Internet - To - Go Dr. Bob Dixon Chief Research Engineer OARNet and Ohio State University SURA/ViDe Annual Digital Video Workshop Atlanta, Georgia March 25, 2003 A Small Mobile Satellite System for Internet Access Anywhere

American Distance Education Consortium (ADEC) 63 Land-Grant colleges NSF grant to provide distance learning via satellite to minority colleges: Tribal Indian Historically Black Hispanic

Tachyon Satellite Network Covers North America, Central America, Hawaii, Europe Earth stations in San Diego and Amsterdam Optimized for IP traffic; stable speeds Network Operations Center monitors all stations continuously

ADEC Satellite Network A portion of the Tachyon satellite network Separate Network Operations Center at OARNet Internet Technology Evaluation Center-Ohio pushes the state of the art 55 sites on the air today; 90 in a year A few transportable systems being planned

Internet 1 or Internet 2 Earth Satellite Permanent Ground Station Tachyon Central Ground Station San Diego Internet Instructional Sites Instructional Sites Instructional Sites Transportable Ground Station

Tachyon Network Access Points Small (3 feet) diameter dish. Usually permanently mounted on a roof. $4K installed + $1.2K/month max. (special low rates for educational use) Maximum speed is 1.5 Mbits down, 512 Kbits up Lower speeds are available at lower costs.

Typical Permanent Tachyon Satellite Dish Installation

Transportable System Design Goals Provide high-speed Internet access for ALL purposes, including computers, telephones and PDAs. Inexpensive to build and operate Off-the-shelf parts for easy duplication Easy to operate by one person with one day training, with no hand tools. Small and light Reliable and adaptable to diverse field conditions Easily modified

Planned Applications Provide distance learning in underconnected locations such as rural areas and inner cities. Demonstration / Evaluation for a future fixed installation. Link field research to campus computers and laboratories and collaborators worldwide. Link field instruction and demonstrations to campus classrooms. Link field activities to remote databases, eg via PDAs. Special events, conferences, fairs, disasters, etc. Remote monitoring of construction projects.

Actual Applications Distance Teaching and Learning Conference Madison, Wis. August 2002 Ohio Farm Science Review rural Ohio, Sept 2002 National Farm Progress Show rural Iowa, Sept 2002 Distance Learning Conference Worthington, Ohio October 2002 Ohio Academic Resources Network conference Columbus, Ohio November 2002 Kentuckyana Cattle Auction rural Kentucky, February 2003

In addition to construction and operation: Develop improved designs. Demonstrate at conferences. Publish papers. Provide training on use of the system. Provide consultation on design, construction, operation. Arrange for turnkey system purchases and rentals.

Satellite Trailer Subsystems Dish and Radio Transceiver Power Leveling and Aiming Heating and Cooling External Connections Computer

Ground Station Power Alternatives (ALL are provided) Local Power Outlet unlimited (long extension cord) Batteries via UPS at least 8 hours before (computer controlled) recharging Gasoline generator at least 24 hours before (pushbutton start) refueling Type of power Running Time

Aiming System Satellites are 2 degrees apart in the sky; aiming accuracy must be better than 1/2 degree. GPS Receiver provides accurate local position to PC. PC calculates azimuth, elevation and polarization settings. Dish is aimed with precision compass and inclinometer, using simple adjustments. Azimuth - motor drive Elevation - hand operated turnbuckle No hand tools required. Aiming maps available

Copyright The Ohio State University.

Computing System Laptop PC in docking station Runs 3 special programs: Satellite aiming Dish Transceiver control and monitoring UPS control and monitoring Also supports all Internet access tools such as: Web browsing H.323 Video Conferencing Distance Learning tools optional encryption

Weatherproof Equipment Rack Cabinet Mounted on shock absorbers. Automatic thermostatically controlled heater. Automatic thermostatically controlled ventilation fan. No actual air cooling. Use parasol if needed. Contents: Radio transceiver UPS and batteries (more batteries elsewhere) Spectrum analyzer Ethernet switch Laptop PC and docking station Local wireless access point Power line frequency meter

Instructional Site Transportable Ground Station Long-Range wireless (20 miles) Wall-Penetrating wireless (several non-metal walls) Local Wireless (1000 ft) Local Ethernet Cable (200 ft) Ground Station to Instructional Site Connection Alternatives (ALL are provided)

Transportable Satellite Internet System

Questions? Field trip !