1

Introduction to theWINDS (Kizuna)-based Collaborative e-Learning project connectingAsian Institute of Technology (Thailand), Multimedia University (Malaysia) and University of Tsukuba (Japan)

1. Introduction and Overview2. WINDS satellite (Kizuna)3. Participants and Configurations4. Joint seminar series in 2008 and 2009

1. Introduction and Overview

2

Collaboration-style distance education– Established on mesh-type satellite network– For regional conference, lecture, etc.

Joint development of common lecture courses and e-Learning materials

– Human resource development for Instructional designers and IT engineers

Preparation for WINDS applications

3

University e-Learning in Asia

WINDS (collaboration style)Conventional Satellite

Japan

One-way lecture styleAdvanced e-Learning between universities Asia

Thailand

Malaysia

Tsukuba(Japan)

Distant Education by WINDS (Kizuna)

University of Tsukuba

AIT (Thailand)

MMU (Malaysia)

Mutual real-time delivery of lectures given in the Asian Institute of Technology (AIT, Thailand), Multimedia University (MMU, Malaysia) and University of Tsukuba (Japan), via WINDS (Kizuna) satellite functioning as a network switch.

5

Univ. Tsukuba

Univ. Tsukuba

JAXA KDDI

Asian Institute of Technology （ AIT ）

Multimedia University (MMU)

Real-time delivery of lecturesSharing e-learning materials

Promoting WINDS utilization

Networking technologies

Technical Evaluation

Education

A Univ.Traffic

B Univ.Traffic time

bandB; Image, Media etc.

B; Burst Traffic

Satellite capacity sharing technology

Mesh-type Network

A Joint Research Project

A; Image, Media etc.

A; Burst Traffic

ODU

Universityof Tsukuba

IDU

L3Switch

192.168.2. ｘｘｘ

GW:192.168.2.1

ODU

L3Switch

GW:192.168.3.1

192.168.3. ｘｘｘ

ODU

GW:192.168.4.1

192.168.4. ｘｘｘ

Router

L3Switch

GW:192.168.1.4 GW:192.168.1.3 GW:192.168.1.2

192.168.1. ｘｘｘ

Asian Institute of Technology

Multimedia University

NECTEC

Router

XXX.XXX.XXX.XXX

LMS Server

IDU

IDU

router router router

Learning Management System

6

Types of Satellite-based Distance Education

All can equally participate in

Partly-Mesh Full Mesh-typeStar-typeBroadcasting

Two-wayOne-way

WINDSConventional Satellite

ControlRequestLink allocationData

ATM

RequestLink allocationData

unilateral multilateral

2. WINDS satellite (Kizuna)

7

WINDS （ Kizuna ）at JAXA Tsukuba Space Center (2007.7.17)

9

Launch of WINDS (Feb. 23, ’08)

WINDS satellite which had been tested in JAXA Tsukuba was shipped to the JAXA Tanegashima launch pad in Dec. ’08. It was successfully launched on Feb. 23, ’08 on a H-IIA Launch Vehicle. The satellite, now named “KIZUNA” was injected into the scheduled geostationary orbit at 143 degrees East longitude. "KIZUNA" is performing initial functional verifications for onboard equipment . It will start normal operations in late June and is also scheduled to start experiments on communications, etc.

10

Ka-band Satellite with High Speed Transmission Capability Gbps order

Bent pipe and Onboard ATM Switching

Multi-Beam Antennas(MBA) and Active Phased Array Antennas(APAA) with high speed scanning capability

Ka-band Satellite with High Speed Transmission Capability Gbps order

Bent pipe and Onboard ATM Switching

Multi-Beam Antennas(MBA) and Active Phased Array Antennas(APAA) with high speed scanning capability

Outline of WINDS System

MBA for Japanese islands MBA for Southeast Asia

Tx & Rx APAA

Launch ScheduleLaunch Schedule

2007 (FY)by H2A Launcher 2007 (FY)by H2A Launcher

Specifications of WINDS satellite

MissionLifeMissionLife 5 years5 years

LocationLocation 143 degree E143 degree E

DimensionDimension 3 x 2 x 8mSpan of Solar Paddles: 21.5m3 x 2 x 8mSpan of Solar Paddles: 21.5m

MASSMASS 4,850 kg ( lift off )4,850 kg ( lift off )

Electric PowerElectric Power

5,200W / EOL, Summer Solstice5,200W / EOL, Summer Solstice

Attitude ControlAttitude Control

Zero-momentum 3-Axis ControlZero-momentum 3-Axis Control

FrequencyFrequency U/L : 27.5 – 28.6 GHzD/L : 17.7 – 18.8 GHzU/L : 27.5 – 28.6 GHzD/L : 17.7 – 18.8 GHz

SatelliteG/TSatelliteG/T

> 18 dB/K ( MBA )> 7 dB/K ( APAA)> 18 dB/K ( MBA )> 7 dB/K ( APAA)

SatelliteEIRPSatelliteEIRP

> 68 dBW ( MBA )> 55 dBW ( APAA)> 68 dBW ( MBA )> 55 dBW ( APAA)

OnboardProcessingOnboardProcessing ATM Baseband SWATM Baseband SW

11

Coverage of Multi-Beam Antenna (MBA)

12

Type LES HDR-VSAT USAT

AntennaDiameter

5 m(auto tracking)

1.2 m 45 cm

MaximumData Rate

Uplink: 1.2 GbpsDownlink: 1.2 Gbps

Uplink: 155 MbpsDownlink: 155 Mbps

Uplink: 1.5-6 MbpsDownlink: 155 Mbps

TX Power(with UPC)

200 W 100 W 5-10 W

Repeater Mode Bent-pipe Regenerative Regenerative

EIRP 78 dBW 66.9 dBW 48.8 dBW

G/T 28.5 dB/K 19.0 dBW 11.5 dBW

User Interface TCP/IPEther

TCP/IPEther

TCP/IPEther

Remarks - Transportable Transportable

Specifications of the Earth Stations

HDR-VSAT

3. Participants and Configurations

13

Participating Schools

14

Asian Institute of Technology (AIT) : Thailand

• Est. 1959, leading regional postgraduate institution in engineering, technology and management. Campus at north of Bangkok.

Multimedia University (MMU) : Malaysia

• Est. 1996. New university focused on telecomm., IT, software development, and management. Campus at Cyberjaya.

University of Tsukuba : Japan

• Re-est. 1973, at Tsukuba, north of Tokyo. One of the leading national universities in sci., eng., art, sport science.

15Multimedia University (Malaysia)

University of Tsukuba (Japan)

Asian Institute of Technology (Thailand)

16

ODU

Universityof Tsukuba

IDU

L3Switch

192.168.2. ｘｘｘ

GW:192.168.2.1

ODU

L3Switch

GW:192.168.3.1

192.168.3. ｘｘｘ

ODU

GW:192.168.4.1

192.168.4. ｘｘｘ

Router

L3Switch

GW:192.168.1.4 GW:192.168.1.3 GW:192.168.1.2

192.168.1. ｘｘｘ

Asian Institute of Technology

Multimedia University

NECTEC

Router

XXX.XXX.XXX.XXX

LMS Server

IDU

IDU

Classroom to classroom connection using WINDS

router router router

Internet

Backup route

Transmission from each classroom (~ 12Mbps)

* Video (SD) (1ch)* Audio (1ch)* Text chat (1ch) (Synchronized powerpoint player at each class)

REF-VSAT②

51M-VSAT①

Portable-VSAT④

17

Lecturer

Attendees Attendees

AttendeesAttendees Attendees

AttendeesAttendees

Camera for Lecturer

Projector forOther Sites Camera for

Attendees

Attendees

Projector forMaterials

Projector forOther Sites

Classroom of UT

↑Lecture scene (Feb. 9)

←Basic layout

Classroom of UT

19

ODU

IDU

ClassroomL3Switch

AIT

AITCampus

Net

NECTEC

ThaiSarnTunneling

router

router

IFL Cable

Monitor

Camera

PC

MMC videoclient

Video Card

Video Capture Card

Sound Card

Ether CAT5e

Speaker MIC

Ether CAT5e

Ether CAT5e

Ether CAT5e

Ether CAT5e

USB

MMC PPT/chatClient

USB Key

USB

Monitor

TBD

TBD

TBD

TBD

TBD TBD

TBD TBD

LMS Client

Ether CAT5e

TA

IEEE1394

Echo Canceler

Audio MixerUSB Key

Setup at AIT

20

Camerafor Lecturer

Projector forOther Sites

Display forOther Sites

Projector forMaterials

Attendees

Lecturer

Classroom of AIT

↑Lecture scene (Feb. 16)

←Basic layout

Classroom of AIT

22

ODU

IDU

MMU

L3Switch

IFL Cable

Monitor

Camera

Speaker MIC

Ether CAT5e

Ether CAT5e

USB KeyUSB

MMC videoclient

Video Card

Video Capture Card

Sound Card

PC

Ether CAT5e Ether CAT5e

MMC ppt/chatClient

USB KeyUSB

Monitor TBD

TBD

TBD

TBD

TBD

TBD

TBD

TBD

LMS Client

Ether CAT5e

TA

IEEE1394

Echo Canceler

Audio Mixer

Classroom

Setup at MMU

23

Classroom of MMU

Attendees Attendees

Attendees Attendees

Attendees Attendees

Display forOther Sites

Display forOther Sites

Display forOther Sites

Camerafor Attendees

Camerafor Lecturer

Display forMatelials

Lecturer Console Control Unit for AV Equipments

Display forOther Sites

↑Lecture scene (Mar. 16)

←Basic layout

Classroom of MMU

4. Joint seminar series in 2008 and 2009

25

Joint MMU-AIT-Tsukuba seminar series 08-09

26

“Towards a sustainable international society”

• Feb. 2, 6, 10, 11, 16, 17, 23, 24, Mar. 16, 17

• Topics in Economics, International Relations, Build engineering (Tsukuba) ,

Space Usage (AIT), and Internet technologies (MMU)

• Part of a 2-credit course in the College of International Studies, Univ. Tsukuba (undergraduate).

27

February 9, 2009 1st Lecture from UTUT. Lecturer: Professor M. Shuto.Theme: Comparison of Policy Responses to Globalization and Political System of Thailand and Malaysia.

February 10 2nd Lecture from UTUT. Lecturer: Professor S. Kitta.Theme: Economic Globalization and Developing Countries' Needs.

February 16 3rd Lecture from AITAIT. Lecturer: Professor S. Kibe.Theme: Space Environment Preservation from Artificial Space Debris (1).

February 17 4th Lecture from AITAIT. Lecturer: Professor S. Kibe.Theme: Space Environment Preservation from Artificial Space Debris (2).

February 23 5th Lecture from UTUT. Lecturer: Assistant Professor N. Shirakawa.Theme: Downstream effects of reservoirs - environmental flow problem.

February 24 6th Lecture from UTUT. Lecturer: Professor N. Saavedra-Rivano.Theme: APEC and its Role in the Process of East Asian Regional Integration.

March 16 7th Lecture from MMUMMU. Lecturer: Professor H.A. Abdul Rashid.Theme: Optical OFDMA as a Possible Technology for Fiber-To-The-Home.

March 17 8th Lecture from MMUMMU. Lecturer: Professor B.M. Goi.Theme: Cryptology and Information Security: Introduction and Future.

Details of the Remote Lecture Series in Academic Year 2008

“Towards a sustainable international society”

28

For Attendees:A. Equipments1) Quality of image (multiple-choice; one of five options)2) Quality of sound (multiple-choice; one of five options)3) Equipments set up (multiple-choice; one of five options)4) The good and bad points the comments of equipments (description)

Questionnaire Entries and Result (1)

Attendees (1)

4

4

4

8

12

4

40

20

36

20

44

24

28

20

32

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%

A-3

A-2

A-1a failureunsatisfactorysatisfactoryexcellentdelightful

A-4 Abstract from comments: The experiment is wally good. But it takes time to prove it in life. I think this system is too fragile. It's not for lecture. It takes too much time for the

set-up.

29

Attendees (2)

0

0

24

4

52

44

16

32

8

20

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%

B-2

B-1 strongly disagreedisagreeneither agree or disagreeagreestrongly agree

For Attendees:B. Lectures1) Interests and concerns (multiple-choice; one of five options)2) Understanding (multiple-choice; one of five options)3) The good and bad points the comments of lecture (description)

Questionnaire Entries and Result (2)

B-3 Abstract from comments: It's not easy to intercept the lecture even though students have questions due to

the long-distance. Also I think we can understand better it professor can use the blackboard to explain. (@UT, Feb. 17)

Today they have weather problem; so the signal are late and cannot listen anything. (@AIT, Feb. 17)

30

Questionnaire Entries and Result (3)

Abstract from lecturer comments: A lecture more smoothly went along than I thought. I would like to recommend that

the setting lights up the classroom brightness and the lecturers mainly write on the blackboard in order to look at attendees in other sites with clarity.

Although some accidents happened in February 23, I satisfied with the post response and the exposition of situation.

For Lecturers:The good and bad points the comments of implementation system (description)

31

Results of the Experiments (Seminar 08) 　

Quality of image and sound

The experiments produced considerable improvement

Communication delay

Decreased hops substantially reduced the delay

Incidents:

In first delivery on Feb. 9, the communication trouble happened in connection between AIT and other sites

Tropical rains, “squall” often showers in afternoon, affected the experiments, because Malaysia and Thailand belong to tropical rainforest climate

MMU-AIT-Tsukuba Remote Lecture Series in Academic Year 2009

32

“Basic Japanese Kanji”

• Sep. 3, 17, Oct. 1, 8, 22, 29, Nov. 5, 12, 19

• Learning and practicing kanji through a variety of approaches (analysis of component parts, meaning, ON and KUN readings, use of kanji words in context etc.). The emphasis will be on recognition rather than writing, but the principles and practice of stroke order will also be taken up.

“Pattern recognition and inverse problems”

• Sep. 3, 17, Oct. 1, 8, 22, 29, Nov. 5, 12, 19

• Various problems in signal and media processing can be formalized as attempts to solve inverse problems. Inverse problem is a general class of mathematical problems encountered when dealing with a system that converts the original information to an output.

Classroom of AIT (Seminar 09)

33

OCT 22 , 2009 (1) OCT 22 , 2009 (2) OCT 22 , 2009 (3)

NOV 5 , 2009 (1) NOV 5 , 2009 (2)NOV 5 , 2009 (3)

34

In summary (to be updated after 09 seminar)

　Merits High-bandwidth network switch floating in space

Good scalability (in terms of the number of schools) High-quality delivery of audio and video Time delay (< 1 sec) well in acceptable range. Mobile stations enable relocatable classrooms and speakers

Issues Technical

Interactive (using TCP/IP) : can be slow without booster

-> Joint use of land-line network Of educational systems

Time zone Semester systems

-> Use real-time delivery and archived contents

　　

35

Concluding Remarks

The WINDS satellite is greatly beneficial for remote education

Additional improvements of the image and sound quality would enhance the realistic-presence of lectures

It is important for lecturers to propose lecture management methods on operating the equipments and on pursuing collaboration with other-sites

36

Asia e-Learning Project (University of Tsukuba)

http://aep.kokusai.tsukuba.ac.jp/