Point-to-Multipoint Communication

The main characteristic of communication systems using satellite technology, compared with traditional wide-area networks, is the ability of broadcasting and multicasting. The point-to-multipoint architecture provides a powerful platform for the implementation of video broadcasting services without the need of user interaction. With regard to cost, satellites are unrivaled when it comes to broadcast TV signals to language regions or continents.

Point to Multipoint Satellite Solution

Multicast, in its basic form, needs no a return channel. Multicast IP has two advantages: the transmission cost is independent from both the number of receivers and the extent of the geographical distribution which is not bound to country limits. Applications include tele-learning, daily inventory data distribution …

As almost all web and multimedia server transactions are much more traffic intensive from the server to the end-user than in the reverse direction, this asymmetrical bandwidth service is well suited to many applications. Typical traffic ratios for Internet browsing are 10:1 to 4:1 outbound to inbound. Moreover, in multimedia applications, such as distance learning or tele-education, since listeners take on an active role just to make a question or comment, it is necessary to have a fairly good quality video and audio stream from the teacher to the students, while a low bandwidth channel is sufficient to provide a good audio quality in the opposite direction.

If the requirements of the return channel are more exigent such as in or in collecting inventory, point-of-sale, or credit-card validation data from multiple locations, a network with full bi-directional transmission capabilities is required. In this case the return channel is implement via satellite. Communications between the remote terminals and the central site may use a TDM/TDMA channel. A return channel via satellite is also used when the proposed terrestrial communications infrastructure is inexistent.