, the number of reuses grows to a staggering ratethe technologies for creating, manipulating, managing and distributing arent slowing down one iota. Legacy ENG business solutions have focused on the creation and monitoring of the signal path. While such offered good solutions to automating a subset of these steps as well as providing a limited view to the cost structure of each feed, in truth, they answered but a small part of the overall business challenge. The macro view requires a booking system to automate the signal SatMagazineMarch 201398
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SatMagazineMarch 201399 path creation as well as to mandate the management of the content once it has arrived through its various life cycles, using Today, the amount of data involved in this process is staggering in its size. With economic pressures increasing, and more than 90 percent of ingested content deemed appropriate to repurpose, broadcasters are challenged to make up for that revenue stream by re-formatting, re-purposing, and repackaging content for different distribution methods and for viewing on new screen types such as smartphones and tablets. Broadcasters are drowning in contentthe pressure is on to stay in business. Merging Asset Management With Automated ENG Faced with new pressures and a different business model, broadcasters cant afford to miss a single opportunity to capture and monetize content. This means that facility staff needs to know exactly where, and in what state, their content is in the digital supply chain. Xytechs MediaPulse platform streamlines and supply chain by bringing disparate systems together and automating each step in the process. MediaPulse provides an end-to-end solution that enables facilities to have total control over assets, resources, and costs while maximizing the content. This means automating more than the circuit creation, but all media services while simultaneously providing a single repository of federated content.With the recent addition of a universal SNMP ( ) adapter, which automates and natively integrates the signal path chain in (SNG), MediaPulse is the only out-of-the box solution on the market offering management system. Now, users need only create simple feed requests and orders describing basic order metadata and the circuit path is created, individual SNMP messages are radiated throughout the ecosystem. Additionally, devices may be monitored for traps and users Total Feed Management With the integration of the universal SNMP adaptor, MediaPulse now automates and controls every aspect of each feed. As the circuit patch is created, integrated resources, such as antennas or vans, automatically have their signal established through MediaPulses SNMP adapter. The adapter, with or without the use of a management and control system, 99SatMagazineMarch 2013
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100SatMagazineMarch 2013 100SatMagazineMarch 2013 continually monitors the equipment for traps and alerts users as needed. Producers, MCR staff, and truck operators each have unique views into the system information. In the past, when the assignment desk noted a story they wanted to follow, they had to assign a news team to go out and record footage for the story. To assemble a team, schedule the live broadcast, and reserve space on a storage the elements needed to send the team. Meanwhile, no one and produce the broadcast. Now, the assignment desk simply books an event in the system and MediaPulses SNMP adaptor does everything, from automatically setting up the truck after validating the network connection to landing the circuit in the asset management system. Simply put, the act of booking the truck automatically creates and executes the signal path. Sometimes there simply isnt time to route a breaking news event through the feed request systems. In this case, by monitoring truck and MCR control panels, MediaPulse creates feed orders and monitoring the system. In this way, every action and feed is captured even in the fastest paced facility. MediaPulses SNMP adaptor takes advantage of bidirectional technology thats already embedded into all the devices, subsystems, and stops on the digital supply chain. With MediaPulses platform independent, web-based user interface, crews can use smart devices to access information in the MediaPulse system. Metadata + Asset ManagementMost broadcasters dont have a signal path problem. The real challenge is to bring in the raw footage and then track it throughout its entire lifespan until it gets put on a server and used. MediaPulse does more than automate the SNG truck setup and feed management, it automates the collection and integration of metadata about the feed as its coming across the wire. This capability allows MediaPulse customers to attach crucial information to the essence: This includes who is involved in the recording of the video, where the event occurred, what the recording is about, how the video was taped, what the video is for, the clips length, the audio type, and how much it cost to send the anchorperson(s) and the truck.Once the content lands in MediaPulses asset management system, facility staff needs to know what they can do with the material. To address this need, customers business rules. For example, a facility may want a new video clip to be delivered to an Avid for copying and editing after ingest and then moved to the next desired phase in the chain. MediaPulse handles those events and also adds metadata each time the asset goes through another step on its way through the supply chain. Integrated Facility Management Moving a feed from one point to another is a tactical problem that MediaPulse also solves. By connecting and integrating feed ingestion with the entire MediaPulse platform, resource costs and expected revenue are now automatically associated with the feed. used, at a highly detailed level, while a broadcast is being assembled, rather than waiting until after the fact. This capability enables customers to tighten scheduling and make far better use of their resources. While other platforms in this arena offer tactical solutions that go from this or that pain point, only MediaPulse addresses the big picture and demonstrably impacts the bottom line all from the out-of-the-box software. Broadcasters operate in highly volatile environments, both in the nature of the work they do and the business in which they operate. Its imperative that the assets they gather and manage, and the operations that support the business function at the highest possible level, operate at the highest allows staff to spend time on moneymaking activities, rather than on outdated, manual functions. From the time the camera is rolling to the point where someones watching it on their iPad pulling the entire chain together in an easier fashion and far About the author and plays a key role in setting the strategic direction of the company. primary driver for the companys growth. As a senior executive, Dolan led that company into new markets and greater visibility, while successfully introducing a suite of software products for the media services, broadcast, and video transmission industries. Prior to that time, Greg held several Manager of Budget Systems for Sedgwick James.
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102SatMagazineMarch 2013 By Alan Gottlieb, Senior Contributing EditorGottlieb On Maritime: The Price Must Be RightWord is on the street, and DPs and customers of Inmarsat price increases arrived on March 1st (in addition to the increases imposed by the Company last May) and they are expected to hit low volume users especially hard, providing new opportunities for competitive technologies and vendors. Here Come The Competitors Inmarsats dual price hikes on low volume users are eroding loyal user basethe less than 200 MB per month usersand competitors are moving to take advantage of this move. Expect Iridium, with its upcoming Next platform (launching in 2015), to compete vigorously in this niche, assuming the new service is priced correctly. With its 1.5 Megabit capacity, low cost OpenPort type antenna and market as a replacement for primary Fleet Broadband (FB) as a low-volume solution and as a back up for Ku-band VSAT. Another competitor, KVH, has experienced success whittling away at Inmarsat in its low volume market with the low cost V3 service that offers 1MB plans at a fraction of the FB cost. KVH has competed especially well in this niche against FB by offering an innovative Spread Spectrum Platform combined with plug-and-play, and small, low cost antennas combined with aggressive pricing. KVHs new V11 service offers a unique combination of Kuthat is backed up with C-band, an offering that combines high bandwidth, rain resistant C-band with Ku-band. At the high end of its market, Inmarsats Ka-band, Global Xpress service faces competition from other vendors such as Marlink, Orange, MTN, Harris Caprock and others continue to offer Ku-band with L-band backup. SatMagazineMarch 2013102
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M a r i t i m e B u y e r s A s k U s : W h i c h V S A T S e r v i c e i s B e s t ? Since 2009, Gottlieb International Group has successfully predicted every turn in the Maritime VSAT Market all documented in our well known articles. Our carefully prepared analyses are relied upon by Maritime, Oil and Gas and Aviation VSAT buyers around the globe. With over 30,000 industry readers and our LinkedIntm Group, Maritime Satellite and VSAT Independent Opinions, that has grown to over 1,700 members, our independent analyses influence what services companies sell and customers buy. In this rapidly changing competitive environment, we help our clients devise the winning marketing and sales strategies they need to generate meaningful revenue. We recommend their products to industry buyers and introduce them to new business opportunities, and we train their sales forces to sell into these complex markets. Our MVSAT Sales Training has been conducted for five major VSAT vendors in Europe and Asia and our clients include the best known Satellite Operators, VSAT Vendors, Equipment Manufacturers and Private Equity firms in the world. Another competitive service to be reckoned with is Intelsats soon-to-be-launched Epic service, with its inherently and its ability to offer Ku-, Cand Ka-band. Epic is recognized the high power of dedicated, high power spot beams, the service will achieve a higher utilization rate that would allow it to offer lower per/bit pricing. Additionally, Intelsats spot beams will offer 160MB capacity per/spot beam vs. Inmarsats 42MB capacity per/ to deliver very high capacity where its really needed along the Great Circle Routes has led to its adoption by such respected Maritime VSAT vendors as Astrium, MTN, Harris Caprock, Panasonic Aviation and others. In addition to these competitive challenges, Inmarsat will also have to contend with competition from competing regional Ka-band satellite constellations, as well. For example, Eutelsats KA-SAT is expected to provide extremely low cost, high bandwidth coverage over Europe. EPAK of Germany will introduce a 90cm Ka-band maritime antenna in April that will be integrated to operate on the networks Tooway service. Other antenna manufacturers are expected to introduce real-time switchable antennas that will accommodate both Kaand Kufrequencies allowing ships to communicate at low cost while in European waters, with the ability to switch seamlessly to Kufor global voyages. Telenor, as well, will shortly introduce its own maritime focused Ka-band service over Northern Europe. All of this means a dizzying array of choices will be available to vessel operators and a genuine competitive environment can be expected to emerge. Of course, in the end, customers will ultimately determine which service is preferred service. What is certain is that two price hikes to the low-volume users within nine monthsinstituted contrary to Inmarsats Maritime president statement that the May price hike of last year would be the last for the near termhave caused considerable unhappiness among what has been Inmarsats loyal customer base and opened the door wider to competitors.103SatMagazineMarch 2013
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104SatMagazineMarch 2013 Gottlieb On Maritime (Cont.)The Customer ImpactAn Analysis Essentially, the price hike consists of Inmarsat imposing a 10 percent increase in out of Package, low volume, Fleet Broadband IP. However, greater increases with some resellers have been reported, with increases posted up to 18 percent (i.e., Satcom Global and Otesat-Maritel). Money Bundles (a unique offer where customers could substitute unused IP for voice) have also recently been eliminated forcing customers to buy a separate voice plan. In particular, Bulk Carriers and vessels using more than 20 to 30 Megabytes and less than 200 MB per/month will feel the effects more so than others. While Inmarsat pricing is differential pricing by (DPs), based on the by DPsand information from shipping companies who have examined the impact of the price changes and their impact on the shipping community and on Inmarsat. ( ). Currently, the minimum Standard Plan IP Plan includes 10MBs and discounted price, depending on the reseller. At the current can obtain four times the MB capacity with the 200 MB Entry Level Plan? In reality, users who now require as little as 50MB on an annual basis. This brings the net increaseincluding last Mays price hiketo approximately 65 percent. For an SatMagazineMarch 2013104
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the March 1st increase, and thats in addition to having to purchase the separate voice plan! Also, recall that this price increase is on top of the increase imposed only nine months ago. Keep in mind that the model could differ, depending on individual re-seller pricing. However, based on information from several reliable sources, we believe these calculations to be accurate.In addition, at this time it is also uncertain if packages at the 20 to 50MB level will continue to exist. These packages were originally instituted by some of the DPs, not Inmarsat. Their continued existence would be at the discretion of the individual partners. If they do continue to be offered, they will almost certainly rise in price along with Inmarsat prices.Also, if users who purchase the 200 Megabyte Plan automatically reclaimed by Inmarsat and can be sold to someone else (at 99 City Road, they call this Breakage). If, on the other hand, the purchaser of a 200MB package uses present rates). What is clear is that, although Inmarsat has made reasonable price concessions to high volume users under the VLA plans due to pressure from VSAT, low end users and, in particular Bulk Carriers, are suffering the brunt of extreme price escalation. Given the fact that the current average retail hike affects a large percentage of Inmarsats customer base. In defense of the price hikes, Inmarsats contends that communications cost are but a fraction of the expense of a ships operation, and that the 200 Megabyte bundle offers a lower fee per/MB. While it is true that communication costs are a relatively small part of vessel operational costs, Bulk Carrier be especially burdensome and destructive of the supplier/ customer relationship. This is especially true as Inmarsat, unlike imposed last May. Of course, Inmarsat defends its increases by noting that customers who purchase larger quantities get a lower cost per/bit.However, Ship Owners contend that a 200MB package is not a bargain if you dont need 200 MB and dont have the budget to pay for it. Traditionally, most ship owners have they minimized their usage to accommodate the price rise witness the vast number of software applications in use to manage volume. The volume price discount has not worked, a fact that has been recognized in the past by Inmarsatodd that they would try to resurrect this argument. At this point, one would question the logic behind the back-to-back price hikes on low volume users. If we look closely, however, we can see that what they have done is extremely clever and enormously About the author mission is to provide vendors with the hands on information and contacts they need to structure product and service offerings and to assist Maritime VSAT buyers in choosing the appropriate service Merger and Acquisition activities in the Maritime, Oil And Gas and Permira Advisors, Apax and Midwood Capital. Mr. Gottliebs career encompasses an unusual diversity of Market Research, Sales and Technical background in many segments of the wireless industry including VSAT, Cellular and Mobile Commerce. He has served as Vice President of Sales for Audiovox Communications, Director of Sales for Southeast Asia for COMSAT and Aether Systems, and Digital Ship, and Satellite Market Research and has recently authored the myths associated with buying Maritime VSAT. Mr. Gottlieb is a Telecommunications Conference, Nor Ship, the Washington Satellite Exhibition, and other industry events. 105SatMagazineMarch 2013
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Directory Contents Includes: International Agencies Manufacturers of Satellites and Space Equipment Manufacturers of Satellite Ground Equipment Network Systems PC-Satellite Connectivity Users of Satellite Systems Providers of Satellite Services General Services Satellite Operators Geosynchronous Satellites EIRP Maps Uplink Facilities The Directory is a comprehensive guide to the people, companies, products, services and the market of the booming satellite industry. With changes of all kinds affecting this dynamic in dustry, the Directory remains a powerful tool, mapping in detail an otherwise uncharted and There are thousands of manufactured satellites in orbit, millions of antennas on earth, and only one THE 2013 INTERNATIONAL SATELLITE DIRECTORYThe Complete Guide To The Satellite Communications Industry Visit : satnews.com/directory
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