ZERO LATENCY Satellite Data Delivery DEMAND AND CHALLENGES April 2017

ZERO LATENCY Satellite Data Delivery DEMAND AND CHALLENGES A few words about me and the RBC Signals team RBC mission: to “improve life on earth by providing affordable access to real-time data from space” Collaboration in Space for Global Maritime Awareness In the next few slides we will share our view of the future, and how we can move closer to ZERO LATENCY Satellite Data Delivery.

SATELLITE DATA TIMELINE Time elements between a customer request for information and delivery of the information Customer places order for data Satellite captures the data Data delivered to processing terminal and processed NEED ORDER TASKING CAPTURE DOWNLINK PROCESSING DELIVERY Customer determines a need for information Satellite tasking is uplinked to satellite Satellite downlink to a ground station Information is delivered to the customer

Building The Situation Snapshot MINIMIZE THE TIME FROM CAPTURE TO DELIVERY THE CHALLENGES CAPTURE TO DOWNLINK DOWNLINK TO PROCESS PROCESS TO DELIVERY Building The Situation Snapshot CAPTURE DOWNLINK DOWNLINK PROCESSING PROCESSING DELIVERY

CAPTURE TO DOWNLINK CHALLENGES Downlink is impossible unless a satellite is in line of sight of a compatible communication station Line of sight is needed to communicate with the satellite. A pass from horizon to horizon over a ground station in less than 10 minutes. A communication station must be compatible with a satellite in many ways to enable data transfer Regulatory authorization Frequency band Dish size/link budget Receiver equipment Satellite design choices Capture and transmit data simultaneously Simultaneously uplink for downlink Non standard modulation. Adding communication stations to add line of sight communication opportunities can be expensive and inefficient

CAPTURE TO DOWNINK RECOMMENDATIONS Minimize The Time From Capture To Downlink Establishment of a shared (multi-mission) real-time delivery network RF initially Optical and inter-satellite links in the future as the technologies are demonstrated and deployed Spacecraft design choices to maximize the utility of a real-time delivery network Simultaneous capture and communication capability Direct downlink capability (without simultaneous uplink required) Standardization of modulation and coding formats

DOWNLINK TO PROCESSING CHALLENGES Large volumes of data need to be downlinked Requires higher data rates (i.e. more expensive communication equipment) Requires longer time to downlink at a given data rate Data Transmission needs to be completed before processing can start Centralized or cloud-based processing chains require either: Long data transmission times through low bandwidth circuits, or, High cost dedicated backhaul data circuits (fiber optic) which are only available in limited regions

DOWNLINK TO PROCESSING RECOMMENDATIONS Minimize The Time From Downlink To Processing Reduction in data to be downlinked through onboard pre-processing Processing during the pass (with RBC Signals methods) Processing “at the edge” for latency-critical applications/products, reducing the need to backhaul data before processing

PROCESSING TO DELIVERY CHALLENGES Complex processing chains require dedicated hardware and/or long processing times PROCESSING TO DELIVERY RECOMMENDATIONS Minimize The Time From Downlink To Processing Optimized processing chains which can be “containerized” and deployed to Virtual Machines in the ground station.

Downlink to Processing Processing to Delivery SUMMARY 1 Recommendations For Moving Toward Zero Latency Capture to Downlink Downlink to Processing Processing to Delivery Establishment of a shared (multi-mission) real-time delivery network Processing during the pass (with RBC methods) Optimized processing chains with a virtual Machines in the ground station. Spacecraft design choices to maximize the utility of a real-time delivery network Reduction in data to be downlinked through onboard pre-processing Processing “at the edge” for latency-critical applications/products,

SUMMARY 2 Close Cooperation Is Needed – Will You Join Us ? Ground Infrastructure Services (RBC) Processing, Analyzing And Add-value Providers Information Distributors And End Users Satellite Operators

WHY RBC SIGNALS? We make it easy for satellite operators and stakeholders by managing the complexity of building and maintaining a global ground infrastructure network. We have developed an unparalleled network and provide simple and affordable way to enable real-time access to data from your spacecraft. We are flexible and can provide a “tailor made” solution to meet operational and technical requirements.