LinkStarS2A ™

Broadband VSAT System

The new ViaSat® LinkStarS2A™ system is a two-way, bandwidth-on-

demand broadband VSAT system designed with network speed and
efficiency in mind. LinkStarS2A now brings you higher efficiency
and data rates surpassing many other TDMA systems. LinkStarS2A
­combines broadband access and a high-speed return channel to
satisfy your bandwidth-intensive applications using IP data over any
fixed satellite.

Since its introduction, the LinkStarS2A VSAT system has been built on
a foundation of open standard DVB technology including a DVB-S or
DVB-S2 forward link. The new and innovative LinkStarS2A DVB-S2
technology includes advanced Low Density Parity Check (LDPC)
LINKSTARS2A™ AT-A-GLANCE
coding for ultra-low Eb/No performance near Shannon’s theoretical
limit. That, combined with 8PSK and 16APSK modulation, provides
bandwidth reductions of up to 30% below traditional values. Our NEW
newly available Adaptive Coding & Modulation (ACM) technology
• DVB-S2 Adaptive Coding & Modulation
provides rain fade mitigation and reduces the satellite bandwidth
requirement for downstream traffic by up to 63%. Dynamic Link • HTTP Acceleration & Bandwidth Reduction
­Adaptation (DLA) provides rain fade mitigation on the return link
• Data Encryption
while reducing satellite bandwidth by nearly 20%.

The LinkStarS2A system offers satellite link speeds up to 126 Mbps on

• Flexible, Scalable Architecture
the downstream and up to 4.2 Mbps on the upstream channels to
the hub. With this high upstream channel capacity, remote sites can • Multiple Inbound Access Schemes Supporting a
be server locations, content providers, multimedia sources, video Wide Range of Applications
­teleconferencing participants, and corporate headquarters.
• Multimedia, Broadband Connections

• Advanced IP Routing Capability

• Standards-Based Platform

• Powerful Network Management System

• Automatic Rain Fade Compensation

• Combined Hybrid Star/Mesh Networks

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LinkStarS2A Broadband VSAT System

FEATURES

EFFICIENCY With turbo coding and optimized ­spectral MULTIPLE INBOUND ACCESS SCHEMES TO
­shaping, you can use your satellite bandwidth more SUPPORT A WIDE RANGE OF APPLICATIONS
­efficiently on the return channels and provide your give you the ability to meet or exceed your customers’
­customers with a superior user experience. Maximize your expectations.
resources through higher efficiency and cost savings. Bandwidth on Demand (BoD) dynamically increases
bandwidth as it is needed, for as long as it is needed.
AUTOMATIC RAIN FADE COMPENSATION Ideal for multi-user Intranet and Internet applications as well
NEW Adaptive Coding & Modulation (ACM) for the as large file transfers.
downstream reduces satellite bandwidth requirements by Committed Information Rate (CIR) provides near-
up to 63%. (Optional) instantaneous accessibility of all available bandwidth.
NEW Dynamic Link Adaptation (DLA) reduces ­Ideal for guaranteed Quality of Service (QoS) ­applications.
upstream satellite bandwidth requirements almost 20%. Combined with the LinkStarS2A system’s application-
(Optional) triggered CIR feature, this is the right choice for VoIP and

Dynamic Uplink Power Control automatically video conferencing services.

boosts signal level during fading conditions, ensuring your Application-Triggered BoD/CIR allows dynamic
­network will stay connected. assignment of BoD/CIR resources, maximizing resources
and matching customer-specific application requirements.
ACCELERATION AND COMPRESSION improves link (Optional)
efficiency and enhances user experience
CIR Reallocation offers CIR when the user needs it.
NEW HTTP Acceleration & Bandwidth Reduction Once the needs are satisfied bandwidth becomes
with AcceleNet boosts the speed of your customers’ available to the entire network. This allows operators to
web surfing experience while reducing your operating fully utilize bandwidth resources.
costs for ­satellite bandwidth. (Optional)
Slotted ALOHA grants immediate network access to low-
TCP Acceleration boosts the speed of your TCP traffic bandwidth applications. This powerful ­feature ­minimizes
enhancing your end users’ experience. latency and is particularly suited for ­transactional
IP Header Compression significantly reduces the ­applications such as lotteries, point-of-sale (POS) and
bandwidth required for VoIP traffic by eliminating ­automated teller machines (ATMs).
extraneous and redundant protocol information. DHCP Relay and VLAN Tagging enable service
providers to offer VPN services to multiple customers
QUALITY OF SERVICE (QoS) based on DiffServ offers through this optional feature. The LinkStarS2A system enables
six queues at the scheduler level on each remote terminal. end-to-end VLAN separation of customer traffic, reuse of
You get a finer prioritization of user traffic based on private addresses, and automatic IP address ­assignment to
profiles defined using the IP QoS feature. devices at remote sites.

Frequency Hopping allows your network to be more

efficient through load balancing across return channels.
POWERFUL NETWORK MANAGEMENT SYSTEM MULTIMEDIA, BROADBAND CONNECTIONS provide
(NMS) Our Web-Based NMS gives you configuration up to 126 Mbps on the downstream and up to 4.2 Mbps
control and network management using GUI and a s­ tandard per upstream carrier.
browser. The Network Control Center (NCC) provides
­additional management through traffic statistics, call detail SECURITY
records and an SNMP interface. Other features include: Encryption is available for the downstream traffic, up
stream traffic, and network control channel.
• Virtual Network Operator (VNO) (optional)
Network Locking controls migration of terminals
• Virtual Service Provider (VSP) (optional)
across networks. (Optional)
• User Groups (logically group remote terminals)
IPSec is transparently delivered by the LinkStarS2A system.
• Online Context-Sensitive Help
NEW Data Encryption using AES-128 is now available.
(Optional)
FLEXIBLE, SCALABLE ARCHITECTURE
With each Regional NCC (RNCC) managing up to 8,000 Control Plane Security encrypts network management
sites and a single NCC controlling up to 10 RNCCs, you can messages for highly secure communications. (Optional)
grow your network to a total of up to 80,000 nodes.
ADVANCED IP ROUTING CAPABILITY Unicast and
Compact C-SERIES HUBS are available for smaller, Multicast, RIP, IGMP, UDP, TCP are all supported by the
scalable, cost-effective networks allowing for system growth. LinkStarS2A system.

MULTI-SATELLITE/MULTI-TRANSPONDER You can INPUT POWER OPTIONS include a choice of AC and

choose to operate in C, Ku, and Ka band, utilizing a unique DC power. Intelligent power conservation is ideal for solar
region for each requirement. applications.

REDUNDANCY Ensure your critical communications MARITIME/MOBILE OPERATION allows installation on

through both local and/or geographic redundancy for moving platforms such as ships and vehicles.
the hub.
HYBRID STAR/MESH NETWORKS provide flexibility for
STANDARDS-BASED PLATFORM a multitude of applications in one integrated network.
DVB-Based Architecture enables service providers and Sharing a common DVB-S2 outlink, the LinkStarS2A system is
satellite operators worldwide to build open-standard interoperable with ViaSat’s LinkWayS2 mesh VSAT system.
networks for IP data, Internet access, video streaming,
telemedicine, VoIP and distance learning. For operators who
require standardization on the return channel, the LinkStarS2A
network offers an optional DVB-RCS compliant version with
a simple, cost effective over-the-air software download.

INTEROPERABLE
NETWORK ARCHITECTURE

LinkStarS2A LinkWayS2
 LinkStarS2A Broadband VSAT System

SPECIFICATIONS

LinkStarS2A Satellite IP Terminal

ODU Power
1, 2, 3 and 4 watt Ku-band, 2 and 5 watt C-band
Burst Rates 156 312 625 1250 2500
ODU Operating Temperature -40°C to 55°C
(ksym/s)
LNB DRO (standard), High stability PLL (optional),
Bit Rates 208 416 833 1667 3333 Universal LNB compatible
(rate 2/3
FEC, kbits/s) RETURN CHANNEL SATELLITE TERMINAL (RCST)

Bit Rates 267 535 1071 2142 4285 MECHANICAL/ENVIRONMENTAL

(rate 6/7 Dimensions 1U high, 13” W, 8” D
FEC, kbits/s) Power 100 to 240 VAC, universal 50/60 Hz
+24 VDC
Channel 200 400 800 1600 3200
Temperature
Spacing
-5° to 50°C operating; -40° to 70°C storage
(kHz)
Humidity
RETURN/UPSTREAM CHANNEL (remote to hub) 95% relative humidity non-condensing at 0° to 50°C
Format MF-TDMA operating; 95% relative humidity non-condensing at
Transmit IF Frequency 950 to 1525 MHz 65°C storage
Turbo Coding DVB-RCS compliant
Modulation QPSK NETWORK MANAGEMENT AND CONTROL
Network Management System (NMS)
DOWNSTREAM CHANNEL (hub to remote) Java Web-based, standard PC
Format Network Control Center (NCC)
DVB-S2 ACM, MPE/MPEG-2, DVB-S1 SUN Solaris Workstation; SNMP agent
Symbol Rates
SYSTEM PERFORMANCE
DVB-S1 2.5 to 10/36 Msps2; 1 to 36, 42 Msps optional
TCP/IP 10 Mbps throughput to the LAN
DVB-S2 2.5 to 10/36 Msps2
Up to 50 Mbps with ViaSat xPEP
Data Rates
UDP/IP 20 Mbps throughput to the LAN
DVB-S1 2.5 to 10/20/45/58 Mbps2; to 1.1 Msps optional
Up to 62 Mbps with IP Express Forwarding
DVB-S2 2.5 to 10/20/45/94/126 Mbps2
Scalability
FEC and Modulation
500 nodes with C Series Hub;
DVB-S1 R/S (204, 188) and Convolutional
8,000 nodes with single Hub/NCC;
QPSK @ 1/2, 2/3, 3/4, 5/6, 7/8
80,000 nodes with multiple Hubs/NCC
DVB-S2 LDPC
Protocols
QPSK @ 1/2, 3/5, 2/3, 3/4, 4/5, 5/6, 8/9, 9/10
TCP/IP, UDP/IP, IGMP, RIP 1&2, IP QoS support
8PSK @ 3/5, 2/3, 3/4, 5/6, 8/9, 9/10
16APSK @ 2/3, 3/4, 4/5, 5/6, 8/9, 9/10 COMPLIANCE
BER Quasi-error-free per DVB standards EN 300421 (DVB-S) Safety UL/cUL 60950-13; CE-R&TTE (EN60950-1)
and EN 302307 (DVB-S2) EMI/EMC
Receive IF Frequency 950 to 1750 MHz FCC part 15 Class B; ICES-003 Class B; AS/NZS3548 Class B;
AS/NZS 4053; CE-R&TTE (EN 301489-12)
PHYSICAL INTERFACES
RF Spectrum
L-band Transmit and Receive (2) Type-F, 75 ohm
CE-R&TTE (EN 301 428); ANATEL
Network (1) 10/100BaseT Ethernet (RJ-45)
RoHS Compliant
Console (1) RS-232 (DB-9)
RF Antenna Diameters 0.96, 1.2, 1.8, 2.4 M 1
Optional
2
Hub configuration dependent
3
NRTL Certified

Copyright © 2008 ViaSat, Inc. All rights reserved. Printed in the USA. ViaSat, the ViaSat logo and LinkStar are registered trademarks of ViaSat, Inc. LinkStarS2 and LinkWayS2 are trademarks of ViaSat, Inc. All other trademarks mentioned are the
sole property of their respective companies. Specifications and product availability are subject to change without notice.