ONE SYSTEM, GLOBALLY.
Iridium Satellite, LLC
System Update and
Warfighter Capabilities
2004
Iridium Satellite LLC Proprietary

ONE SYSTEM, GLOBALLY.
• System acquired Dec 2000
• Commercial service re-introduced
March 2001 with maintainable cost structure
• Vertical market distribution strategy for voice and data services
• Strategic relationship with Boeing for satellite operations and maintenance
• 2013/2014 constellation lifespan
Corporate Status
Iridium Satellite LLC Overview
Viable Commercial SATCOM Solution for the Department of Defense
Iridium Satellite LLC Proprietary
2

ONE SYSTEM, GLOBALLY.
• One Commercial Gateway Provides Global
Connectivity
– Tempe, Arizona
• DoD Gateway in Hawaii Supports US
Government Traffic
• Satellite Constellation
– 66 Fully Operational Satellites
– 13 In-Orbit Spares
– Constellation Life to 2013/2014
• Satellite Operations
– Main Facility in Leesburg, VA
– Back-up Facility in Chandler, AZ
• All Gateways Support Voice and Data
Services
– Dial-up
– Direct Internet Access
– Short Message Service
– Short Burst Messaging
– Paging
– RUDICS
• 36 Months of Continuous Growth
Iridium Satellite LLC Proprietary
3

ONE SYSTEM, GLOBALLY.
Iridium Satellite LLC Proprietary

ONE SYSTEM, GLOBALLY.
• 2001 Constellation Study by the Aerospace Corporation
Forecasted Global Availability of Constellation Services
Beyond Mid-2010
– Incorporated Actual On-Orbit SV Hardware Failure History Data
• Follow-up ISLLC/Boeing Studies in 2002/2003 Extend
Constellation Lifetime Forecast to at Least 2014
– Incorporates Accumulated Experience With On-Orbit Hardware
• Subsystem Performance Well-Understood and Thoroughly Characterized
With >5 Years of Operational Experience
• Stable Hardware Loss Trends Are Below Original Predictions
– Battery Life Models and Reliability Data Have Been Updated Using
Boeing Satellite Systems Expertise
• Battery Was Key Life-Limiting Element in 2001 Study
– Service-Extending Software Initiatives Were Implemented in 2002 to
Mitigate Potential Loss of Critical Attitude Control System Hardware
Iridium Satellite LLC Proprietary
5

ONE SYSTEM, GLOBALLY.
Iridium System Architecture
Iridium DOD Call Topology and Data Services
IRIDIUM
Constellation
Voice/Data Traffic, Signaling
•
Global Service
•
Tailored Data Services
•
High Reliability
•
High Integrity
• LPI/LPD
•
Minimal Delay
• Enhanced Capacity
•
Assured Access (via DOD Gateway)
Signaling/Traffic
Secure DOD
Gateway
Iridium Satellite LLC Proprietary
Secure Networks

ONE SYSTEM, GLOBALLY.
Iridium Satellite LLC Proprietary
7

ONE SYSTEM, GLOBALLY.
M Modem
RA Rate Adapter
Dial-Up Connectivity
Iridium Gateway
Mobile
Switching
Center
M
PSTN
M
Internet
Service
Provider
Internet
Direct Internet/RUDICS Connectivity
Mobile
RA RA
Switching
Center
Direct Internet
Server
Iridium Gateway
RUDICS
Server
• Faster connection time
– 15 seconds as compared to 40 seconds for dial-up PPP
•
Transparent compression for improved throughput
• Smart Connect – seamless connect/disconnect
– Reduces on-air charges
– Maximizes ISU battery life
– Reconnects automatically if connection dropped
• No tail-end charges incurred at Gateway
Leased Line OR
VPN
OR
Internet
Internet
Application Host
Server
8
Iridium Satellite LLC Proprietary

ONE SYSTEM, GLOBALLY.
Iridium Gateway
Leased Line,
VPN, NIPRNET, or Internet
Application
Host Server
End User
Access
Remote
Application
D900
RUDICS
Server
• RUDICS R outer based U nstructured D igital I nterW orking C onnectivity S olution
• Mobile Originated [MO] and Mobile Terminated [MT] 2400 bps circuit switched data connectivity for integrated data applications
• Key Benefits:
– Provides global MO and MT capability
– Gateway interface provides virtual modem ports that can be routed using terrestrial data connections
– Interface is similar to Telnet with AT Commands and “Connect”, “Busy” etc. messages
9
Iridium Satellite LLC Proprietary

ONE SYSTEM, GLOBALLY.
System Concept
SBD Architecture Components
•ESS : ETC SBD Subsystem
•SEP : SBD ETC Processor
•SPP : SBD Post-Processor
•SSD : SBD Subscriber Device
SBD Subscriber Device
(SSD)
• An “ultra-efficient” way transmit small amounts of data across the Iridium network
– 70 bytes in ~1 second
– High Reliability
– Two-way exchanges w/ flexible range of
“short” msgs
•
Maximum transfer sizes of 1960
Bytes (MO) and 1890 Bytes (MT)
• Target market
•
Unattended/automated field-terminals sending/receiving small data segments
• Power/battery life sensitive applications
• Centralized collection (corporate-host or command-center based server)
ETS
ETC Subsystem
SEP
SPP
Iridium Gateway
ETC SBD
Subsystem
(ESS)
•
SBD Tailored for DOD Applications Requiring
•
Small Data Exchanges
•
High Reliability and High Data Integrity
•
Assured Access and Delivery
•
Limited Power Source
•
LPI/LPD Focus
•
High Capacity
•
Enhanced Security Iridium Satellite LLC Proprietary
ECS
Switching Subsystem
O&M
Facilities
GW
Intranet
Billing &
Provisioning
PSTN
Internet
10

ONE SYSTEM, GLOBALLY.
Reliability
• Command and Control
• Targeting
• Tracking
• Netted Voice & data
• Deployable-on-the-move
• Pole-to-pole coverage
• DOD Priority Access
Mobility
Provides secure on-the-move global voice/data for
DOD’s special requirements
Secure Communication
•
NSA Type-1 Security
•
TS Accredited
•
AES/Commercial Grade
Iridium Satellite LLC Proprietary
Operational
Support
•
Operation Enduring Freedom
•
Operation Iraqi Freedom
•
Homeland Security/Terrorism
11

ONE SYSTEM, GLOBALLY.
US Defense Department
IRIDIUM Capabilities
Cross-Linking Satellites with DOD Gateway Provides
• Global pole to pole coverage
–
Polar Regions (90 o S - 90 o N)
– Ocean Areas (No Gaps)
– Airborne Service
• Secure DOD gateway
•
Independence from foreign infrastructure
•
Seamless DISN Connectivity
• Communications Security
• Priority Access
•
Minimal Set-up time
•
Stand-Alone High Penetration Pager
• Enhanced DOD Services
Uniquely Satisfies Department of Defense’s EMSS
Requirements
12
Iridium Satellite LLC Proprietary

ONE SYSTEM, GLOBALLY.
Testimonials
• “In this fast paced war, if a communications system was not functioning quickly, alternative methods were employed…The only systems consistently praised by the Marines were the Blue Force Tracker
(SATCOM- though unsecure) and Iridium Phones (SATCOM). These systems provided reliable communications at all times. In many instances these systems were the sole means of communication.”
Marine Corps Systems Command Liaison Team, Central Iraq, May 2003
• Iridium handheld satellite telephones with secure sleeves also proved to be invaluable for diverse SOF units conducting split operations in the rugged mountainous terrain. SOF liaison teams carried Iridium units during all operations with the Northern Alliance. Brig. Gen. (P) James W. Parker, USA, Director,
Center for Intelligence and Information Operations, SOCOM. (Signal Magazine, March 2003)
• The Iridium phones were a key communications tool during the Afghanistan war, and since then thousands of phones have been distributed to unit commanders and special operations forces. Over all, communications traffic on all Department of Defense networks has gone up over five fold since
September 11, 2001. (http://www.strategypage.com/iraqlessonslearned)
• While headquarters could set up a satellite dish and establish a local Internet network, people in vehicles or running around on foot needed an Iridium satellite phone or BFT to be sure of always getting
through. (http://www.strategypage.com/iraqlessonslearned)
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Iridium Satellite LLC Proprietary

ONE SYSTEM, GLOBALLY.
Testimonials
"Only RELIABLE Communications out of the Valley (During OPERATION ANACONDA)"
"CA Units lack organic over-the-horizon communications... (EMSS) ability to directly access host nation personnel, relief organizations, and higher headquarters via commercial telephone networks, regardless of the
(EMSS) user's location is invaluable." US Army Civil Affairs
"Without (EMSS) we would have been unable to support the Air Mission in Afghanistan" USAF
"A unit could not establish communications with fire support unit using tactical communications...fire mission
was successfully completed using (EMSS) handsets." SPECOPS
"Instrumental in augmenting tactical communication support. At times, due to the limitations of tactical equipment not being able to operate on the move (i.e. SMART-T, UHF TACSAT, and HF),
EMSS phones...were the only available means of communications until units stopped and had the time
to set up their tactical communications equipment." 1st MARINE DIVISION
"(EMSS) is particularly effective for units during Operational Preparation of the Battlespace (OPB)
missions when the use of tactical communications is not prudent." SPECOPS
"EMSS equipment provided supply/logistics convoys with over-the-horizon communications capability." (Solution developed after ambush of supply convoy that didn't have over-the-horizon communications capability, resulting in the death and capture of several soldiers ) DISA LNO
14
Iridium Satellite LLC Proprietary

ONE SYSTEM, GLOBALLY.
Scott Scheimreif
Director, DOD Programs
(301) 571-6264
Scott.Scheimreif@iridium.com
Kent Keeter
Network Engineer
(480) 752-1130
Kent.Keeter@iridium.com
Iridium Satellite LLC Proprietary
15