Rain Fade Solution for Telstar 12 VANTAGE

Telesat, a leading global satellite operator, appointed ViaLite Communications to provide a long distance RF over fiber link solution, over 60km, for Ka-Band diversity.

The link acts as a rain fade solution, allowing the gateway signals operated over the new Telstar 12 VANTAGE high throughput satellite (HTS) to be operated from either dish.  As the dishes are situated over 60km apart, it is unlikely there would be adverse weather conditions in both locations at the same time so the Ka-Band signal (which is susceptible to rain fade) can be taken from the location with the best weather conditions.

The VANTAGE, which was launched late 2015, is located 15 degrees West.  It uses a combination of regional beams and focused high throughput spot beams to increase capacity and offer exceptional broadband performance.  The ViaLite long distance system design also allows for the highly time-critical transfers required by the TDMA VSAT Hub application for IP.

The system works through the use of a specially designed laser which can cover up to and over 100km when amplification and dispersion compensation stages are used.  The Telesat system was tested and installed by ViaLite.  A standard ViaLite RF over fiber link has also been used to connect the local dish at Mount Jackson Teleport to the main equipment room.

The ViaLite long distance system design has become the blueprint for Telesat’s long term Ka-Band diverse antenna system installations.

• View the Case Study
• Go to the Long Distance Link page