Spain: OmniAccess Upgrades Maritime Satellite Network

OmniAccess Upgrades Maritime Satellite Network

Satcoms supplier to the super-rich OmniAccess has upgraded its entire maritime satellite network to iDirect’s soon-to-be-released next-generation Evolution X7 remotes and iDX 3.2 software featuring Adaptive TDMA.

This will allow it to offer substantially higher throughput rates for maritime applications, as well as significantly increased link-availability to the mega-yachts owned by its high-net-worth clientele.

OmniAccess will leverage the X7 to deliver throughput rates in excess of 50 Mbps, significantly boosting the capability of BroadBEAM connectivity at sea service. This will let the company bring yacht owners and passengers high speed access to high-definition video conferencing, streaming HDTV channels, corporate VPN access and toll-quality voice calls wherever they might be sailing.

By implementing Adaptive TDMA, OmniAccess will also be able to provide greater network availability to its customers who regularly travel through changing weather and varied satellite spectrum conditions. iDirect states that with iDX 3.2, VSAT networks can be designed to provide more than 20dB in fade margin without compromising clear weather throughput, resulting in a 40% to 80% throughput gain in handling rain fade and beam contours for a typical mobile network.

Unveiled last month, iDirect says the Evolution X7 sets a new record in data transmission speeds. Built on an entirely new multi-core hardware system, the new modem can reach up to 100 Mbps of combined inbound and outbound throughput, with more than 20 Mbps on the return channel alone.

To achieve this, it ultilises dual DVB-S2 demodulators with fully independent RF chains. Practically speaking, this allows it to support a voice and data services while simultaneously receiving up to 12 high-definition multicast channels over the same or a second transponder or satellite. The X7 also features an embedded 8-port switch, which provides flexibility for segregating multiple end-user traffic groups.

The X7 enables service providers – like OmniAccess – to deliver high-bandwidth data rates while using adaptive TDMA on a shared return. For example, service providers in the maritime segment can efficiently relay basic voice and data traffic, while also managing bandwidth-heavy business applications and multicast services like IP TV.

iDirect CTO Dave Bettinger said: ‘With the X7 we have attained a breakthrough in packets-per-second performance. Our partners can now deliver data speeds on a TDMA platform that until now have only been possible on an SCPC dedicated link. This is just the first step in our ambitious plan to equip our partners to meet escalating end-user demands for satellite bandwidth.

[mappress]

Press Release, November 13, 2012; Image: omniaccess