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Douglas, Isle of Man, 05 December 2011 – The Satellite Interference Reduction Group (sIRG) today announced that it has formed a new working group covering Satellite Identification (ID)
The sIRG has spent a great deal of time and effort in introducing Carrier ID across the industry, however it is not yet possible to identify the satellite itself, which of course leads to carriers mistakenly using the wrong satellite. It is especially fundamental to auto-deploy and “Comms On The Move” (COTM) systems, where in their very nature, the system is unmanned and prone to inaccuracies.
The group will focus on finding cost effective ways to introduce Satellite ID, as well as working towards a standard for auto-deploy systems, with the aim of significantly reducing interference during deployment of those systems. In addition, it is hoped to form a new group early in 2012 to look at the future of on-board satellite technology with the inclusion of Satellite ID.
The Satellite ID Working Group has been established following a presentation given by Dave Nicoll, Business Development Manager, Sematron at the recent sIRG conference in Dorset, UK. His presentation explored the problem of auto-deploy systems and sparked a lengthy discussion. Dave has been selected to chair this new working group.
“It is extremely clear to me that Adjacent Satellite Interference and deployment accuracy needs solving. Auto-deploy causes a great many problems, but it is not a simple case of stopping those systems, as a great many people rely on them due to the need to cut costs,” commented Dave Nicoll, Sematron. “We need to work together as a group and as an industry to better manage those systems and help drastically reduce inaccuracies that cause interference.”
Dave Nicoll will also have support from Richard Lamb, Senior Director, Occasional Use Operations, SES, and Fred Morris, VP Global Sales Engineering, Comtech EF Data, but we are looking for others to join this group and help drive this and other initiatives forward.
Douglas, Isle of Man, 12th October – The Satellite Interference Reduction Group (sIRG) today announced that DVB has accepted the topic of Carrier ID as a work item and that as a first step the commercial and market requirements will be captured within the Commercial Module and its relevant sub-group, DVB-CM BSS. Once approved by the Commercial Module and Steering Board, such requirements will be passed to the Technical Module of DVB to review the various technical options from which a solution will be defined and selected that best meets the Commercial Requirements.
At IBC, with the backing of sIRG, leading manufacturers: Advantech Wireless, Comtech, Ericsson, Gilat, Newtec, iDirect, agreed to work together to begin the process to formalize a standard for the insertion of new Carrier ID technology within the DVB specification. The proposed work item was taken to the DVB by all manufacturers following the meeting and received backing from GVF, RFI-EUI, WBU-ISOG and Eutelsat, which enabled the process to begin immediately.
The technology being included in the proposed specification contains the Carrier ID information within a separate carrier. This means that it is visible to operators, without the need to interrupt the main feed, saving valuable airtime for broadcasters, when interference occurs, by enabling operators to identify and stop the interference quickly and effectively. This is especially important for live events, where missing an important goal, for example, can be crucial to viewers.
In a military environment, this type of technology could help protect vital operations and improve the resolution of interference issues quickly, without effecting those important operations.
“The satellite industry loses millions of dollars per year down to cases of interference and a great deal of manpower has to be given over to discovering its causes,” commented Martin Coleman, Executive Director, sIRG. “By establishing Carrier ID, interference can be mitigated almost as soon as it was started. This particular type of technology makes that process painless for the end users who do not need to have their feeds interrupted to resolve the problem.”
Douglas, Isle of Man, 26th September – The Satellite Interference Reduction Group (sIRG) today announced a huge leap forward in the fight against satellite interference following a number of important developments at IBC.
One of the major initiatives being spearheaded by sIRG is the introduction of video carrier ID across the industry in time for the 2012 Olympics. At the sIRG and GVF conference on 8th September, hosted by Eutelsat, Eutelsat announced that from 30th June 2012 carrier ID will be integrated into transmission parameters for SNG transmissions and new DVB broadcasts for all Eutelsat customers.
“The announcement from Eutelsat is a huge breakthrough in the fight against interference and it will significantly impact our goal of getting the entire industry on board with video carrier ID in time for the 2012 Olympics,” commented Martin Coleman, Executive Director, sIRG. “Now that Eutelsat has made that first major step, we are working with other satellite operators to determine their strategy moving forward.”
A further breakthrough was made at a meeting of manufacturers and organizations, hosted by sIRG, courtesy of Double D Electronics, Novella SatComs and Research Concepts at IBC. In particular, the meeting involved a number of leading modem manufacturers who have agreed to work together to formalize a standard for the insertion of new carrier ID technology within the DVB specification, leaning towards a technology based on an overlay channel. Comtech has recently proven that such a technology is a viable and robust solution. Those discussions have now begun and we hope to have this put in to the DVB process by 5th October, 2011.
Martin Coleman, Executive Director, sIRG said, “The meeting of manufacturers was extremely positive, and I was particularly encouraged to see competing companies sitting around a table and agreeing to work together towards a common goal.”
Thomas Van Den Driessche, Director of Vertical Markets, Newtec, added: “It is great to see common goals that contribute to the reliability and competitiveness of the Satellite Industry. We have since had some positive feedback from the DVB about supporting this process. We fully expect to reach a standard backed up by leading manufacturers, operators and users in the short term.”
Fred Morris, VP Global Sales Engineering, Comtech EF Data commented: “Interference is a problem which effects the entire industry and the only way we can solve it is by working together as an entire industry. We are pleased to be part of this initiative.”
Having made major advancements at IBC, the focus now has to be on defining the process of managing carrier ID, ensuring that it is workable throughout the chain. |
