Developed by Delta Communications and dB Technology the new terminal type uses very small and discrete patch antennas of only 10 by 10cm. This combined with their robustness against pointing error makes them easy to install at places where both appearance and a small terminal size are important, especially in places where it would be impossible to install conventional satellite dishes because of size or city planning restrictions. The micro-terminal can even be placed indoors next to a south-facing window.
| Called STELIOS, reflecting the use of the STEL chip in the receiver and Inclined Orbit Satellites, the idea behind the project was to combine terminals and monitors of various sizes in order to provide dynamic content update via satellite. Applications such as bus-shelters, commercial billboards and similar public information boards will be the main beneficiaries. These types of services can be easily serviced by cheaper transponders on Ku-band end-of-life satellites and make this approach to broadcast technology more competitive. |
The small size of the antenna limits the signal power received from the desired satellite but also increases the relative amount of interference received from undesired satellites. To overcome the interference, the STELIOS team applied the technique of signal spreading. The resulting signal to noise level handles a received data rate of about 150kbps for one satellite transponder.
| The team has also developed a software suite to organise content, generate a carousel, support file transfers and display the material. Additionally, a control and monitor program to set-up the receiver at installation and to monitor its performance has been included. |
In developing the ESA Telecom funded project, the team focused on the Micro-terminals, and in particular the demodulator and modulators which together with existing hardware provides the uplink station. The receiver antenna and LNB is obtained by integrating off the shelf equipment. In total eight demodulators and six modulators were developed to use in demonstrations.
According to Kevin Hodson, Project Manager for Delta, "Since the beginning of the project we've kept very close ties to potential customers in order to understand and discuss the benefits of such a micro-terminal. So we're very optimistic about selling the micro-terminal system and its related networks and services."
