Two-Way Satellite Broadband: New High-Speed Connections for the Production and Post-Production Communities

A number of services/networks will launch during the next two years that will provide two-way, high-speed Internet connections via satellite. These new networks will be based on Ka band satellites that enable “bandwidth on demand” (rather than leasing fixed bandwidth transport) with data rates typically from 100kbps to 45Mbps. This new technology will offer two significant benefits to the production and post-production communities: a) high-speed connections from virtually any location on earth and b) a broadband connection that supports widely varying bandwidth usage models. — These new networks are typically based on one of two different system architectures: 1) “bent pipe” where signals are bounced off of satellites and routed via the land-based Internet between earth station gateways, and 2) on-board switching systems where IP/ATM connections are set up by ground-based network management earth stations, but are switched using ATM switches on the satellite. The satellite switched architecture has an advantage for production and post-production use in that point-to-point connections can be quickly set up, allowing studio-studio or studio-remote types of high-speed connections. — This paper will explain the network, satellite, earth station, and satellite terminal technology that is currently under development and will suggest the applications, benefits, and tradeoffs for production/post-production companies deploying this technology.

Published

2001-11

Content type

Original Research

DOI

10.5594/M00962

ISBN

978-1-61482-935-5