Carrier-in-Carrier Solution on VSAT Networks

One of the most significant challenges faced by satellite network operators is the limitation of the satellite segment. It is the
continuous objective of the operator is to provide more and more throughput over this costly resource while maintaining and
even improving the quality and robustness of services provided to the customers.
There are various dedicated bandwidth optimization solutions that are now being offered on the market. The most effective
and practical to implement in existing (as well as new) networks is the carrier-in-carrier solution now supported by Gilat's
SkyEdge and SkyEdge II networks. This whitepaper describes the concept of carrier-in-carrier solution, the issues to take into
account during its implementations and Gilats solution.

Carrier-in-Carrier Concept

In
standard
satellite
communication
networks, full duplex satellite links between
communication sites require dedicated
bandwidth for each direction of transmission:
dedicated bandwidth for the inbound and
for the outbound channels. Thus, the total
allocated space segment comprises the sum
of the frequencies for all the channels.
Figure-1 illustrates a conventional star
network in which the outbound and inbound
signals are transmitted over dedicated
channels that occupy different positions on
the allocated space segment.

Figure1. Standard allocation of channels and bandwidth

SkyEdge II Carrier-in-Carrier Bandwidth Optimization Solution

As illustrated in Figure-2, in networks in which

the carrier-in-carrier solution is implemented,
the outbound and inbound signals at the
hub and remote sites share the same
frequencies within the space segment.

In addition to special equipment at the hub, to implement the

carrier-in-carrier solution, various considerations such as site
analysis and configuration procedures that demand know-how,
expertise must be taken into account.

This provides up to 30% bandwidth savings,

enabling the operator to add traffic on
existing bandwidth, increase revenues by
adding sites or save on OPEX by acquiring
less space on a satellite segment.
To allow inbound and outbound signals to
share the same bandwidth, only the
relevant signal is demodulated at each end.
At the remote sites where it is the outbound
signal that requires demodulation, the
procedure is transparent:
Since the outbound signal is much greater
relative to the inbound signal, the latter
seem like background noise and can simply
be ignored. Thus, the outbound signal can
be accurately demodulated without any
modification or special equipment required
at the remote sites.
At the hub site, where the inbound signal
requires demodulation, the process is more
complex: since the inbound signal is much
weaker than the outbound signal, special
equipment is needed at the hub site to
cancel the relatively large outbound signal
and isolate the relatively small inbound
signal for demodulation.

Figure 2. Carrier-in-Carrier shared bandwidth solution

Considerations when
Implementing Carrier-in-Carrier
Implementing carrier-in-carrier solution directly contributes to the operators profitability,
to take full advantages of the solution, several points must be taken into account:

The design, deployment and integration of the solution into a specific network
requires expertise and know-how.

In order to maintain the bandwidth savings, periodical follow-up, verification and

support is required.

The solution requires customization for the specific network.

The outbound signal that is cancelled at the hub (by the special equipment) is
actually a distorted hub signal as received at the remote locations and includes
phase, power and delay distortions. Therefore, the carrier-in-carrier equipment must
be highly accurate and effective.

SkyEdge II Carrier-in-Carrier Bandwidth Optimization Solution

Gilats BWO Carrier-in-Carrier

Gilat offers the BWO (Bandwidth Optimization) carrier-incarrier solutions for both SkyEdge I and SkyEdge II networks.
The solution consists of a BWO device connected at the hub
and a host of network design, support and follow-up
procedures that ensure optimal bandwidth savings for the
operator.

For existing SkyEdge I and SkyEdge II

networks, BWO is installed at the hub as an
add-on device .
For new hub installations, this solution is
available as an integrated part of the hub
capabilities to be implemented when
dictated by network needs.

The BWO equipment uses cancellation technology,

removing the outbound signal as received at the
hub, leaving only the inbound carriers.
As illustrated in Figure-3, the application of BWO in
star networks allows bandwidth sharing of both
outbound traffic and inbound traffic in the same
transponder. The cancellation performance of the
system can be as high as 30dB. The BWO signal
cancellation unit resides in the hub and performs
sampling of the hub outbound.
On the hub downlink signal, composed of hub and
remote transmission
signals, the BWO unit will
perform cancellation of the outbound signal
enabling the demodulation of the inbound signals..
At the VSATs, the outbound signal from the hub is
demodulated, where the signals from other VSATs is
significantly lower and considered background
noise.

Figure 3. SkyEdge II BWO Carrier-in-Carrier Architecture

SkyEdge II Carrier-in-Carrier Bandwidth Optimization Solution

Implementation example
In an actual implementation at of SkyEdge II
BWO feature at one of Gilats customer sites in
Asia, the customer freed 5Mhz of satellite
bandwidthtranslating into cost savings of
about $200,000 a year.

SkyEdge BWO Advantages

Up to 30% savings on satellite segment bandwidth

Lower OPEX less space segment is acquired

Scalabilitymore (of the reserved) bandwidth can

be freed for additional services

More sites can be added over the same space

segment

Free bandwidth can be used to provide higher

availability for the customers, while maintaining
network performance

The BWO equipment

redundancy

As an integrated part of the SkyEdge II hub, BWO

can be quickly implemented and is specifically
designed to provide optimal bandwidth savings

is

available

with

Gilat's expertise ensures optimum bandwidth savings and

network performance for the operator and quality of
service for the customers

As an integrated part of the SkyEdge II hub, BWO is

configurable and monitored through the SkyEdge II NMS
application

full

For more information, contact info@gilat.com