Photo: ST Engineering iDirect

ST Engineering iDirect has released a technology that enables tracking and switching between satellites in Geosynchronous Orbit (GEO) and Non-Geosynchronous Orbit (NGSO). The feature is currently in on-orbit satellite testing with an unnamed major satellite operator, ST Engineering iDirect announced Dec. 10. 

The company said the breakthrough features a single tracking algorithm. This tracking algorithm delivers the necessary frequency and timing compensation for satellites in all orbits that allows for intelligent switching based on optimized service characteristics. 

The switching mechanism is integrated into the modem and the switching decision is made by the hub, Sridhar Kuppanna, senior vice president of Engineering at ST Engineering iDirect, said in an email to Via Satellite.

“The switching in this case is commanded by our new domain-based automatic beam switching which can switch a terminal or group of terminals across different groupings of predefined satellite beams,” Kuppanna said. “The new beam switching control system delivers the benefits of scalability and resiliency of the existing distributed beam switching control and the flexibility of externally control beam switching for highly customizable scenarios.” 

The testing has used one antenna, but the company said multiple antennas will be accommodated in the future. The antenna and modem use the OpenAMIP IP-based protocol for implementation.

ST Engineering iDirect could not share the specific use case of the test, but Kuppanna said it allows the operator to expand coverage to a region underserved or unreachable by its GEO satellites. The application is to expand coverage for either government or commercial customers in both fixed and mobile — maritime or aero — use cases. 

“This allows for real-time decisions based on GEO/non-GEO coverage, service level agreements and network conditions, ensuring optimal transitions between satellites or beams,” he added. 

This technology is available for customers on the company’s Velocity platform and will be available on the next-generation ground system platform Intuition. 

“Achieving seamless connectivity across multiple orbits has been a long-standing goal for the satellite industry, and we are proud to lead this breakthrough. Our current validation testing with a leading global operator sets a new standard, providing the flexibility, scalability, and performance needed to meet the demands of tomorrow’s connected world,” Kuppanna said in a release. 

This story was originally published on Dec. 10 and updated and re-published on Dec. 13 with more information