( Based on a ViaSat press release dated: 2 Dec 2004 )
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LinkStar® bandwidth-on-demand VSAT terminal shipments have
passed the 30,000 mark during the recently completed second quarter of
ViaSat’s financial year ending 1 Oct 2004 Quarterly equipment shipments are double since last year and are growing at a rate over 15% per quarter, representing one of the most successful product introductions in the VSAT industry. Terminal shipments are going to customers operating from 85 LinkStar network hub installations. |
The success of LinkStar can be traced to its versatility. The system is
cost-effective for a full range of applications, from low speed,
quick-turnaround retail transactions such as point-of-sale and lottery networks
to high speed broadband multimedia applications such as Internet access,
Internet Cafe, security applications, community and enterprise networking and
distance learning.
For enterprise customers broadband data rates are often the main benefit of the
system, but features such as “VLAN tagging” that provides multiple, secure IP
virtual private networks from a single terminal are a key differentiator as
well. VLAN tagging automatically routes IP packets, including Multi-protocol
Label Switching (MPLS), to multiple local area networks, providing end-to-end
security and separation of data traffic. Other features include TCP
acceleration, Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP), and Quality of Service
that optimise network performance.
For low-speed data applications new Slotted Aloha enhancements enable terminals
to gain immediate access to the network, minimizing latency associated with
satellite networking. That quick access makes LinkStar VSATs ideal for retail
operations, where transactions are typically turned around over the network in
less than five seconds.
In addition, as the leading hub-based VSAT system built on a foundation of DVB-RCS
(Digital Video Broadcasting – Return Channel via Satellite) technology, LinkStar
VSATs are the right choice for service providers seeking open
standards-compliant networking. The DVB-RCS functionality of the system was
demonstrated in both a lab setting at Comsat Laboratories, and on-site, over
satellite at the Eutelsat earth station in Rambouillet, France. The broad level
test categories included DVB-RCS compliance, MPEG encapsulation profile, system
stability, application testing, and network operations.
Remote terminals receive data at speeds ranging from 2.3 to 58
megabits-per-second (Mbit/s) from the access hub, and can efficiently transmit
data back to the hub from 208 kbit/s up to 3.3 Mbit/s. Dynamic bandwidth
allocation increases or decreases data rates on-the-fly for better service and
more efficient use of bandwidth.
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► Page created 22 Feb 2005, amended 24 April 2005 Eric Johnston
