CAREER EPISODE 3
INTRODUCTION
3.1
VSAT SIGNAL CORPS NETWORK EXPANSION AND MAINTENANCE
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Chronology: July 2008- June 2010 Geographical location: UAE Name of the organization: Atlas Telecom Position: VSAT Specialist (NDSatcom) Supervision: Mr Morris |
BACKGROUND
3.2
VSAT stands for Very Small Aperture Terminal. It is generally used for the two way communication
through the satellite. VSAT network is the satellite-based services that support the voice/fax
communications, LAN, video, data, Internet and is a powerful solution for the public and private
network. Atlas telecom is the powerful telecommunication company of UAE. This company is
providing the telecommunication services for a long time. I was the VSAT specialist of the company,
and this project is conducted under me as a part of atlas telecom’s VSAT network expansion project.
This project was about the expansion as well as maintenance of the VSAT signal corps network. In
this project, the quality of the network bandwidth was upgraded. This was carried out by performing
the TDMA calculation from which required network expansion was checked. Apart from that, the
network which was expanded, its links capacity as well as quality was inspected as needed.
3.3
The primary objective of this project was to expand and maintain the VSAT signal corps network.
Similarly, the secondary goals of the project are listed below:
To upgrade the quality of the bandwidth and optimize the use of the frequency.
To troubleshoot and perform the maintenance of VSAT signal corps network.
3.4
I was assigned to conduct the link budgeting for the expansion of the network. I was also responsible
for performing the TDMA calculation in order to check the required network expansion. I involved
myself in building the station rack in order to allocate different configuration in the network. I
carried out quality and capacity inspection of the link of the expanded network system. I was also
involved in commissioning the expanded network and testing of the VSAT signal network.
3.5
The chart below shows my position and the personnel that were, directly and indirectly, impacting
the project.
Figure: Organogram
3.6
The following points are the list of duties that I focused on during the tenure:
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I conducted the link budgeting for the expansion of the network. I performed the TDMA calculation in order to check the required network expansion. I built the station rack from the scratch and assigned different configuration in the network. I then check the quality and capacity of the link of designed expansion of the network. I carried out testing as well as the commissioning of the proposed design of the VSAT signal network. |
Atlas Telecom
President
Mrs. Halima
Atlas Telecom
CEO
Mr. Graham
Morris ( Head of
services)
Nawras Ahmad
Salem
(Team head)
Technicians
| | I inspected various issues related to remote sites which include analyzing the presence of the radio equipment as well as a satellite at the site |
PERSONAL ENGINEERING ACTIVITY
3.7
I performed the inspection on required expansion for the VSAT signal network by conducting the
TDMA (Time Division Multiple Access) calculations. In addition to that, I determined the additional
amount of data for dividing the cellular channel into different time slots. I was responsible for
developing the station rack from scratch. I then implemented the Forward Error Correction in the
modem which I later used for QPSK scheme in this satellite communication. Apart from that, I then
set up the network design protocols in WAN and LAN as LAN IPs and WAN IPs network which later
used to configure the ports.
3.8
3.8.1
I performed the link budgeting procedure before designing the network expansion system for VSAT
signal. I conducted the power calculations of various components of the system like for slave and
master stations of antennas, PUCs etc. I also checked the space segments provided by the ISP and
power calculation for the uplink, downlink and the satellite. I ensured the proper coverage of the
network in the location. During the link budgeting, I calculated the loss factor and gain factor of
propagation environment, transmission lines, transmitters and antennas. I calculated the maximum
distance of the operation of the receiver and transmitter. I also set up the size of Bus Unit Controller
(BUC), satellite dish’s size and the modem for appropriate Quality of Services.
3.8.2
After link budgeting, I analyzed the required expansion for the VSAT signal network by conducting
the TDMA (Time Division Multiple Access) calculations. I calculated the addition amount of data to
be carried and divided the cellular channel into time slots. Similarly, I also set the burst timing of the
VSAT signal during the expansion of the network. I calculated the efficiency of fill in the TDMA at
active and passive time of the network. I prepared the frame structure for the timing information of
the remote site and specified the operation of the system with TDMA. Hence, I made the demanded
TDMA system and assigned the appropriate time slots in it.
3.8.3
After assigning the TDMA system, I build the station rack from the scratch. Initially, I configured
various networking devices. I proposed the In Door Unit (INU) for the network. I rated and
configured the modem (modulator-demodulator), Encryption Decryption Unit (EDU), MUX/DEMUX
in the In Door Unit. I used MUX to interface with the equipment of end users with LAN or router and
EPABX. I employed the Forward Error Correction in the modem and used QPSK scheme in this
satellite communication. I then set up the network design protocols for WAN and LAN as LAN IPs and
WAN IPs and also configured the ports.
3.8.4
I then checked the capacity and the quality of the link of this network system from transmitting to
receiving side. I used the single hop link which generally has uplink and downlink. After that, I
measured EIRP to G/T in VSAT network. With the help of the single-hop link, I measured the
transmission and propagation delay of the system. I checked the quality of uplink and downlink
signal and also verified the VSAT working frequencies.
3.8.5
I checked and commissioned the functionality of every network devices used in the system. And
then I performed the testing of the VSAT signal network. I found that the expansion of the network
system was done effectively. I also checked the coverage of the VSAT network and also fulfilled the
demand of respective uplink and downlink. I tested the upgraded quality of the bandwidth and
optimized the use of the frequency. I also checked the VSAT frequency range and found that the
performance of the expansion of the VSAT signal was done effectively.
3.8.6
I was then responsible for inspecting various issues related to remote sites. So, at first, I checked the
interference by analyzing the presence of the radio equipment as well as a satellite at the site. In
addition to that, I inspected the mounting system in which I ensured the pole was installed for the
VSAT antenna. Furthermore, if it was required to be mounted in the non-penetrating roofs, I devised
to choose 500-1000 pounds of blasts on the remote site. Similarly, I ensured the cable which was
selected for cabling was adequate in length. I ensured that the devised AC power sources were
adequate for the protection of VSAT equipment from the power source damage. I also ensured that
the devised presales support of SLA agreements with vendors were proper with following required
safety measures.
3.9
I faced the following technical problems during this project:
There was a problem in troubleshooting the service failure and signal weakness in the
remote area because of which I was unable to solve the objective of the project. After
investigating in the camp for the first day, I addressed the issue and worked on it. I found
that the antenna was mistuned. Therefore, I tuned the antenna properly, and the
troubleshooting in a remote area was done effectively, and the objective was fulfilled.
I faced another problem after fixing the signal strength. The E1 link between the PABX and
the Satcom station suffered interruption every 30 minutes. Because of which there was an
interruption in signalling the VSAT station. After two days of trails and investigation, I found
that there was a miscommunication with the PABX. Therefore, I solved this problem by
finding a turnaround in the VSAT station configuration and changed the protocol and
maintained a solid link between the two parties.
3.10
I was able to measure the EIRP to G/T in VSAT network by implementing the single-hop link. In
addition to that, I employed the determined transmission and propagation delay of the system from
which I checked and commissioned the functionality of every network devices used in the system.
Apart from that, by determining the turnaround in the VSAT station configuration, I was able to
change and maintain the solid link.
3.11
Being a team leader of the project, I conducted the operation and reporting activities. I supported
my team member during the operational activities and emergency troubleshooting. I provided my
team member all the available resources related to this project. I presented the cyclic progressive
reports of the project and made a planned visit to my supervisors and seniors. I used to work with
senior and junior staffs in a cooperative environment.
3.12
I followed the standard code of telecommunication of UAE Armed Force throughout this project. I
also strictly followed the TRA (Telecommunications Regulatory Authority) act during the expansion
of the VSAT network and modelling of the network devices.
SUMMARY
3.13
VSAT signal corps network expansion, as well as maintenance, was done in this project. For
performing this project, the quality of the network bandwidth was upgraded. It was developed by
performing the TDMA calculation for the network expansion. After performing the commissioning as
well as testing, the network link capacity was tested in order to ensure that the expanded network
could adequately cover the designated network area.
3.14
The VSAT signal corps network was successfully expanded and maintained as per the user demand.
Similarly, the quality of the bandwidth was upgraded, and the use of the frequency was optimized.
The troubleshooting and maintenance of VSAT signal corps network were performed effectively and
efficiently.
3.15
While executing this project, I proposed the In Door Unit (INU) for the network. I then rated as well
as configure the modem (modulator-demodulator), Encryption Decryption Unit (EDU), etc. I
implemented the MUX to the interface by employing the equipment of end users with LAN or router
as well as EPABX. I also involved in performing the calculation of the loss factor as well as the gain
factor of the propagation environment, transmission lines, transmitters and antennas. Other
calculation which I worked on included determining the maximum distance of the operation of the
receiver and transmitter. I worked with various company members while performing the expansion
network designing, its various parameters testing as well as ensuring variant issues related to
remote sites such interference in the designated network by analyzing the presence of the radio
equipment, etc.