Complex Engineered Networks, a Satellite Operator’s Perspective

SATELLITE OPERATOR INFRASTRUCTURE

Satellite operator infrastructure consists of Telemetry, Tracking, and Control (TT&C) ground stations, Satellite Operations Centers (SOC), Customer Support Centers, and the satellites themselves, all networked together to facilitate operations.

SES’s 50 satellite fleet requires a global wide area data network to support TT&C, service monitoring, and the provision of transmission services, through a variety of networking technologies.

An infrastructure capable of almost total earth coverage is carefully developed over time and designed to strict standards.

Emphasis is on reliability, robustness, network security, and a 6 sigma satellite service availability.

To a satellite operator Complexity is a very bad word and is carefully considered in the design, procurement, and realization processes.

COMPLEX NETWORKS

Satellite networks play an important part of complex engineered networks of all types.

With rapid and continuous development of wireless and satellite networking technology, most large-scale networks are a combination of smaller interconnected networks.

Users of satellites build complex communication networks for commercial and government uses; data networking, internet access, video distribution, voice communications, etc.

Satellite networks typically part of a larger comm network comprised of various network technologies;terrestrial copper/fiber, WiMax, WiFi, P-T-P mw, cellular, broadcast

Varied transmission characteristics; latency, bandwidth, networking protocols, degradation, failover

Complex operationally as multiple service providers are in the mix.

Complex Network Examples: Rural cell services – satellite backhaul, WiMax, terrestrialIn-flight broadband service – WiFi, satellite, internet CDNs - InternetWarfighters (i.e. Trojan Data Network) - satellite, terrestrial, wirelessTelemedicine – landline, wireless, internet

Much rides on the availability of today’s networks.

Complex Engineered Networks, a Satellite Operator’s Perspective

To better understand complex engineered networks, helpful to define them.

QUESTIONS

What characteristics (besides being complex) do they have in common?i.e. multiple providers, multiple network technologies, etc.

How do they come into existence?

Who are the stakeholders, what are their requirements? Do they conflict?

Who is responsible for the engineering? End-to-end performance?

Are complex engineered networks really engineered or are applications designed/developed and placed on whatever combination of networks are available at lowest cost?

Are reliability and robustness really understood and addressed in the design process?

Complex Engineered Networks, a Satellite Operator’s Perspective

RESEARCH CHALLENGES

Increased reliance on network connectivity calls for research to better understand the vulnerabilities associated with complex engineered networks and to assess the risk to the operators and end-users.

Research into the engineering process of complex network designs.

Development of design recommendations and guidelines

Complex Engineered Networks, a Satellite Operator’s Perspective