1. ZERO LATENCY Satellite Data Delivery DEMAND AND CHALLENGES
April 2017

2. 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.

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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

9. 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.

10. 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,

11. 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

12. 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.