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StatusOngoing
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Status date2009-10-26
Advantech Satellite Networks, ASN, provides satellite-based broadband communications equipment, developing equipment that supports two-way internet communications via satellite. Commercial success in this field requires the continuing enhancement of ASN Systems and Products based on feedback from the customer base as well as changing market requirements. The objective of the project is to enhance key aspects of the ASN product line in line with this feedback. These key aspects include End to End performance, DVB-S2 support, and Network Management.
The key issues addressed in this project are enhancements of key aspects of the EMS product line. These include End to End performance, DVB-S2 support, and Network Management.
The DVB-RCS standard itself is now relatively stable. Nevertheless, the provision of DVB-RCS products is still characterised by a strong need for a continued development of features and performance.
Initial product offerings provided only a limited sub-set of the full functionality offered by the standard, often targeted to the needs perceived a priority by "launch customers". This functionality needs to be complemented, in order to meet a wider market demand. Secondly, full-scale commercial service roll-out is only just beginning, so the real-world needs are only now starting to emerge. These are not all identical to those perceived in advance by the launch customers. The main benefit of this project is to introduce this functionality into the ASN product line.
End-to-End Functionality and Performance Enhancements:
Initial DVB-RCS developments, as well as the definition of the standard itself, were focussed on the provision of robust and high- performance functionality at the physical and MAC layers.
The present project contains some work addressing these layers. However, some of the focus is shifting to higher-layer and end-to-end issues. New and improved applications functionality (Multicasting, Voice-over-IP) are addressed, as well as features aimed at improving intermediate-layer functionality (Quality-of-Service support, PEP enhancements). These enhancements enable excellent end-to-end utilisation of the efficient platform provided by the MAC and physical layers.
Segment Cost Reduction with DVB-S2 Support:
The new DVB-S2 standard is seen as a major enabling technology for the reduction of service provisioning costs, in particular when the advanced facilities for rain fade mitigation are exploited. However, the introduction of DVB-S2 introduces issues which must be addressed in order to ensure commercial success.
For customers, DVB-S2 introduces backwards compatibility problems, so a proper migration plan must be devised. In terms of equipment, DVB-S2 changes the situation fundamentally. With DVB-S, forward link equipment such as modulators and IDU tuners are essentially commodity items. This is not yet the case for DVB-S2, forcing a DVB-RCS manufacturer to alter the strategy for implementation of forward links, compared to that adopted for the current product line.
Network Management enhancement:
Network Management is one of the most important functions for commercial users. This term covers a wide spectrum of functions, ranging from equipment configuration and resource administration to real-time functions such as authentication and admission control.
There are close links between these aspects of the network management and system features such as Quality-of-Service and rain fade mitigation. It also encompasses features such as terminal administration. EMS has already developed substantial network management functionality; which will be enhanced under this project.
The project plan consists primarily of developments in software for RLSS, SIT, and Gateway products as well as a hardware development for SIT. All developments will go through a thorough validation process.
SatNet has successfully completed all of the activities for this project.