Developed with TTP and SpaceCom, Viasat’s ELMA terminal provides reliable, high-speed maritime connectivity in challenging sea conditions, offering seamless backup and dedicated bandwidth over the ELERA network.
Context:
Maritime expeditionary users need reliable, high-speed connectivity globally, especially in challenging environments. Viasat Government Services wanted to develop a compact, high-throughput terminal for maritime under the harshest weather conditions, capable of serving as a backup to existing systems.
Solution:
Viasat partnered with TTP and SpaceCom to design and develop a compact new terminal with integrated antenna. It had to deliver 3 Mbps over the global L-band ELERA network under adverse conditions and function standalone or alongside Viasat Global Xpress (GX) terminals.
Result:
The small-sized ELMA terminal can be quickly installed on vessels. It provides contention-free, dedicated bandwidth in harsh conditions. When paired with GX systems, ELMA enables automated network failover, significantly enhancing communication resilience for users
Understanding the unique conditions presented by the harsh environment at sea, we partnered with TTP and SpaceCom to develop ELMA and deliver the reliable, resilient satellite communications capabilities that mariners need and expect from Viasat Government Services. Leveraging the exceptional capabilities of TTP to provide systems engineering along with SpaceCom’s proven capabilities in antenna development and integration of L-band systems, ELMA is the first of its kind L-band system, revolutionizing the capabilities of the Viasat ELERA network.
Alex Hayes
Sr. Director, Product Development & Engineering at Viasat Government Services
Viasat Government Services' mission
Viasat Government Services provide secure, reliable, and high-performance satellite communications for government applications on land, sea and in the air. With the increasing demand for data-intensive operations at sea and in expeditionary settings, there was a need for a compact, high-throughput terminal that could withstand the most challenging weather conditions, whilst providing global connectivity and seamlessly integrate with existing systems.
The unique set of challenges posed by the development of this terminal led Viasat to turn to TTP, who provided systems engineering and project management expertise, and SpaceCom, who contributed their proven capabilities in antenna development, mechanical design and L-band system integration.
The ELMA terminal incorporates the TTP developed BRM and RFFE. The BRM (BGAN Radio Module) is a core module designed for use in varied applications, including land, marine, and aviation, with a focus on energy efficiency, cost-effectiveness, and resilience, even in challenging environments. RFFE is a high-performance radio frequency front end built under low size, weight and power (SWaP) constraints, with high resilience to interference, and operating in both LAISR and BGAN modes.
Enhancing Maritime and Expeditionary Operations
ELMA's design prioritizes reliability and versatility across various operational scenarios. Its ability to provide dedicated bandwidth without contention ensures consistent performance, even in crowded maritime environments. The automated monitoring and failover capabilities when used with GX systems further enhance its value, providing users with seamless connectivity across multiple networks. ELMA's compact design and simple installation process enable quick deployment on various maritime platforms
In conclusion, the ELMA solution by Viasat Government Services represents a significant advancement in maritime and expeditionary communications. By leveraging partnerships with TTP and SpaceCom, Viasat has created a first-of-its-kind L-band system that revolutionizes the capabilities of the ELERA network. ELMA offers high-throughput, reliable connectivity in a compact form factor designed to withstand the challenges of harsh environments, setting a new standard for resilient satellite communications in maritime and expeditionary settings.
Key Features and Benefits
- Compact and Lightweight: Above Deck Equipment (ADE) , easy installation and versatile deployment options.
- High-throughput Connectivity - up to 3 Mbps in both directions, ensures robust data transfer capabilities.
- Weather Resilient - L-band provides excellent link availability under harsh conditions.
- Integrated Systems - Internal GPS and Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU) allow for full operations without additional platform inputs.
- Simplified Integration - single RF cable handles power and data between ADE and Below Deck Units (BDU).
- Flexible Operation - Functions as standalone solution or in conjunction with Global Xpress terminals for enhanced reliability.
- Automated Failover - When paired with GX systems, ELMA offers seamless switching between networks, ensuring continuous connectivity.
- Secure Communications - Supports encrypted payloads and operates on an IA-approved network.
- Remote Monitoring - PLC-controlled test stand enables remote process control and data capture.
Technical Specifications:
- Operating Temperature - -25 to +55°C
- IP Class - ADE IP56, BDU IP31
- Operating Frequency - Receive: 1,518 to 1,559 GHz, Transmit: 1,626 to 1,675 GHz
- Data Rate - Standard: 512 kbps Duplex, Maximum: 3 Mbps Duplex
