Over the past year, the advent of New Space has been continuing to drive change across both the ground and space segments.
Satellite operators are under immense pressure to maximize reliability and deliver a quality of service that customers demand, continually improving network quality and avoiding issues that can result in RF interference. Yet, achieving this in an increasingly complex operating environment, with new antenna technology and with networks spanning across multi-orbits and frequencies, is challenging to say the least.
Establishing performance, resilience, and reliability is crucial in ensuring operational efficiency and it’s becoming increasingly clear that to solve many of the challenges that SATCOM industry is currently facing, it will need to take a different approach to testing.
Optimize the
ground segment
One way that satellite operators ensure service quality and performance is to require Earth stations to provide comprehensive data submissions from ground stations for verification. This verification is critical not only for maintaining high-quality service for customers but also for minimizing the risk of harmful interference.
However, traditional testing methods are often cumbersome, time-consuming, and limited in scope.Additionally, the introduction of new applications and antenna types is adding an additional layer of complexity. Obtaining accurate and consistent measurements across various environments poses a growing challenge for operators.
The need to improve and simplify the acceptance process has grown starker over the last year and a number of operators have adopted the Quadsat system in order to access portable, flexible, and accurate antenna measurements.
The system enables comprehensive tests to be conducted onsite, delivering standardized reports that meet operators’ rigorous requirements. By simplifying the verification process, Quadsat’s solution improves efficiency, allowing operators to make informed decisions and reducing the need for additional testing.
Several satellite operators, such as Eutelsat and Govsat, have already accepted this test and verification technology for their necessary antenna test processes. The availability of in-situ testing tools has the potential to transform the quality of services being provided at each teleport, ensuring accuracy and optimization.
Addressing the
FPA challenge
Yet their use is creating some industry wide challenges that need to be tackled in a collaborative way. While antenna manufacturers no doubt consider testing of flat panel antennas (FPAs) a top priority, the lack of minimum performance standards and variations in performance data is problematic for operators.
Phased array and electronically steered antennas are a critical enabler for the next generation of SATCOM, facilitating the commercialization of LEO and the shift toward the multi-orbit landscape.
Yet their use is creating some industry wide challenges that need to be tackled in a collaborative way. While antenna manufacturers no doubt consider testing of flat panel antennas (FPAs) a top priority, the lack of minimum performance standards and variations in performance data is problematic for operators.
The way that these antennas perform in actual operating environments can be highly variable, and if antennas do not consistently operate within their networks as intended, this can cause service quality issues which is challenging for operators.
Additionally, the increased occurrence of errors is, in turn, causing the risk of harmful RFI to grow. This impacts the industry as a whole as RFI affects an operator’s own customers as well as those of adjacent satellites networks.
Reassuringly, there is a willingness and commitment from operators and manufacturers to work together to address these issues for the benefit of all.
We were pleased to be involved with a roundtable discussion organized by the SATCOMs Innovation Group (SIG) in partnership with Global Satellite Operator’s Association (GSOA) during a trade event in March when operators, manufacturers and vendors came together to discuss their thoughts on FPAs, technological developments, and the way forward.
Since then, further progress has been made and SIG is now in the process of establishing a working group consisting of operators and antenna manufacturers to develop a system to define standardized testing of antennas. We’re pleased to be involved in this ongoing initiative which is crucial for the industry.
We’ve also recently worked with ALL.SPACE, a leading designer and manufacturer of terminals, to conduct a comprehensive evaluation of an electronically steered antenna (ESA) for use on LEO constellations. This is a significant development because it’s the first such comprehensive evaluation of an ESA and has proven the ability of the Quadsat system to conduct complex measurements of this type.
Reducing the risk
of interference
Radio frequency interference (RFI) remains a critical challenge in satellite operations, with most interference incidents resulting from human error or equipment failure.
Despite improvements in tools and techniques for managing RFI, the industry’s evolving landscape, driven by New Space innovations and increasing satellite deployments, introduces new risks.
Multi-orbit networks and the integration of LEO, MEO, and GEO satellites are creating a more congested RF spectrum, heightening the potential for interference. In particular, the dynamic nature of LEO constellations, new style antennas and 5G integration could increase the complexity of interference mitigation.
To address avoidable interference, the industry must prioritize best practices, such as proper training for personnel and regular testing of RF equipment.
While modern interference management tools have reduced incidents, mistakes still happen, and equipment can fail over time. As new technologies are adopted, focusing on preventing known causes of interference will allow operators to better manage emerging challenges and maintain network reliability.
Continuous, rigorous testing and ongoing maintenance are crucial for detecting and resolving issues before they escalate into major problems.
The Quadsat test and measurement system, which comprises a drone with a custom-built payload and bespoke software, can conduct highly accurate measurements across frequency bands from L- to Ka-, and can test all types of user terminals, including fixed, COTM, and phased array, as well as Earth stations. The in-situ testing system allows antennas to be tested within the operational environment, and as such, is helping to democratize continuous testing for the entire industry, throughout the lifecycle of equipment.
Helping the Defense
Sector to Make the
Invisible... Visible
In remote, dynamic environments, military operations rely on seamless communication, making in-situ testing critical. Rapid testing ensures equipment functions properly and allows quick issue resolution.
Test and measurement tools are essential for the defense industry, helping identify vulnerabilities in electronic systems through real-time analysis.
In remote, dynamic environments, military operations rely on seamless communication, making in-situ testing critical. Rapid testing ensures equipment functions properly and allows quick issue resolution.
As new technologies emerge and threats such as jamming and cyberattacks evolve, flexible solutions like Quadsat’s UAV-based system are needed to provide cost-effective testing that optimizes signal performance and safeguards communications.
Effective use of the electromagnetic spectrum is vital for military operations, but managing it is increasingly complex because of factors like congestion, jamming, and environmental conditions.
We are seeing increasing demand for Quadsat’s drone-based system, which can be used to simulate real-life spectrum challenges, allowing troops to practice troubleshooting and enhance their ability to manage and protect the spectrum.
This empowers soldiers to operate confidently and effectively in a rapidly evolving and unpredictable electromagnetic environment. We feel that our technology can really make a difference to the sector; we’re currently having some very interesting conversations with a number of defense organizations.
An exciting
year ahead
As we look ahead to the coming year, it’s clear that the satellite industry stands on the cusp of an exciting new era.
Yes, there are some challenges posed by this rapidly evolving landscape, but satellite has proved time and time again that it is adaptive and resourceful, and I have every faith that it will come out on top.
Collaboration across the sector is strong as it’s ever been, and the willingness of stakeholders to work together to improve performance and efficiency bodes well for the future. With continued innovation and a shared commitment to operational excellence, the industry is poised for a transformative year, filled with opportunities for growth and advancement. We can’t wait to see what 2025 will bring.
www.quadsat.com