UNISAT addresses the development of this new Satmotion-Pocket generation using the SatLabs recommended DVB-RCS MIB (Management Information Base) and enabling vendor independent terminal configuration and antenna alignment of DVB-RCS terminals compliant to the Harmonised Monitoring and Control specifications issued by the SatLabs Group.

Integrasys, as technology provider, and Hispasat as network operator of one of the world largest multimedia broadband platforms based on DVB-RCS, have collaborated in UNISAT to produce a practical and efficient implementation of the standard that will automatically suit multiple DVB-RCS platforms.

Features

UNISAT helps the RCST installer to perform basic configuration of operational parameters and provides assistance on satellite discovery and fine antenna pointing during forward link acquisition, targeting a wide variety of terminals in a vendor independent way.

UNISAT interfaces and procedures are based on the HM&C specification, which establishes a common set of features and capabilities that every compliant DVB-RCS terminal must have, and at the same time provides a standard way of accessing and configuring such features.

Based on the definition of the standard MIB, UNISAT communicates directly to the HM&C RCST SNMP agent ensuring compatibility with any SatLabs HM&C compliant RCST.

The promised terminal interoperability will certainly foster manufacturer competitiveness leading to proprietary enhancements of the basic standard features. The UNISAT software architecture is designed to adapt to these vendor-specific features to make the most of the terminal capabilites and to ensure the tool fits the requirements of a DVB-RCS network in evolution where new RCST hardware and firmware versions are constantly released. Special attention is paid to the transmit capability of the SIT, which is much more prone to disarrangements than the receive one due to the higher precision required for antenna pointing in order to achieve the required link quality.

Key Features

UNISAT extends INTEGRASYS’ SATMOTION product to comply with the HM&C specification from SatLabs providing support for:

Reliable DVB-RCS terminal configuration according to Satlabs recommendations.
Fast and correct line up of HM&C compliant terminals without networking support other than the satellite nor NOC personnel support.

The UNISAT framework allows the management of the installation and antenna alignment of every DVB-RCS terminal compatible with the HM&C specification, regardless of the vendor, helping the RCST installer to perform basic configuration of operational parameters and providing assistance on satellite discovery and fine antenna pointing during forward link acquisition, targeting a wide variety of terminals (those compliant to the Satlabs interfaces) in a vendor independent way. The primary networks targeted are low cost broadband satellite networks with sub-optimal terminal components (prone to disarrangements/ degradation), which are expected to support large subscriber communities with affordable services.

Main Benefits

UNISAT offers an easy, efficient, autonomous and scalable solution for installing satellite terminals, including a very precise tuning of the uplink, which is optimised to minimise interferences and achieve the desired quality level with current installation.

Being based upon the standard DVB-RCS specification and the HM&C recommendations published by the Satlabs group, supported by key players of the broadband satellite industry, UNISAT has the capability to ensure an ordered and efficient deployment and activation of large networks composed of terminals from different vendors.

UNISAT benefits installers providing assistance to:

Configure a wide range of indoor and outdoor unit types uniformly, managing particular RCST features and access interfaces transparently from the installer perspective, which streamlines the installation of satellite terminals.
Rapidly and accurately point the antenna to the correct satellite providing feedback on the quality of the antenna alignment, regardless of the concrete DVB-RCS technology manufacturer.
Perform HM&C satellite terminal line up and cross polarisation isolation on the return channel autonomously, without additional telecommunication links other than that provided by the satellite terminal itself, nor further assistance from the NOC.

Guarantee a proper RCST configuration and line up, avoiding any possible interference in the DVB-RCS network operation.