InReview 2019 - 48

48

www.inbroadcast.com | InReview 2019

Es'hailSat Orchestrates
System Harmony
As one of the youngest satellite operators in the region, Es'hailSat is compelled
to be as innovative as possible to grow and compete with established operators...

I

n the communication world, we
see a huge paradigm shift towards
harmonisation, and orchestration of
networks.
This means that the barriers and
demarcation between networks and
infrastructures is getting smaller
and vague. As a broadcast and
communications service provider, we
see this as an opportunity to merge
our satellite communication services
with terrestrial services to realise
a seamless network giving multiple
means and interfaces of connectivity,
and wider coverage.
SD-WAN Integration
Thanks to innovation on the ground,
satellite connectivity will be an integral
part of a global network in near future.
One of the important innovations in
satellite communication segment is the
integration of Software-Defined Wide
Area Network (SD-WAN) into satellite
communication networks that allows
seamless and secure connectivity
between satellite connectivity to cloud
service providers and enterprise users.
The agnostic nature of SD-WAN
simplifies connectivity at user
end particularly in IoT and cloud
connectivity. In areas where satellite
is the only means for connectivity,
the technology helps to improve user
experience through customisable QoS
management and traffic prioritisation
on traffic such as VoIP and other
mission critical applications.
As for areas with multiple connectivity
options, it allows a mixed usage of
connectivity between satellite and
other terrestrial physical technology
such as MPLS, 4G/5G, wireless, etc.
with optimisation technique such as
load-balancing and increased service
availability of offerings through
redundant path.
Remote Terminal Progress
In the radio wave aspect of
connectivity, there has not been much
evolution in the radio signal itself,
however, there has been tremendous
progress in the access technology of
remote terminals.
Frequency Division Multiple Access
(FDMA) in the old days, and Time

Division Multiple Access
(TDMA) in recent days
were
the
traditional
access technology used in
centralised hub networks.
FDMA or Single Carrier Per
Channel (SCPC) being the
most bandwidth efficient
using a fixed waveform,
however lacking bandwidth
flexibility, and TDMA being
the most flexible using
a burst type waveform,
however being less efficient
than FDMA.
In recent new platforms, the benefits
of both access technologies are
incorporated into one radio waveform
by producing a dynamic bandwidth
carrier modifying its symbol rate
depending on the demands. Also,
Adaptive Code Modulation (ACM)
is now incorporated into the
return side of the satellite link to
optimise MODCOD depending on the
weather conditions where ACM was
traditionally only for the forward side.
These new technologies offer more
efficiency with increased flexibility
in terms of bandwidth allocation,
and increased robustness against
atmospheric attenuation, to give the
communication customer reduced
bandwidth cost while maintaining the
quality of signal.
Vital Solution Elements
Most of the world today relies on
software, however, software itself
relies on hardware, therefore,
hardware is a vital element in any
solution available. When you look at
hardware in the satellite world, there
seem to be limited innovation because
the radio technology seems to be

stagnant, with traditional Parabolic
antennas with TWTA, waveguide, Low
Noise Amplifier etc. However, there is
a tremendous amount of innovation
being considered.
One of them is a flat panel antenna.
Typical antenna used in a satellite
communication application is a
parabolic antenna which is a single
element, where the antenna dish
has a curved surface to converge
radio waves into a focal point.
However, a flat panel antenna uses
phased arrayed antennas, a group
of computer-scanned and controlled
antennas which can produce a
steerable beam of radio waves,
even though the antennas remains
stationary which enables the phased
array antennas to be able to keep
track of multiple satellites.
Due to high costs and variable
performance it offers, flat panel
antennas had been niche limiting
their market potential up to now.
However,
given
that
In-Flight
Connectivity demands are growing,
along with additional Non-GEO satellite
constellations expected to come online
after 2020, the industry has begun
Es'hailSat Teleport Office

Es'hailSat Operations

taking a stronger interest in these
antennas. Demand for connectivity
in commercial aviation continues to
grow, and the operating environment
necessitates a low-profile design.
This has been a key market driver
for development of phased array
technology for satellite connectivity
Evolving Satellite Flexibility
Last but not least, hardware in the
space segment has been seeing
evolution as well. The development of
next generation flexible satellite is also
a game-changer to satellite industry,
equipped with new techniques such
as beam-forming and digital payload,
the flexible satellite will now be able to
customise coverage and performance
based on requirement.
This type of satellite will significantly
reduce the program management
time needed by satellite operators to
design a new satellite which is typically
three to five years as well as allow
mass production of satellite which will
reduce cost in future.
The flexibility and capability to
dynamically
allocate
bandwidth,
coverage and power on-the-fly in
orbit, enhances satellite capability to
serve customer segments such as aero,
maritime and land-based mobility
segment.
Es'hailSat has been looking into these
innovations and evolutions going on
in all relevant industries and markets
we are active in and will continue
striving to offer better solutions to our
existing, and prospective customers.
www.eshailsat.qa
http://www.inbroadcast.com http://www.eshailsat.qa
InReview 2019

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