Both the DoD and the Central Bank of Russia along with 10 other groups gave presentations at the Second SatLabs DVB-RCS Symposium, organized by the SatLabs Group and ESA. The event took place on September 11.
The SatLabs Group is an international association whose members are committed to bringing the deployment of the DVB-RCS standard to large-scale adoption. In particular, the Group helps ensuring interoperability between DVB-RCS terminals and systems and developing low-cost solutions.
More than 60 participants from countries around the globe took part in the day-long symposium. Presentations were divided into three sessions. The first session covered the latest status and achievements of DVB-RCS and SatLabs; session two included presentations on new networking solutions with DVB-RCS and the third session reviewed new technology and perspectives with DVB-RCS.
"The event was successful in bringing together those interested in bringing DVB-RCS to the mass market," said Stephane Combes, organiser of the symposium for ESA Telecom. "The presentations demonstrated that DVB-RCS is clearly growing in many markets and for a greater variety of applications worldwide."
The symposium was also the opportunity for the SatLabs Group to present, in the opening talk, the future steps in its activities supporting DVB-RCS compliance and interoperability: Version 2 of the Satellite Terminals Certification Program will be available by the end of this year, together with a Hub Verification Program. These will allow enhanced interoperability of DVB-RCS systems, including DVB-S2, Quality of Service and Management.
The first session also included presentations from Hispasat, EADS Astrium, The Central Bank of Russia, Avanti Communications and ViaSat. Hispasat presented its Multibeam DVB-RCS Platforms, transparent and regenerative (AmerHis system). They now serve almost 4,000 terminals over Europe and America. Greet Verelst of EADS Astrium discussed TWISTER; success stories on hybrid satellite-wireless solutions for broadband coverage in rural and remote areas. In her presentation, Verelst noted that through its three year program which started in 2004 and finalized in April of this year, TWISTER deployed and operated 105 validation sites in rural areas throughout Europe combining bidirectional satellite broadband services with wireless networks. The target application areas included agriculture, health care, education, community service and e-business.
A presentation by Advantech Satellite Networks, Marsat and the Central Bank of Russia focused on the conversion to DVB-RCS of the Bank's Satellite Network. Marsat, a traditional L-Band company, is now integrating Ku-Band DVB-RCS with L-Band BGAN.
According to the presentation, DVB-RCS is mandated by the Russian government for government applications, which provides a good example of the rapid progress of DVB-RCS acceptance in countries other than Western Europe and North America.
"This mandate and the progress of DVB-RCS with the US Department of Defence are the two best DVB-RCS secrets," stated Peter Garland of Advantech Satellite Networks.
The second session of the symposium included a presentation regarding DVB-RCS for the US Defense Market along with presentations about DVB-RCS services in high-speed trains and maritime DVB-RCS with intra-hub roaming.
The Marshall Communications Corporation is a United States government contractor that provides standard-based DVB-S/S2 and DVB-RCS satellites and wireless services.
"There is a Department of Defense (DoD) memorandum that mandates that all future DoD networks will be DVB-S/S2, DVB-RCS and Transec compliant," stated Keith Dyson of the Marshall Communications Corp. He noted that current efforts are underway for a new DoD Joint IP Modem and a US DoD DVB-S2 and RCS service offered to multiple combatant commands.
The final session included presentations by Ansur, Advantech, STM Norway and IntegraSys. Harald Skinnemoen, DVB-RCS chairman, gave a presentation on the status of the future DVB-RCS mobile standard. He noted that DVB-RCS attracts the best researchers as it provides a framework for innovation, collaboration and evolution.
"It looks like DVB-RCS is maturing," said Jan Stoop of OmniGlobe Networks, and a symposium attendee. "There is a nice future ahead."
To review the presentations given at the symposium or for further information, use the links listed under Related Links and Contacts located in the right column of this page.
