Sagi Brody’s Post

https://lnkd.in/eSC7kS38 I have received many questions regarding this article in which industry (including a representative from Hughes) commented on the reality of implementing true interoperable SATCOM systems. This has been concerning to those in the DoD along with Defense contractors who have advocated for interoperability (including Hughes!). How can we argue both sides? As is often the case, the devil is in the details and I believe the DoD and industry are on a path to interoperable systems. It all depends on how they are defined. True interoperability at the physical layer (waveform) can be found in DoD purpose built systems (AEHF, MUOS, EBEM over WGS) but is unlikely in commercial systems due to their proprietary nature. Even if this is achieved, interoperability as you go up the stack (7 layer OSI model) becomes increasingly difficult as commercial operators introduce their own design methods and network features. Many point to our cell phones as an example of how this can be achieved but seem to miss the fact that there are now over 5 billion subscribers worldwide and the cost of implementing a standard is easily supported. Even 30 years ago when the industry was only 10 years old and the subscriber count was near 25 million we witnessed the "standards wars" with TDMA, CDMA and GSM all jockeying for position. Given there are likely less than 10 million users in todays GEO/MEO/LEO world, creating such a standard is difficult to justify. Of course, 5G Release 17 will serve as a non-terrestrial extension of the current cellular subscriber base and once again a common standard will be justified (but we are not there yet...). So where to in our quest for interoperability? Given modems are small and cheap these days with even identical SDR chipsets being used in most implementations, why not just port the various waveforms? Again, proprietary technology and differences in the higher layers of the stack make it difficult. I have been told that even documenting the first few layers of a network for others to use could cost millions and LEO systems only make that more difficult given their complexity. That said, we are seeing more emphasis on the use of open hardware implementations (CMOSS, SOSA, etc) where various modems can "plug and play" in a LEO/MEO/GEO world. Some even feel the Holy Grail of antennas will be upon us soon: an ESA that covers the Ku and Ka bands; linear, LH and RH circular polarizations; and tracks from the horizon to zenith with enough G/T and EIRP to close LEO, MEO and GEO links (we can all dream...)! We are seeing a lot of DoD funding going to these multi-orbit implementations (DEUCSI, STtNG, etc), but does this get us true interoperability or just multi-orbit versus single orbit "smoke stacks"? The answer lies in the use of modern, software definable network management solutions. Look for more on this over the next few weeks!

Solid article from Rick Lober and Dr. Rajeev Gopal at Hughes on Enterprise SATCOM challenges, and the capabilities required (space segment, ground networks, integration of heterogenous capabilities, standardized interfaces, and heavy automation, to include ML and/or AI, etc.) to operate the whole as a highly distributed (weapon) system. The back-end / architectural challenges are immense, especially given the age of some legacy capabilities. That said, cross-platform interoperability, terminal portability and ML/AI-enabled network-centric management of heterogenous capabilities are inevitable. The day when SATCOM is “just another comm path” - one largely transparent to the end user - is coming, and soon. ESCM&C is a step in that direction for the DoD.

Viasat is considering investing in spacecraft with other Mobile Satellite Service (MSS) operators as the promise of direct-to-smartphone technology drives unprecedented cooperation among historically isolated networks. “What you’ve seen in MSS in the past is every operator has to have its own satellite, its own ground segment, its own type of terminals [and] they only use their own spectrum,” Viasat CEO Mark Dankberg said. “But what we’re envisioning is creating an environment where you can roam from MSS operator to MSS operator seamlessly, and you can do that in different geographies or within the same geography.” Pooling radiowaves in the same area could deliver more capacity for direct-to-smartphone services, enabling higher bandwidth text, voice, and data capabilities for phones outside cellular coverage. #network #apple #smartphone #future #iPhone #samsung #aerospace #connectivity #connectivitymatters  #military #communications  #newspace #newspaceeconomy #constellations #satellite #space #satelliteoperatos #satcoms #satellitesystems #satelliteoperations #telecommunications #spaceindustry #LowEarthOrbit #geo #megaconstellations #esa #nasa #eu #europe #resilience #oneweb #starlink #spacex #telesat #globalstar #iridium #qualcomm #huawei #ASTSpacemoblie #lynk #spacecraft #internetofthings #development #emergencyresponse #5g #6g #5gnetworks #spacedata #oneweb #starlink #iris2 #iridium #directtodevice #autonomousvehicles #d2d #dtd #sustainabity #viasat #MichaelHadjitheodosiou https://lnkd.in/eR_Msat4

Interoperability is Critical to the Future of Space: We are entering an industrial era in which space is becoming an important driver of technological advancement, global sustainability and geopolitical competition; one in which investing in interoperability is more critical than ever. Prioritizing interoperability and decentralization is now required to ensure that space exploration brings more benefit than harm to humanity. Throughout history, the […] The post Interoperability is Critical to the Future of Space appeared first on Via Satellite. #neuco #satellite

On Wednesday, our colleagues at the Institute for Communication Systems (ICS) are hosting an event focused on Non-Terrestrial Networks. It's part of their 6GIC-CLICK series - 6GIC SeLected Advanced TopICs WorKshop series - and will bring together experts and enthusiasts from the field to discuss the latest advancements and innovations. The demand for mobility, ubiquitous coverage and resilience has driven communications in 5G and 6G to include NTN. The latter includes multi orbit satellites, High Altitude Platforms (HAPs) and Aerial devices in the lower troposphere. In 5G and 5G advanced we are already seeing integrated service delivery via cellular and satellite direct to commercial mobile phones heralding a convergence of these sectors. This is being enabled by new 3GPP NTN 5G standards helping to create the new ecosystem. The 5G advanced era will herald large constellations of LEO satellites with on board processing including network functions previously only terrestrial located but now offering direct phone to phone connections without the need for terrestrial infrastructure. As we now move into the period of defining a completely new and unified 6G system, NTN will play a key role in proving coverage and resilience via an interconnected 3D space network converged with terrestrial networks. Find out more and sign up: https://lnkd.in/gbpq7T26

We can see an increase in the number of satellites providing access to services formerly available only through terrestrial infrastructure. With the number of network elements constantly growing, we can finally talk about creating whole networks in space, known as non-terrestrial networks (NTN).

Ahead of #satellite2024 next week the FCC approves a framework for allowing satellite operators to use IMT/cellular spectrum. A big win for #starlink AST Space Mobile, and #Lynk. Is there room for cooperation between the 3GPP standard and this Satellite-IMT spectrum model? Or only competition. If you are attending Satellite2024 next week, I would love to connect and discuss more! #satellite #space #satellitecommunication

Satellite and telecom networks are slowly merging, with satellites increasingly tapping into the 5G terrestrial network. But, this merger comes with challenges. This field guide I wrote for Constellations, outlines the 5G standards that are making the merger of satcom and telecom possible. #Satcom #Telecom #Satellites #Space

Satellite and telecom networks are slowly merging, with satellites increasingly tapping into the 5G terrestrial network. But, this merger comes with challenges. This field guide I wrote for Constellations, outlines the 5G standards that are making the merger of satcom and telecom possible. #Satcom #Telecom #Satellites #Space

Satellite and telecom networks are slowly merging, with satellites increasingly tapping into the 5G terrestrial network. But, this merger comes with challenges. This field guide I wrote for Constellations, outlines the 5G standards that are making the merger of satcom and telecom possible. #Satcom #Telecom #Satellites #Space