An overview of VSAT Networks AbstractThe role of the satellite communication in global networks is growing at a matchless pace.

Satellite for communication services have evolved quite appreciably in power and size since the launch of first satellite. This has endorsed a subsequent reduction in size of the earth stations, their cost, with a consequent increase in number. Small stations, with antennas in the order of 1 to 2m, have become very popular under the short form S!T, which stands for "#very small aperture terminal##. ery small aperture terminal networks have ability to provide point to multipoint communication. $ata rates on the links are from a thousand bits per second up to 2%&kbps, depending on traffic requirements. S!T networks provide fle'ible choice of capacity that is suitable for growth. (ey advantage of S!T systems are to link stores and businesses to central operation systems, so that transactions can be completed more rapidly than by using a modem and telephone line. S!T technology offers many advantages and benefits over conventional networks. This paper will make easy for reader to gain more basics of S!T networks. This )aper present the S!T networks configuration and options, give brief description about $emand and *i'ed assignments, bands used by S!T#s their advantages and drawbacks, S!T applications and types of traffic and finally in the ending future developments of S!T technology. (ey +ords, S!T, -ub station, remote terminals, star network, conventional networks

INTRODUCTION
The first section aims at providing the introductions and the different aspects of S!T, which are e'plained briefly. This section can also be considered as a reader guide to the following section which aims at providing more detail in the most important issues.

1.1 VSAT Networks ;

S!T stands for "#very small aperture terminal## . S!T equipment consists of two main units, one is placed indoor for user communication device and the second one is placed outdoor for a line of sight to the satellite. The indoor unit is a small bo' contains of transmitter and receiver boards and interface to user#s equipment. The outdoor unit consists of antenna, electronics and mount for signal transmission and reception. S!T is becoming more important for long distance data communications and low density voice. S!T networks were in rapid growth in 1../s in the 0nited States. 1ost of the businesses adopted S!T networks for the communication and transmission of data as an alternative to data systems and terrestrial telephone then available. 2rowth of S!T in ne't decade is e'pected to see operating in (a band as a new 3/42/ 2-z 256 satellites become available. The available S!T technology offers many advantages and benefits over conventional networks, including lower operating cost, support for multi services, ease of

installation and maintenance, the ability to bring location where the cost of leased line is very high into the telecommunication loops, and the integration of S!T into a single network to provide a cost effective e'pansion from smaller to larger systems.

1.1.1 VSAT Feat res!

S!T networks uses very small dish antennas therefore, in order to employ the &47 82-z frequency band it has to utilize the spread spectrum also called 9$1! code division multiple access: technique to reduce the signal power spectral density. This is due to the interference produced for using the same band as terrestrial microwave transmission does. !lternatively the 17412 2-z frequency band may be utilized ;if available: which provide satellite capacity with much more efficiency although as we know, with the rain as old enemy. Star S!T network at 281bps are now available using Single 9hannel )er 9arrier ;S9)9: access which is provided by most of the vendors however, occasionally , T$1! ;Time division multiple access: technique is also used. S!T are connected by radio frequency link via satellite. Those links are radio frequency link with a so8called uplink from the station to the satellite and so8called downlink from station to station, sometime called hop consists of an uplink and downlink.

1.1." U#$ink
! radio frequency link is modulated carrier conveying information. <asically the satellite receives the uplink carriers from the transmitting earth station within the field of view of its receiving antenna.

1.1.% Down$ink
+ithin the field of view Transponder amplifies those carriers, translates their frequency to a lower band in order to avoid possible output4input interference, and transmits the amplified carrier to the station located of its transmitting antenna.

1." VSAT Network Arc&itect res

*or any telecommunication services there are three basic implementations services, one8way, split8two8way ;referred to as split8=) sometimes, when referring to internet traffic: and two8way implementation. *urther division of two8way implementation are star and mesh network architectures.

One-'a( I)#$e)entation
This mode of satellite is used in the <SS ;broadcast satellite service:. This digital technology allows the user and provider much fle'ibility in the operations of broadcasting. <y using different software in the user terminals, different subscribers can access different parts of the downlink according to programs offered by suppliers. This channel selection form is called narrowcasting

S#$it-Two-'a( *S#$it I+, I)#$e)entation

This implementation is used when there is no normal return channel as, e.g. The (08<SS ;broadcast satellite service: systems that carry internet traffic. *rom the user end terminal uplink capability is not complemented by high capacity downlink stream relatively. =f the <SS downlink is used as the download channel from an =S) ;=nternet service provider:, the only option left for users return link is via another telecommunications channel, such as telephone line. The =nternet protocol is therefore split between terrestrial telephone ;inbound or return: channel and satellite downlink ;outbound: channel. S!T terminal does not require a transmit capability due to this approach, which significantly reduces its comple'ity and cast. The disadvantage of this approach is that the terrestrial telephone connection must usually be through a modem, with a bit rate generally less than or %&kbps.

Two-'a( I)#$e)entation
! return link is designed in this implementation method so that two way communications can be set up over the same satellite, from the user to hub and from the hub back to the user. The architecture selected is the key to the economics of two way connections> it can be either star or mesh.

1.% VSAT Network O#tions

<asically there are two network options.

1. Star!
=n Star network architecture, all traffic is routed via the main hub station. =f a S!T want to communicate with another S!T, they have to go through the hub station. This makes double hop link via the satellite. This architecture is referred to as Star network as shown in diagram.

". -es&!
=n 1esh network architecture, each of the S!T s has the ability to communicate with each other directly. The traffic in this architecture can go to or from any S!T, is referred to as a 1esh network as shown in diagram. The factor shows which architecture is appropriate than the others one, ? The structure of information flow within the network. ? The requested link quality and capacity. ? The transmission delay.

1.%.1 Str ct re of Infor)ation F$ow

S!T network can support different type of application and each has an optimum network configuration.

.roa/castin0!
! central site distributes information to many remote sites with no back flow of information. -ence a start shaped one8way network supports the service at the lowest cost.

Cor#orate Network!
1ost often companies have a centralized structure with administration and management performed at a central site, and manufacturing or sales performed at site scattered over a geographical area information from the remote sites needs to be gathered at the central site has to be distributed to the remote ones, such as task sharing. Such an information flow can be partially supported by a start one8way S!T @etwork.

Interactivit( .etween Distrib te/ Sites!

6ther companies or organization with decentralised structure are more likely to compromise many interacting one with a meshed S!T network using direct single hop connections from S!T to S!T is hence mostly desirable.

Tab$e 1.%." 1ink 2 a$it( an/ Ca#acit(

The link considered here is the link from the transmitting to the receiving one. Such a link may comprise several parts. *or instance a single hop link would comprise an uplink and downlink> a double hop link would comprise two single hop links, one being inbound and outbound. *ig 1.3 indicates the general trend which relates 5=A) to 24T in a S!A network, considering a given baseband signal quality in term of constant <5A. 5=A) designates the equivalent isotropic radiated power of the transmitting equipment and 24T is the figure of merit of the receiving equipment. B <5A8<it 5rror rate B 5=A)85mitted isotropic radiated power B 24T *igure of merit.

1.%.% Trans)ission De$a(

+ith a single hop link from S!T in a humbles network, the propagation delay is about /.2%s. +ith a double hop from S!T to S!T via the hub, the propagation delay is twice as much, i.e. about /.%s. $ouble hop may be a problem for voice communication. -owever, it is not a severe problem for video or data transmission. Table 1.2 summarizes the above discussion given the 5=A) and 24T values for a S!T, the designer can decide for both a large delay from S!T to

S!T and a large capacity or a small delay and a lower capacity, by implementing either a start network, or mesh one.

Tab$e1." C&aracteristics confi0 ration. 1.3 4eostationar( Sate$$ite

of

star

an/

)es&

network

The Satellite orbiting in the equatorial plane of the earth at an altitude above the earth surface of 22/// miles are known as geostationary satellite. The orbit period at this altitude is equal to that of the rotation of earth. !s the satellite works on its circular orbit in the same direction as the earth rotates, the satellite appears from any station on the ground as the fi'ed relay in the sky, the satellite can be used 27 hours a day as a permanent relay for the uplink radio frequency carrier. Those carriers are down linked to all earth station from the satellite. )resent S!T networks use geostationary satellites

1.3.1 Fi5e/ an/ De)an/ Assi0n)ent

There are two basic alternatives a. *i'ed assignment of channel b. $emand assignment of channel @eeds are shared between the two following e'treme cases. a. -igh capacity links between a few international transit centres. b. Cow capacity links between a large numbers of small low traffic stations, sometimes only necessitating a single channel.

1.3.1.1 Fi5e/ Assi0n)ent

*i'ed assignment is best applied to high capacity commercial system. This approach is not appropriate for low traffic links such as are encountered in many national system where isolated villages are distributed over vast areas with little infrastructure. So links are often pre assigned on the basis of small number of voice channels per carrier, or even only one channel per carrier;S9)9, Single channel per carrier:. 5ach carrier uses a very narrow band, and the spacing between two carriers can be as small as few tens of (-z, compared with frequencies of 7,&,11 and 17 2-z. This possesses a problem with the stability of the received frequency. The problem with fi'ed assignment S9)9 is that an unused channel cannot be used to establish any other link. The less each circuit is used, the greater the penalty. $emand assignment offer a solution where channels are pooled, and so one channel can be assigned to a link between two stations Dust for the duration of the communication.

1.6 7U- .an/ Verses C-.an/

The ery small aperture terminal networks are available now in both 12417 and &47 2-z bands. The first business S!T system was introduced by equatorial communication company operating in &87 2-z band. Spread spectrum technology used by this system reduces the power flu' density of the transmitted signal and thus avoids interference to adDacent &47 2-z terrestrial microwave and &47 2-z satellite systems. The spread spectrum signal is spread by sequence or pseudo noise code over a bandwidth of satellite that is much wider than the bandwidth of the data. The received signal correlates with receiving equipment with the same )@ code with the same )@ code to e'tract the data which is transmitted. The single hope architecture is used by equatorial S!T network. The severe interference limitations at &47 2-z band even with spread spectrum technology can cause any spread spectrum S!T network to use the satellite capacity inefficiently, and the link data rate is consequently low. The common effectiveness for a &47 2-z S!T network is appro'imate to be less than /./3 b4s -z and the average data rate is less than ..&kb4s. The ineffectiveness of spread spectrum S!T networks at the &47 2-z band has provoked adverse criticism. 0nquestionably spread spectrum systems use transponder bandwidth inefficiently. <ut without the use of spread spectrum signals there could be no &47 2-z. The S!T price with small dish antenna as small as /.& m in diameter at a probable price of less than 73// pounds4 E F/// per terminal. =t is likely that the market place will decide how the satellite bandwidth is going to be used. The situation is diverse for S!T networks operating in the 17412 2-z band which are free of terrestrial microwave interference. =n the 0S, the *99 ;*ederal communication union: has calm licensing requirements for relatively larger S!T networks ;appro'imately %// terminals: operating in 17412 2-z band. =n this band, S!T networks can be planned to take advantage of the higher power flu density allowed and the lack of earthly interference. They can offer data rate of %& kb4s or more using dish antennas with diameters of 1 to 2 m. *or the same antenna diameter, the antenna gains in the 17412 2-z are appro'imately F.7db for transmit and ..% db for receive higher than those in &47 2-z band. !lternatively the attenuation caused by heavy rain will be much higher at 17412 2-z band than at &47 2-z band, and therefore the S!T networks operating at the high frequency band undergo more and larger outages.

Tab$e 1.% of A/vanta0es an/ Drawbacks of C an/ 7U ban/.

98 <and (08<and !dvantages $rawbacks !dvantages $raw backs =t allows the use of smaller dishes. =t causes fading during rain. !ttenuation from & db to 1/ db Signal less susceptible to rain fading. Aain attenuation in the range of /.7 to 1 db.

@eeds slightly larger dishes as compared to (u band. -igh transponder power @ot available everywhere in the world +idely available Cow transponder power @arrow beam coverage +ider and even global beam coverage Cess terrestrial interference -igher likely hood of terrestrial interference

1.8 VSAT Network .enefits9 A##$ication an/ T(#es! 1. .enefits of VSAT Networks.
*rom the application perspective, S!T networks offer the many benefits as follows B +ide range of voice, video and data applications. B Aobust and proven technology with high user satisfaction B Guicker network deployment B $irect and rapid access to telecommunications B Aapid response to market needs, because of ease of e'pansion B 5ase of maintenance and reliability =t is not amazing that S!T networks are being installed to resolve many telecommunication challenges. S!T networks remain more effective and reasonable than terrestrial solutions S!T network have both 9ivilian and military applications.

Civi$ian VSAT Networks ". Services s ##orte/ b( VSAT Networks *One 'a( an/ Two 'a(,.

One 'a( VSAT Networks

H Stock market and other news broadcasting H Training or continuing education at distance H $istribution of financial trends and analyses H =ntroduce new products at geographically dispersed locations H 0pdate market related data, news and catalogue prices H $istribute video or T programs H $istribute music in store and public areas H Aelay advertising to electronic signs in retail stores

Two 'a( VSAT Networks

H =nteractive computer transactions H Cow rate video conferencing H $ata base inquiries H <ank transactions, !T1 machines H $istributed remote process control and telemetry H Aeservation systems H oice communications H 5mergency services H 5lectronic funds transfer at point of sale H 58mail H 1edical data transfer H Sales monitoring and stock control H Satellite news gathering ;S@2:

1.: T(#es Of Traffic

$epending on the service the traffic flow between the hub and the S!Ts may have different characteristics and requirements.

Data Transfer or .roa/castin0

Typically displays file transfers of 181// 1 bytes of data. This kind of service is not only delay sensitive but requires a high integrity of the data, which are transferred. 5'ample of application is computer download and distribution of data remote sites.

Interactive Data
=nteractive data is a two8way service corresponding to several transactions per minutes and per terminal of single packets %/ to 2%/ bytes long on both inbound and outbound links. The required response time is typically a few seconds. 5'ample of applications is bank transactions and electronic funds transfer at point of sale.

In; ir( <Res#onse

=nquiry 4 response are a two8way service corresponding to several transactions per minute and terminal. =nbound packets ;typically 3/81// bytes:. The required response time is typically a few seconds 5'ample of applications is airline or hotel reservations and database inquiries.

S #ervisor( Contro$ an/ Data Ac; isition

Supervisor control and data acquisition ;S9!$!: is a two way service corresponding to one transaction per second or minute per terminal. =nbound packets ;typically 1// bytes: are longer than outbound packets ;typically 1/ bytes:. The required response time ranges from a few seconds to a few minutes. +hat are most important in the high security level, and the low power consumption the terminalI 5'ample of applications control and monitoring of pipelines, offshore platforms, electric utilities and water resources.

1.:.1 -i$itar( VSAT Network

1ilitary forces in the world have adopted S!T networks indeed the inherent fle'ibility in the deployment of S!T s makes them a valuable means to install temporary communication link between small units in the battlefield and headquarters located near the hub. 1ore over the topology of a star shaped network fits well into the natural information flow between field units and command base. *requency bands are at J8band, with uplinks in the F..8K.7 2-z band and downlinks in the F.2%8F.F% 2-z bands.

II F t re =n&ance)ent
The aim of this chapter is to discuss briefly possible future developments of S!T technology.

".1 1AN Interconnection

S!T network provide an appropriate solution for typically burst C!@ traffic, while retaining the ability to broadcast the same information, such as databases or application updates, to the number of remote sites. The C!@4 S!T interface must support all the end8to8end function required by the C!@s and their applications. *or instance, the C!@4 S!T interface must have the ability to automatically learn addresses on the locally attached C!@S, filter traffic on the C!@ and only forward over the satellite link those messages destined for a terminal residing a distant C!@, attached either to the hub or to another S!T to another, enabling communication between landsite hub act as a central switch, switching traffic received from one remote C!@ to the C!@ on which the addressed terminal resides.

"." - ti)e/ia
!s of now, most e'isting C!@s are not suitable for the transmission of delay sensitive traffic such as voice or video. So separate local networks are needed to support these. S!T networks are able to interconnect both types of networks. =n the future4present the end user will ask for a combination of services including te't, graphics , video , audio and possibly animation, on a desktop personal computer, and the separate local networks for data and voice attached to the S!Ts will merge into a single one. =n any case, candidate satellite link protocols should be able to simultaneously support two types of traffic.

> Strea) Traffic

Typical for e'change of information such as voice and video processed in real time between and systems producing a continuous flow of bits with low tolerance for delay, Ditter, etc therefore usually supported by circuit8switched networks.

> . rst Traffic

Typical for e'change of digital data between computers based and systems, storing or processing those data not in real time, and best suited for packet oriented technologies.

".% -obi$e Services

The trend towards smaller S!T earth stations, when capable of offering the user a higher level of sophistication and large set of functionalities than those offered by the foreseen more simple portable or handset terminals of mobile satellite systems.

=a)#$es of s c& ter)ina$s co $/ be

B <riefcase portable office, such a terminal would offer the functionality of a laptop multimedia with facilities equivalent to those provided by basic rate =S$@ communications. Therefore, the user would be provided by possible simultaneous voice, data and low rate video connections, referring to the well established architecture of a traditional S!T station, one could imagine the outdoor unit as a briefcase and indoor unit in the form of a standard multimedia laptop computer. 9onnections between the laptop and the satellite terminal could be wired as with today#s S!Ts or more conveniently wireless, with the laptop possibly functioning

independently of its associated briefcase while being plugged into the terrestrial =S$@ access where available.

Conc$ sion
6wning to the fle'ibility of S!T systems and their ability to cater directly to customer requirements, continuous rapid growth in installations is e'pected worldwide. The main advantages of S!T systems are their fle'ibility and ease of installation. The established terrestrial network is certain to e'pand its coverage progressively, and in fi'ed configurations between large population centres it will provide the most efficient means of communications. S!Ts, rather like motorcars are relatively inefficient in their use of resources, but are very convenient and fle'ible. +ith the relentless yearly increase in global demand for telecommunication services, further innovative developments in S!T systems are assured.

I)#$e)entations of VSAT
9urrently, the largest S!T network consists of over 12,/// sites and is administered by Spacenet and 19= for the 0S )ostal Service ;0S)S:. +algreens )harmacy, $ollar 2eneral, 9 S, Aiteaid, +al81art, LumM <rands ;such as Taco <ell, )izza -ut, Cong Nohn Silver#s, and other fast food chains:, 2T59, S2=, and =ntralot also utilizes large S!T networks. 1any huge car corporations such as *ord and 2eneral 1otors also utilizes the S!T technology, such as transmitting and receiving sales figures and orders, along with announcing international communications, service bulletins, and for distance learning courses. !n e'ample of this is the O*ordStar @etwork.O Two way satellite =nternet providers also use the S!T technology. 9ompanies like Star<and, +ild<lue, and -ughes@et in the 0nited States and SatCyn', <luestream, and Technologie Satelitarne in 5urope, and many other broadband services around the world in rural areas where high speed =nternet connections cannot be provided use it too. ! statistic from $ecember 2//7 showed that over a million S!Ts were in place.