Internet - To - Go

Dr. Bob DixonChief Research Engineer

OARNet and Ohio State University

SURA/ViDe Annual Digital Video WorkshopAtlanta, GeorgiaMarch 25, 2003

A Small Mobile Satellite System for Internet Access Anywhere

American Distance Education Consortium (ADEC)

63 Land-Grant colleges

NSF grant to provide distance learning via satellite to minority colleges:

Tribal Indian Historically Black Hispanic

Tachyon Satellite Network

Covers North America, Central America, Hawaii, Europe

Earth stations in San Diego and Amsterdam

Optimized for IP traffic; stable speeds

Network Operations Center monitors all stations continuously

ADEC Satellite Network

A portion of the Tachyon satellite network

Separate Network Operations Center at OARNet

Internet Technology Evaluation Center-Ohio pushes the state of the art

55 sites on the air today; 90 in a year

A few transportable systems being planned

Internet 1 orInternet 2

EarthSatellite

Permanent Ground Station

Tachyon Central Ground Station San Diego

Internet Instructional Sites

Instructional Sites

Instructional Sites

Transportable Ground Station

Tachyon Network Access Points

Small (3 feet) diameter dish.Usually permanently mounted on a roof.

$4K installed + $1.2K/month max. (special low rates for educational use)

Maximum speed is1.5 Mbits down, 512 Kbits up

Lower speeds are available at lower costs.

Typical Permanent Tachyon Satellite Dish Installation

Transportable System Design Goals

Provide high-speed Internet access for ALL purposes, including computers, telephones and PDAs.

Inexpensive to build and operate

Off-the-shelf parts for easy duplication

Easy to operate by one person with one day training, with no hand tools.

Small and light

Reliable and adaptable to diverse field conditions

Easily modified

Planned ApplicationsProvide distance learning in underconnected locations such as rural areas and inner cities.

Demonstration / Evaluation for a future fixed installation.

Link field research to campus computers and laboratories and collaborators worldwide.

Link field instruction and demonstrations to campus classrooms.

Link field activities to remote databases, eg via PDAs.

Special events, conferences, fairs, disasters, etc.

Remote monitoring of construction projects.

Actual Applications

Distance Teaching and Learning Conference Madison, Wis. August 2002

Ohio Farm Science Review rural Ohio, Sept 2002

National Farm Progress Show rural Iowa, Sept 2002

Distance Learning Conference Worthington, Ohio October 2002

Ohio Academic Resources Network conference Columbus, Ohio November 2002

Kentuckyana Cattle Auction rural Kentucky, February 2003

In addition to construction and operation:

Develop improved designs.

Demonstrate at conferences.

Publish papers.

Provide training on use of the system.

Provide consultation on design, construction, operation.

Arrange for turnkey system purchases and rentals.

Satellite Trailer Subsystems

Dish and Radio Transceiver

Power

Leveling and Aiming

Heating and Cooling

External Connections

Computer

Ground Station Power Alternatives

(ALL are provided)

Local Power Outlet unlimited(long extension cord)

Batteries via UPS at least 8 hours before(computer controlled) recharging

Gasoline generator at least 24 hours before(pushbutton start) refueling

Type of power Running Time

Aiming System

Satellites are 2 degrees apart in the sky; aiming accuracy must be better than 1/2 degree.

GPS Receiver provides accurate local position to PC.

PC calculates azimuth, elevation and polarization settings.

Dish is aimed with precision compass and inclinometer, using simple adjustments. Azimuth - motor drive Elevation - hand operated turnbuckle

No hand tools required.

Aiming maps available

Copyright The Ohio State University.

Computing SystemLaptop PC in docking station

Runs 3 special programs:

Satellite aiming Dish Transceiver control and monitoring UPS control and monitoring

Also supports all Internet access tools such as:

Web browsing Email H.323 Video Conferencing Distance Learning tools optional encryption

Weatherproof Equipment Rack Cabinet

Mounted on shock absorbers.

Automatic thermostatically controlled heater.

Automatic thermostatically controlled ventilation fan.

No actual air cooling. Use parasol if needed.

Contents: Radio transceiver UPS and batteries (more batteries elsewhere) Spectrum analyzer Ethernet switch Laptop PC and docking station Local wireless access point Power line frequency meter

Instructional Site

Transportable Ground Station

Long-Range wireless (20 miles)

Wall-Penetrating wireless(several non-metal walls)

Local Wireless (1000 ft)

Local EthernetCable (200 ft)

Ground Station to Instructional Site Connection Alternatives(ALL are provided)

1

4

3

2

Transportable Satellite Internet System

Transportable Satellite Internet System

Questions?

Field trip !