Universidad Cristiana Evangélica Nuevo
Milenio.
Class: Technical English II.
Teacher: Cesar Augusto Marquez.
Student: Esthefany Magally Pineda Garza
Account Number: 120310153
Date: 13 de Julio del 2024
INMARSAT.
Inmarsat is a geostationary system with four operational satellites. Two of them are
located over the Pacific and Indian Oceans respectively, and the other two cover the
Atlantic Ocean. This distribution provides near global coverage since all satellites are
very close to the equator and the coverage areas overlap around the earth's sphere,
centered along the equator. However, full coverage of the polar regions is not possible,
since the height above the earth's surface at which the satellites are located does not
allow the polar regions to be visible. The out-of-coverage area is found south of 75
degrees south latitude, and north of 75 degrees north latitude.
Inmarsat offers a variety of different types of communications services using the same
satellites. Many large ships use Inmarsat A, or its digital successor, Inmarsat B. These
types of service include voice, fax, and high-speed data delivery in both transmit and
receive modes. Inmarsat A or B actually have a "point-to-point" or duplex means of
communication, similar to that provided by a telephone connection in which both
interlocutors are connected directly and practically in real time.
INMARSAT -B
Inmarsat-B is a satellite communications system developed and operated by Inmarsat,
a British company specializing in global mobile satellite communications. The
InmarsatB system was one of the first generations of the Inmarsat satellite network
and was used primarily for low-speed data and voice communications.
The Inmarsat-B system was designed to provide reliable communication services to
maritime vessels, including ships and offshore platforms. It used geostationary
satellites to establish a link between the user terminal (on board the ship) and the
ground station, allowing voice calls, fax transmission, telex messages and low-speed
data transfer.
Key components of the Inmarsat-B system include:
• User Terminal: The user terminal consisted of an antenna, a transceiver and
interface equipment. It was installed on the ship or offshore platform to
establish a connection with the satellites.
• Satellites: Inmarsat-B was based on a constellation of geostationary satellites
placed in orbit around the Earth. These satellites provided coverage in different
regions to ensure global connectivity.
• Ground Station: The ground station served as a gateway between the satellite
network and the ground communication infrastructure. It managed the
communication signals between the satellites and the user terminals.
Inmarsat-B provided reliable low-speed data transfer and voice communication services
at speeds up to 9.6 kbps. It played a crucial role in improving maritime communications
and ensuring the safety and efficiency of maritime operations. However, with advances
in satellite technology, Inmarsat has developed newer and more capable systems, such
as Inmarsat-C, Inmarsat-M, and Inmarsat-FleetBroadband, which offer higher data rates
and a broader range of services.
Inmarsat C
Inmarsat-C is a satellite communication system developed by Inmarsat, a leading
provider of mobile satellite services worldwide. It is designed to provide reliable and
cost-effective communication services for various applications, especially in the
maritime industry.
Inmarsat-C offers a range of messaging and data services, including distress alerts,
messaging, position reports and weather information. It is mainly used for two-way
text communication and data transmission at a low data rate. The system supports
Store-and-Forward messaging, where messages are sent to an Inmarsat-C ground
station and then forwarded to the intended recipient.
Key components of the Inmarsat-C system include:
• User Terminal: The Inmarsat-C User Terminal consists of a compact and
lightweight transceiver unit that can be installed on ships, boats or other
mobile platforms. It usually includes an antenna, a transceiver, and a built-in
GPS receiver for position reporting.
• Satellites: Inmarsat-C uses the Inmarsat-3 series of satellites in geostationary
orbit to provide global coverage. These satellites ensure seamless connectivity
for Inmarsat-C users in all oceans and remote regions of the world.
• Land Earth Station (LES): The LES serves as a gateway between Inmarsat-C user
terminals and the terrestrial communication network. It receives and transmits
messages between the satellites and the intended recipients on the ground.
The messaging services provided by Inmarsat-C are widely used for applications such as
fleet management, ship tracking, maritime security, environmental monitoring, and
general messaging between ships and shore-based personnel. The system also
supports automated surveys and reports, allowing ships to transmit their positions at
regular intervals.
Inmarsat-C has been a popular choice for maritime communications due to its
reliability, global coverage, and affordability. However, it should be noted that Inmarsat
has introduced newer systems such as FleetBroadband, which offer higher data speeds
and additional services to meet the increasing demands of the maritime industry.
Inmarsat-Fleet (F 77)
FleetBroadband provides high-speed SMS, voice and data services to vessels and
offshore platforms around the world.
FleetBroadband offers broadband connectivity through a series of geostationary
satellites operated by Inmarsat. It allows marine users to access the Internet, make
voice calls, send and receive emails, and use various data applications. The system
offers different data rate options, typically ranging from 150 kbps to 700 kbps,
depending on the specific plan and hardware used.
Key features and components of the Inmarsat FleetBroadband system include:
• User Terminal: The user terminal for FleetBroadband consists of a stabilized
antenna, a below deck unit and a connection to the ship's communication
network. The antenna tracks the satellite to maintain a reliable connection,
while the unit below deck manages voice and data communication.
• Satellites: Inmarsat's FleetBroadband system uses a constellation of
geostationary satellites positioned around the Earth to provide global coverage.
These satellites ensure continuous connectivity for ships traveling across oceans
and remote areas.
• Service Plans: Inmarsat offers several service plans for FleetBroadband to meet
different usage requirements. These plans determine the data speeds, monthly
data allotments, and pricing options available to users.
FleetBroadband has become a popular choice for maritime communications due to its
higher data rates, improved coverage, and additional services compared to previous
Inmarsat systems such as Inmarsat-C and Inmarsat-M. It enables vessels to have
reliable, high-speed connectivity for crew wellness, operational efficiency, weather
updates, chart updates, telemedicine, and other data-intensive applications.
Inmarsat-FleetBroadband
It is a satellite communications service that has played a crucial role in improving
connectivity in the maritime domain. Designed to provide reliable and efficient
broadband communications on the high seas, FleetBroadband has made a significant
difference in the maritime industry by offering higher data speeds, enhanced
voice capabilities and value-added services.
Background and Development
The FleetBroadband service was introduced by Inmarsat as a natural evolution
of its satellite communication services in response to the growing demand for
higher data speeds and more robust connectivity in the maritime environment.
The first generation of FleetBroadband was launched to replace its
predecessor, Fleet 77, and has since
seen continuous improvements in terms of performance and functionality.
Although Inmarsat-FleetBroadband was not originally designed with the
Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS) in mind, its ability to
provide broadband connectivity has led to consideration of its use as a
complement to traditional GMDSS services. Here are some ways
FleetBroadband has contributed to the GMDSS space:
Fast Data Transmission:
FleetBroadband's ability to deliver higher data speeds has been valuable in
situations where rapid transmission of information is crucial. In emergency
scenarios, the ability to send and receive data efficiently can make a
difference in decision-making and
rescue operations.
Improved Communications:
With its enhanced voice capabilities, FleetBroadband has improved general
and emergency communications at sea. Voice call quality is essential for the
secure
coordination of operations and the transmission of detailed information during
critical situations.
Support for Advanced Services:
FleetBroadband's ability to support value-added services has enabled the
implementation of advanced applications to improve operational
efficiency. These services not only benefit the daily operations of vessels,
but can also play a role in emergency response.