Date post: | 27-Jan-2017 |
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Devices & Hardware |
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Testing of Globalstar & Iridium satellite networks. Camas, Washington. Nov. & Dec. 2015
Purpose of Voice Calls:
1.) Observe maximum possible duration of voice calls on Iridium & Globalstar satellite phones under optimal conditions.
Purpose of Data Call: 1.) Measure actual data speed of Globalstar 1700 handheld satellite phone in portable docking kit
under optimal conditions.
Satellite Phone Test Location. Camas, Washington. View to all sides of horizon. Nov. & Dec. 2015.
4 Globalstar Phones Used
3 1700 Handheld Phones & Portable Docking Kit w/ helix antenna (white antenna on right). #’s 254-219-6929, 254-219-7038, 907-928-1365.
1 2900 fixed “tactical” phone w/ RJ11 jack. Phone # 254-240-9077.
Sample of Globalstar voice calls (G* phones do not broadcast caller ID.)
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Globalstar Voice Calls. Test Results.
4 ½ hours of Globalstar satellite constellation sampled for voice calls. Average length of maximum attainable Globalstar voice call was 41 min.
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Iridium Voice Calls. Test Results.
2 hours of Iridium satellite constellation sampled for voice calls. Average length of maximum attainable Iridium voice call was 20 minutes.
• Portland area works in favor of Globalstar customer from QoS perspective
• ~ 45° North Lat. is nearly ideal location for optimal satellite visibility• Relatively close proximity to gateway in High River, Alberta
• Average length of all Globalstar voice calls was 40 minutes.
• Overall, performance of Globalstar Generation 2 satellite system was “very good / excellent” for voice & data applications. 1st voice call lasted 1 ½ hours.
• The times & days of all Globalstar calls were made at random.
• In 1 case after G* call drop, took ~ 5 min. to reacquire satellite & register
• Results of the Globalstar calls were within the range of expectations.
Observations from Globalstar Voice Calls
Artists rendition of Globalstar Gen. 2 satellite
Observations from Iridium Voice Calls.• Portland area expected to produce high Quality of Service perspective.
• Longitude of `149W. Likely on same N/S orbital plane of the 1 available gateway in Tempe, AZ.
• Average length of all Iridium voice calls was 20 minutes.
• Overall, performance of Iridium system was “good/fair” for voice applications. 1st call lasted 52 minutes, w/ stable signal.
• However, 3 of the 6 calls dropped under 10 minutes (under ideal conditions.)
• Quick re-acquisition of satellite after dropped calls suggest:
• Satellites were likely overhead at time of call drop (as opposed to a gap in satellite coverage).
• If an Iridium satellite was present when the calls dropped, suggests its possible not all 48 beams in footprint performing to full potential.
Globalstar Data Test.
• Used Globalstar satellite phone 907-928-1365 in portable docking kit to laptop.
• Sent 500KB file without compression software to preserve integrity of results.
• #777 packet data connection was used. Call routed directly into Internet at gateway.Data flow generally begins with 5 seconds upon establishment of call.
• File was PDF format. 25 pg. in length. Mostly text. Some pictures & illustrations.
Globalstar Data Test
Actual file transmitted & Globalstar phone w/ docking kit used for test
Illustration of Globalstar packet data routing sequence.
• 25 pg. document transmitted in 8 min. 30 seconds.
• Same file would take 35 minutes on Iridium single-channel device
• Globalstar’s actual throughput demonstrated was ~ 8.5 kbp/s, slightly less than advertised 9.6 kbp/s.
• Actual throughput consistent w/ expectations due to “overhead” inherent in data calls. Overhead could have included TCP/IP headers, PPP/MLPP headers, & encoding.
Globalstar Data Test Results. Transmitting 500KB file.
Actual file transmitted w/ GSP 1700 phone.
Customers’ 10x benefit using Globalstar Data Services.
Financially, Globalstar customers benefit by a factor of 10-fold, due to 4x faster speed & 3x lower airtime cost than other handheld satellite phones.
Iridium & Globalstar Network Testing carried out by Donnie Hatch of Globalstar.
For additional questions, pls. contact at:
[email protected] 503-307-5489Camas, Washington