Glossary

APN (access point name)

APNs can be assigned to each external network interface to allow communications among multiple Internet Service Providers (ISPs). If use of multiple ISPs is required in your network, on the Satellite IP Modem Control Pad Network Settings screen you can enable APN and enter the value supplied by your Regional BGAN Service Provider.

Bluetooth

Bluetooth is a wireless technology interface method aimed at simplifying the communications among devices such as computers, modems, and mobile phones. It is one of the three communications interfaces supported by the Satellite IP Modem.

Bluetooth Device Name

A text label given to Bluetooth-based devices. On the Satellite IP Modem Control Pad Bluetooth screen, the default name of the Modem is "Regional BGAN Satellite IP Modem". You can click on and select the current name field, enter a new name, then select the Change Name button to apply the new name.

Bluetooth Passkey

A kind of Personal Identification Number (PIN) given to a Bluetooth-based device is used to prevent unauthorized Bluetooth devices from bonding with it. On the Satellite IP Modem Control Pad Bluetooth Passkey screen, the default passkey is "blue". To increase security, you should change this passkey to a sequence of letters and numbers of your choice up to a maximum of 10 characters. For another device to bond to the Modem with a Bluetooth Passkey, that passkey must be entered on the other device.

DHCP (dynamic host configuration protocol)

DHCP is a communications protocol that lets network administrators manage centrally and automate the assignment of IP addresses in an organization's network. Using the Internet Protocol, each machine that can connect to the Internet needs a unique IP address. You must make sure that the Windows network settings on your PC are set to allow the network to choose IP settings automatically.

Fixed Satellite Service

Involves the use of fixed terrestrial terminals, where the ground station does not change locations frequently. They serve as anchor stations for wide area satellite communications between a central hub and any number of transportable terminals (teleports) in remote areas. A common example of this system is a VSAT network (see VSAT). Terminals usually consist of: one or several antenna front ends/dishes; central operating building which houses the modems and other peripherals; a monitoring and control system which manages all the terminal equipment

GPS (global positioning system)

A satellite navigational system formed by 24 satellites orbiting the earth and their corresponding receivers on the earth. The satellites orbit the earth at approximately 12,000 miles above the surface and make two complete orbits every 24 hours. The GPS satellites continuously transmit digital radio signals and are equipped with atomic clocks that are precise to within a billionth of a second. By using three satellites, GPS can calculate the longitude and latitude of the receiver based on where the three spheres intersect. By using four satellites, GPS can also determine altitude. GPS can also be used for cartography, forestry, mineral exploration, wildlife habitation management, monitoring the movement of people and things and bringing precise timing to the world.


Hub

A hub is an intersection in the Ethernet network to connect computers together in a network. The more computers there are in a hub, the more congestion there is in the network.

QoS (quality of service)

The parameters in the Control Pad's Advanced QoS Settings screen, initially set to your Regional BGAN Service Provider's specifications, help determine the ability of your Modem to deliver consistent service through your Network.

RTTM (Real Time Traffic Management)

Important technological features found on Infosat’s Connect broadband routers which enable mission-critical information to reach the desired destination quickly and efficiently.

• RTTM features include:
  Quality of Service (QoS) – enables automatic identification, classification and prioritization of data traffic across the network 
• Committed Information Rate (CIR) – guaranteed bandwidth that is reserved for a remote site. This bandwidth is allocated regardless of presence of traffic.

RTU (remote terminal unit)

In SCADA systems, an RTU is a device installed at a remote location that collects data, codes the data into a format that is transmittable and transmits the data back to a central station. An RTU also collects information from the central station and implements processes that are directed by it. RTUs are equipped with input channels for sensing or metering, output channels for control, indication or alarms and a communications port.

SCADA (supervisory control and data acquisition)

SCADA systems are used to monitor and control remote assets in industries such as telecommunications, water and waste control, energy, oil and gas refining and transportation. A SCADA system gathers information from the monitored asset and transfers the information back to a central station. It will also carry out necessary analysis and control.

Infosat’s Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) service provides an economical way to monitor production and provide remote control access to your remote assets.

Benefits of SCADA
• Portable systems with short implementation cycles
• Broadcast networks (multiple stations can receive a single message)
• Very cost effective compared with land lines\
• Highly reliable world-wide coverage (VSAT only)


Other SCADA applications include:
• Electric utility (monitoring and control of substations, distribution switches, and co-generation units)
• Environmental monitoring (rain gages, lightning detectors, avalanche monitors, etc.)

SIM card

SIM (Subscriber Identification Module) cards are currently used in all GSM-based systems. The SIM card is a removable module that contains user identity, account information, and stores phone numbers which can be used in any compatible phone where your SIM card is present. When inserted into a telephone, it allows you to place or receive calls.

Short messaging service (SMS)

The person trying to contact you on your satellite phone (e.g. Iridium) can send a short text message directly to your handset.

TCP/IP (transmission control protocol/internet protocol)

TCP/IP enables two hosts to establish a connection and exchange streams of data. TCP/IP guarantees delivery of data and also guarantees that packets will be delivered in the same order in which they were sent.

Teleport

Satellite outposts which communicate information back to a fixed terrestrial terminal (see Fixed Satellite Service). Teleports are capable of handling a number of communication applications such as: voice, video, data, fax and multimedia applications. Their multi-band capabilities allow operations in all common frequency ranges such as: C, X, Ku and Ka-band.

USB (universal serial bus)

The USB interface is a standard protocol for many computer peripheral devices, including modems, scanners, digital cameras, printers, and others. It is one of the three communications interfaces supported by the Satellite IP Modem.

VoIP (Voice Over Internet Protocol)

Also referred to as IP Telephony, Internet telephony, Broadband telephony, Broadband Phone and Voice over Broadband. VoIP is the routing of voice conversations over the Internet or through any other IP-based network.

VPN (virtual private network)

A network that is constructed by using public wires to connect nodes. For example, there are a number of systems that enable you to create networks using the Internet as the medium for transporting data. These systems use encryption and other security mechanisms to ensure that only authorized users can access the network and that the data cannot be intercepted.

VSAT (very small aperture terminal)

A ground station used in satellite communications of data, voice and video signals, excluding broadcast television. A VSAT consists of two parts, a transceiver that is placed outdoors in direct line of sight to the satellite and a device that is placed indoors as a transceiver with the end user's communications device, such as a PC. The transceiver receives or sends a signal to a satellite transponder in the sky. The satellite sends and receives signals from a ground station computer that acts as a hub for the system. Each end user is interconnected with the hub station via the satellite, forming a star topology. The hub controls the entire operation of the network. For one end user to communicate with another, each transmission has to first go to the hub station that then retransmits it via the satellite to the other end user's VSAT.

The terminal size is typically 1.2 to 2.4 meters in diameter. Because the term VSAT really hinges around the small size of the antenna it has been used to describe both one-way and interactive systems. Specifically, we in the industry, isolate television broadcast receivers because counting these as well would simply distort the numbers in the marketplace, but data, audio and, to some extent, voice systems are included. Generally, these systems operate in the Ku-band and C-band frequencies. As a rule of thumb C-band (which suffers less from rain attenuation, but requires larger antennas) is used in Asia, Africa and Latin America whilst Ku-band (which can use smaller antennas, but suffers from rain fade in a monsoon-like downpour) is used in Europe and North America. Typically, interactive Ku-band antenna sizes range from 75 centimetres to 1.8 metres and C-band from 1.8 metres to 2.4 metres. One way systems can use antennas as small as 45 centimetres.

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