What are the best practices and standards for G and SATCOM integration?

G and SATCOM integration is the process of combining ground-based and space-based communication systems to provide seamless and reliable connectivity for various applications. It can offer many benefits, such as enhanced coverage, resilience, interoperability, and flexibility. However, it also poses some challenges, such as complexity, compatibility, security, and cost. In this article, you will learn about some of the best practices and standards for G and SATCOM integration, and how they can help you overcome these challenges and optimize your communication performance.

1 Understand your requirements

The first step in G and SATCOM integration is to define your communication needs and objectives. What are the data rates, latency, availability, and quality of service that you require? What are the operational scenarios and environments that you face? What are the regulatory and contractual constraints that you have to comply with? By answering these questions, you can identify the most suitable G and SATCOM solutions for your specific use case, and avoid unnecessary complexity and cost.

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Tolga Ors

Deep Tech Consulting (New Space, NeuroAI, SatCom, Robotics) | Program Management | New Space Insights | ISU SSP23 Morna Milne Academic Award
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The initial requirement for satellites for 5G and in the future 6G is mobile base station backhaul. Satellites can facilitate the initial deployment of 5G networks by utilizing satellite communication to transfer data from mobile base stations back to the core network without relying on fiber links. Establishing fiber networks to mobile base stations is a costly and not cost effective to cover the whole population of most countries. Satellite networks can serve as a means of transmitting 5G or as a backup method, enhancing resilience. This SATCOM integration is especially used in rural areas where building fiber networks may not be economically feasible.

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2 Choose compatible systems

The next step in G and SATCOM integration is to select the systems that are compatible with each other and with your requirements. This means that you have to consider the technical aspects, such as frequency bands, modulation schemes, protocols, and interfaces, as well as the operational aspects, such as bandwidth allocation, network management, and service level agreements. You also have to ensure that the systems are compliant with the relevant standards and regulations, such as ITU, ETSI, ISO, and MIL-STD. By choosing compatible systems, you can reduce the risk of interoperability issues, performance degradation, and security breaches.

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3 Implement robust architectures

The third step in G and SATCOM integration is to design and implement robust architectures that can support your communication needs and objectives. This means that you have to consider the topology, redundancy, diversity, and scalability of your network, as well as the integration points, interfaces, and gateways between the G and SATCOM segments. You also have to consider the resilience, reliability, and availability of your network, and how to cope with potential failures, disruptions, and threats. By implementing robust architectures, you can enhance the coverage, flexibility, and continuity of your communication.

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4 Optimize your performance

The fourth step in G and SATCOM integration is to optimize your communication performance and efficiency. This means that you have to monitor, measure, and analyze your network parameters, such as throughput, latency, jitter, packet loss, and error rate, as well as your user experience, such as quality of voice, video, and data. You also have to apply appropriate optimization techniques, such as compression, encryption, modulation, coding, routing, and switching, to improve your data transmission and reception. By optimizing your performance, you can maximize your bandwidth utilization, quality of service, and user satisfaction.

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5 Secure your communication

The fifth step in G and SATCOM integration is to secure your communication from unauthorized access, interception, modification, or disruption. This means that you have to implement comprehensive security measures, such as authentication, encryption, firewalls, anti-virus, anti-jamming, anti-spoofing, and anti-denial of service, to protect your data, devices, and network. You also have to follow best practices for security management, such as risk assessment, policy development, training, auditing, and incident response. By securing your communication, you can safeguard your confidentiality, integrity, and availability.

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6 Keep up with the trends

The sixth step in G and SATCOM integration is to keep up with the latest trends and developments in the field. This means that you have to stay informed about the emerging technologies, standards, and applications that can offer new opportunities and challenges for your communication. For example, you may want to explore the potential of 5G, IoT, cloud, AI, or quantum technologies for enhancing your G and SATCOM capabilities. You also have to update and upgrade your systems and skills accordingly, to maintain your competitiveness and relevance. By keeping up with the trends, you can leverage the innovation and evolution of G and SATCOM.

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Tolga Ors

Deep Tech Consulting (New Space, NeuroAI, SatCom, Robotics) | Program Management | New Space Insights | ISU SSP23 Morna Milne Academic Award
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Companies cannot keep up with every trend if there is no business case for it. Quantum is a new technology but an operator may not require quantum security. Of course once a technology is more mainstream the risk of adaopting is lower. Supportmfor IoT or cloud connectvity are provided by most SATCOM providers. AI is a buzzword so operators use it in the context of resource optimisation or network management. Although keeping up with the trends is important, one cannot jump on every bandwagon as trends are changing fast and satellites are being build we an at least 5-10 year lifespan.

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7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?

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Cmdr (Dr.⁹) Reji Kurien Thomas , FRSA, FIE, MLE℠

I Empower Sectors as a Global Tech & Business Transformation Quantum Leader| Stephen Hawking Award 2024| Harvard Leader | UK House of Lord's Awardee | Fellow Royal Society | CyberSec | CCISO CISM CCNP-S CEH
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Adhering to international standards, such as those from the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), ensures compatibility and regulatory compliance. In an international SATCOM project, I ensured all components and processes complied with ITU standards for satellite communications. This compliance facilitated smoother integration with global networks and avoided regulatory issues, ensuring a successful and scalable deployment. Network slicing allows the creation of multiple virtual networks within a single physical infrastructure, tailored to different use cases. For a project involving both consumer and industrial IoT applications, I utilised network slicing to create dedicated slices for each use case.

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What are the best practices and standards for G and SATCOM integration?

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1 Understand your requirements

2 Choose compatible systems

3 Implement robust architectures

4 Optimize your performance

5 Secure your communication

6 Keep up with the trends

7 Here’s what else to consider

Satellite Communications (SATCOM)

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