DVB-RCS for Mobile Satellite Applications

Abstract

Interactive services via satellite based on the open standard DVB-RCS are about to reach new markets. Initially standardised and developed for fixed services, the DVB-RCS equipment has become an interesting option also for mobile use. However, orienting the products towards the mobile market demands adjustments and special attention to new challenges. These new challenges are linked to positioning, line-up, tracking, power control, shadowing, Doppler effect and service provisioning. In addition come new environmental requirements as mobile terminals are subject to rougher conditions concerning shocks, vibration, extreme temperatures, dust and humidity. The environmental requirements will not be addressed in this paper. Use of DVB-RCS for mobile services is also a topic on the agenda in the DVB-RCS Forum, where a new appendix to the specification is currently being edited.

Indexing terms:

• DVB-RCS
• Mobility
• Interactive broadband services
• Adaptive techniques

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Vendela Maria Paxal

Vendela Maria Paxal received her degree Maîtrise de Physique at l'Université D'Aix-Marseille III, in 1988, and her Diplôme d'Ingénieur Télécom at Ecole Nationale Supérieure de Télécommunications in Paris in 1990, and her Dr. techn. at Norges Teknisk Naturvitenskapelige Universitet in Trondheim in 1998. From 1990 to 1995 she was employed at Société Anonyme de Télécommunications (SAGEM group) in Paris, where she was involved in algorithmic studies, simulations and ASIC development of digital signal processing. In 1995, she was employed at Telenor R&D at Kjeller, and worked on European projects (ACTS and EURESCOM), standardisation issues (DVB) and national satellite deployment within the satellite and radio communications group. Since August 2000, she has been employed at NERA, illingstad, where she became the Project Leader of the MDS and DVB-RCS development.

Tormod Wien

Tormod Wien received his MSc degree in Electrical and Electronical Engineering from the Norwegian Institute of technology (NTH) in 1980. From 1981–1998 he was an employee of Elektrisk Bureau, later Nera, where he was involved in development of real-time control software for Inmarsat A, Aero and M/B Land Earth Stations. His main interest has been on real-time operating systems, software development methodology and communication protocols.

In May 1998, he was employed at Ericsson, Norway, where he joined the GSM development program as a software methodology expert. Later he was involved in the Astrolink development program in the project management group, and spent one year at Ericsson, Italy as project manager for the development of the Astrolink Regional Network Communication Controller (RNCC).

In November 2001, he was employed at Kongsberg Defence Communication where he was involved in the implementation of a tactical radio for the Norwegian Defence. Later he joined the tactical communications systems group, where he was part of a team involved in the specification of the next generation tactical communication systems.

In July 2004 he again joined Nera, where he became occupied with the mobile DVB-RCS activities: first as project manager, and later and up to today, in the specification, design and implementation of a maritime DVB-RCS solution.

Hallvard Thonstad

Hallvard Thonstad is 39 years old and holds a Masters degree and PhD in electrical engineering from NTNU (Norwegian University of Science and Technology). He has worked for Nera since 1996 and has held various positions in the company. His professional interests include design and development in the area of RF and microwave circuitry, analog and digital circuit design as well as product development of RF and satellite user terminal equipment. Thonstad has had the role of technical manager or the development of Ku-band transceivers in Nera. These ransceivers are highly integrated high production-volume devices for the emerging DVB-RCS and VSAT broadband market.

Hans Peter Lexow

Hans Peter Lexow was born in 1961 and holds a MSc from the Norwegian University of Science and Technology. Previous engagements span development of mobile solutions including NMT terminals, a GSM base station and a tactical mobile defence communication system. He has been employed at Ericsson and Thales and also at smaller enterprises. Currently, he is responsible for satellite resource management and QoS in the Nera DVB-RCS products.