Volume V, No. VII July-August 2019 2019
Table of Contents Industry Trends and Analysis: (pg. 3) Patee Sarasin, former CEO of Nok Air: "Unlocking the Riches of In-flight Wi-Fi" (pg. 4) David Bruner, former V.P. Panasonic Avionics: "Buckle Up! :Turbulence Ahead in Airline Connectivity Markets" (pg. 15) "The Promise of the New Iridium and Aireon Services: Big Advancements in Air Traffic Management on the Horizon" (pg. 26) Ernst Peter Hovinga, CEO Hiber: "Disrupting the Satellite IoT Connectivity Market: The Promise of Hiber" (p.31) "Upcoming and Recommended Satellite Mobility Events" Pg. 38)
Gottlieb's
Highlighting Disruptive, New, Mobility-Focused Satellite Ventures and Technologies
In This Issue...
Editorially Speaking... "Few Ways Out: Mega LEO Constellations and the Rush to Mobility Markets" "SD-WAN and The Race to All Digital Satellite Networks" with J.P. Hemingway, SES Networks CEO "Iridium and the NEXT Generation in Aircraft Communication" with Michael Hooper, Iridium "An Innovative, Big Data Platform for Aircraft" with T.J. Horsager, APiJet "The New, Nationsat-Curvalux Initiative for Rural Broadband" with Tom Choi
Satellite mobility World
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Table of Contents... "Hot News and Commentary" (pg.3) Editorial : "Few Ways Out: The Mega LEO Constellations amd the Rush to Mobility" (pg. 5) "SD-WAN and the Coming All -Digital Networks" with SES Networks CEO, J.P. Hemingway (pg. 10) "Iridium and the NEXT Generation in Aircraft Communications" with Iridium's General Manager of Aviation, Michael Hooper (pg. 21) " An Innovative, Big Data Platform for Aircraft" with T.J. Horsager of APiJet (pg. 31) "The New, Nationsat-Curvalux Initiative for Rural Broadband " with Tom Choi (pg. 39) Recommended Upcoming Industry Events (Pg. 47)
Welcome to the July-August 2019 issue of Satellite Mobility World. In an interview with J.P. Hemingway, SES Network's CEO, we're focusing on the coming transition to all-digital satellite networks. We're also covering exciting developments in aircraft communications and Big Data Analytics with Iridium's Michael Hooper and APiJet's T.J. Horsager. Next, you don't want to miss out on what Thomas Choi is doing with his Curvalux infrastructure. Now, he's created Nationsat, an inexpensive GEO satellite, to deliver high-speed broadband to unserved rural communities via Curvalux ground infrastructure. Not only does he claim his solution is capable of providing 300 Gigabytes per/month to a user for $5 per/month, it uses only a fraction of the electric power of a conventional diesel-powered cell site. Turning to this month's editorial section, you may recall that last month we dealt a blow to the mega LEO plan to market satellite broadband to billions of the unserved poor. Now, like O3b, we hear rumors that OneWeb is shifting its target markets to mobility and other niches where customers can pay. To find out what the potential is today for LEO low latency services in niche markets, we review O3b's successes and look at the potential for success for OneWeb and Starlink, as they attempt to employ a similar strategy - focusing on maritime, aeronautical and energy markets. Join us for a look at some of the "hottest" emerging trends and products in the satellite market. Gottlieb's Satellite and Mobility World is published monthly (except August) by Gottlieb International Group., Inc. Suite 100, 1209 South Frederick Street, Arlington, VA USA 22204 © Copyright 2019 (Tel +1-703-622-8520)
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"Hot" News and Commentary
Satellite Start-Up NSLCom Launches First Satellite into Space Tel Aviv July 8th, 2019 - NSLComm Ltd., an Israel-based developer of nanosatellites, is set to launch its first satellite into space, the company announced Wednesday. The satellite, called NSLSat-1, has been successfully installed on the Soyuz launch vehicle at the Russian spaceport of Vostochny Cosmodrome, with takeoff set for 1:42 AM Eastern Time on Friday, the company said. Founded in 2009, NSLComm designs small satellites with fabric-like, flexible dish antennas that expand in space. The technology permits the antennas to be stowed during launch in a compact volume and deployed while in orbit, according to company statements. The company has raised $9.5 million to date, from investors including Jerusalem Venture Partners (JVP), Jerusalem-based equity crowdfunding company OurCrowd, the tech investment arm of Israel's national carrier EL AL Israel Airlines Cockpit Innovation, and Liberty Technology Venture Capital, according to Pitchbook data. The company is headquartered in Airport City, Israel. NSLComm is partnered with the Israel Space Agency and New York-based Kodem Growth Partners. Speedcast International Ltd (ASX:SDA) Achieves Advanced Consulting Partner Status in the Amazon Web Services Partner Network Hauppauge, NY, June 26, 2019 - (ABN Newswire) - Speedcast International Limited (ASX:SDA) (OTCMKTS:! SPPDF) announced today that it has achieved Advanced Consulting Partner status in the Amazon Web Services (AWS) Partner Network (APN). This achievement demonstrates Speedcast's ability to deliver proven customer solutions leveraging cloud-based technologies on AWS that seamlessly interoperate with its global satellite and terrestrial infrastructure. Speedcast is the first satellite services provider to achieve APN Advanced Consulting Partner status. As a part of the AWS Direct Connect program, Speedcast provides customers with dedicated, direct connectivity to the cloud from both Speedcast's and its customers' data centers. Customers can leverage Speedcast's software solutions as well as the Speedcast cloud team's expertise to help them design, implement, migrate and maintain cloud-based solutions. "By furthering our relationship with AWS, we are able to simplify our customer experience and evolve our services by taking advantage of AWS's cost, sec! urity, agility and innovation benefits," said Speedcast CEO Pierre-Jean Beylier. "As an APN Advanced Consulting Partner, our customers can leverage our expertise in service design and delivery for both on-premises and cloud strategies while enjoying savings in implementation time and overall cost. Speedcast's products will also benefit from our expanded relationship with AWS, with an increased connection between edge and cloud for management of our products and for the actual workload and data processing." Speedcast has already provided multiple customers with AWS cloud consulting and managed services support, including using AWS as enablement technology for Tempo, Speedcast's Software as a Service (SaaS) enterprise communication and distance learning media solution, delivering connectivity to the cloud via AWS Direct Connect and leveraging AWS to host data platforms for service management tools. Speedcast continues to expand its global points-of-presence with AWS within the North America, Central Europe, and Southeast Asia Regions! Customers in Media, Maritime, Enterprise, Energy, and Government can interoperate cloud-based services with Speedcast's global satellite and fiber network to reduce capital expenditure and ramp up networks and services faster. These hybrid solutions will reach beyond the edges of the network to remote facilities, ships, offshore platforms and vehicles in motion around the world. Arctic VSAT Coverage to be Provided by Inmarsat for the Very First Time 03 July 2019: Inmarsat, the world leader in global mobile satellite communications, is to introduce two new satellite payloads dedicated to the Arctic region in a partnership with Space Norway and its subsidiary Space Norway HEOSAT. The new Global Xpress (GX) payloads support the rapidly growing demand among both commercial and government users for seamless, reliable, high-speed mobile broadband services in the Arctic and throughout the world. In commercial markets, the GX Arctic payloads are designed to specifically address the needs of merchant fleets, fishing vessels, commercial airlines and the energy market, where high-speed mobile broadband connectivity is driving both major operational and efficiency improvements and supporting the introduction of new business models. For the Government sector, the new GX payloads will provide continuous, assured communications to tactical and strategic government users operating in the Arctic region, including customers in the USA, Canada, Scandinavia and other Arctic regions. Importantly these payloads will also provide KA Gov steerable capacity through service beams and high-capacity steerable beams, complementing military satellite resources, cost effectively, for optimal redundancy, protection, scalability and global portability. Inmarsat’s new Arctic capabilities will further increase network flexibility and efficiency through multi-beam, high-throughput capacity that can be fully dialled up and down depending on customer demand in the region. Today, the Arctic Circle represents a rapidly growing connectivity region for high-quality mobile broadband with increasing requirements from government, maritime and aviation customers. Building on Inmarsat’s current capabilities up to and beyond 75º North, the new GX Arctic payloads will improve network performance in very high latitudes by flying directly overhead, providing GX antennas with much higher elevation angles to optimise throughput. ThinKom Completes Successful Technology Validation On Telesat Low-Earth Orbit (LEO) Satellite On-Air Tests Validate ThinKom Phased Array Antenna’s Ability to Track and Communicate with Telesat Phase 1 LEO Satellite HAWTHORNE, Calif. – July 2, 2019 – ThinKom Solutions today announced the completion of the first live test of a commercially available phased-array antenna with Telesat’s Phase 1 LEO satellite. The test was performed using a production model of ThinKom’s Ka2517 aeronautical satcom antenna, designed for business aviation, commercial air transport and military airborne applications. ThinKom’s Ka2517 antenna successfully acquired, tracked and maintained seamless end-to-end connectivity with the Telesat LEO satellite. Full-duplex throughput data rates of up to 370 Mbps on the downlink and 110 Mbps on the uplink were achieved at extremely high spectral efficiencies, all while demonstrating the ultra-low latency capabilities (20-40 msec) of Telesat’s LEO satellite. Additionally, the Ka2517 reliably transitioned from tracking the LEO satellite to a geostationary (GEO) satellite and back to the LEO satellite, with switching times that were consistently under one second. The on-air tests were conducted June 10-14 at Telesat’s Allan Park facility in Ontario using the flight-proven ThinKom Ka2517 phased-array antenna and a Newtec MDM6000 modem. The ThinKom antenna acquired and tracked the LEO satellite at elevation angles as low as 10 degrees above the horizon. “These on-air tests confirm that our unique phased-array antenna architecture provides the beam agility, switching speeds, low look-angles and high spectral efficiencies required to communicate over a LEO satellite network,” said Bill Milroy, ThinKom’s Chairman and Chief Technology Officer. “We are now moving into the next phase of development and commercialization of an Enterprise User Terminal for Telesat’s global LEO satellite system.” Milroy noted that ThinKom has also conducted successful on-air demos with the Ka2517 across multiple GEO satellites and medium-earth orbit (MEO) constellations from fixed platforms as well as an aircraft in flight. “These tests provide clear validation of our phased-array technology and products across the full range of GEO, MEO and LEO environments,” he said. “Telesat is pleased to be collaborating with ThinKom on antenna technologies that will enable aeronautical customers to take full advantage of Telesat LEO’s capabilities, including high capacity and ultra-low latency,” said Erwin Hudson, Vice President, Telesat LEO. “The aeronautical market is important for Telesat and these on-air tests highlight the advantages the Telesat LEO satellite constellation will bring to passengers and crew of major airlines worldwide. Telesat looks forward to continuing to partner with ThinKom and to building a complete antenna ecosystem to serve growing markets for mobile broadband.” ThinKom-Telesat MoU ThinKom and Telesat signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) in September 2018 to jointly develop a Ka-band Enterprise User Terminal for Telesat’s planned LEO satellite constellation, which will offer seamless, low-latency, high-throughput broadband services on a global basis. The live on-air test with ThinKom’s Ka2517 is a big step forward in that process and clearly validates ThinKom’s proprietary phased-array technology. World’s First Truly Global Hand-held Satellite PTT Radio Makes Commercial Debut Icom’s IC-SAT100 Provides a True Land-Mobile Radio Experience through Iridium® Push-To-Talk (PTT) MCLEAN, VA. – June 18, 2019 – Iridium Communications Inc. (NASDAQ: IRDM) and partner Icom Incorporated today announced the commercial availability of the world’s first dedicated satellite push-to-talk (PTT) radio. The Icom IC-SAT100 is the only Iridium PTT capable Land-Mobile Radio (LMR) offering real-time communications at the push of a button between groups of individuals, each of whom can be anywhere on the planet. This combined product and service offering provides critical communications beyond the range of trunked radio networks and as an emergency back-up, providing business continuity and security for customers around the world. The Icom IC-SAT100 can inter-operate with existing LMR networks and be managed over the air through the Iridium PTT Command Center, simplifying device administration. This new satellite PTT radio is being highlighted at the 2019 ConnecTech Asia/CommunicAsia trade show at the Marina Bay Sands in Singapore this week and can be found on display at the Iridium booth, #1Q2-01. “The industry spoke, and we listened. There is a clear demand for this type of Iridium Connected® product,” said Bryan Hartin, executive vice president of sales and marketing, Iridium. “This new satellite PTT device is unlike anything ever offered commercially in terms of capability, and it would not have been possible without the great partnership we’ve built with Icom, who are de-facto experts and leaders in the LMR industry. Icom has created a small, lightweight and very high performing radio that’s perfect for LMR users. We look forward to many more collaborations with Icom in the future.” Featuring an industrial, radio-style design that keeps dispatched personnel connected beyond the reach of traditional LMR networks, the IC-SAT100’s commercial availability has been highly anticipated by government agencies, NGOs, first responders, law enforcement, search-and-rescue organizations and businesses. These organizations expressed demand for ways to easily integrate a satellite PTT solution with their existing LMR communications. Iridium responded and engaged with Icom to deliver a true LMR PTT experience through satellite connectivity. The IC-SAT100 is also compatible with existing Icom portfolio accessories and the new VE-PG4, an interoperability gateway feature that allows for integration with any existing deployed LMR systems. No other commercially available PTT device has the design, functionality and coverage of the IC-SAT100. “The IC-SAT100 build is based upon our design and manufacturing experience in virtually every kind of radio we have produced since 1954. It is our first satellite PTT radio, but with the extensive support from Iridium, we are bringing the right product to the market with the quality and reliability Icom is known for,” said Hiro Nakaoka, executive officer & director international sales department. The IC-SAT100 is a compact, user-friendly radio with military grade ruggedness and includes a high audio speaker to ensure communications clarity, even in high ambient noise environments. Radio-style control knobs and a familiar LMR user interface make the IC-SAT100 incredibly easy to operate for existing radio users. With real-time, one-to-many communication at the push of a button, and Iridium’s truly global coverage, the new device ensures reliability of communication between work teams in isolated areas. Users will know that regardless of where in the world they need to deploy personnel and assets, they will remain within coverage. The new device will be available through a combination of Iridium’s and Icom’s existing partner networks. To request more information about the product visit www.iridium.com/IC-SAT100. Speedcast International Ltd (ASX:SDA) and XipLink Announce Strategic Partnership Bringing Innovative, Next-Generation WAN Optimization Solutions to Customers Singapore, June 19, 2019 - (ABN Newswire) - Speedcast International Limited (ASX:SDA) (OTCMKTS:SPPDF), the world's most trusted provider of remote communication and IT solutions, and XipLink In! c., the technology leader in Wireless Link Optimization, today announced a strategic partnership to develop comprehensive technologies to maximize efficiencies in data transfer across wide area networks (WAN). As the technology convergence between the network and application layers speeds up, Speedcast and XipLink both see the importance in developing next-generation solutions that are flexible and scalable across different environments. The partnership is focused on the two leading companies' strengths across three main areas: - Speedcast will integrate XipLink into cellular backhaul solutions to improve network efficiencies, which will be especially important in the 5G era. - XipLink will be hosted on Speedcast's award-winning SIGMA Gateway network management device with the capability to be activated remotely as a Virtual Machine (VM). - Speedcast and XipLink operational and software personnel will integrate network mana! gement interfaces and leverage machine-driven analytics to simplify operational processes, increase network visibility and enhance customer experience. "Speedcast recognizes the important role that network optimization plays in managing critical communications. The XipLink partnership gives us the ability to expand the scope of our services and provide innovative technologies to our customers across the industries we serve," said Tim Bailey, Executive Vice President, Products, Marketing and Business Development, Speedcast. "XipLink's WAN optimization solutions will improve network efficiency and deliver increased throughput for our customers' business-critical applications." "This partnership agreement with Speedcast will deliver network efficiency, ease of deployment, and reduced complexity for end customers in Maritime, Cellular Backhaul, Government and other markets where Speedcast is a leader," said Jack Waters, CEO, XipLink. About XipLink, Inc. XipLink is the leading independent global technology provider for wireless link optimization using standards-based SCPS protocol acceleration, streaming data compression and Internet optimizations to deliver a better wireless experience over stressed communication links. XipLink is a privately-owned company with headquarters in Montreal, Quebec (Canada), integration facilities in Ashburn, Virginia (USA) and field personnel worldwide. AirspaceIX launches Saturn Satellite Networks Inc. Delaware - United States, 17th of June 2019. Airspace Internet Exchange Inc. (AirspaceIX) wireless technology company, founded by Thomas Choi, which launched Curvalux, the world’s most affordable and power efficient wireless broadband platform announces the establishment and launch of Saturn Satellite Networks Inc. (Saturn), a US Delaware Corporation that is building the world’s first space qualified small GEO satellite platform named Nationsat. Built entirely in the USA with heritage-based payload and bus components, Nationsat features an innovative, full-digital payload and 2.5 kW BUS design that enables complete frequency agility and bandwidth channelization for its users, demanding wide-beam C and Ku-band capacity as well as a HTS version that provides over 80 Gbps. Saturn is led by one of the most senior and experienced team of satellite engineers; who have amongst the top three members of the executive team, boasts over 100 years of experience, and have manufactured over 60 GEO satellites at Boeing, Hughes, Lockheed Martin and Intelsat. The Nationsat satellites are designed to be low cost and highly flexible, enabling users to save over 70 to 80% off of current market pricing for bent pipe GEO satellites, and its HTS models will cost less than $1M per Gbps delivered in orbit. Tom Choi, the Executive Chairman of AirspaceIX and Saturn remarked “we’re extremely proud to announce Saturn’s Nationsat project. We have been quietly working on this since the end of 2017, to deliver the most advanced, flexible and cost optimized, GEO satellite platform in the world. Over 95% of satellite capacity users in the world use their satellites for domestic applications and for the first time ever, we have a satellite that has been designed and optimized for these end users and nations. We hope to serve as a vital cog in the global effort to bring affordable, satellite connectivity to the emerging markets of the world and to over 150 nations that have not been able to afford satellites in the past. This will change with the introduction to the market of Nationsat, by Saturn”. Vern Smith the Managing Director of Saturn said “Saturn is making history with the most affordable and innovative GEO satellite solutions. We have already executed an early development contract with our first customer, valued over US$10M and very recently passed a rigorous Preliminary Design Review (PDR) on our path to delivering the Nationsat systems in 2020. “. Jim Simpson, the CEO of Saturn states “it has been very rewarding and an honour, teaming up with Tom and leading this incredibly talented and innovative Saturn team as its Chief Executive Officer. Our unique satellite system and service enables Nations that previously could not afford their own satellite systems, the ability to take advantage of the economics of ownership at a fraction of the cost of a traditional satellite system. Our ability to use a very small satellite platform, that efficiently utilize power, and takes advantage of the theory of the microcosm, with digital payloads, provides a revolutionary approach to delivering in-orbit reconfigurable broadband capacity." About Saturn Satellite Networks Inc. Saturn, a wholly owned subsidiary of Airspace Internet Exchange Inc., is a registered Delaware corporation. The company oversees the design, program management and in-orbit delivery of the Nationsat satellite. Saturn manufactures the Nationsat satellite through contracted facilities in Colorado and California. Over 95% of the payload and bus components of the Nationsat satellite are procured and integrated in the USA. New iDirect Remote Expands Applications for Satellite-Cellular Networks Herndon, Va., June 18, 2019 – VT iDirect, a company of VT Systems, today announced that it is launching the iQ LTE, a unique hybrid satellite and wireless remote that will enable more flexible and resilient communications to support critical functions. The iQ LTE combines iDirect’s next-generation DVB-S2/DVB-S2X satellite technology, based on the iQ 200, with a high-performance Long-Term Evolution (LTE) modem developed by Cradlepoint. Packaged in a single box solution for ease of deployment, provisioning and operation, the solution opens new opportunities for service providers to support a wider range of enterprise applications that require software-defined routing for least-cost or hybrid connectivity. “As the world becomes fully connected, every access technology must work together to enable a growing diversity of network applications, while providing overall redundancy,” said Toni Kousiafes, Vice President, Product Management, VT iDirect. “A key measure of a service provider’s value is how well they can deliver a seamless offering – from hybrid networks to single source provisioning and billing. The iQ LTE makes this possible within key enterprise, government and mobility markets that will see major growth as global demand for connectivity continues to skyrocket.” As enterprise applications become more complex, Software-Defined Wide Area Networks (SD-WANs) are emerging to offer high-efficiency connectivity, automatically routing traffic over the best performing and lowest cost networks. The iQ LTE remote brings together WAN affinity for satellite, LTE and WiFi, which are all essential elements in SD-WAN networking. It supports internet protocol (IP) traffic across both satellite and LTE networks, choosing the appropriate path based on criteria such as application, cost and congestion. Hybrid cellular-satellite networks are increasingly relied on by commercial and government organizations such as first responders who demand continual connectivity even when core networks go down, and financial institutions who need to provide constant bandwidth asynchronous transfer mode (ATMs) even when local LTE service is compromised. In these cases, the iQ LTE can automatically switch from primary cellular coverage to satellite coverage, allowing businesses to continue operations even if LTE service is interrupted. The satellite forward link on the iQ LTE can also be used for multicast traffic, transporting very large data or video files to thousands of locations simultaneously and achieving significant time and costs saving in contrast to a traditional unicast network configuration. For example, banks can send out massive security and system updates to thousands of ATMs simultaneously or support applications like video surveillance and sensors for tamper management. The iQ LTE also provides coverage flexibility to organizations that depend on very small aperture terminal (VSAT) for their primary connectivity. For example, maritime cargo and yachts that rely on VSAT can switch to more cost-effective LTE coverage near shore. Offshore oil rigs and service vessels can seamlessly toggle between VSAT and LTE as network conditions and locations change to maintain continual connectivity for critical operations. Intellian’s new GX100NX Fleet Xpress Terminal Obtains Inmarsat Type Approval 19 June 2019 – Intellian, the global leader of mobile satellite communication antenna systems, has received Inmarsat Type Approval for the new GX100NX antenna, authorizing its use on the Global Xpress satellite network and for the Inmarsat Fleet Xpress service. Launched in May 2019, the GX100NX unlocks the full potential of Fleet Xpress, the world’s fastest growing Maritime VSAT service, empowering maritime customers with maximized RF performance and 10W high power BUC option to ensure high availability of Ka-band connectivity. The GX100NX is a new addition to Intellian’s expanding NX series, a new generation of faster, lighter and stronger antennas delivering high performance on all major satellite networks. The product features a single cable design, which along with new AptusNX software, enables fast installation and maintenance. The focus on streamlining installation delivers cost efficiencies, without compromise on link performance. More savings come from the NX platform’s modular design, enabling spare part stocks to be reduced by up to 40%. Further, the GX100NX Below Deck Unit integrates the Antenna Control Unit, GX modem and mediator function for dual antenna configuration in a single box, contributing further to reducing the time and costs of installation and commissioning. Eric Sung, CEO of Intellian, commented, “We are extremely pleased to receive Inmarsat Type Approval for the GX100NX. As a leading maritime VSAT provider, we have incorporated all of our engineering capability to ensure that it is easier, stronger and faster in the context of installation, operation and performance.” Ronald Spithout, President, Inmarsat Maritime, added, “With close to 7,000 vessels already installed, Fleet Xpress is powering digitalisation in the maritime industry and this has been achieved by working with innovative manufacturing partners such as Intellian. We welcome the development of the GX100NX and look forward to our customers making the most of the new features it offers.” The GX100NX will be commercially available in July 2019. Connectivity for Kognifai Vessel Insight to be powered by KVH Watch Middletown, RI – June 6, 2019 – KVH Industries, Inc., (Nasdaq: KVHI), today announced that KONGSBERG is its first major partner for KVH WatchTM IoT Connectivity as a Service. KVH Watch will provide connectivity for Vessel Insight, a new maritime data infrastructure solution from KONGSBERG’s Kognifai digital ecosystem. “KVH’s fast, global, and reliable connectivity provides Vessel Insight users with connectivity options for end-to-end solutions that deliver the real-time monitoring and intervention benefits of machine-to-machine IoT,” says Vigleik Takle, senior vice president for maritime digital solutions in Kongsberg Digital. Vessel Insight enables customers to cost efficiently capture and aggregate quality data from their assets, and securely transfer them to the cloud. Once data is available in the cloud, customers get access to a large range of leading applications and services that can turn their data into business value and optimize performance at sea. “KONGSBERG offers its Kognifai services to our customers with choices, be it an existing connectivity solution, or an IoT connectivity solution such as KVH Watch. Dedicated, end-to-end IoT connectivity with tight integration for monitoring and options for full video bandwidth in periods of remote support will provide customers with higher performance and reliability,” Takle continues. Kongsberg Digital plans to utilize KVH Watch IoT Connectivity as a Service as an offer in their digitalization product portfolio, featuring two modes: Watch Flow, for 24/7, machine-to-machine data delivery compatible with major IoT ecosystems such as Kognifai; and Watch Intervention, for on-demand high-speed sessions for face-to-face support and remote equipment access. “We are thrilled to support Kognifai and to provide connectivity to accelerate the adoption of IoT throughout the maritime industry,” says Robert Hopkins, Jr., KVH’s senior director for maritime services. “KVH Watch leverages our unique end-to-end maritime connectivity services and HTS network to offer an innovative business model of IoT Connectivity as a Service.” KVH is a mobile tech innovator that provides connectivity solutions for commercial maritime, leisure marine, and land mobile applications on vessels and vehicles, including the award-winning TracPhone®and TracVision® product lines, the global mini-VSAT Broadbandsmnetwork, and AgilePlans Connectivity as a Service (CaaS). The company’s KVH Media Group provides news, sports, and entertainment content with such brands as NEWSlink™ and SPORTSlink™.
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Few Ways Out: Mega LEO Constellations and The Rush to Mobility Markets
Editorially Speaking....
Already, OneWeb is waking to the reality that to survive, it needs customers who can pay, and it's going to need them in a hurry. Now, the company is postponing its focus on the poor and underserved and is shifting to the pursuit of mobility markets, specifically maritime and aero, a change noted at Satellite 2019 by OneWeb CEO Adrian Steckel. According to Steckel, OneWeb now expects to generate its initial revenues from maritime and aero. Entry into these markets will not be easy. Maritime and aero are bandwidth saturated markets with crashing HTS pricing and entrenched satellite operator competitors including Intelsat, Telesat, SES, ViaSat and ironically, SES' O3b MEO constellation. What OneWeb may perceive as a market ripe with opportunity is, in fact, a complex aggregation of individual segments, accessed only through a series of highly specialized integrators, most of which are tied down by contracts with existing HTS satellite operators. By now, the lessons learned from O3b should have been clear. Just as O3b's dream of reaching "the other three billion" dissolved into a search for high-value customers, so has OneWeb's - a reality soon to be realized by Starlink as well. However, unlike OneWeb, O3b was seeded with a relatively small start-up investment of $1.2 billion, not $5 billion, enabling it to focus on lucrative individual projects and build a sustainable business. Instead of bringing mass connectivity to the underserved, O3b isolated and penetrated profitable niche markets, winning contracts from the U.S Department of Defense, the UN, numerous Pacific Islands, Chad, South Sudan, Somalia, the Central African Republic, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Cameroon, Angola, and Madagascar and, of course, in the cruise ship industry. Building on its initial successes with O3b, SES, has launched four more O3b satellites and is planning to launch four more in the next 12 months. Now, with backing from SES and its years of experience targeting evolving niche markets, it is a formidable competitor for OneWeb and Starlink, as they too, seek out business in mobility. Here's a preview of what OneWeb is facing. Maritime: In maritime, there are two types of customers: those that carry passengers, and those that carry freight. While an estimated 70,000 cargo vessels are an available market for VSAT services, their bandwidth requirements are minimal since only 25-30 seafarers crew them, two-thirds of which are either on duty or asleep. Typically, these vessels require only 1-2 Megabits of capacity or less. At the moment, around 40% of the cargo market is penetrated by Ku or Ka-Band VSAT, and 60% to 70% will likely be penetrated by the time the mega constellation capacity becomes available. Once equipped by existing suppliers with antennas and service plans, due to the logistical challenges of upgrading an entire fleet, few operators will have an interest in converting to LEO-based systems. In the passenger segment and, in particular, in the cruise market, demand for capacity is soaring. Dedicated O3b 384 Mbps beams now serve several of the largest Royal Caribbean vessels, and other vessels have been able to increase bandwidth through contracts with multiple satellite operators, the use of several antennas and channel bonding. As the majority of cruise ship activity is either in the Caribbean or the Med, GEO satellite operators have already concentrated enormous HTS capacity in these regions, and virtually 100% of the 300+ vessel in the world are already equipped with VSAT. Access to both cargo and cruise markets is via three major integrators and resellers, Speedcast, Marlink and KVH, and in the cruise market, Speedcast is the dominant player. Given the concentration of integrator purchasing power in the sector, and the abundance of HTS bandwidth, these service providers have the leverage to drive prices down, and the availability of additional capacity can only increase the downward pricing pressure. Opportunities in aviation are equally challenging. Aviation: In the U.S., most commercial aircraft are either equipped with Air to Ground (ATG) services or satellite, and most of the market is controlled by Gogo, with Global Eagle and ViaSat holding smaller shares. A new entrant on the ATG side, Smartsky, is also soon to penetrate the market. In international markets, Panasonic and Inmarsat also participate, and Inmarsat provides both satellite and ATG services in Europe. Unfortunately, none of these providers have proven they can make money. Their stocks are way down and Global Eagle is for sale (stock at $.64 as of July 5). While demand for aero Wi-Fi is high, passengers don't want to pay for it, and airlines are forced to provide it, the net result being an extremely price sensitive market for satellite service providers. By the time LEOs are available internationally, many of the large air carriers will have calready have contracted for and installed Ku-or Ka Band GEO-based services, and due to the high cost of re-fit, which can run into hundreds of thousands of dollars, displacement of existing aircraft infrastructure is extremely unlikely. Even on polar routes, where LEOs could have an advantage, Inmarsat just announced a VSAT polar initiative. Offshore Drilling: One niche that does have potential for the LEOs is the offshore drilling industry. In this market, low latency is a distinct advantage due to the need to run latency sensitive programs over satellite. However, here, the LEOs are likely to face competition from O3b. Here, Speedcast, RigNet and ITC Gobal are the major integrators. By now, it should be clear that these newcomer constellations will face extremely competitive conditions in mobility markets, making the potential for success spotty at best. With mass market consumer markets in doubt, and mass penetration of mobility unlikely, the fate of OneWeb and Starlink will likely rest upon successes achieved on a project by project basis in cellular backhaul, government and military markets or, in the case of OneWeb, leveraging their spectrum priority and selling out to Amazon. While limited success may be possible, the ultimate question is whether the mega LEOs can generate, on their own, enough revenue to justify their enormous launch, maintenance, and replenishment costs, and do it fast enough to survive. - Alan Gottlieb
Success Unlikely as OneWeb and Starlink Take Aim at Already Crowded Niche Markets
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"What OneWeb may perceive as a market ripe with opportunity is, in fact, a complex aggregation of individual segments, accessed only through a series of highly specialized integrators, most of which are tied down by contracts with existing HTS satellite operators."
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An Interview J.P. Hemingway, SES Networks CEO
Satellite networks are going digital. Virtualized, software-defined technologies, service orchestration, and automation, and multi-orbit managed services are reshaping satellite network infrastructure. Ultimately, these software-defined advancements, combined with alignment with telco industry standards, are accelerating the transformation of satellite services from a proprietary, complex and niche service to a mainstream and seamless component of the global telecommunications infrastructure. Behind the scenes and with little fanfare, satellite operators are, piece by piece, implementing the components of this new software-controlled, digital architecture. SES, the world's largest operator, is at the forefront of this digital revolution , including partnering with IBM Cloud to extend its cloud connectivity and being the first to earn a MEF 2.0 certification. To find out more about their progress toward a fully flexible, software-defined network, we met with J.P. Hemingway, CEO of SES Networks. SMW: Satellite networks are rapidly evolving and are going digital end-to-end. Network virtualization, software-defined networks, and radios will enable new flexibility and significantly enhance operator service offerings. How will these advancements benefit users? J.P. Hemingway: The virtualization and software-defined revolution that has fundamentally changed compute and storage functions in data centers is doing the same to terrestrial networking, and is now being adopted within the satellite industry. Networks are increasingly being built using cloud architectures, and this approach is at the heart of what we are doing, the heart of our network modernization strategy, and the heart of our ultimate objective: making satellite a seamless component of global telecom infrastructure. Network Function Virtualization, Software Defined Networking, and Orchestration and Automation are the key elements that virtually underpin all topics addressed in your question and enable key functionalities such as data analytics through cloud-based software networking. It’s very similar to network slicing and virtualization in 5G, and this is also how we need to build our satellite network infrastructure for the future. For example, you could take the software embedded in gateway and customer terminals – bit-stream modulation capability, encoding and de-encoding, IP Framing and Ethernet switching capabilities - and virtualize them. Once virtualized, you can push these and other applications into the cloud or small white box servers located at the network edge, thereby providing local access to the enhanced data processing capability available in the cloud. For our customers and users, the basic value proposition is now two-fold: We can help connect remote or mobile sites to the cloud, or we can bring the edge cloud to the remote or mobile site. A virtualized infrastructure is key in delivering that value, in a way that can facilitate the offer of new services, flex the bandwidth for an existing service, or put new applications at the end of a service – all at the click of a button. Virtualization gives us an extremely efficient, simplified, software-driven network capable of optimizing costs, enhancing applications such as cellular backhaul and giving our customers access to applications residing in the cloud. It's an environment in which we, as well as the customer, can exercise control over the network, making it a win-win for both of us. SMW: What implications does this technology hold for big data and software driven data analytics? J.P. Hemingway: While a many service providers talk about “global networks” in the world of satellite, we mean it – from planes, cruise ships, oil rigs, mining sites and cell towers, among others. Our network edge has a lot of unique application and performance requirements, including collecting massive amounts of data and doing lots of analytics at the edge to support better decision making. For example, many of our cruise customers are using highly advanced data analytics applications. As their shipboard data centers are receiving a multitude of data on passenger behavior aboard ship including shopping preferences, passenger location, and interests, they want to leverage that data to present passengers with offers that are personalized to them, improving their experience. By connecting to the cloud through us, the predictive onboard data set can be combined and enhanced through additional cloud-based data, such as that from social networks or e-commerce purchasing information. Let’s say a cruise passenger buys a lot of photo equipment; a shore excursion featuring photo opportunities could tempt them, or in another case, someone who frequents art shows could be targeted for an art-based experience. SMW: As a result of these very significant technology upgrades, what new markets could be opened for satellite? J.P. Hemingway: In markets where the use of satellite technology is proven, such as mobility with shipping, aircraft, and government organizations, capabilities will be vastly improved. All these customers are recognizing that the improved performance at the network edge enables them to aggregate and deliver application and IoT data to the cloud for deeper analysis, resulting in vastly improved decision-making. Let’s take a remote industrial site as an example, where there are a tremendous number of onboard sensors that can stream data back to operations centers. With limited connectivity bandwidth, the remote site may be forced to limit the amount of data or data resolution they can exchange in real-time with big data analytics in the cloud or with data centers. By using SES high throughput and low latency connectivity, the remote site can stream all the data in high-definition, thus enabling them to make better informed and more rapid decisions. In addition, having a satellite network that can connect to the cloud and be dynamically tuned with automatically-adjusting capacity based on variables such as specific applications, latency requirements, time of day or other metrics, will be very beneficial to mobility and those customers operating in remote and hard to reach locations in agriculture, oil and gas exploration and land-based vehicles. As you know, we serve many industries, and there is not a single CIO or CTO that I talk to that does not have a cloud-based IT strategy that has connectivity at the heart of it. SMW: How will this capability integrate with 5G? J.P. Hemingway: We see both huge opportunity from 5G, and as a technology architecture, that it will drive significant changes to the traditional mobile network design. Given its capacity and performance expectations, 5G is going to drive an incredible amount of content out to the edge in the form of “nano data centers” which make the edge more intelligent and can deliver data and applications from the cloud to handsets with a minimum of delay. Based on satellite’s unique geographic reach, we see it play a key role in accelerating 5G deployments beyond the urban cities. SMW: What are the limits of software-defined satellite radios? In theory, software-defined radios on satellites and the ground could support increased flexibility in terms of resource allocation, bands deployed, spectral usage and power, and we’re working very closely with our partners who build them. Today, it makes sense to use this technology in the ground equipment, and we are working hard with our technology providers to deliver software definable modems, with virtualized networking functions, and corresponding flexible antennas. While you could have a fully tunable Ka-Ku band satellite, due to cost and physical trade-off considerations, you probably want to limit it to either Ka- or Ku-band. In our view, beamforming flexibility is more relevant than the flexibility to switch between Ka and Ku-Band in space, simply because beam forming enables precise targeting of high-value geographical areas, thereby maximizing return on the satellite investment and providing the flexibility to adapt our customers changing business dynamics. SMW: You speak a lot about onboard processing capability. Is it onboard processing that allows you to do beamforming? J.P. Hemingway: Today, we have onboard processing on our DSP capable satellites, and have taken it to an incredible level with O3b mPOWER, but we have a very nuanced view of that. Some people talk about having an “Internet router in space” but onboard processing to us doesn’t mean you have to put complex and expensive traffic processing and routing on a satellite. We view it as any-to-any switching for maximum service flexibility. Using Digital Signal Processing, we can form the beams electronically and switch between them. It also means that we are presenting an open and more flexible infrastructure to our customers which doesn’t tie them into proprietary solutions. SMW: I understand SES will soon be implementing SD-WAN. Could you please explain the concept and describe SES’ plans for deployment? At the highest level, an SD-WAN looks at all incoming traffic based on policies pre-determined by the customer or network operator and routes it appropriately. In our case, the SD-WAN looks at distributing traffic across our MEO/GEO architecture; routing latency-sensitive applications over MEO and non-latency sensitive applications over GEO. Another capability is being able to burst to available capacity on other high throughput Ku-band satellites or C-Band satellites. SES has over 70 satellites, and automated routing of traffic over such a large network is especially valuable for customers in terms of service delivery flexibility. To us, SD-WAN is about how you get the best use of all your satellite, and indeed terrestrial, assets. We now have our SD-WAN service in the hands of our customers for testing, and the early response has been exceptional. They are using it to manage their network across MEO/GEO, fiber and even Radio and WiFi. Management across all these elements is now possible and can be effectively automated. Basically, you create some rules and push them into the system which detects the inbound applications and decides where route traffic over its bundle of possible options, the route to the nearest Internet connectivity point or data center. Both local and global routing can be programmed. It’s truly flexible and will make a massive difference in terms of performance, reliability and cost. In addition, the infrastructure allows you to deal with unexpected events. For example, if a major storm might disrupt a major televised sporting event, a customer could pre-program the network to give priority to the sporting event and return to normal configuration at the end of the event. We’re also developing a System Dynamic Resource Manager. It’s essentially a controller for the space-based network assets, and a translator that bridges the gap to standard networking orchestration and API commands that are pushed out to the entire network, including the satellite links, to orchestrate a specific service or application. We are very bullish on virtualization, software-defined technologies and SD-WAN as a value-added service and have been the forefront of deploying them in the satellite industry. SMW: Is there Any Artificial Intelligence employed in the infrastructure? Yes, AI plays a key role. You can build an intelligent network management system using machine learning to understand the different types of applications and traffic running over a network, and how their volume changes over time and what adjustments are needed to meet customer requirements. In addition to an investment in IBM Watson for large data set analysis SES, we also have ongoing development work with MIT for AI. These developments are targeted at specific use cases within SES, for instance, the use of AI for improved decision making within the SDRM. SMW: I understand that seamless integration of satellite with existing network technology is a key goal of SES. What progress are you making in that regard? J.P. Hemingway: One of our main missions is to make our satellite services a seamless extension of existing telco networks from everything in terms of the industry standards, infrastructure, service orchestration, and delivery. That’s why we were the first satellite provider to achieve MEF 2.0 certification. We’ve proven that we meet the same standards for carrier Ethernet certification as fiber services, the same latency, the same jitter, the same service management. If you are stitching a circuit across Europe to Australia that includes two fiber links with a satellite link in the middle, it exhibits the very same characteristics as an all-fiber link and can be controlled via software in the very same way. We already have this capability in our systems today and it is a huge differentiator. SMW: What then is the ultimate impact of standardization and adoption of these advanced networking technologies? Our vision is to change the perception of satellite – from a proprietary, complex and expensive solution that customers only turned to as a last resort to playing a vital role in enabling connectivity to the cloud with true software-defined flexibility across all elements of the network. With next generation systems equipped with software defined radios and software defined modems, all stitched together by software defined networks and operable by standardized commands, satellite will finally become an integral part of the global telecommunications network.
SD-WAN, Virtualization and the Coming All Digital Networks
" A virtualized infrastructure is key in delivering that value, in a way that can facilitate the offer of new services, flex the bandwidth for an existing service, or put new applications at the end of a service – all at the click of a button."
John-Paul (JP) Hemingway is the newly-appointed Chief Executive Officer of SES Networks. SES Networks provides end-to-end network solutions to some of the world’s largest Telecommunications, Maritime, Aeronautical and Energy companies as well as to Governments around the world. Prior to this, Mr Hemingway served as the Executive Vice President, Product, Marketing and Strategy of SES Networks where he led Product Management, Marketing, Business Development and Corporate Strategy and was responsible for driving development of the company's products and vertical market segments. Before SES acquired O3b and formed SES Networks, Mr Hemingway was Chief Marketing Officer for O3b Networks where he oversaw the company’s Product Management, Product Marketing, Business Development, Marketing Communications and Strategy teams, and was integral in the success of O3b’s success. Mr Hemingway holds a PhD in Optical Communications and BSc (Hons) from Manchester Metropolitan University, UK. Mr Hemingway is a British national.
An Interview with Michael Hooper, Director and GM of Aviation Services
Iridium and the NEXT Generation in Aircraft Communication
During the past ten years, there have been significant advances in aircraft communications. Through the introduction of Iridium's ATS Safety voice service, pilots no longer need to rely on often-unreliable High-Frequency Radio for voice communication and now, with the introduction of its new Certus service, aircraft once dependent upon the excruciatingly slow Inmarsat Swift Broadband service, have a choice. Unlike Inmarsat services, the new NEXT constellation offers the aviation industry lower cost infrastructure, faster speeds, small, easy to install antennas, and all-important global coverage - features that make Iridium's services infinitely more attractive than Inmarsat's legacy services. To find out more about the impact of Iridium in the aviation communication market, we met with Michael Hooper, Iridium's Director and General Manager of Aviation services. SMW: Aircraft communications systems have advanced quite a bit in recent years. Let’s look back and compare today’s aircraft communications technologies with those of ten years ago. How have safety services changed and what innovations have Iridium introduced to improve the legacy systems? Michael Hooper: The first aviation terminal was the Honeywell AirSat 1 launched in 1999 and was the first aviation solution for cockpit communications. Iridium began offering narrow-band safety services to aircraft operators less than ten years ago, began testing with the FAA in 2008, and completed FAA approval in 2011. For the first time, we made a system with a low cost, small profile antenna, and global coverage available, ending what had been a monopoly in the cockpit communications market. Since then, Iridium usage has proliferated over the past 5 years given the North Atlantic Future Aircraft Navigation System (FANS) mandate. Now, with Iridium Certus services on the horizon, Iridium is again poised to break a monopoly in the broadband cockpit connectivity market as well as in small business jet cabin connectivity – with the introduction of a broadband L-Band service with the same hardware infrastructure and global coverage. SMW: I understand Iridium’s new voice safety service has been very successful. Can you tell us about the history of the service and its success in penetration of the commercial aircraft market? MH – We launched the ATS Safety Voice several years ago, and adoption has been steadily growing. In a little over a year from product launch, we equipped over 500 aircraft, and by the end of the second year, 1000. Growth has continued to expand for the service, and the numbers are even higher with over 2,000 aircraft in sight. The Iridium system fully conforms to AC-20-150 requirements regarding priority, precedence, and preemption. Also, we are working with our service providers to enhance the functionality of the Iridium Air Traffic Service (ATS) by moving to VoIP connection on the ground for single-stage dialing. SMW: Does the Air Traffic Safety service run over Certus or are they separate services? MH –The services for Aeronautical Mobile Satellite Route Service (AMS(R)S) all run over the upgraded Iridium satellite network but they are separate services from Certus and utilize a different ground infrastructure. However, the integration of AMS(R)S with Certus is currently under development by our partners. SMW: Aircraft are now no longer required, under FAA Policy letter -106, to have a second RF radio channel and instead may opt for Iridium’s Iridium’s Air Traffic safety voice service. How does this system function and what are its advantages over the use of conventional HF radio transmission? Are other applications available in addition to voice communications? MH – yes the PL-106 was a major change of the FAA position. PL-106 was introduced over the Western Atlantic Route System (WATRS) specifically in support of operators such as JetBlue who flew coastal routes that could extend over 100 miles from shore. This change by the FAA enabled the aircraft to dispatch with either HF or SATCOM functioning and has set the stage for what is happening now in the FAA. Now, the FAA has proposed allowing the use of Satcom as a primary means of communication and an acceptable alternative to HF radio, thereby opening the door to completely removing HF radio systems in favor of two disparate SATCOM installations. SMW: Aircraft sensors generate an enormous amount of data, and big data and IoT-based analytics are of growing importance in the industry. What trends do you see in this market, and how does the new Iridium Certus service support its use in the aviation market? MH – Yes indeed, unlike all previous aircraft, the newer aircraft produce huge amounts of data. This information is in addition to the “black box” data that the aircraft collects and stores as part of the safety requirements. However, the challenge the industry is facing is that all of the data can and does have value in either the safety of the aircraft or in maintenance and other predictive data collections. Due to the limited availability of bandwidth, data that is required in real time must be prioritized. However, the higher speeds of Iridium should improve the practicality of air to ground IoT. SMW: Cybersecurity is becoming ever more important in aircraft communications. What has Iridium done in this area to facilitate secure connectivity between the aircraft and ground? MH: Security is a major challenge to communication operators like Iridium in that use of IP based systems presents new threat vectors to the aircraft control domain making it necessary for Iridium and Iridium manufacturers to demonstrate that security mitigations are in place to provide authenticity, integrity, and non-repudiation. Encryption alone is not acceptable and creates new challenges in that various countries around the world have restrictions on the use of encryption. Therefore, Iridium has been working with our partners in defining an IPSEC, Internet Security Protocol, VPN using Public Key Infrastructure as the method to meet the security needs of aviation safety services. Furthermore, the ground infrastructure must be configured to mitigate denial of service attacks and other threats, and any improvements must be documented and certified to a National Institute of Standards (NIST) standard. SMW: Streaming of critical data over satellite has long been considered as an alternative to use of traditional “black boxes.” Could Certus be a part of a solution? MH –Cost remains an alternative to the implementation of such a service and implementation is still very much in the hands of the aircraft operators themselves. However, Iridium has been working with our service providers in enabling a competitive cost for such a service. I don't think, however, that satellite transmission of critical flight data will ever eliminate that need for the traditional "black boxes." SMW: The commercial and business jet markets are quite different in terms of connectivity. How are these markets different and can you describe the used for Certus in each market? What role will Certus in markets small-jet ATG markets? MH – Iridium is the largest communication supplier to aircraft globally, and its use on rotorcraft, business jets, commercial aircraft, cargo transport, and UAVs. has grown rapidly over the past 10 years. In commercial and cargo applications, Iridium is focused on cockpit services, but it can also be used to provide Internet connectivity in the business jet market, especially when business aircraft employing ATG systems traveling beyond ATG coverage. Overall, the choice of communication links is based on operator requirements and the available solutions. SMW: In addition to connectivity, will Iridium offer any applications to run across its network or will it maintain its primary role as a high-reliability connectivity provider? MH – We are a wholesale company only and are committed to being the premier L-Band company. We have not and will not compete with our service providers in selling value-added services directly to end users. We see the Certus broadband services expanding the capability of Iridium to support a wide range of new and innovative aero applications. SMW: How will the emergence of LEOs effect connectivity in commercial aircraft and business jet markets? MH – the emerging LEOs are another opportunity for new partnerships. There’s a bit of a misconception now that LEO is a business model, when in fact, it’s just a neighborhood to do business, and like there are L-band and Ka/Ku band players in GEO, now there will be L-band and Ka/Ku band players in LEO. However in this case, L-band has already been here with Iridium, GlobalStar, and Orbcomm. The new LEOs are Ka or Ku band players all going after the same market as the incumbent GEO players who want to provide high-speed broadband. So in many ways, they’re a LEO version of VSAT. Our L-band spectrum is always going to be complementary to the Ka, Ku and other spectrum band players regardless of their orbit, so just like the existing GEO players, we are very complementary to one another. No matter what Ka or Ku solution an operator may choose, they will always still need an L-band option.
"the FAA has proposed allowing the use of Satcom as a primary means of communication and an acceptable alternative to HF radio, thereby opening the door to completely removing HF radio systems in favor of two disparate SATCOM installations."
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About Michael Hooper Michael Hooper joined Iridium in 2013, and is responsible for Iridium’s strategic and tactical planning for the aeronautical market. In addition, he is responsible for all regulatory work regarding Iridium aviation usage with the global regulators. He brings more than a decade of experience in the aviation communications industry to this role. Prior to joining Iridium, Mr. Hooper served in several roles in the automotive, marine as well as aviation industries with over 20 years of experience as a project manager. As a senior program manager at XM Satellite Radio, Inc., Mr. Hooper holds a Bachelor’s of Science degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Maryland, College Park.
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Over two years ago, we reviewed APiJet Technologies of Seattle, Washington, which was previously known as iJet Onboard. At that time, the company was in the very early stages of deployment of its innovative Big Data Analytics platform with Iceland Air. Since then, the airline has formally adopted the platform, and deals to implement it with other airlines are in progress. Until recently, technology to perform Big Data analytics and deliver real-time, actionable alerts has been a fantasy reserved for the future. In the past, the development of such technologies has lagged due to the difficulty and assumed high cost of implementing a custom monitoring system for all sensor outputs. To find out more about APiJet's technology and the benefits achieved through its deployment with Iceland Air, we interviewed T.J. Horsager, V.P. of Business Development for APiJet. SMW: Can you tell us more about the APiJet platform? How are you able to digest the enormous amount of data output generated by a commercial aircraft and turn it into actionable data? T.J. Horsager: In the past, the problem with acquiring sensor data and turning it into useful information has been the lack of a universal format for sensor output. APiJet has resolved this through the use of a data- based library that stores multiple conversion routines for each of the different devices commonly found aboard aircraft and converts all incoming data to a common format. Essentially, the data is now delivered in a single language and is ready for integration with modern application technologies. SMW: I understand that you deploy pre-scripted software routines known as "Actors" that essentially interpret the data and report when the performance of certain systems exceed normal parameters of operation? Is that correct? T. J Horsager: Yes. We developed a series of software routines we call Actors that are highly configurable and "watch" specific data parameters or systems. Alerts can be sent when the data received indicates that the performance of a system is outside of the specified normal operating parameters, and corrective action taken in real-time. For example, if oil pressure exceedes normal limits, or the actual route of an aircraft is diverging from the proscribed route. SMW: I understand that your platform is capable of predictive analytics. Can you describe that functionality for us? T.J. Horsager: The analytical capabilities of APiJet enable it to spot equipment failure or unplanned events that threaten a flight. For example, if unusual vibration is detected in the engines, the cause can be determined through an unscheduled maintenance event. In the figure below, the red dots from the left engine show increasing vibration compared to green dots associated with the right engine. While not out of limits, the data suggests the need to monitor the engine more closely and perhaps perform preventive maintenance. SMW: What improvements do you plan to incorporate into the platform? Are you looking at using Artificial Intelligence to improve the analytics function of the platform? T.J. Horsager: How to use our platform is like asking what you can do with the Internet. The possibilities are limitless. We are continuing to enhance the platform to support various predictive analytics applications, and AI and Machine learning are new components of that effort. Their capabilities fit well in that we are capturing data, analyzing it, and making it useful. Essentially, they enable us to create new “Actors” that can draw from historical data further broadening our predictive analytics capabilities. For example, Iceland Air may want us to create an actor that captures historical data on “hard landings,” and using it the airline can tell when it is necessary to inspect landing gear components, thereby minimizing the possibility of equipment failure. With the continued development of such “Actors,” the platform becomes more useful to existing clients and to other airlines that may want to conduct the same analysis. So, ultimately the airline gets to control its own “data destiny” through the development of a “library” of applications they require. SMW: How does your platform make use of broadband VSAT? As you know, modern aircraft generate huge amounts of data. Some of it needs to support our "alarm" functionality and is analyzed in real-time and sent to the cockpit. Other data needs to be sent to the ground immediately via VSAT, and some may need to be archived and downloaded on the ground using low-cost Wi-Fi. Our platform can determine priorities and route the data appropriately. Two fundamental requirements for a "connected aircraft" are a server onboard and broadband connectivity to the ground. Combined with our platform, these elements create true value for the airline, unlocking data that has, up to this point in time, been unavailable for analysis. SMW: In addition to Iceland Air, can you tell us about any other deals in progress? T.J. Horsager: In addition to providing a real-time alarming function and predictive analysis capability, we’re also recently partnered with Alaska Airlines to develop a new flight optimization technology across their fleet. We call the system, "Digital Winglets." Based on technology initially developed by NASA, we're working with Alaska to bring it to a "line ready," operations status for by year-end. It provides fuel and flight time savings by leveraging real-time aircraft data combined with external data such as weather, wind, traffic, and other information from the ground. So, the system will provide pilots with the information they need to optimize the flight. At APiJet, it's all part of what we are doing to maximize efficiency and lower the cost commercial aircraft operation.
An Innovative Big Data Analysis Platform for Aircraft Revisited
An Interview with APiJet V.P. of Business Development, T.J. Horsager
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About T.J. Horsager: Horsager brings more than 20 years’ experience to his role. He previously served as director of connected aircraft and IoT Solutions at Gogo, where he directly worked with airlines and industry partners seeking to use Gogo’s platform for connections in both cabin and cockpit. Earlier positions include business development for cockpit data management and electronic flight bag (EFB) systems for United Technologies, EFB system project engineer for Goodrich Sensor Systems, and fleet and flight technical director for Sun Country Airlines. He attended North Dakota State University.
The New Nationsat-Curvalux Initiative for Rural Broadband
We've covered Tom Choi's Curvalux initiative in the past. Now, this unique innovation takes on a whole new perspective. Tom has extended his vision beyond the implementation of his high-efficiency ground-based Curvalux infrastructure by combining it with a low-cost GEO satellite solution which he calls Nationsat. If you are unfamiliar with Curvalux, it's is an advanced multi-beam phased array wireless access and backbone technology with a built in backhaul relay architecture. It's able to provide frequency re-use, high directivity and antenna gain, thereby enabling connectivity to low powered and low cost end-user terminals. In combination with a, highly efficient Ku or Ka-Band low-cost GEO satellite, which he claims can be built and launched for $70 and $80 Million respectively, Tom plans to deliver consumer Internet services at a cost of $1 Million per Gigabit or $5 per/Megabit - a solution that represents a 99% saving over current costs. He claims his complete system - satellite and Curvalux - could be sold to an emerging nation. "If a country bought our satellite for $80 Million, they could deliver a 300 Gigabytes per month, service comparable to the U.S. experience, to each rural subscriber at a cost of $5 per month and serve 80,000 residents. So, using our HTS satellite, it will be possible to deliver true broadband speeds to rural subscribers." In addition to the unique economic advantages of the Curvalux-satellite solution, his infrastructure solves one huge problem associated with the use of conventional satellite powered, cellular base station hardware - lack of electrical power in rural areas. To find out more, we met with Tom in Singapore. SMW: What is really significant here is your addition of Nationsat to power the Curvalux infrastructure. Please tell us more about Nationsat. Tom Choi: Built entirely in the USA with heritage-based payload and bus components, Nationsat features an innovative, full-digital payload and 2.5 kW BUS design that enables complete frequency agility and bandwidth channelization, wide-beam C and Ku-band of 48 X 36 MHz and over 50-80 Gbps of HTS capacity. SMW: In or November 2018 Issue you described the Curvalux network? Can you review it for us? You will recall that the network itself consists of a series of "Edge Nodes," one or more sets of two flat panel arrays, one for transmit and another for receive mounted on a single tower. Each set of panels covers field of view of 60 degrees and emits a sequence of sixteen beams which can operate in 3 or 4 color reuse. Depending upon the range and gain of the user antenna each beam has a capacity of 300 to 600 Mbps at Wi-Fi frequency with a range of approximately seven kilometers and is capable up servicing up to 500 to 1000 users. All of the Edge Nodes can be interconnected via a 1 Gbps backbone link through the use of one of the sixteen phased array beams. By daisy chaining the Edge Nodes, we can go beyond 100 km from the backbone. Depending on the geography to be covered, individual nodes may be deployed pointed at a single usage point i.e. a town across a bay or in an omni directional configuration where six sets Edge Nodes are mounted on a single tower to provide 360 degree coverage. Of course, the number of users which can be served is still limited by the capacity fed into the network, but using our own low-cost 80 Gbps satellite, we can serve 80,000 users economically. SMW: What about performance? Using such a limited amount of power, what bandwidth speeds are achievable? In terms of performance, we have demonstrated that we can deliver 400 Mbps to a cell phone with a minus 3-db antennas 1 kilometer from the tower using only 1 beam from our 16-beam phased array antenna. SMW: Could you compare your Curvalux solution to use of typical cellular base station infrastructure? Tom Choi: In rural areas, there is no reliable power and to do broadband using a standard mobile network, an LTE cellular base station consumes too much power. Because all of the cell sites are powered by diesel generators, an average cell site that delivers one Gigabit of bandwidth over three kilometers requires $200,000 in infrastructure, consumes 20 kilowatts of energy and costs roughly $5,000 per month in electrical cost to operate. Not only would a cellular operator be unable to afford this cost scenario, the environmental damage would be significant. For example, in India, 70% of rural cell sites are diesel powered, and a major initiative is underway to convert them to renewable energy. Alternatively, a Curvalux antenna could be powered for days with a 400-watt solar panel and a couple of batteries and operate for days without sun. So, it's a very inexpensive installation and completely “green,” and it delivers service for only $5 per Megabit. So, we can “light up” the entire unserved world without adding additional CO2. SMW: This is a very compelling concept. Where are you in terms of finding a buyer for the system? Tom Choi: Right now, one of the largest mobile operators in Asia is doing live trials with Curvalux and they are planning to reallocate funds from their 5G budget to Curvalux because 5G is too expensive.
Tom Choi's Innovative Rural Connectivity Solution...
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About Thomas Choi... Thomas is CEO of Curvalux. Prior to founding Curvalux, Thomas Choi was the CEO of ABS, one of the fastest growing satellite operators in the business. Thomas is one of the best known and respected executives and entrepreneurs in the satellite industry and has over 20 years’ experience in the Satellite and Aerospace industry. Prior to ABS, Tom was the founder and CEO of Speedcast. He also worked at Hughes Communications International and at Rockwell International. He has a MBA and B.S. in Aerospace Engineering both from the University of Southern California. Tom is a member of the Board of Directors of the Asia Pacific Communications Council (APSCC) and previously served on the Board of CASBAA. Tom was the Satellite Executive of the year in 2012 and the Satellite Executive of the year in Asia Pacific Award 2012 (APSCC).
There are many mobility related satellite industry events and unless you have an unlimited budget, here are the "must attends" and others that may be of interest. Upcoming Conferences: *******Small Satellite Conference: Logan, Utah, August 8th-12th 2019. While Logan is a bit out of the way, this is the primer conference in the industry. With most of the innovation in satellite coming from this segment, it's a must to attend. Last year, over 3,000 attendees from all over the globe attended - far more than any other conference focused on the topic. ******World Satellite Business Week: Paris, France: Typically, the 2nd week of September (dates to be announced) For those seeking the opportunity to meet and easily network with top executives of the satellite industry, this is the premier conference of the year. ***Monaco Yacht Show: 25-28 September: Monaco: For those interested in the use of VSAT on yachts, this is a key event. ***IBC-Amsterdam: 12 - 16 September: A very popular show with focus on Broadcast -attended by most major satellite equipment vendors and service providers. ***Satellite Innovation: October 8-10th 2019: Silicon Valley: An Annual Conference focusing on satellite business issues.
Upcoming and Recommended Satellite Mobility Events
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