Recently SIG and ConnecTechAsia partnered to host sessions at the 2021 virtual event. The event saw several SIG members and representatives discuss some of the most significant challenges facing the satcom industry in 2021.
Here are 5 key points the sessions highlighted:
- We need an industry-wide approach to the use of flat panel antennas
Flat panel antennas (FPAs) are an attractive choice to many customers as they require less space and weight than traditional parabolic antennas. However, there are technical differences which the industry must address to ensure that FPAs can deliver quality services without infringing on other satcom users. There is a need for industry-wide conformity in the way that we ensure quality of FPA performance. Having an industry-wide system in which type-approvals, as well as testing and monitoring regimes, are instated will improve accuracy within this sector of the satcom industry.
- Regulatory bodies will be key in 5G and satcom
The 5G rollout has started and we are seeing how this is having an impact on the satcom ground segment. From initial discussions, it seems that spectrum sharing between industries causes issues with RFI and therefore many satellite operators are choosing to avoid this. Importantly, inconsistency in terms of regulatory bodies is becoming an issue within the management of 5G and satcom. The US is leading the way in terms of the FCC providing strict guidelines for spectrum breaches; the US views it as the telecom’s responsibility to mitigate any RFI caused to satcom signals. This clear and decisive approach is not echoed globally, with many regulators not delivering standards. This is going to be needed as the 5G rollout picks up in speed as we will be sure to see more instances of inter-industry RFI and it is going to be crucial to have protocol in place to mitigate these instances from impacting on services.
- Early education will drive diversity within the industry
Diversity has been a discussion within the satcom industry for many years. Highlighting the importance of discussions around diversity, Computer Science published an article which states that 86% of people in engineering jobs in the US in 2020 were men. Education and its accessibility are crucial in shaping diversity within STEM subjects. Traditional and old-fashioned stereotypes of female/male roles are often a hindrance to diversity, and there are changes being made within education to shift this attitude. Beyond education, it is important for organisations within our industry to place importance on enabling diversity within their own organisations. We know people should be employed by their ability, as opposed to their gender or race. How can we help? Many of the large satellite operators have launched programmes to boost diversity and many educational settings are now engaging with professionals from various STEM backgrounds to promote young people to pursue STEM careers, regardless of their race or gender.
- Virtualisation within satcom has allowed the satcom industry to continue working through the pandemic
The benefits of virtualisation have been catapulted to the fore since the first lockdown in March 2020. Entire teams were moved to work from home and reduced staffing numbers at the ground segments meant that virtual networks were invaluable during 2020 and early 2021. Virtualisation is set to continue, allowing for in-depth data analysis, AI methodology and interconnectivity between networks. As the connectivity network expands, we can expect to see the flexibility and interoperability of virtualised networks allowing the satcom industry to remain critical in communication infrastructures.
- AI will be pivotal in delivering high-quality services within intricate ecosystems
As operations both in-orbit and at the ground segment become increasingly busy, the use of data is going to be critical in managing systems efficiently. For years, we have discussed how AI will enable intricate systems to work efficiently, however there is still work to do in terms of establishing suitable big learning systems within the industry. AI requires the meshing of our industry knowledge with advanced mathematical systems to ‘educate’ AI algorithms to interpret data and recognise when actions are required. Beyond this complex process, it is key to highlight the importance of measuring data quality. A sophisticated algorithm is useless if the data being fed into it is sub-par. To maximise the benefits of AI, it’s critical that we understand its limitations and use our expertise to incorporate it into our systems shrewdly.