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ViaSat LinkStar Platform
Last updated: 19th December 2005, Available in English, French, German, Italian, Spanish, Portugese
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What is ViaSat LinkStar?
ViaSat LinkStar is, probably, the most popluar Satellite Internet and VSAT platform in the world today. ViaSat LinkStar is the highest performance, star-based VSAT system for service providers, ISPs, and corporate network managers who are seeking a system based on DVB standards. LinkStar system was among the first ones to deploy open DVB-RCS standards. Built on top of MF-TDMA technology, LinkStar features dynamic bandwidth allocation that makes it more efficient and faster than other TDMA systems. Terminals can transmit data to the network hub at speeds up to 1.15 Mbps, with data downloads of up to 60 Mbps, satisfying bandwidth-intensive applications using IP data.
LinkStar offers several benefits, including the highest return channel rate on the market - 1.15 mbit/s (3.37 mbit/s optional), Rate-based operation that increases your data throughput, Guaranteed information rates for each network location, Lower-cost terminals because fewer hardware components are needed and volumes increase as markets expand, DVB standards based for compatibility worldwide.
Since its introduction, LinkStar VSATs have been built on a foundation of open standard DVB technology, including a DVB-S forward link and DVB-RCS return. The optional software enables interoperability with other manufacturers with software including additional advanced features not included in the specification.
LinkStar can operate over C- or Ku-band frequencies, and is scalable to small or large networks. Applications where LinkStar is used include Satellite Internet access, Digital media streaming, Videoconferencing, Distance education, File transfer, Multicasting and Virtual private networks. One of the first teleports to deploy ViaSat LinkStar platform on a high scale basis was Eutelsat Skylogic teleport in Turin, Italy. Skylogic still remains one of the largest teleports in the world, providing services via Eutelsat satellites, including Eutelsat W1 - Europe and Middle East coverage, W3A - Sub-Sahara Africa, Eurobird constellation - Europe and ATLANTIC BIRD I, II, III globally. Additional (leased) capacities include Eutelsat SESAT-2 satellite (RSCC Express AM-22).
There are a number of other teleports existing which offer LinkStar based services on NewSkies NSS-6, HellasSat, RSCC Express AM-11 and other satellites, making the platform highly popular worldwide and compatible with many Satellite Internet service providers. The main advantages of ViaSat LinkStar is it's affordable cost - with under $2,000 terminals, this is so far the bestseller for SOHO and SME customers around the world.
LinkStar Technical Specifications
Transmit IF Frequency: 950 to 1525 MHz
Turbo Coding: DVB-RCS compliant
Modulation: QPSK
OUTBOUND CHANNEL (FROM HUB) Format: DVB/MPEG-2 transport stream (ISO/IEC 13818), DVB-MPE (Multi-protocol Encapsulation) for IP data PCR insertion Symbol Rates: 2.5 to 36 Msym/s, 42 Msym/s (optional) FEC: DVB-compliant R/S (204, 188) and convolutional
(R=1/2, 2/3, 3/4, 5/6, 7/8)
BER: Quasi-error free per DVB standard,
Modulation: QPSK
Receive IF Frequency: 950 to 1750 MHz
PHYSICAL INTERFACES L-band Transmit and Receive: (2) Type-F, 75 ohm Network: (1) 10/100BaseT Ethernet (RJ-45)
RF Antenna Diameters: 0.96, 1.2, 1.8, 2.4 M
ODU Power: 1, 2 and 4-watt Ku-band, 2- and 5-watt C-band
ODU Operating Temperature: -40°C to 55°C
LNB: DRO (standard), High stability PLL (optional)
MECHANICAL/ENVIRONMENTAL Dimensions: 1U high, 13” W, 8” D Power: 100 to 240 VAC, auto-sensing, auto-ranging
Positive or Negative 20 to 60 VDC (optional)
Temperature: -5° to 50°C operating; -20° to 70°C storage
Humidity: 95% relative humidity non-condensing at 0° to 50°C operating; 90% relative humidity non-condensing at 65°C storage
NETWORK MANAGEMENT AND CONTROL Network Management System (NMS): Java Web-based, standard PC
Network Control Center (NCC): SUN Solaris Workstation; SNMP agent
SYSTEM PERFORMANCE TCP Acceleration: 10 Mbit/s throughput Scalability: 8,000 nodes with single Hub/NCC;
80,000 nodes with multiple Hubs/NCC
Protocols: TCP/IP, UDP/IP, IGMP, RIP 1&2, IP QoS support
COMPLIANCE
Safety: UL/cUL 60950; CE (EN60950)
EMI/EMC: FCC part 15 Class B; VCCI Class B;
AS/NZS3548 Class B; BSMI; CE (EN 301 489-12,
EN 55022, EN 55024, EN 61000-3-2,
EN 61000-3-3
RF Spectrum: R & TTE (EN 301 428); ANATEL
Related Links
ViaSat Contact Information
Atlanta 4356 Communications Drive, Norcross, GA 30093, USA, Tel: +1.678.924.2400, Fax: +1.678.924.2480 Beijing Lucky Tower, Block B, Suite 1110-1112, No. 3 Dong San Huan Bei Lu, Beijing 100027, China, Tel: +86.10.6461.5761, Fax: +86.10.6461.5754 New Delhi 601, Paharpur Business Centre, Nehru Place Greens, New Delhi 110 019, India, Tel: +91.11.620.7618 or 620.7624, Fax: +91.11.647.4718 or 647.4725 Rome Piazza del Popolo 18, 00187 Rome, Italy, Tel: +39-0636712432, Fax: +39-0636712400 San Diego 6155 El Camino Real, Carlsbad, CA 92009, USA, Tel: +1.760.476.2200, Fax: +1.760.929.3941 Sydney Unit 4/22 Narabang Way, BELROSE, NSW 2086, Australia, Tel: +61.2.9986.3888, Fax: +61.2.9986.3899
www.viasat.com Washington 22300 Comsat Drive, Clarksburg, MD 20871, USA, Tel: +1.301.428.4500, Fax: +1.301.428.4700
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