European Space Agency Awards Contract To Develop BGAN Multicast RAN

The European Space Agency (ESA) has awarded a contract to develop commercial IP multicast services over satellite to a consortium led by Inmarsat Global Limited that includes inter alia EMS Satcom, LogicaCMG, GateHouse A/S and Livewire Digital Ltd.

Livewire Digital Ltd. is responsible for the implementation of the proof-of-concept ‘Radio Access Network’ (RAN) of the multicast enabled Broadband Global Area Network (BGAN) System. Multicast is the delivery of broadcast information to a group of users simultaneously in the most efficient way available, as opposed to sending the

message separately to individuals. The BGAN system, acessed via a highly portable satellite terminal similar in size to a laptop PC, offers a voice and broadband data mobile communications service, which is accessible anywhere on the planet.

IP-Multicast over satellite has many key markets including the maritime, military and broadcast sectors. Key applications include:
• Netted voice (push to talk net radio)
• Situational awareness provision
• Netted data services, supporting data-intensive collaborative tools, cash server updates, and software and database updates to remote devices.
• Weather & Chart updates

As part of a phased development, extending the Inmarsat BGAN protocols, the project will lead to a Micro-SAS offering unicast and multicast services to multicast enabled BGAN terminals operating over leased capacity.

Livewire Digital Ltd. has been instrumental in the development of the Inmarsat BGAN service, providing the type approval systems to the BGAN terminal manufactures, undertaking analysis projects and implementing proof of concept systems. Livewire has also designed a range of market leading applications for the broadcast industry, offering Live and Store & Forward delivery of media over BGAN.

Tristan Wood, Managing Director of Livewire Digital, said: “The Micro-SAS is a very exciting project, presenting many technical challenges and commercial opportunities. We are delighted to be working with ESA and Inmarsat on these leading edge technologies.”