VSAT stands for “Very Small Aperture Terminal” and refers to receive/transmit terminals installed at dispersed sites connecting to a central hub via satellite using small diameter antenna dishes (.75 to 3.8 meter).
VSAT technology represents a cost effective solution for users seeking an independent communications network connecting a large number of geographically dispersed sites. VSAT networks offer value-added satellite-based services capable of supporting the Internet, LAN, voice/fax communications, video, security, and provide powerful, dependable private and public network communications solutions.
Generally, these systems operate in the Ku-band and C-band frequencies, and soon Ka-band. Ku-band based networks are used primarily in Europe and North America and utilize the smaller sizes of VSAT antennas. C-band, used extensively in Asia, Africa and Latin America, require larger antenna sizes. These are quite common in Cyber Cafes throughout the rest of the world.
VSAT networks can be configured to receive only or transmit and receive. Examples of uses we commonly see for receive only are:
• Stock market & other news broadcasting
• Training or continuing education from a distance
• Distribute financial trends & analyses
• Introduce new products at geographically dispersed locations
• Update market related data, news, and catalog prices
• Distribute video or TV programs (Directv and DISH)
• Distribute music in stores & public areas
• Relay advertising to electronic signs in retail stores.
Examples of uses we see for receive/transmit are:
• Interactive computer transactions
• Internet
• Distance Learning Video Teleconferencing
• Database inquiries
• Bank transactions, ATM
• Reservation systems
• Distributed remote process control and telemetry
• VoIP communications
• Airport flight and weather data
• Emergency services
• Electronic fund transfer at Point-of-Sale
• E-mail
• Medical data transfer
• Sales monitoring & stock control
• Surveillance and monitoring.
VSAT networks come in various shapes and sizes ranging from point-to-point, point-to-multipoint, and customized private hubs for thousands of sites. Mesh systems have traditionally been somewhat smaller in size than star systems—5 to 30 sites is a good rule of thumb.
