Femtocells and LTE Symbiosis
by Sanket S. Nesargi
Topics: Main | 2004 | 2003 |2002 | 2001 | 2000 | 1999 | 1998 | 1997
Satellite News 1997 MCI Provides Telecom Malaysia With 45Mbps Internet Satellite Link 09-Dec-97 WRC Adopts Broadband Satellite Spectrum Sharing Agreement 21-Nov-97 Alcatel Announces New Skybridge Satellite Investors 12-Nov-97 Motorola Awards US$1billion Celestri Contract To Matra Marconi 29-Oct-97 Comsat Announces 2Mbps Small Satellite Dish Capability 21-Oct-97 Divicom Tool Merges Data With MPEG Video Streams 12-Sep-97 Nortel Forms Satellite Networks Solutions Unit 10-Sep-97 Raytheon Awarded $44 Million For Army Communications Programs 28-Aug-97 Com Dev and Newbridge Launch Spacebridge Networks Corporation 14-Aug-97 GDC Provides ATM to US Air Force Cape Canaveral 11-Aug-97 Sprint Testing ATM Via Satellite to Hong Kong, Taiwan 31-Jul-97 Loral and Alcatel Alliance for Multimedia Satellite Networks 18-Jun-97 Bell Labs Demos Ultra-high-power SMF Lasers 28-May-97 Boeing Takes 10% Equity Stake in Teledesic 29-Apr-97 Rockwell Semiconductor Forms Network Access Division 14-Apr-97 HNS Announces Adapter For MS Digital TV 16-Apr-97 Yurie Introduces ATM Access Mux Supporting Noisy Links 10-Apr-97 Divicom to Provide MPEG-2/DVB Systems to Australia's Optus 26-Mar-97 Comsat Announces Commercial ATM via Satellite Service 14-Mar-97 FCC Licenses Teledesic's "Internet-in-the-Sky" 10-Mar-97 Cebit: Intel Backs European Satellite Multimedia Company 12-Mar-97 Alcatel Files FCC Application for Multimedia Satellite Constellation 28-Feb-97 MCI PROVIDES TELECOM MALAYSIA WITH SATELLITE LINK
MCI announced contracts valued at a total US$60 million to supply Internet connectivity to Telecom Malaysia, DACOM of Korea, ANTEL of Uruguay, TELINTAR of Argentina, and RWANDA TEL. The Telecom Malaysia Internet connection will be provided over a 45Mbps satellite link. (http://www.mci.com)
MCI, December 9, 1997WRC ADOPTS BROADBAND SATELLITE SPECTRUM SHARING AGREEMENT
A month long World Radiocommunication Conference in Geneva hosted by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) concluded with a regulatory agreement on spectrum sharing required for next-generation broadband satellites. The agreement supports frequency sharing and re-use between LEO, GEO, and terrestrial systems. Previously, non-geostationary satellite systems including the Teledesic "Internet-in-the-Sky" project backed by Bill Gates, Craig McCaw and Boeing, held exclusive rights to 400MHz in the Ka-band frequencies. The WRC decision was strongly supported by Alcatel and its proposed SkyBridge constellation of 64 LEO satellites, as well by Motorola and its proposed Celestri Systems of 63 LEO satellites and nine GEO satellites. Alcatel expects its first SkyBridge services be rolled out by the end of 2001, while Motorola anticipates having its system in operation by 2003. Teledesic said the new international agreement removed its last major regulatory obstacle. The WRC framework designates a pair of 500 MHz bands of spectrum internationally for use by non-geostationary fixed satellite services (NGSO FSS) and these paired bands match those licensed to Teledesic earlier this year by the US FCC. Teledesic, which plans to launch 288 LEO satellites (plus a number of spare satellites), is targeting its service to begin in 2002.
(http://www.skybridgesatellite.com, http://www.mot.com/GSS/SSTG/projects/celestri/index.html, http://www.teledesic.com/newsroom/11-21-97.html)
Alcatel, Motorola, Teledesic, November 21, 1997ALCATEL ANNOUNCES NEW SKYBRIDGE SATELLITE INVESTORS
Mitsubishi, Sharp, SPAR Aerospace of Canada, and Aerospatiale of France have committed financial support to the US$3.5 billion SkyBridge broadband satellite initiative led by Alcatel Alsthom. SkyBridge aims to launch a constellation of 64 low-earth orbiting (LEO) satellites supporting global broadband services capable of downstream speeds of up to 60Mbps, with up to 2 Mbps on the return link. (http://www.alcatel.com)
Alcatel, November 12, 1997MOTOROLA AWARDS US$1BILLION CELESTRI CONTRACT TO MATRA MARCONI
Motorola awarded a contract valued in excess of US$1 billion to Matra Marconi Space S.A. for the development and supply of the system bus platform of its planned Celestri broadband satellite constellation. Matra Marconi Space will supply the systems for 70 low earth orbit (LEO) satellites and on geostationary earth orbit (GEO) satellites. Celestri, which is expected to be operational in 2003, aims provide global bandwidth on demand using a combination of LEO and GEO satellites linked to terrestrial networks. Celestri specifications call for intersatellite link rates of 4.5Gbps, satellite switch rates of 17.5Gbps, and earth terminal bit rates ranging from 2Mbps to 155Mbps. The company envisions a number of CPE and carrier interconnection devices at competitive price points. White papers on Celestri, as well as Motorola's licensing application to the FCC, are available online. Matra Marconi Space is a joint venture by LAGARDERE (France) and GEC (UK).
(http://www.mot.com/GSS/SSTG/projects/celestri/index.html)
Motorola, October 29, 1997COMSAT ANNOUNCES 2MBPS SMALL SATELLITE DISH CAPABILITY
COMSAT announced a new "Link One" satellite communications technology that supports ATM, Frame Relay, SS7 and ISDN connections in an integrated platform. COMSAT's Link One technology allows antennas measuring 2.4 meters to support data rates of 2 Mbps, while 11meter antennas can support up to 32 Mbps. Pre-commercial testing is expected to begin in early 1998. (http://www.comsat.com/corp/news/prod_serv/prod_serv.html)
COMSAT, October 21, 1997DIVICOM TOOL MERGES DATA WITH MPEG VIDEO STREAMS
DiviCom has introduced a means to merge high-speed data with MPEG video streams in real-time. The company's MPEG Media Toolkit, which consists of a Windows NT workstation, DiviCom's real-time MPEG I/O board and a set of application programming interfaces (APIs), allows data to be injected into MPEG video streams in a network setting. The solution supports real time data input rates of up to 40Mbps or 80Mbps of unidirectional output. DiviCom said it will use the technology for a corporate LAN interconnection service using direct broadcast satellites (DBS). DiviCom's MPEG-2/DVB Internetworking Via Satellite system will also feature multicast delivery capabilities. (http://www.divi.com)
DiviCom , September 12, 1997NORTEL FORMS SATELLITE NETWORKS SOLUTIONS UNIT
Nortel has formed a Satellite Network Solutions division to design, build and commission networks for broadband, multimedia satellite telecommunications. Nortel said the new unit will build satellite access and satellite ground network systems equipment based on GSM and CDMA technology. Nortel's Magellan family of ATM, Frame Relay and packet data networking products will also be leveraged. (http://www.nortel.com)
Nortel News Release, September 10, 1997RAYTHEON AWARDED $44 MILLION FOR ARMY COMMUNICATIONS PROGRAMS
Raytheon Electronic Systems was awarded a US$44 million contract to supply telecom equipment for the Multiplex Integration and Defense Communications Satellite Automation System (MIDAS), part of the US military global network of 88 Defense Satellite Communication System (DSCS) nodes. Under the contract, Raytheon, COMSAT-RSI and DNE Technologies will supply modular multiplexers, cryptographic modules, matrix switching and ATM baseband communications equipment. (http://www.raytheon.com/res/)
Raytheon, August 28, 1997COM DEV AND NEWBRIDGE LAUNCH SPACEBRIDGE NETWORKS CORPORATION
Newbridge Networks will launch a joint venture with COM DEV International to supply broadband products for multimedia satellite networks and related ground segments. The new SpaceBridge Networks Corporation plans to deliver high bit-rate on-board satellite switches using ATM, Frame Relay or TDM technology. The company will customize terrestrial ATM and TDM switch technology from Newbridge while leveraging the satellite and wireless systems strengths of COM DEV. Financial terms were not disclosed. COM DEV International is a Canadian-based technology company offering communications technology to major satellite contractors. (http://www.newbridge.com)
Newbridge Networks, August 14, 1997GDC PROVIDES US AIR FORCE WITH ATM
General DataComm's has been chosen to provide the ATM infrastructure for the United States Air Force Space Command Spacelift Range System network, a multimillion dollar network being designed and built by systems integrator Harris Corporation. GDC will supply 37 ATM switches from its APEX product family for the ATM WAN. The Air Force's Space Command Spacelift Range System project includes a redundant, SONET OC-12 (622Mbps) Cape Fiber Optic Network (CFON) for providing enhanced communications at Cape Canaveral, Florida; a Range Operations Control Center for consolidating network management; and a USAF Eastern Range Satellite Network for tracking space vehicles. Financial terms were not disclosed. (http://www.gdc.com)
GDC, August 11, 1997SPRINT TESTING ATM VIA SATELLITE TO HONG KONG, TAIWAN
Sprint has begun testing COMSAT World Systems' satellite-based ATM service with Hong Kong Telecom and Taiwan's Chunghwa Telecom Co. Ltd. The ATM-via-satellite trial is expected to be expanded to Thailand and Singapore later this year. The trial represents one of the earliest tests of multipoint ATM via satellite among multiple carriers. COMSAT initiated commercial ATM satellite services in March, supporting speeds up to DS-3. (http://www.sprint.com/sprint/press/releases/9707/9707310441.html)
Sprint, July 31, 1997LORAL AND ALCATEL ALLIANCE FOR MULTIMEDIA SATELLITE NETWORKS
Loral Space & Communications and Alcatel Alsthom have formed an alliance to jointly develop, deploy and operate two separate satellite networks for providing global multimedia services. Under the pact, Alcatel will invest in Loral's US$1.6 billion geostationary (GEO) satellite CyberStar project, which aims to provide Internet access, data broadcasting and other broadband interconnection services via leased Ku-band satellite transponders beginning in late 1997. CyberStar plans to have its own dedicated constellation of geosynchronous Ka-band satellites ready beginning in 1999. Loral will make a similar cross-investment in Alcatel's US$3.5 billion SkyBridge project, which plans to use 64 low-earth-orbit (LEO) satellites for bandwidth on demand services beginning in 2001. SkyBridge's main features include use of the Ku band and ATM-based interconnection with terrestrial infrastructure. Announcement of the Alcatel/Loral alliance comes one day after the Wall Street Journal reported that Motorola is planning its own US$12.9 billion satellite constellation for delivering multimedia services.
(http://www.alcatel.com/news/pressrel/alsthom/1997/06_18uk.htm)
Alcatel , June 18, 1997BELL LABS DEMOS ULTRA-HIGH-POWER SMF LASERS
Bell Labs has developed a working prototype high power single-mode fiber laser that could be used to significantly boost communications signals in long-haul communications systems, such as satellite-to-satellite links. The experimental laser produces an output power as high as 20.4 watts at 1101 nanometers into a single-mode fiber, or up to 300% higher than conventional devices. (http://www.lucent.com/press/0597/970528.bla.html)
Bell Labs, May 28, 1997Boeing Takes 10% Equity Stake in Teledesic
Boeing will become an equity partner in Teledesic and serve as the prime contractor for the company’s global, broadband "Internet-in-the-Sky." Boeing will invest up to $100 million for 10 percent of the current ownership of Teledesic, a private company whose primary investors are Craig McCaw and Chairman Bill Gates. Boeing plans to lead an international team of suppliers to design, build and launch hundreds of LEO satellites for the Teledesic network. (http://www.teledesic.com/newsroom/04-29-97.html)
Teledesic, April 29, 1997ROCKWELL SEMICONDUCTOR FORMS NETWORK ACCESS DIVISION
Rockwell Semiconductor Systems has formed a new business unit focused on 56Kbps access concentrators, xDSL terminals, T1/E1 components, and ATM and other packet-switched WAN equipment. Rockwell acquired Brooktree in September 1996, adding xDSL modem chips, ATM SAR controllers, T1/E1 line interface units and framers, ADPCM voice compression devices, and HDLC and SMDS formatters to its portfolio. Last week, Rockwell also announced plans to acquire the Hi-Media broadband communications chipset business of ComStream Corporation for approximately US$50 million. The Hi-Media division of ComStream is a major IC supplier for Direct Broadcast Satellite (DBS) set-top boxes in the US. Hi-Media's products also include network interface modules based on QPSK and QAM broadband modem technologies. (http://www.nb.rockwell.com)
Rockwell, April 14, 1997HNS ANNOUNCES ADAPTER FOR MS DIGITAL TV
Hughes Network Systems, Inc. (HNS) said that it is on track to deliver a Digital Satellite System PC adapter card that supports Microsoft's recently announced video and data broadcast capabilities for Windows. The card is expected to be introduced later this year and will interoperate with the DIRECTV digital satellite service. (http://www.hns.com)
Hughes Network Systems, April 16, 1997YURIE INTRODUCES ATM SERVICE ACCESS MUX SUPPORTING NOISY LINKS
Yurie Systems launched an ATM service access multiplexer designed for corporate networks. The new LDR50 ATM service access multiplexer offers four user slots and supports a variety of standard network and user interfaces, including OC-3c, T3, T1, V.35, and EIA-232/V.24. Yurie plans to add an Ethernet module later this year, as well as E1 and E3 interfaces. The customer premises product also features Yurie's patented Limitless ATM Network protocol and adaptive queue management algorithm for supporting ATM connections over low-speed and poor-quality circuits, such as satellite links or specialized applications for airline, cruise ship and oil industries. List prices range from US$20,000 to US$40,000, depending on configuration. Yurie Systems offers two other ATM access platforms: a device designed for branch offices with ATM at T1 speeds or lower and a carrier-class ATM access concentrator. (http://www.yurie.com)
Yurie Systems, April 10, 1997DIVICOM TO PROVIDE MPEG-2/DVB SYSTEMS TO AUSTRALIA'S OPTUS
Australia's Optus Communications has chosen DiviCom Inc. to provide both the MPEG-2/DVB equipment and integration for the head-end facilities of its multimillion dollar domestic digital broadcast satellite service. The forthcoming Optus Aurora service will rely on an ATM network to transmit from remote head-end facilities much of the programming that it will send over satellite. Divicom said the majority of its ATM-compatible MPEG-2/DVB encoders will be installed at the Optus primary satellite ground station at Belrose, near Sydney. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. The Optus Aurora service, which is expected go live between June and August of this year, will enable residential consumers in remote areas of Australia to receive TV, audio channels and data with a single satellite dish. (http://www.divi.com, http://www.optus.net)
Optus, March 26, 1997COMSAT ANNOUNCES COMMERCIAL ATM VIA SATELLITE SERVICE
Comsat Corp. said that it is now offering point-to-point commercial ATM services at rates up to 45Mbps on a worldwide basis. Comsat's ATM service uses specialized satellite interfaces that can be located at the customer's premises, the earth station or the ATM switch. Sprint is testing the ATM satellite service. Comsat said other uses could include corporate intranet access to geographically remote locations. (http://www.comsat.com)
Comsat, March 17, 1997FCC LICENSES TELEDESIC'S "INTERNET-IN-THE-SKY"
Teledesic Corp. was granted a license by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to build, launch and operate a constellation of low-Earth-orbiting (LEO) telecommunications satellites. The FCC license allows Teledesic to make use of 500MHz of domestic radio frequency in the 28GHz band -- the uplink portion of the Ka-band -- and a corresponding 500MHz of downlink spectrum. The ITU has already designated the same radio spectrum for use by non-geostationary fixed satellite services. Teledesic, which is backed by TCI's Craig McCaw and Microsoft's Bill Gates, anticipates that its initial service will begin in 2002. (http://www.teledesic.com)
Teledesic, March 14, 1997CEBIT: INTEL BACKS EUROPEAN SATELLITE MULTIMEDIA COMPANY
Intel and Societe Europeenne des Satellite (SES) have formed a joint venture to deliver data communications services by satellite to individual PC users across Europe. The new European Satellite Multimedia Services company, which will be based in Luxembourg, will use SES's existing ASTRA satellites and Digital Video Broadcasting (DVB) transmission standards. ASTRA-NET PC reception will require a 50-60cm, fixed, single-feed dish and a DVB-compliant PC card. (http://www.astra.lu)
Astra, March 12, 1997ALCATEL FILES FCC APPLICATION FOR MULTIMEDIA SATELLITE CONSTELLATION
Alcatel Alsthom has filed an application with the US Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to launch and operate 64 low Earth orbit satellites. The "SkyBridge" constellation of satellites aims to provide high-speed data communications services at rates up to 60Mbps to business and residential users worldwide beginning in 2001. Alcatel estimates the capital cost of the project at US$3.5 billion and expects the funds will be raised through a combination of equity and debt placements. The FCC application seeks authority to use the Ku band, which would be shared with existing geostationary satellites using new technology developed by Alcatel. (http://www.alcatel.com)
Alcatel, February 28, 1997
