Malaysia Satellite Technology
Saturday, November 15, 2008
Satellite Basics
Guide To Satellite-based Solutions
1. Benefits of satellite communications
A. How do satellites deliver vital communications around the world?
Because of their universal and multi-point nature, satellite-based solutions can provide a flexible and cost-effective answer to support:
•Fixed or wireless voice and data communications
•Enterprise networking
•Financial transactions
•Internet linkages
•Satellite video transmission and distribution networks
In every case, Intelsat solutions provide for the delivery of vital information, news, sports and entertainment to every corner of the globe, no matter how remote.
B: What are the key benefits of satellites?
Satellite communications have distinct benefits over terrestrial alternatives:
•UNIVERSAL: Satellite communications are available virtually everywhere. A small constellation of satellites can cover the Earth's entire surface. And even the reach of a single satellite is far more extensive than what any terrestrial network can achieve.
•VERSATILE: Satellites can support all of today's communications needs - transactional and multimedia applications, video, voice, cellular networks, entertainment and breaking news.
◦Bring broadband to the last mile of residences and businesses.
◦Overcome regulatory issues that make alternative carriers dependent on incumbents.
◦Deliver a communications infrastructure to areas where terrestrial alternatives are unavailable, unreliable or simply too expensive.
•RELIABLE: Satellite is a proven medium for supporting a company's communications needs. Whereas terrestrial IP networks are often a mix of different networks and topologies, with different level of congestion and latency. Satellite networks are extremely predictable allowing constant and uniform quality of service to hundreds of locations, regardless of geography.
•SEAMLESS: Satellite's inherent strength as a broadcast medium makes it ideal for the simultaneous distribution of bandwidth-intensive information to hundreds or thousands of locations.
•FAST: Unlike most terrestrial alternatives, satellite networks can be rolled out quickly and inexpensively to hundreds or thousands of locations, connecting cities or remote locations across a large landmass, where copper or fiber is cost prohibitive. Since satellite networks can be set up quickly, companies can be fast-to-market with new services.
•EXPANDABLE: Satellite networks are easily scalable, allowing users to expand their communications networks and their available bandwidth easily. In coordination with local vendors, expanding a network on the ground requires the ordering of new terminal components and the commissioning of increased bandwidth at each site.
•FLEXIBLE: Satellites can be easily integrated to complement, augment or extend any communications network, helping overcome geographical barriers, terrestrial network limitations and other constraining infrastructure issues.
2. How satellite communications work
A. What is a communications satellite and how does it work?
A communications satellite is a radio relay station in orbit above the earth that receives, amplifies, and redirects analog and digital signals carried on a specific radio frequency.
In addition to communications satellites, there are other types of satellites:
•Weather satellites: These satellites provide meteorologists with scientific data to predict weather conditions and are equipped with advanced instruments
•Earth observation satellites: These satellites allow scientists to gather valuable data about the earth's ecosystem
•Navigation satellites: Using GPS technology these satellites are able to provide a person's exact location on Earth to within a few meters
B. What are the different kinds of orbits?
An orbit is the path that a satellite follows as it revolves around Earth. In terms of commercial satellites, there are three main categories of orbits:
Geosynchronous Orbit (GEO): 35,786 km above the earth
•Orbiting at the height of 22,282 miles above the equator (35,786 km), the satellite travels in the same direction and at the same speed as the Earth's rotation on its axis, taking 24 hours to complete a full trip around the globe. Thus, as long as a satellite is positioned over the equator in an assigned orbital location, it will appear to be "stationary" with respect to a specific location on the Earth.
•A single geostationary satellite can view approximately one third of the Earth's surface. If three satellites are placed at the proper longitude, the height of this orbit allows almost all of the Earth's surface to be covered by the satellites.
Medium Earth Orbit (MEO): 8,000-20,000 km above the earth
•These orbits are primarily reserved for communications satellites that cover the North and South Pole
•Unlike the circular orbit of the geostationary satellites, MEO's are placed in an elliptical (oval-shaped) orbit
Low Earth Orbit (LEO): 500-2,000 km above the earth
•These orbits are much closer to the Earth, requiring satellites to travel at a very high speed in order to avoid being pulled out of orbit by Earth's gravity
•At LEO, a satellite can circle the Earth in approximately one and a half hours
GEO vs. MEO vs. LEO
Most communications satellites in use today for commercial purposes are placed in the geostationary orbit, because of the following advantages:
•One satellite can cover almost 1/3 of Earth's surface, offering a reach far more extensive than what any terrestrial network can achieve
•Communications require the use of fixed antennas. Since geosynchronous satellites remain stationary over the same orbital location, users can point their satellite dishes in the right direction, without costly tracking activities, making communications reliable and secure
•GEO satellites are proven, reliable and secure - with a lifespan of 10-15 years
For a more comprehensive understanding of satellite advantages, see benefits of satellite.
C. Satellite architecture
Communications data passes through a satellite using a signal path known as a transponder. Typically satellites have between 24 and 72 transponders. A single transponder is capable of handling up to 155 million bits of information per second. With this immense capacity, today's communication satellites are an ideal medium for transmitting and receiving almost any kind of content - from simple voice or data to the most complex and bandwidth-intensive video, audio and Internet content.
Diagrammatic Representation of a Satellite
D. Orbital location and footprint
The location of a geostationary satellite is referred to as its orbital location. International satellites are normally measured in terms of longitudinal degrees East (° E) from the Prime Meridian of 0° (for example, Intelsat's IS-805 satellite is currently located at 304.5° E).
The geographic area of the Earth's surface over which a satellite can transmit to, or receive from, is called the satellite's "footprint." The footprint can be tailored to include beams with different frequencies and power levels.
E. Frequency bands and beams
Satellites transmit information within radio frequency bands. The frequency bands most used by satellite communications companies are called C-band and the higher Ku-band. Over the next several years, the use of a higher frequency band known as Ka-band is expected to increase. Modern satellites are designed to focus on different ranges of frequency bands and different power levels at particular geographic areas. These focus areas are called beams. Intelsat offers four beam types:
•Global: covering almost 1/3 of Earth's surface
•Hemi: covering almost 1/6 of Earth's surface
•Zone: covering a large landmass area
•Spot: covering a specific geographic area
F. What is installed on the ground?
All communications with a geostationary satellite require using an earth station or antenna. Earth Stations may be either fixed (installed at a specific location) or mobile for uses such as Satellite News Gathering (SNG) or maritime applications. Antennas range in size, from large telecommunications carrier dishes of 4.5 to 15 meters in diameter, to VSAT antennas which can be as small as under one meter, designed to support services such as Direct to Home TV (DTH) and rural telephony.
The antenna, itself, will generally be connected to equipment indoors called an indoor unit (IDU), which then connects either to the actual communications devices being used, to a Local Area Network (LAN), or to additional terrestrial network infrastructure.
G. Network topologies
Depending on the application, satellites can be used with different ground network designs or network topologies. At its simplest, satellite can support one-direction or two-direction links between two earth stations (called respectively simplex transmission and duplex transmission). More complex communications needs can also be addressed with more sophisticated network topologies, such as star and mesh.
The following examples show some of the options available to customers for configuring their satellite networks:
Simplex Transmission
Applications for simplex services include broadcast transmissions such as:
•TV and video services
•Radio services
Point-to-Point Duplex Transmission
Applications for duplex services include:
•Voice Telephony transport
•Data and IP transport (especially in asymmetric configurations)
•Corporate networks
•TV and Broadcast program contribution and distribution
Point-to-Multipoint Transmission
(May be simplex or duplex, symmetric or asymmetric).
Applications for point-to-multipoint services include:
•Corporate networks, including VSAT services and business television
•Video and broadcast distribution, including Direct-to-Home Internet services
Mobile Antenna Service
Applications for mobile antenna services include:
•Satellite News Gathering
•Special Event Backhaul and Broadcasting
•Maritime services
Star Network
Applications for Star Networks include:
•Corporate Networks
•Distance Learning
Mesh Network
Applications for Mesh Networks include:
•National and International Telephony and Data networks
•Rural Telephony
3. Key factors in considering a satellite solution
Every satellite network is unique and the right choice depends on three key factors:
•The specific application
•The geography of the network
•The volume of traffic required
Intelsat can assist you in determining the best possible customized answer for your organization's networking and communications needs.
1. Benefits of satellite communications
A. How do satellites deliver vital communications around the world?
Because of their universal and multi-point nature, satellite-based solutions can provide a flexible and cost-effective answer to support:
•Fixed or wireless voice and data communications
•Enterprise networking
•Financial transactions
•Internet linkages
•Satellite video transmission and distribution networks
In every case, Intelsat solutions provide for the delivery of vital information, news, sports and entertainment to every corner of the globe, no matter how remote.
B: What are the key benefits of satellites?
Satellite communications have distinct benefits over terrestrial alternatives:
•UNIVERSAL: Satellite communications are available virtually everywhere. A small constellation of satellites can cover the Earth's entire surface. And even the reach of a single satellite is far more extensive than what any terrestrial network can achieve.
•VERSATILE: Satellites can support all of today's communications needs - transactional and multimedia applications, video, voice, cellular networks, entertainment and breaking news.
◦Bring broadband to the last mile of residences and businesses.
◦Overcome regulatory issues that make alternative carriers dependent on incumbents.
◦Deliver a communications infrastructure to areas where terrestrial alternatives are unavailable, unreliable or simply too expensive.
•RELIABLE: Satellite is a proven medium for supporting a company's communications needs. Whereas terrestrial IP networks are often a mix of different networks and topologies, with different level of congestion and latency. Satellite networks are extremely predictable allowing constant and uniform quality of service to hundreds of locations, regardless of geography.
•SEAMLESS: Satellite's inherent strength as a broadcast medium makes it ideal for the simultaneous distribution of bandwidth-intensive information to hundreds or thousands of locations.
•FAST: Unlike most terrestrial alternatives, satellite networks can be rolled out quickly and inexpensively to hundreds or thousands of locations, connecting cities or remote locations across a large landmass, where copper or fiber is cost prohibitive. Since satellite networks can be set up quickly, companies can be fast-to-market with new services.
•EXPANDABLE: Satellite networks are easily scalable, allowing users to expand their communications networks and their available bandwidth easily. In coordination with local vendors, expanding a network on the ground requires the ordering of new terminal components and the commissioning of increased bandwidth at each site.
•FLEXIBLE: Satellites can be easily integrated to complement, augment or extend any communications network, helping overcome geographical barriers, terrestrial network limitations and other constraining infrastructure issues.
2. How satellite communications work
A. What is a communications satellite and how does it work?
A communications satellite is a radio relay station in orbit above the earth that receives, amplifies, and redirects analog and digital signals carried on a specific radio frequency.
In addition to communications satellites, there are other types of satellites:
•Weather satellites: These satellites provide meteorologists with scientific data to predict weather conditions and are equipped with advanced instruments
•Earth observation satellites: These satellites allow scientists to gather valuable data about the earth's ecosystem
•Navigation satellites: Using GPS technology these satellites are able to provide a person's exact location on Earth to within a few meters
B. What are the different kinds of orbits?
An orbit is the path that a satellite follows as it revolves around Earth. In terms of commercial satellites, there are three main categories of orbits:
Geosynchronous Orbit (GEO): 35,786 km above the earth
•Orbiting at the height of 22,282 miles above the equator (35,786 km), the satellite travels in the same direction and at the same speed as the Earth's rotation on its axis, taking 24 hours to complete a full trip around the globe. Thus, as long as a satellite is positioned over the equator in an assigned orbital location, it will appear to be "stationary" with respect to a specific location on the Earth.
•A single geostationary satellite can view approximately one third of the Earth's surface. If three satellites are placed at the proper longitude, the height of this orbit allows almost all of the Earth's surface to be covered by the satellites.
Medium Earth Orbit (MEO): 8,000-20,000 km above the earth
•These orbits are primarily reserved for communications satellites that cover the North and South Pole
•Unlike the circular orbit of the geostationary satellites, MEO's are placed in an elliptical (oval-shaped) orbit
Low Earth Orbit (LEO): 500-2,000 km above the earth
•These orbits are much closer to the Earth, requiring satellites to travel at a very high speed in order to avoid being pulled out of orbit by Earth's gravity
•At LEO, a satellite can circle the Earth in approximately one and a half hours
GEO vs. MEO vs. LEO
Most communications satellites in use today for commercial purposes are placed in the geostationary orbit, because of the following advantages:
•One satellite can cover almost 1/3 of Earth's surface, offering a reach far more extensive than what any terrestrial network can achieve
•Communications require the use of fixed antennas. Since geosynchronous satellites remain stationary over the same orbital location, users can point their satellite dishes in the right direction, without costly tracking activities, making communications reliable and secure
•GEO satellites are proven, reliable and secure - with a lifespan of 10-15 years
For a more comprehensive understanding of satellite advantages, see benefits of satellite.
C. Satellite architecture
Communications data passes through a satellite using a signal path known as a transponder. Typically satellites have between 24 and 72 transponders. A single transponder is capable of handling up to 155 million bits of information per second. With this immense capacity, today's communication satellites are an ideal medium for transmitting and receiving almost any kind of content - from simple voice or data to the most complex and bandwidth-intensive video, audio and Internet content.
Diagrammatic Representation of a Satellite
D. Orbital location and footprint
The location of a geostationary satellite is referred to as its orbital location. International satellites are normally measured in terms of longitudinal degrees East (° E) from the Prime Meridian of 0° (for example, Intelsat's IS-805 satellite is currently located at 304.5° E).
The geographic area of the Earth's surface over which a satellite can transmit to, or receive from, is called the satellite's "footprint." The footprint can be tailored to include beams with different frequencies and power levels.
E. Frequency bands and beams
Satellites transmit information within radio frequency bands. The frequency bands most used by satellite communications companies are called C-band and the higher Ku-band. Over the next several years, the use of a higher frequency band known as Ka-band is expected to increase. Modern satellites are designed to focus on different ranges of frequency bands and different power levels at particular geographic areas. These focus areas are called beams. Intelsat offers four beam types:
•Global: covering almost 1/3 of Earth's surface
•Hemi: covering almost 1/6 of Earth's surface
•Zone: covering a large landmass area
•Spot: covering a specific geographic area
F. What is installed on the ground?
All communications with a geostationary satellite require using an earth station or antenna. Earth Stations may be either fixed (installed at a specific location) or mobile for uses such as Satellite News Gathering (SNG) or maritime applications. Antennas range in size, from large telecommunications carrier dishes of 4.5 to 15 meters in diameter, to VSAT antennas which can be as small as under one meter, designed to support services such as Direct to Home TV (DTH) and rural telephony.
The antenna, itself, will generally be connected to equipment indoors called an indoor unit (IDU), which then connects either to the actual communications devices being used, to a Local Area Network (LAN), or to additional terrestrial network infrastructure.
G. Network topologies
Depending on the application, satellites can be used with different ground network designs or network topologies. At its simplest, satellite can support one-direction or two-direction links between two earth stations (called respectively simplex transmission and duplex transmission). More complex communications needs can also be addressed with more sophisticated network topologies, such as star and mesh.
The following examples show some of the options available to customers for configuring their satellite networks:
Simplex Transmission
Applications for simplex services include broadcast transmissions such as:
•TV and video services
•Radio services
Point-to-Point Duplex Transmission
Applications for duplex services include:
•Voice Telephony transport
•Data and IP transport (especially in asymmetric configurations)
•Corporate networks
•TV and Broadcast program contribution and distribution
Point-to-Multipoint Transmission
(May be simplex or duplex, symmetric or asymmetric).
Applications for point-to-multipoint services include:
•Corporate networks, including VSAT services and business television
•Video and broadcast distribution, including Direct-to-Home Internet services
Mobile Antenna Service
Applications for mobile antenna services include:
•Satellite News Gathering
•Special Event Backhaul and Broadcasting
•Maritime services
Star Network
Applications for Star Networks include:
•Corporate Networks
•Distance Learning
Mesh Network
Applications for Mesh Networks include:
•National and International Telephony and Data networks
•Rural Telephony
3. Key factors in considering a satellite solution
Every satellite network is unique and the right choice depends on three key factors:
•The specific application
•The geography of the network
•The volume of traffic required
Intelsat can assist you in determining the best possible customized answer for your organization's networking and communications needs.
Labels: Low Earth Orbit, Medium Earth Orbit, Mobile, Satellite Basic, Simplex
Sunday, November 2, 2008
MALAYSIA: Satellite technology for more efficient forest management
by: New Straits Times Press (Malaysia)
KUALA LUMPUR, Tues. - Forest management, including curbing illegal logging, will be made more efficient with satellite technology under a new project between the Malaysian Centre for Remote Sensing and the Forestry Department Peninsular Malaysia (JPSM).
Under a memorandum signed today, both parties will co-operate in forest resource mapping, forest road planning and tree mapping in all forests nationwide.
Besides monitoring illegal logging, other benefits in these three fields are identifying disaster-prone areas and the inventorising of species.
Macres is to provide remote sensing technology and JPSM is to apply it. The contract will be evaluated and expanded after five years.
"Remote sensing will make enforcement against illegal logging easier and cheaper, instead of depending on forest rangers as we do now," said Science, Technology and Environment Minister Datuk Seri Law Hieng Ding who witnessed the signing.
He said satellite pictures would show if logging had taken place outside permitted areas.
JPSM director-general Datuk Zul Mukhshar Md Shaari said satellite technology would help in deciding where logging tracks should be allowed without harming catchment areas.
"We also hope forest resource mapping can help us identify individual trees according to species for inventory purposes."
Zul Mukhshar said satellite pictures taken in 1970, 1980 and 1990 showed that forest cover had been decreasing.
He said in the peninsula, total forest cover was now at about 5.94 million hectares or 48 per cent of the land surface.
Statistics obtained later from a JPSM researcher showed that this was a decline from 6.27 million hectares in 1990.
He described the yearly rate of decline as insignificant even though forest cover was now much less than a decade ago.
However, Zul Mukhshar said there was an increase in areas gazetted as permanent forest reserves in the peninsula.
There are now some 4.85 million hectares of such reserves, representing 36.8 per cent of land area.
"Though total forest cover is less due to development, there are now more forest reserves and hopefully they can be maintained."
Macres director Nik Nasruddin Mahmood said forest monitoring could be done more consistently when the centre's ground receiving station in Temerloh opened by the end of next year.
With the station, Macres will not have to request for satellite images from foreign satellite owners and wait several months before receiving them.
Forests.org users agree to the Full Disclaimer as a condition for use. Viewing and/or downloading of this information on these terms only.
KUALA LUMPUR, Tues. - Forest management, including curbing illegal logging, will be made more efficient with satellite technology under a new project between the Malaysian Centre for Remote Sensing and the Forestry Department Peninsular Malaysia (JPSM).
Under a memorandum signed today, both parties will co-operate in forest resource mapping, forest road planning and tree mapping in all forests nationwide.
Besides monitoring illegal logging, other benefits in these three fields are identifying disaster-prone areas and the inventorising of species.
Macres is to provide remote sensing technology and JPSM is to apply it. The contract will be evaluated and expanded after five years.
"Remote sensing will make enforcement against illegal logging easier and cheaper, instead of depending on forest rangers as we do now," said Science, Technology and Environment Minister Datuk Seri Law Hieng Ding who witnessed the signing.
He said satellite pictures would show if logging had taken place outside permitted areas.
JPSM director-general Datuk Zul Mukhshar Md Shaari said satellite technology would help in deciding where logging tracks should be allowed without harming catchment areas.
"We also hope forest resource mapping can help us identify individual trees according to species for inventory purposes."
Zul Mukhshar said satellite pictures taken in 1970, 1980 and 1990 showed that forest cover had been decreasing.
He said in the peninsula, total forest cover was now at about 5.94 million hectares or 48 per cent of the land surface.
Statistics obtained later from a JPSM researcher showed that this was a decline from 6.27 million hectares in 1990.
He described the yearly rate of decline as insignificant even though forest cover was now much less than a decade ago.
However, Zul Mukhshar said there was an increase in areas gazetted as permanent forest reserves in the peninsula.
There are now some 4.85 million hectares of such reserves, representing 36.8 per cent of land area.
"Though total forest cover is less due to development, there are now more forest reserves and hopefully they can be maintained."
Macres director Nik Nasruddin Mahmood said forest monitoring could be done more consistently when the centre's ground receiving station in Temerloh opened by the end of next year.
With the station, Macres will not have to request for satellite images from foreign satellite owners and wait several months before receiving them.
Forests.org users agree to the Full Disclaimer as a condition for use. Viewing and/or downloading of this information on these terms only.
Labels: Satellites
Using satellite technology to enhance life
by:M. VEERA PANDIYAN
BANGALORE: Malaysia is set to use satellite technology in education, agriculture, fisheries and telemedicine, to further improve incomes and the quality of life of its people, especially those in rural areas.
Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak, who ended his week-long tour to India with a visit to the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) here yesterday, said he was very impressed by the application of the technology in India.
“We are looking at initiating a formal cooperation with ISRO in various areas,” he said.
While ISRO’s main focus is the development of satellites, launch rockets, ground systems and remote sensing programmes, its technology has been extended to help bridge the huge development gap between urban and rural India.
Many Indians in rural areas now have access to distance education, health care and telemedicine diagnosis, crop yield projections and even fish catches from the sea, through the use of ISRO’s satellites and remote village sensing centres.
The technology is also relied on to identify groundwater for bore wells, soil stability studies, prevention of landslides and disaster area management.
Najib, who is also Defence Minister, said the Government would also consider India’s missile technology, radar systems, defence communication systems and support hardware offered through state-owned company Bharat Electronics Ltd.
“Mindef will look at the suitability of the systems for our defence needs,” he added.
Najib and his entourage, including Works Minister Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu, Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Datuk Seri Dr Jamaluddin Jarjis and senior Mindef officials, earlier visited the company’s headquarters, where they were shown state-of-the-art electronic warfare systems.
On the IT industry, Najib said Malaysia wanted to be closely linked to Bangalore-based global Indian software giants such as Infosys Technologies and Wipro Technologies.
“Towards this, the Multimedia Development Corporation (MDEC) has been asked to set up an office here,” he said.
“We have to keep abreast of the software industry, and respond quickly and correctly to current needs and requirements.
“We want them to invest in Malaysia, especially in the huge shared services and outsourcing (SSO) sector. We can benefit from the potential growth of the industry.”
He said Infosys, which had withdrawn plans to set up its disaster data back-up recovery centre because of bureaucratic obstacles, was still keen on investing in Malaysia.
Najib said efforts would be taken immediately to resolve such problems in future.
BANGALORE: Malaysia is set to use satellite technology in education, agriculture, fisheries and telemedicine, to further improve incomes and the quality of life of its people, especially those in rural areas.
Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak, who ended his week-long tour to India with a visit to the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) here yesterday, said he was very impressed by the application of the technology in India.
“We are looking at initiating a formal cooperation with ISRO in various areas,” he said.
While ISRO’s main focus is the development of satellites, launch rockets, ground systems and remote sensing programmes, its technology has been extended to help bridge the huge development gap between urban and rural India.
Many Indians in rural areas now have access to distance education, health care and telemedicine diagnosis, crop yield projections and even fish catches from the sea, through the use of ISRO’s satellites and remote village sensing centres.
The technology is also relied on to identify groundwater for bore wells, soil stability studies, prevention of landslides and disaster area management.
Najib, who is also Defence Minister, said the Government would also consider India’s missile technology, radar systems, defence communication systems and support hardware offered through state-owned company Bharat Electronics Ltd.
“Mindef will look at the suitability of the systems for our defence needs,” he added.
Najib and his entourage, including Works Minister Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu, Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Datuk Seri Dr Jamaluddin Jarjis and senior Mindef officials, earlier visited the company’s headquarters, where they were shown state-of-the-art electronic warfare systems.
On the IT industry, Najib said Malaysia wanted to be closely linked to Bangalore-based global Indian software giants such as Infosys Technologies and Wipro Technologies.
“Towards this, the Multimedia Development Corporation (MDEC) has been asked to set up an office here,” he said.
“We have to keep abreast of the software industry, and respond quickly and correctly to current needs and requirements.
“We want them to invest in Malaysia, especially in the huge shared services and outsourcing (SSO) sector. We can benefit from the potential growth of the industry.”
He said Infosys, which had withdrawn plans to set up its disaster data back-up recovery centre because of bureaucratic obstacles, was still keen on investing in Malaysia.
Najib said efforts would be taken immediately to resolve such problems in future.
Labels: Satellites
