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VSAT Solutions for Maritime Deployments

 

Uplogix increases uptime of VSAT links at sea

VSAT installation on a cargo shipThe availability of broadband communications with vessels at sea utilizing VSAT links is enabling increasing amounts of voice, data and video transfer between vessels and land-based offices. This reliable connection brings more visibility for shore-based personnel of what's happening at sea to track, monitor and evaluate information. Productivity is increased by connecting all aspects of the business, enabling better decisions for scheduling resources and increasing profits. For the crew, access means communication with family and maintaining a connection to the rest of the world for news and entertainment.

See how Uplogix works
in a VSAT Network.

Maritime VSAT deployments have additional requirements and complexity. GPS systems are critical components of mobile satellite systems, yet add additional layers of complexity and potential for problems that disrupt connectivity. Uplogix provides special support for VSAT modems in a mobile state that require periodic updates of their location from GPS devices. The GPS device is connected directly to the Uplogix appliance which passes the information on to the satellite modem. If the GPS information is interrupted, the embedded rules engine in the Uplogix appliance continues to feed the modem the last known coordinates, preventing the modem from locking up. This location information is also stored internally and can be transferred to the Uplogix Control Center for compliance with regulations governing documentation of vessel location.

Schlumberger uses Uplogix and out-of-band connection
to remotely re-establish VSAT connection with vessel

VSAT dome on a drilling platformAs a leading oilfield services company supplying technology, information solutions and integrated project management that optimize reservoir performance for customers working in the oil and gas industry, Schlumberger, an Uplogix partner, provides VSAT services with many offshore vessels involved in energy exploration and production. One of these vessels was moving from one area of satellite coverage to another -- a standard operation where a shipboard electronics technician would follow the steps to adjust VSAT equipment for the new coverage zone. However, there was a problem and the vessel lost its VSAT connection.

After several hours of attempting to fix the issue, a call was placed to the Schlumberger CSC in Aberdeen. Within moments, operators were able to connect to the Uplogix appliance on the vessel via an Iridium modem, access the VSAT modem and RF amplifier to troubleshoot the issue, and bring the broadband connection back up. Without this capability, the solution would have been to fly an expert to the vessel at great expense and extended VSAT downtime.

Hear Paul Khayat of Schlumberger Global Connectivity Serverices describe how they used Uplogix to remotely reconnect a VSAT link with a vessel at sea.
(See the full webinar.)

Heterogeneous device support

Uplogix supports a variety of satellite modems and antenna controllers, in addition to tradtional networking devices. Some products common in oil and gas deployments with advanced support include:

  • Irridium
  • iDirect
  • Comtech
  
  • NDSatcom
  • Inmarsat
  • Uplogix Solutions for VSAT
  • Deploying Automated Remote Management (ARM) in your VSAT deployments increases uptime and reduces support costs.
  • Uplogix White Paper:
  • whitepaper Automating VSAT Networks with Automated Remote Management
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  • Case study
  • RigNetRigNet provides broadband voice and video networks to offshore rigs and remote locations for drilling and production operations. They selected Uplogix to meet their rigorous network support and automation requirements.
    Download the case study.
  • Media Coverage
  • RigNet"The increasing use of automation makes a ship’s information technology infrastructure and network connectivity extremely important. Advanced out-of-band network management systems such as the system made by Uplogix allow a shipping line to manage a ship’s entire infrastructure while it is at sea, even if the main VSAT link is down."
    Read the full article.