Paper7

SATELLITE PHONES

J.NITIN KUMAR K.SNEHAL KUMAR

P.INDRA REDDY MEM ENGG C OLL P.INDRA REDDY MEM ENGG C OLL

nitin_wordlife@yahoo.com snehal.gallu@gmail.com

ABSTRACT

As the world shrinks and remote sensing means quite literally that satellite phones are no longer a
blue chip executive play things. Satellite phone is a mobile phone whose call takes place through a
satellite via gateways on the earth.

The major satellite phone manufacturers are Iridium, Inmarsat, Thuraya, Globalstar. Each of them
have different technologies and constellations to provide global coverage like Inmarsat uses
Telenor , Iridium uses cross linking technology with Low Earth Orbits . World C ommunication
C enter (WC C ) , Satellite System Distributions (SSD) are major service providers for all satellite
phones. With a mobile satellite phone the familiar ‘no service' or ‘no coverage' are things of past.
They provide superior digital voice quality, services like SMS , e-mail , broadband internet
facilities regardless of geographical location where you're on the earth. Its applications also
include providing coverage in rock climbing & mountaineering , adventure holidays , off shore
sailing.

A caller uses a Globalstar mode to place a call via the satellite to one or more gateways. Gateway
routes the call to the existing phone network (like PLMN). PLMN routes the call to the intended
reciever & thus the call is completed ! The call duration , service used , service area are reported
to the service provider for billing .

Iridium uses 66 satellites whereas Globalstar uses 48 to provide global coverage . Inmarsat uses
Telenor service in geosynchronous orbit 22,300 miles above the earth. Qualcomm Globalstar
provides flexibility for users to select Globalstar mode only when he needs it i.e., when he is out
of cellular coverage or else he can use a standard cellular call mode or a digital call (C DMA) . In
addition to voice and data transmission satellite phones also provide position tracking . Globalstar
is supporting 1,10,000 subscribers while Iridium has 1,00,000 .

Inspite of many advantages provided by satellite phones there is also a criticism that they are
provided at higher costs . Several manufacturers like Mobell provide solution for this problem by
providing satellite phones on rental basis . Those who take journeys over oceans frequently &
those who need roaming facilities for their frequent foreign trips are using these rental facilities.

The wonderful property of satellite phone is that they can be tracked easily. May be due to the
same reason Iraq banned satellite phones so that it would be easier to identify ‘infiltrating'
transmissions. Satellite phones can also be used for rescue functions in mining . Global Positioning
Systems (GPS) uses 24 satellites for positioning on ground , air, sea at anytime , anywhere. So
information regarding availability of mines in particular area or any other resources can be
positioned using them & sent to satellite phones via satellites. This analysis is not in use still. but if
implemented , time can be saved & risks can be avoided. The last but not least application is seen
in global business transactions, where video conferencing is a must . Video satellite phones
provide this facility.

Thus all these services and wonderful functions are provided by satellite phones anytime ,
anywhere globally without any coverage area problem.

INTRODUC TION

As the world shrinks and remote working means quite literally that : remote, satellite phones are
no longer blue chip executive play things. Today, satellite phones are increasingly becoming just
another key part of the tool-kit for the roving road warrior.

It was happened some years ago, a mother spoke with her son who serves in the peace corps in
a remote locale in the tropical rain forest in Ecuador where the conversation is not via
conventional telephony for there are no landlines and not through cell phones. But it was through
a satellite phone unlike standard – issue GSM cell phones which rely solely on line of sight to a
mast, the mobile satellite phone is no one – trick pony like its cellular cousin. They work
regardless of geographical location, wherever you're on earth. With a mobile satellite phone the
familiar ‘ no service ' messages are

things of past.

Its applications are:

Rock-climbing and mountaineering

Independent travel in exotic or ‘off the beaten track' locations

Adventure holidays

Offshore sailing

Mobile or remote working

Marine shipping communications

Mining

Aircraft communications

Military / Defense

Forestry

Oil & Gas

OVERVIEW OF A GLOBALSTAR PHONE C ALL:

1 .A caller uses a Globalstar mode on to place a call via the satellite to one or more gateways.

2. Gateway routes the call to the existing phone network in the case indicated, a public land
mobile network (PLMN).

3. PLMN routes the call to the intended receiver. The call is completed!

4. The call duration, service used and service area is reported to the service provider for billing.

The Globalstar system supports phones that are ANSI-41 based and GSM based over the common
Globalstar air interface (GAI) allows an ANSI-41 user to roam to an area served by GSM or
viceversa. The Globalstar gateway provides the ANSI-41 capability. Each gateway serving an area
governed by GSM contains a GSM MSC .

Although each gateway includes both ANSI-41 and GSM capability, each type of phone only
supports one of these standards, when a subscriber with a dual-mode GSM phones roams to North
America his/her phone will operate in Globalstar mode. When the Gateway receives the signal
from the satellite , it will be routed to the GSM MSC for processing. The phone will continue to
operate using GSM protocols. Similarly if a subscriber with ANSI-41 mode phone roams to Europe,
the phone will operate in Globalstar mode using ANSI-41 protocols.

The majority used satellite phones are from Iridium, Inmarsat, Thuraya, Globalstar. Fundamental
technology being that call comes via satellite phone, shot up through the atmosphere and
transmitted via communications satellites in Low Earth Orbit. The major service providers for
these phones are Satellite Systems Distribution (SSD), World C ommunication C enter (WC C ).

IRIDIUM

Iridium phones are smaller and cheaper than Inmarst and costs from $700 US. Iridium uses a
cross linking architecture in which a signal is passed between satellites until it reaches one of two
gateways on earth which then routes call via landlines. It uses a constellation of 66 satellites to
provide global coverage with 1, 00,000 subscribers. Surprising thing is that sending of text
messages to them is free for both sender and recipient

Sending of 1 paged email costs less than $ 1 US. It works on top of a mountain, inside mines,
inside closed building offering a communication solution independent of location.

INMARSAT

Inmarsat satellite phones uses Telenor Satellite Services INC ., Services in geosynchronous orbit
22,300 miles above the earth. Inmarsat maintains Land Earth Stations in C alifornia , Norway and
some places that send receive and manage satellite signals worldwide.

QUALC OMM GLOBALSTAR

Qualcomm Globalstar Satellite phones are trimode operated in which caller has his/her own choice
of making a call which gives flexibility of keeping charges low & pays for Globalstar Service only
when he needs it.

The C hoices are:

A standard cellular call

A digital call (C DMA)

A Globalstar communication system call.

The major advantages are:

-C ompatibility with existing AMPS & C DMA

-Superior digital voice quality

-Globalstar mode when you're not within cell coverage and thus providing service any where in
world.

Globalstar operates its own constellation of 48 satellites using a bent-pipe architecture like a U –
shaped pipe that relays satellite signals up and down to closet of 25 gateways maintained at
international locations on earth. More than, 1,10,000 subscribers are using it for its superiority in
services like voice, SMS, position location, Data transmission.

Satellite System Distributors are specialist wholesalers and stockists and service providers for
Iridium, Thuraya, Inmarsat and Globalstar. C redit goes to SSD in providing route tracking for
Thrane & Thrane fleet sailed by Ellen MacArthur who swept to victory in Trans Atlantic solo race.

World C ommunication C enter is another provider of world wide solutions. Iridium satellite phones,
accessories, Iridium data solutions, global asset tracking and rental programming along with a
suite of broad bank satellite internet options. It offers dedicated customer services to each
incoming request.

In spite of many advantages provided by satellite phones there is also a criticism that they are
provided at higher costs. There is a solution for this. Several manufacturers and Mobell provides
satellite phones on rental basis. It proves to be of immense help to those who take overseas'
travels frequently or those who need roaming facility for foreign countries. A solar panel is
available for charging satellite phone in remote areas. The Uni pack solar panel is tough light
weight, shatter proof, capable of charging satellite phone in 2 – 4 hours.

The latest rush in news is Iraqi Government banned satellite phones. Iraqi Television carried on
official appeal to the population to hand over their satellite phones so it is easier to identify
‘infiltrating' transmission. The Government ordered two of its reporters to leave the country for
disobeying this and considered anyone using satellite phones as spy. The wonderful property of
position tracking is responsible for this.

There is another side for this. It is that their location, position can be traced exactly. It is proved
to be of immense help in mining. It happens in mines, when people working goes inside pit may
close. If one of them have had a satellite phone, then rescue message can be sent. After
reception, it can be traced easily. This is supported by service providers of satellite phone also.

World's 63% of energy needs are met from coal. In tracking coal mines GPS using satellite
phones may pave a good way. Global positioning system consists of 24 satellites which have 12
hour periods so that they are available for observations for positioning on ground, sea, air at any
time throughout the year anywhere in world.

Their advantages are:

Inter – visibility between points is not required.

All – weather operation

Day and night operation

Distances up to thousands of kilometer can be measured

Fast and economical method.

If one is able to track mine location using GPS receivers and then transmit, the same to satellite
phones, because no cell phones work inside mines, but satellite phones functions effectively, then
without digging or going deeper, one can know availability of mines. This saves time and
eliminates risk.

The latest development in satellite phones is satellite video phones. Recently, they placed a major
role in Iraq War. Live pictures, with bombs and bullets flying around gave world wide TV
audiences an unprecedented view of war unfolding. In today's business world face to face physical
meeting is a problem since, they are scattered over globe. Some may be in one part of globe and
some be traveling over oceans, etc. But they need some deal or transaction which is to take place
lively or face to face. Video conferencing through video satellite phones is the best solution.

Thus satellite phones provide a global coverage using satellites through gateways. Many
technologies like video conferencing can be added to it. Usage of GPS or GIS in them makes them
unbeatable in fields of mining, oil and Gas. They can also replace conventional beackoning
systems in Mountaineering. It doesn't matter wherever you're.

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