Satellite Communication
Procedures in the event of
Natural Disasters
Alvin Chew
Director, Business Development, Asia
20th August 2014
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Iridium - A vital, global communications provider of
mobile voice and data services via 66 in-orbit
satellites
• World’s largest commercial satellite
constellation
• Reliable, real-time, mission-critical
communications services
• Truly global coverage
• Pole-to-pole, including all oceans & land
masses
• Any terrain
• Where terrestrial infrastructure is
unavailable or undesirable
• Low-latency
• Highly reliable
• Cross-linked satellites operating as a
fully meshed network and supported by
multiple in-orbit spares.
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Follow us
Iridium’s Long Term Competitive Advantage
Our satellite network provides a superior and
differentiated experience for our customers
• A unique LEO constellation sets it
apart from MEO and GEO systems
• Shorter distance results in a better
customer experience
• Cross-linked and overlapping
“mesh” architecture
• Delivers superior availability,
efficiency, flexibility and reliability
• Near-polar orbit constellation truly
means “Iridium Everywhere”
• Connectivity is driving missions
worldwide
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Follow us
What Is Iridium NEXT?
• Fully replaces the current constellation
of 66 LEO satellite architecture
• Updates the ground system with new
features and capabilities
• Supported by 6 in-orbit spares and 9
ground spares
• Scheduled deployment between 2015
and 2017
• To be launched on SpaceX Falcon 9
rockets (9 SVs/launch); ISC Kosmotras a
supplemental contract
• Significant advantages
• Expanded capacity
• Higher data speeds
• Ability to host payloads
• Deployment approach designed for
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service continuity
Built-in Disaster Recovery
• Constellation of 66 Low-Earth Orbit (LEO) satellites
• 6 planes of 11 satellites
• Polar orbits provide at 780 km altitude
• 100% global coverage
• Inter-satellite links are key differentiator
• Multiple spares in orbit
Mission Orbit at
780 km (485 mi)
(66 Satellites)
Storage Orbit
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Call Routing Above & Around Effected Area
Iridium’s call path is highly
disaster proof. Calls seamlessly
transmit through inter-satellite
links, never relying on ground
transport. Iridium-to-Iridium
calls go directly from satellite
phone to satellite to phone.
PSTN
Iridium Handset
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Iridium Gateway
Tempe, Arizona
First Responder Applications
• Search and rescue
• Damage assessment reporting
• Mobility required
• Relief supply logistics support
• Ordering relief supplies
• Supply movement tracking and redirection
• Coordination of rescue efforts
• Injury/death reporting
• Request for medical team support
• Coordination of evacuations
• Facilitating communications between survivors and family members
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Iridium Push-to-Talk (PTT):
General Briefing
20 August 2014
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Introduction to Iridium PTT
• Iridium Push to Talk is a half-duplex service – only one person may
speak at a time.
• Iridium Push to Talk is a group service – many devices may
participate by listening or talking on a talkgroup at any time. We
may in the future add a one-to-one capability but not at launch.
• Iridium Push to Talk is a broadcast service – when devices are
located within the same beam area, they will share the same
network resources making the service more and more efficient as
more devices are located in the same beam areas.
• Iridium Push to Talk is a global service – allowing devices around the
globe to communicate on the same talkgroup.
• Iridium Push to Talk is a simple service – not in the networking of it
but in the use and management of it.
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Iridium PTT
THE EVOLUTION
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The Evolution of PTT at Iridium
Phase I:
Single Satellite/
Single Beam
(“untrunked”)
Phase II: Single Satellite/Multi-Beam
Iridium launched “Netted Iridium” in
2008. This Push to Talk capability
operated on specific handsets within
the DoD community around the globe.
The evolution of Netted through its
three phases serves as the foundation
for Iridium PTT.
Phase III: Anyone/Anywhere
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Coverage Example – Arizona, Ottawa, Washington DC
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Iridium PTT
FEATURES AND FUNCTIONALITY
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Group Communication
Geographic
Reach and
Diversity
• Anywhere on
the Earth
• Up to 10
different regions
covered per
talkgroup
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Fast Setup and
In-Call Latency
• Button push to
talking <2
seconds
• Once in call,
sub-500ms
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Voice and Data
• Either type of
communication
is supported.
• Depends on
device
implementation
Unlimited
Authorized
Participants
Secure Comms
• May provision
an unlimited
number of
devices into
each talkgroup
(>10,000
devices)
• AES-256
encryption is
used to ensure
the secure
provisioning and
talkgroup
communication.
Group Communication: Secure Comms
• Encryption of communication within the Iridium PTT system utilizes
AES-256.
• Devices, whether manufactured by Iridium or by a Value Added
Manufacturer (VAM), will be assigned keys at manufacturing. These
keys will control provisioning of talkgroups and other attributes for
each device.
• Talkgroups are assigned their own keys that are then provisioned to
devices. This key for each talkgroup ensures that each talkgroup is
a closed user group.
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Service Management
Centralized
Controls
• All service
coordination is
performed using
a single
interface.
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Direct
Management
• End user
organizations
may control
their own
service and
device
parameters.
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Over the Air
Provisioning
Device
Controls
• Talkgroup areas
are changed in
seconds.
• Changes to
device
membership are
made available
within seconds.
• Devices may be
disabled,
network
suspended or
billing
suspended
within seconds.
Simple
Graphical
Interface
• Google maps
utilizes in geo
displays
• Easy drag and
drop controls.
Device Features
Talker and
Talkgroup
Name
• Talkgroup and
talker names
may be
assigned.
• Control of
names is within
the Centralized
Controls.
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Talkgroup
Membership
Priority
Talkgroup
• Each device
may be a
member of up to
15 talkgroups.
• Each device
may be
assigned a
Priority TG that
pre-empts all
other traffic
when active.
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Talkgroup
Monitoring
• Each device is
informed of
activities on all
talkgroup to
which it is a
member.
Global
Provisioning
• Device
provisioning
updates are
applied
anywhere on
the planet
regardless of
talkgroup areas.
Iridium PTT
DEVICES AND DEVICE DEVELOPMENT
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Subscriber Equipment
Iridium Extreme® PTT
Iridium 9523 Core
Handheld
Module for Device integration
Mil-Spec: IP65
Product-Dependent
Service Support
PTT
Location Updates
Telephony
SMS
Circuit-Switched Data
SBD
PTT
Location Updates
Telephony
SMS
Circuit-Switched Data
SBD
Power
Rechargeable Battery
Product-Dependent
High/Low Audio or Headset
Product-Dependent
Form Factor
Durability
Speaker Audio
Accessories
Chargers, External Antenna, Docking
Stations, Audio and Data Connectors
Available in
October
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N/A
Available in August for
development partners
Iridium Extreme® PTT
• The Iridium Extreme® PTT is a dual-mode device that supports both the
current capabilities (Voice, CSD, SMS, SBD, LBS) and PTT.
• The Telephony side of the phone is SIM-based while the PTT side is IMEI
based.
• It is a new handset that will be sold alongside the Iridium Extreme®
• Both the Iridium Extreme® and Iridium Extreme® PTT will have the
following changes made at the time of the Extreme PTT launch:
• New higher quality, louder speaker
• Improved PTT button (even though the button isn’t important for non-PTT
Extremes)
• The Extreme PTT will also have a new faceplate that is black and has PTT
printed below the screen and above the keypad.
• The Extreme PTT will also have the full PTT capabilities including the
ability to move to PTT from the telephony side of the handset and vice
versa.
• The Iridium Extreme® PTT will be launched in the October timeframe.
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Iridium Core 9523 Enhancement
• The addition of PTT to the 9523 will NOT be a new device launch.
It will be an enhancement to the 9523. Same part number,
different version number when the firmware is updated.
• Only authorized VAMs will be permitted to develop solutions for the
PTT side of the device.
• This device will launch in early August.
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Iridium GO!TM:
General Briefing
20 August 2014
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Iridium GO!TM: The Next-Generation Smartphone Enabler
Supports range
of devices
without special
adapters
Integrated and
Easy to Use
Fits in your pocket
Freedom to use naturally
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Iridium GO! Product Specifications
•
•
•
•
•
•
Ruggedized to the highest specs available in the satellite industry
Battery powered with an integrated antenna
Measures just 4.5 x 3.25 x 1.25 inches, weighs 10.4 ounces
Satellite-backed Wi-Fi connection
Supports up to five devices at a time within a 100’ range
Built-in SOS functionality creates fast, two-way connection with an
emergency provider
• Optimal voice quality, thanks to the use of optimized audio quality of the
smartphones
• Iridium NEXT-ready, Iridium GO! will work with Iridium’s secondgeneration constellation which begin launch in 2015
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Iridium GO! vs. Iridium Satellite Phone
Iridium GO!
Iridium Extreme
Customer Need
Global smartphone/tablet connectivity
Global, mobile, critical calling
# of Devices Needed
Two: Iridium GO! + smartphone/tablet
One
1 minute
20 seconds
Everywhere within ~100’ WiFi range
Everywhere
Wearable on body
Operating distance required
Yes
Gloved operation
No
Yes
Environmental specs
IP65, Mil-Spec, -10C to +55C temps
(Smartphones vary)
IP65, Mil-Spec, -10C to +55C temps
Battery standby time
Up to 15 hours
Up to 30 hours
Battery talk time
Up to 5.5 hours
Up to 4 hours
No – not required if in WiFi range
Yes
Mobile smartphone/tablet apps
Online location tracking
SMS, SOS, twitter updates, location sharing,
email, sending photos
SMS, SOS, twitter updates, location sharing
Up to 5 smartphone/tablet users
1 end user
Start-Up Time
Mobility
External antenna included
Developer platform
Messaging capabilities
# of users who can share
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Iridium GO!
• Smartphone/Tablet Connectivity
•
•
•
•
Smartphones and tablets can connect wirelessly without the
need for special adapters
Supports everyday devices off-the-grid while maintaining
access to important contacts and apps
Enhanced smartphone voice quality with the use of optimized
audio fidelity
Apps available for iOS and Android
• Included Apps
•
•
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Iridium GO!: Users can make voice calls, send text messages,
use location-based (GPS) services and use SOS functions
Iridium Mail & Web: Users can send email (and access their
contacts to do so), send Tweets and posts to Facebook, send
photos, use the mobile web, and access weather information
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Iridium GO! App
Multiple Users (up to 5)
Login Administration
Phone Calling
Call Transfer
Text Messaging
Twitter
Tracking
Contact Management
SOS Button
In-App Help
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Customer Use Cases for Iridium GO!
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Remote
Enterprise Apps
Remote
Home Access
Aviation App
Connectivity
Military Smartphone
Enablement
Alternative to Expensive
Roaming Charges
Emergency
Response
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Conclusions
• Disasters can occur at any time and anywhere
• Iridium is the only system capable of providing service anywhere in
the world
• Instantly available when relief workers first arrive on-site
• Complements longer term, less mobile solutions
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QUESTIONS?
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