Satellites

The satellite industry is undergoing a remarkable transformation enabled by new launch technology, new satellite technology, constellation innovation, space infrastructure investment and manufacturing innovation. In this session we will hear from companies at the leading edge of this transformation process and debate the evolving role of satellite systems in 4G and 5G mobile broadband and narrow band networks. Topics addressed include Cube SATS, NEW LEOS, MEO and GSO mixed constellations, geostationary satellite and terrestrial network integration, manufacturing innovation and regulatory challenges and opportunities.

Rupert Pearce, CEO, Inmarsat 'The role of satellite communications in delivering 5G: Why satellite communications will define the future of mobility/mobile communications?'
The advent of 5G brings a wealth of exciting innovation and growth for our industry. An unprecedented demand for global, mobile “anywhere, always on” network capacity. There will be a higher expectation than ever to deliver security and resilience for mission critical applications over billions of devices. We have a responsibility to ensure that more capacity does not generate more emissions, creating sustainable energy solutions. However all of these opportunities will not be realised by the mobile operators acting alone. It will shape a new direction in collaboration and innovation within the satellite industry and how we address legacy issues.

Meir Moalem, CEO and Managing Director, Sky and Space Global 'Cube SATS'
Sky and Space Global share their view on the roll out rate of the new generation of potentially autonomous high-count Cube SAT constellations and the projected cost and performance capabilities of these new LEO networks both in terms of their standalone performance and their ability to add value to other space, sub space and terrestrial narrow band and broadband networks including IOT and voice messaging applications.

Dan Mercer, Vice President & General Manager EMEA & Russia, Iridium 'New LEO Capabilities'
LEO constellations have been providing connectivity to mobile users for over twenty years and are presently being upgraded with more powerful satellites supporting new voice and data services combined with imaging, sensing and positioning. Iridium is now very close to completing the fastest constellation refresh ever achieved in the satellite industry, using Space X as their launch partner. Dan Mercer of Iridium reviews what their ‘NEXT’ constellation delivers in terms of an upgraded service capability and how the LEO sector in general is evolving both in terms of capability and scale.

Geoff Varrall, Director of RTT solutions, will be writing a number of blogs in the lead up to CWIC 2018 to set the scene for the satellite plenary.

His first topic, Beam Radio, starts during the early days of trans-oceanic/trans-continental radio transmission and the first official transmission between the British Isles and Australia in 1918 - an event which will be celebrated by the Wireless Heritage SIG later this year. At this time, a hydrostation generating 400kW of power was required to exchange simple messages with the other side of the planet.

Over the next ten years, Marconi found a solution to the bandwidth and power consumption problems in the form of short wave radio transmissions being "beamed" (directed) the right way, minimising the amount of energy being wasted transmitting radio where it wasn't needed. By 1928 more than half of the world's telegraph traffic was being sent by short wave radio systems rather than long wave or submarine cable.

100 years on, bandwidth and power use in radio transmission has become far more manageable than in 1918. The rise of satellites in the 1960s caused a shift away from long distance terrestrial radio for communication. Frequency re-use, band sharing and improved RF components have resulted in greater bandwidth breadth and efficiencies. Meanwhile 5G terrestrial radio is moving mobile broadband towards beam forming. To conclude, Geoff posits that in 2018, inter satellite switched LEO constellations provide an alternative to long distance fibre with a lower cost base and reduced end to end delay.

What are the latest innovations in satellites, and what does this mean for the wider economy? Find out at CWIC 2018.

Geoff's second Tech Topic, "5G, Satellite and Wi-Fi Spectrum, Standards, Scale" introduces Wi-Fi into the mix as a competing connectivity solution; and a valid competitor at that given that it is widely assumed that 80% of all future traffic will be indoors and - through historic precedent - expected to be free.

There are a number of projects exploring long distance Wi-Fi, facilitated by the proposed introduction of FDD into the Wi-Fi physical layer (something originally intended to facilitate high density access point coexistence).

At the same time there are use cases where satellites are supporting the delivery of low-cost Wi-Fi connectivity to rural communities, most famously through the Coca-Cola/OneWeb collaboration.

Will it be competition or collaboration between Wi-Fi and 5G - and how will satellite technology support deployment of either? Find out more at CWIC 2018.