Title: Iridium Satellite, LLC System Update and Warfighter Capabilities 2004
1Iridium Satellite, LLC System Update and
Warfighter Capabilities2004
Iridium Satellite LLC Proprietary
2Corporate StatusIridium Satellite LLC Overview
- System acquired Dec 2000
- Commercial service re-introduced March 2001 with
maintainable cost structure - Vertical market distribution strategy for voice
and data services - Strategic relationship with Boeing for satellite
operations and maintenance - 2013/2014 constellation lifespan
Viable Commercial SATCOM Solution for the
Department of Defense
3Commercial StatusConstellation and Gateway
- One Commercial Gateway Provides Global
Connectivity - Tempe, Arizona
- DoD Gateway in Hawaii Supports US
- Government Traffic
- Satellite Constellation
- 66 Fully Operational Satellites
- 13 In-Orbit Spares
- Constellation Life to 2013/2014
- Satellite Operations
- Main Facility in Leesburg, VA
- Back-up Facility in Chandler, AZ
- All Gateways Support Voice and Data
- Services
- Dial-up
- Direct Internet Access
- Short Message Service
- Short Burst Messaging
- Paging
- RUDICS
4Global Commercial Usage
Telephony Traffic, November 2003
5Constellation Longevity Assessment
- 2001 Constellation Study by the Aerospace
Corporation Forecasted Global Availability of
Constellation Services Beyond Mid-2010 - Incorporated Actual On-Orbit SV Hardware Failure
History Data - Follow-up ISLLC/Boeing Studies in 2002/2003
Extend Constellation Lifetime Forecast to at
Least 2014 - Incorporates Accumulated Experience With On-Orbit
Hardware - Subsystem Performance Well-Understood and
Thoroughly Characterized With gt5 Years of
Operational Experience - Stable Hardware Loss Trends Are Below Original
Predictions - Battery Life Models and Reliability Data Have
Been Updated Using Boeing Satellite Systems
Expertise - Battery Was Key Life-Limiting Element in 2001
Study - Service-Extending Software Initiatives Were
Implemented in 2002 to Mitigate Potential Loss of
Critical Attitude Control System Hardware
6Iridium System ArchitectureIridium DOD Call
Topology and Data Services
IRIDIUM Constellation
Access Request, Voice/Data Traffic, Signaling
Voice/Data Traffic, Signaling
Signaling/Traffic
- Global Service
- Tailored Data Services
- High Reliability
- High Integrity
- LPI/LPD
- Minimal Delay
- Enhanced Capacity
- Assured Access (via DOD Gateway)
Secure DODGateway
Secure Networks
7Iridium Data Overview
8Dial-Up, Direct Internet and RUDICS
Direct Internet/RUDICS Connectivity
Mobile Switching Center
RA
RA
Direct Internet Server
Leased Line OR VPN OR Internet
Iridium Gateway
RUDICS Server
Application Host Server
- Faster connection time
- 15 seconds as compared to 40 seconds for dial-up
PPP - Transparent compression for improved throughput
- Smart Connect seamless connect/disconnect
- Reduces on-air charges
- Maximizes ISU battery life
- Reconnects automatically if connection dropped
- No tail-end charges incurred at Gateway
9RUDICS Circuit Switched Data
Application Host Server
End User Access
Iridium Gateway
Leased Line, VPN, NIPRNET, or Internet
RUDICS Server
D900
- RUDICS - Router based Unstructured Digital
Inter-Working Connectivity Solution - Mobile Originated MO and Mobile Terminated MT
2400 bps circuit switched data connectivity for
integrated data applications - Key Benefits
- Provides global MO and MT capability
- Gateway interface provides virtual modem ports
that can be routed using terrestrial data
connections - Interface is similar to Telnet with AT Commands
and Connect, Busy etc. messages
10SBD Architecture OverviewSystem Concept
SBD Subscriber Device (SSD)
- An ultra-efficient way transmit small amounts
of data across the Iridium network - 70 bytes in 1 second
- High Reliability
- Two-way exchanges w/ flexible range of short
msgs - Maximum transfer sizes of 1960 Bytes (MO) and
1890 Bytes (MT) - Target market
- Unattended/automated field-terminals
sending/receiving small data segments - Power/battery life sensitive applications
- Centralized collection (corporate-host or
command-center based server)
ETC Subsystem
Switching Subsystem
SEP
ETS
ECS
SPP
ETC SBD Subsystem (ESS)
Iridium Gateway
- SBD Tailored for DOD Applications Requiring
- Small Data Exchanges
- High Reliability and High Data Integrity
- Assured Access and Delivery
- Limited Power Source
- LPI/LPD Focus
- High Capacity
- Enhanced Security
11Iridium Operational Usage
Reliability
- Deployable-on-the-move
- Pole-to-pole coverage
- DOD Priority Access
- Command and Control
- Targeting
- Tracking
- Netted Voice data
Provides secure on-the-move global voice/data for
DODs special requirements
- Operation Enduring Freedom
- Operation Iraqi Freedom
- Homeland Security/Terrorism
- NSA Type-1 Security
- TS Accredited
- AES/Commercial Grade
12US Defense Department IRIDIUM Capabilities
- Cross-Linking Satellites with DOD Gateway Provides
- Global pole to pole coverage
- Polar Regions (90oS - 90oN)
- Ocean Areas (No Gaps)
- Airborne Service
- Secure DOD gateway
- Independence from foreign infrastructure
- Seamless DISN Connectivity
- Communications Security
- Priority Access
- Minimal Set-up time
- Stand-Alone High Penetration Pager
- Enhanced DOD Services
Uniquely Satisfies Department of Defenses EMSS
Requirements
13Iridium A Unique DOD Value
Testimonials
- In this fast paced war, if a communications
system was not functioning quickly, alternative
methods were employedThe only systems
consistently praised by the Marines were the Blue
Force Tracker (SATCOM- though unsecure) and
Iridium Phones (SATCOM). These systems provided
reliable communications at all times. In many
instances these systems were the sole means of
communication. Marine Corps Systems Command
Liaison Team, Central Iraq, May 2003
- Iridium handheld satellite telephones with
secure sleeves also proved to be invaluable for
diverse SOF units conducting split operations in
the rugged mountainous terrain. SOF liaison
teams carried Iridium units during all operations
with the Northern Alliance. Brig. Gen. (P) James
W. Parker, USA, Director, Center for Intelligence
and Information Operations, SOCOM. (Signal
Magazine, March 2003)
- The Iridium phones were a key communications
tool during the Afghanistan war, and since then
thousands of phones have been distributed to unit
commanders and special operations forces. Over
all, communications traffic on all Department of
Defense networks has gone up over five fold since
September 11, 2001. (http//www.strategypage.com/i
raqlessonslearned)
- While headquarters could set up a satellite dish
and establish a local Internet network, people in
vehicles or running around on foot needed an
Iridium satellite phone or BFT to be sure of
always getting through. (http//www.strategypage.c
om/iraqlessonslearned)
14Iridium A Unique DOD Value
Testimonials
"Only RELIABLE Communications out of the Valley
(During OPERATION ANACONDA)" "CA Units lack
organic over-the-horizon communications... (EMSS)
ability to directly access host nation personnel,
relief organizations, and higher headquarters via
commercial telephone networks, regardless of the
(EMSS) user's location is invaluable." US Army
Civil Affairs "Without (EMSS) we would have
been unable to support the Air Mission in
Afghanistan" USAF "A unit could not establish
communications with fire support unit using
tactical communications...fire mission was
successfully completed using (EMSS) handsets."
SPECOPS "Instrumental in augmenting tactical
communication support. At times, due to the
limitations of tactical equipment not being able
to operate on the move (i.e. SMART-T, UHF TACSAT,
and HF), EMSS phones...were the only available
means of communications until units stopped and
had the time to set up their tactical
communications equipment." 1st MARINE DIVISION
"(EMSS) is particularly effective for units
during Operational Preparation of the Battlespace
(OPB) missions when the use of tactical
communications is not prudent." SPECOPS "EMSS
equipment provided supply/logistics convoys with
over-the-horizon communications capability."
(Solution developed after ambush of supply convoy
that didn't have over-the-horizon communications
capability, resulting in the death and capture of
several soldiers) DISA LNO
15Iridium Points of Contact
Scott Scheimreif Director, DOD Programs (301)
571-6264 Scott.Scheimreif_at_iridium.com
Kent Keeter Network Engineer (480)
752-1130 Kent.Keeter_at_iridium.com