Automatic Beam Selection (ABS) and Automatic Initial Beam Selection (AIBS) facilitate the selection of a new beam by a mobility modem. When joining a new beam, the terminal must re-point its antenna and the modem must tune to a new outroute. Selection of the new beam can be performed manually by using remote modem console commands or automatically using ABS on Evolution and Velocity and AIBS on Dialog.
Beam Switching
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One of the most challenging aspects of COTM modems involves switching from one beam to another. Beam switchover requires both the ability of the modem to determine when and to which beam to switch to as well as communication with the COTM antenna. ST Engineering iDirect has developed a number features and partnered with a number of antenna manufacturers to optimize this process.
On Evolution and Velocity, a set of advanced mobility features such as beam switch APIs, geoscope, load balancing, and OpenAMIP®/OpenBMIP™ refine and manage the beam switching process. Beam switch APIs enable a terminal operator to use customer-provided beam switch logic in place of the built-in ABS logic. Geoscope Regions are used by a service provider to guarantee a defined level of service within a specific geographic area and in Velocity, a geoscope region may be specified as a group of beams or a group of service areas. Load balancing is an algorithm based on beam switch candidate and a congestion metric (total unmet CIR/MIR demand) in our NMS that allows the operator to determine the load balancing of the beams.
ST Engineering iDirect is antenna agnostic and uses the OpenAMIP protocol to work with all major stabilized VSAT antenna manufacturers to ensure compatibility between the technology and mounted antenna. OpenBMIP is an optional administrative interface between the modem and BUC components of a satellite terminal to enable calibration of the terminal’s transmitted power for regulatory compliance. This enables a terminal integrator to provide a seamless installation process.
On Dialog, the Mobility Manager provides a centralized beam switch decision logic, giving flexibility to mobility network operators to bring specific business logic in the beam switching decision. The Mobility Manager allows network operators to customize mobility management policies depending on SLA or terminal type; provide efficient and effective service assurance by beam, terminal, and geography; and streamline service activation and configuration directly from the provisioning workflow from the NMS. Dialog also leverages the OpenAMIP standard for industry-wide, open-source antenna-modem integration.
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- Select the most optimal beam for each terminal automatically
- Minimize service outage during beam switches
- Set priorities to meet service level agreements (SLAs) on various parameters
- Ensure compatibility between the antenna controller unit and the satellite
- Streamline service activation and configuration
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Case Study
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