Offshore wind is growing. Pioneered by countries bordering the North Sea – the UK, Germany and the Netherlands – China now leads the world in offshore wind energy production, with 23.9GW of capacity. The United States has started to take an interest, with President Biden committing to building 30 gigawatts of offshore wind projects by 2030 – which will power more than 10 million homes with clean energy. And Brazil has an ambitious programme to build 72.2GW of capacity, dwarfed only by the UK’s planned additional 78.5GW.

The benefits of offshore wind are clear: higher and more consistent wind speeds, unhampered by mountains or buildings, ensures consistent and high energy output. But the costs are substantial. The harsh marine environment means that the turbines are at far higher risk of damage from corrosion and oxidation. Plus, making repairs is harder, more expensive, and more dangerous than onshore wind. As a result, the cost of offshore wind production is far higher than solar or onshore wind: $133 per MegaWatt hour for floating turbines and $78 for fixed-bottom turbines, compared to $34 per MegaWatt hour for onshore wind (source).

We believe satellite IoT has a role to play in both lowering the cost of production, and improving the safety of workers. Here’s how.

Why is offshore wind production relatively expensive?

A chunky 38% of the operating costs of offshore wind farms is allocated to maintenance. What’s contributing to that cost?

Equipment failure: on average, each turbine will experience 8.3 failures every year, comprising 6.2 minor repairs, 1.1 major repairs, and 0.3 major replacements
Manpower: on average, it takes 116 days and 9 technicians to undertake a major replacement, and 7 days and 3 technicians for a minor repair. Delays are frequent, due to ‘no access days’ caused by bad weather
Ageing equipment: some analysts project that opex costs increase from £184,000 per MegaWatt per year when the turbine is new, to £426,000 per MW/Year when the turbine is 15 years old.

What can be done to reduce these costs?

The best answer is predictive maintenance. Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) systems allow operators to monitor and act upon failures or poor performance, and more advanced data collection and analysis allows maintenance tasks to be predicted.

Predictive technologies include Condition Monitoring Systems (CMS). These capture and analyse as much as 250 physical data points, including torque and force measurements, acoustic emissions, electrical strain gauges, oil particle counters and main bearing damage. Sensors capture the data, then AI or machine learning is used to improve the accuracy of the predictions and reduce false alarms as the system is embedded, and the installation base grows.

The benefits for utilising CMS are clear to see, with one monitoring system provider claiming that 90% of developing faults are detected 5 months before failure, driving 175% annual ROI from greater uptime, and reducing emergency maintenance trips by up to 50%.

Predictive maintenance drives 175% annual ROI for offshore wind farms

Further, improving quality control reduces the risk of accidents, which could then reduce insurance premiums.

A key part of this process is the transmission of the sensor data to the cloud, and from there to the client’s IT system, where the data is collected, stored and analysed.

Sensor data is often transmitted through underwater cables, which offers many benefits: it’s fast, secure, and can carry a large amount of data cost-effectively. However wired communication does have drawbacks that can be resolved by co-locating a wireless solution.

Wired vs. wireless or wired plus wireless?

If you already have a wired connection to your wind farm, it’s worth considering a wireless system to complement it, because the ease of adding new sensors to a wireless network is far greater than trying to wire in additional points into a legacy system. You simply need to place your sensors where they need to be to capture the required data, and switch them on. With no need to run cabling, you’re saving time and money, and benefitting from the additional sensor data faster.

Further, because you’re creating a dedicated wireless network for your SCADA data, its findings can be transmitted independently of other data sources. This provides both resilience in the event that your wired connection is disrupted, and allows you, if you choose, to put bespoke security measures around your OT data stream.

In addition to which, you can speed up the rate of data transmission from the industry standard of every 10 minutes, to virtually real time. In turn, this ensures that your maintenance teams get close to real-time information to help inform decisions on what issue to address, when. In fact, Turbit estimates that you can increase output by up to 5% by applying corrective measures faster.

If you were building a new offshore wind farm and decided to use only wireless connectivity to connect your assets, it can cost as little as 10% of the wired alternative, as well as being faster to implement. That said, while the cost of installation is far less, satellite and cellular connections generally come with a monthly usage fee, and they’re only suitable for relatively small amounts of data. For this reason, in our experience, most operators are exploring hybrid wired and wireless setups.

But adding a wireless network isn’t always straightforward for offshore wind farms, as they may fall outside the reach of cellular networks. 4G/LTE services typically extend to around 12 nautical miles from the coast, and wind farms can be built up to 43 miles offshore, which leaves a gap.

That gap can be bridged with a private cellular network, which offers great throughput and tight data security, but this is expensive and time consuming to set up.

Wireless connectivity options for transmitting IoT data from offshore wind farms

LoRaWAN coupled with satellite connectivity is getting an increasing amount of attention for this application. LoRa networks are very easy to set up, and have a wireless range of approximately 16km. They’re specifically designed for IoT data so LoRa-enabled sensors have very long battery lives, but very small data-throughput.

Aggregate each turbine’s sensor data in a LoRaWAN gateway, and then use a single satellite transceiver to transmit the data into the cloud. This is easily achieved with technology that’s widely available today. For example, a device like the RockREMOTE Rugged can be placed almost anywhere on a turbine, as its omni-directional antenna connects with the Iridium satellite network: if the turbine moves, there’s no loss of connection.

This combination of a Wide Area Network and satellite means that most turbines don’t need a specific piece of hardware to communicate to the satellite network: only one, the ‘master’ turbine, needs this, along with the gateway. The gateway can help to lower the cost of data transmission by providing edge computing capabilities: reporting on exception, for example, ensures that only data points falling out of agreed parameters is transmitted.

Various-connectivity-options-for-transmitting-IoT-data-from-offshore-wind-farms

Is satellite data transmission expensive?

Because of the recent proliferation of satellite network operators, including Starlink and the soon-to-be-launched Amazon Kuiper Project, the cost of sending your data via satellite has substantially decreased. Existing network operators who have proven their reliability over many years have diversified their product offering to ensure that they can remain competitive with the new entrants (read more about satellite connectivity costs).

As an aside, another great benefit of working with established network operators like Iridium and Inmarsat is that their data transfer mechanisms are trusted by governments and militaries worldwide. As wind farms can be considered critical national infrastructure, and are expected to become more attractive targets for cyber-crime in the near future, knowing that you have access to highly secure data transfer options is very important.

Who else benefits from wireless sensor data transmission?

In addition to the operations team receiving, interpreting and actioning the CMS’ recommendations, another ‘customer’ of wireless sensor data and analysis are the maintenance crews. Frequently located onboard offshore support vessels (OSVs), these people are indispensable for the smooth running of offshore projects.

The same data being captured from sensors and transmitted via satellite to the cloud can also be transmitted to the OSVs. By receiving the data directly, they’ll benefit from being able to effectively triage tasks, without having to wait for instructions from an on-shore team. Real-time wind, humidity, wave height and weather pattern measurements are also essential for maintenance workers’ safety. This sensor data doesn’t need to travel through a fibre connection, as the main requirement comes from the maintenance teams for whom this is critical information.

Recommended OSV satellite IoT hardware

While OSVs usually have a heavyweight VSAT system for crew communication, we’d recommend a separate, lighter-weight system for the transmission of IoT and tracking data, both as a failsafe and to use the bandwidth more efficiently.

The Thales VesseLINK is an ideal for solution for this purpose. It utilises the Iridium satellite network which has 100% global coverage, and the antennas are omni-directional, meaning there’s no need to re-point the device when the OSV moves. Because the network is in Low Earth Orbit (LEO), the latency is low – less than one second. Coupled with the fact that it uses the L-band frequency to transmit data, which is unaffected by weather conditions, Iridium-enabled devices are ideal for mission-critical data.

The Thales VesseLINK is available in two versions: the VesseLINK 200 and VesseLINK 700. The difference between them is the data speeds: the former is designed for IoT data and basic voice / internet access, with data speeds of 176 Kbps. The latter delivers high-speed internet with speeds of 700 Kbps, and creates a WiFi hotspot for any device within a 300 metre range. So it’s capable of far more than transmitting IoT data, but will do so under any conditions.

Offshore-Support-Vessel-Satellite-Communication

Another satellite transceiver we’d suggest exploring is the RockSTAR. This handheld device can connect to wearables sensors like heart rate and body temperature monitors. It also features two-way messaging and an SOS feature. Again using the Iridium satellite network, this data can be transmitted to safety teams to allow for timely inventions, where needed.

Primary, secondary or failover communication

A final note regarding satellite connectivity for your offshore wind farm: it’s highly effective as a back-up communications mechanism should anything happen to your primary means of connecting with the turbines. Underwater cables can be damaged by trawlers, the environment or even malicious intent. With satellite as a back-up, you can still shut down or kickstart your turbines as needed, and communicate with your workers. It’s instant infrastructure that isn’t affected by weather, has no dependency on terrestrial networks, and is highly secure.

Talk to the experts

We’ve worked with renewables companies and instrumentation manufacturers for decades, and have seen satellite IoT transform over the years; but never more rapidly than it is right now.

We can help you make sense of a changing ecosystem and make choices that will continue to deliver for you well into the next decade. Get in touch, and we’ll provide you with objective, expert advice.

Remote ‘off-grid’ utilities sites play a crucial role in bringing reliable power to remote and challenging regions. But ensuring seamless communication at these remote power utility sites is no easy task. While traditional mobile and fiber connections are a great solution in cities, they fall short when it comes to the unique communication challenges of off-grid locations such national parks, mountainous regions, and permanent, poorly inhabited, grasslands.

Most power utility and water management companies have around 10% of their sites located in ‘off-grid’ areas. These sites often lack reliable access to mobile networks and terrestrial fibre infrastructure, making it impractical and costly to use conventional connectivity solutions. To make matters more challenging, these remote sites might be in environmentally sensitive areas or rough terrains, making it even harder to set up extensive communication networks.

In such situations, getting customer data back from these sites requires innovative solutions that go beyond the typical terrestrial and cellular options. It’s also crucial to distinguish between customer data backhaul and SCADA (Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition) and telemetry data backhaul. Mixing the two could lead to serious cybersecurity issues, which is why a specialized solution designed exclusively for SCADA and telemetry data is essential.

In this blog, we’ll delve into the main data connectivity and backhaul challenges faced by remote power utility providers. Additionally, we’ll discuss how TSAT offers a reliable and robust communication solution specifically tailored to meet the unique requirements of these remote power utility sites.

How TSAT overcomes the key data challenges for power utilities

1. Instant communication infrastructure

Remote areas often lack reliable communication infrastructure, such as wired internet or cellular networks. TSAT utilizes satellite communication to overcome this limitation, ensuring that data can be transmitted to and from the remote sites even in areas with no or limited terrestrial connectivity.

2. Real-time monitoring and control

Remote power utility sites might be unmanned or difficult to access regularly due to their remote site situation, but any downtime or loss of energy production can be costly. TSAT enables real-time monitoring and control of critical assets, such as generators, switchgear, and substations, from a central control center, allowing operators to respond quickly to any issues or anomalies, optimising power output and maximizing power generation.

3. Enhanced grid reliability

By continuously monitoring the remote power sites, TSAT helps identify potential problems and weaknesses in the grid, as they occur in real-time, enabling proactive maintenance and repairs. This proactive approach enhances overall grid reliability and minimises the risk of large-scale outages. Satellite is also highly reliable and unlike terrestrial and fiber, is unaffected by coverage, weather events and ground infrastructure.

4. Robustness against extreme weather events

The United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction reports that over the last 20 years, there has been a “staggering rise” in the number of extreme weather events. Floods, fires, storms and earthquakes, all risk the stability, reliability and telemetry data delivery of sites reliant on cellular and fiber. As TSAT is satellite-based, connectivity is much more reliable and stable.

5. Highly secure

Cyber-attacks are on the rise around the world and utility powerhouses have been targets. TSAT ensures encrypted and authenticated data transmission between remote power sites and the central control center. The dedicated satellite network provides a private and isolated communication channel, safeguarding against cyber threats and unauthorized access; making for a trusted and effective solution for power utilities’ communication needs in remote locations.

A detailed look at TSAT

TSAT offers a narrowband private satellite network that provides an ideal solution for monitoring and controlling smart power grids in even the most remote locations. Power utilities in the UK can now benefit from this cost-effective and reliable platform, connecting distant assets to crucial utility applications like SCADA transmission, telemetry, and M2M, all within a secure network.

Designed to accommodate the needs of both small and medium-sized networks, TSAT boasts scalability with lower operating costs compared to installing and maintaining fiber connectivity. It supports both IP and legacy serial devices and operates independently from terrestrial communication systems. This not only complements existing terrestrial networks but also offers an alternative solution, ensuring continuous transmission at all times.

The hardware is purpose-built to withstand harsh environments, providing years of reliable operation, making it the most robust choice in adverse weather conditions, unlike mobile and fiber alternatives. Additionally, TSAT adheres to the IEC-61850 global standard for utility and industrial communication and automation, ensuring seamless integration with existing systems.

Through rigorous testing, Ground Control solutions have received certifications in the Worldwide Industrial Telemetry Standards (WITS) DNP3 protocol, setting the global standard for utility industry telemetry control and monitoring requirements. This ensures interoperability between equipment from different manufacturers, guaranteeing a smooth and efficient power utility system.

Save costs and be secure

The equivalent statistic for Euros regarding the average cost of laying fiber can be found in the United States Department of Transportation’s “Fiber Optic Installation Cost Survey” report. According to the report, the average cost of laying fiber is estimated to be around €23,000 per kilometer. Additionally, there’s the ongoing expense of sending experienced Field Engineers to manage installations and maintenance. Over a 10-year hardware lifespan, this this total is significant.

TSAT offers a practical solution to mitigate these costs almost entirely, as its terminal can be remotely managed. This means no more costly truck rolls, and with TSAT being always-on and relaying data in real-time, prompt and guaranteed servicing is assured.

The TSAT HUB stands out as the most cost-effective VSAT HUB available. By efficiently utilizing the satellite spectrum and tailoring satellite bandwidth to meet specific application needs, annual communication expenses are significantly reduced. This makes TSAT an ideal primary or backup option for existing terrestrial communications, providing reliable and affordable connectivity for remote utility sites.

SCADASat by TSAT

Unlock the potential of your data

With over 40 years of combined knowledge of satellite experience, the Ground Control team is well placed to help keep you connected when it matters the most with complete satellite connectivity solutions for any situation and application.

Whatever your communication or connectivity needs, we can help.

While the Mining industry has been applying advanced analytics and AI to its operational technology for some time, Forestry has lagged behind in terms of digital data capture, automated operations and optimised decision-making made possible through advanced analytics. But the times are changing.

As McKinsey identified in a 2018 article, the increasing technical sophistication of Forestry’s main customers – pulp, paper, transportation, sawmills, timber traders etc. – has driven the adoption of precision farming technologies. Further, early adopters have used their greater yields and reduced costs as a competitive advantage.

An example of the value of real-time data capture is seen in the mechanised harvesting cut-to-length (CTL) system, evolving in Scandinavia. Traditionally, tree felling and log manufacture are carried out by an operator with a chainsaw; tree trunks are extracted with wheeled skidders or cable systems to the roadside, and then sawn, in situ, into logs. Trunks are connected to cable systems by operators, navigating debris and potential runaway trunks; a manual, dangerous job. Decisions on what log grades to make from each tree trunk are made by the chainsaw operators, guided by a few basic log specifications and prices. There is little automation.

New CTL technology is fully mechanised with a harvester that fells trees and makes logs in one process, paired with a forwarder that moves these logs roadside. The system relies on digital data: cutting instructions are relayed in real-time to the harvesters, where onboard computers optimise the mix of log grades made from each tree, using sensors mounted on the harvester to measure trunk shape and quality. Production data, together with data on machine productivity, and other performance indicators such as fuel efficiency, can be visualised in real-time.

This level of automation and digitalisation increases operational safety while speeding up precision felling and productivity. It gives greater management control, an optimised supply chain, fast value recovery and planning for the next crop. Data on grade outturn from a specific site can inform decisions on what tree species to plant for the next crop, what fertiliser regimen to employ, and at what age to best harvest a crop. Effectively, optimised decision-making via advanced analytics and insight.

Connectivity: why it’s holding Forestry back

The problem with utilising smart industrial equipment is that it’s not that smart without a means of passing data between machines, people, or back-to-base. According to FPInnovations, 60% of forestry operations have no cellular coverage, which “prevents the timely flow of information between the forest and the data centre… we cannot use the productivity tracking technology that’s being used in other sections, such as agriculture.”

Cellular coverage in remote locations, especially covering woodland, mine pits or agricultural fields is often patchy or unavailable and this leaves remote teams and machines disconnected. Recent forestry development has overcome this, to some extent, using geostationary (GEO) satellite technology.

In their 2021 trial project, FPInnovations and partners tested the use of a mobile, private LTE (cellular) network in the forest. An LTE base station was set up at the edge of a cut block, utilising a 30-metre portable cell tower, omnidirectional antenna and tower-mounted amplifier (TMA) to increase signal strength for extended coverage. A satellite terminal was then used to connect the LTE system to the internet.

In this trial, one cell tower covered a 10-kilometre radius. Devices within this radius, including cell phones, tablets and telematics, communicated with the cell tower even while in motion. The GEO satellite service provided the essential backhaul of data. You can read more about the trial here, where the learnings from the project are available.

But this type of solution comes with high initial investment costs, and the use of geostationary satellites can create limitations over more rugged terrain, where a view of the sky is restricted. Devices that connect with geostationary satellites – in orbit 35,786 km above Earth – need to have a clear line of sight to their satellite, which can prove difficult in mountainous and wooded areas. The evolution of the project is to use a satellite transceiver that speaks to satellites in Low Earth Orbit (LEO).

The role of LEO satellites in bridging the gaps

Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite networks benefit from lower latency (because of their relative proximity to Earth), and can provide more reliable coverage if there are line-of-sight challenges, or the operation is mobile.

Iridium utilises a mesh of LEO satellites able to communicate with one another, passing data from one satellite to another, until the final destination is reached. Antennas communicating with the mesh network don’t need to be ‘pointed’ towards a single satellite, as data can be picked up by any satellite within the constellation and passed through the network, to the ground station.

This makes this network ideal for mobile IoT applications, and perfect for heavy machinery, or operations that shift in location, such as transitory logger camps. Iridium Certus 100 service can provide ubiquitous connectivity in very remote, forest areas.

Implications for developing precision forestry technologies

Reliable satellite connectivity, be that as the primary form of data connectivity or as a data backhaul for cellular or LoRa networks, creates the foundations for smart precision forestry technology, bringing several exciting digital operational capabilities.

The guaranteed connectivity is essential to the constant stream of data that passes between high-precision heavy machinery and the controller. It may be simple sensory data, such as sudden movements, or hazardous objects detected in the logging zone; a block in the workflow or a major mechanical malfunction. Remote heavy machine monitoring, diagnostics and troubleshooting can also provide advance warning on machine maintenance, saving downtime and redundancy, creating operational efficiency and reducing costs.

Steps towards Forestry digitisation

One obvious consideration for implementing precision forestry technology is the scale of investment relative to the size of the logger operation. For a forestry operation curious to see if the benefits of automation can be realised, satellite IoT devices present a very rapid and low cost means of backhauling data from individual machines, and can be rapidly scaled up or down. They can help logging operations evolve from analogue to digital in incremental ways, depending on the volume of data that needs to be transferred, and the critical nature of what’s being communicated back to base, or between man and machinery.

Automated machinery requires constant data connectivity for safety and autonomous decision-making, whereas maintenance alerts may only be necessary on a report-by-exception basis. For each use case, our technical team is able to advise on the best satellite service to support the operational needs and budget.

The RockREMOTE Rugged provides a fertile opportunity for trialling the benefits of satellite connectivity in a forestry setting. It’s aluminium cased, and built to withstand the roughest of environments. Fixed to a remote asset, like a Forester or Harvester, the device enables satellite data transfer of predictive and preventative maintenance analytics, for example.

Customers with small to moderate-sized Industrial IoT data requirements can utilise Iridium’s IMT message-based service for cost-effective data transfer. For more data-heavy applications and real-time monitoring, the device connects TCP/IP-related data, via the Iridium Certus 100 Airtime service. Certus 100 enables data transfer of up to 200 MB per month with speeds of 22 Kbps up and 88 Kbps down.

As mentioned earlier, it will maintain a reliable connection on the move, and transmit from anywhere with a clear view of the sky. If your devices and assets are already connected to an LTE Cat 1 or Cat 4 cellular network, the Rock Remote Rugged device also offers automatic WAN to satellite failover.

Digitising Forestry offers more opportunities for data insight and application: from advanced forest mapping, sensor-controlled environments and forest nurseries, to the use of drones/UAVs for fire monitoring and precision forestry inventory. Satellite provides the instant infrastructure needed to test and scale projects like these.

Unlock the potential of your data

If you would like help unlocking the potential of data for your next precision forestry project, get in touch. Our technical team would be happy to assist, no matter how big the project or whatever the question…

Satellite IoT is exploding right now, with new entrants left, right and centre, and some huge names throwing their hats into the ring: Starlink for one, and Amazon’s Kuiper for another. This incredible proliferation of satellite network operators is driving innovation at an unprecedented speed, but there’s also a lot of hype. In this post, aimed at sensor manufacturers supporting the water and waste water industry, we’re going to explore what’s currently available, what’s coming soon, and what we think the next five to 10 years looks like – with some myth-busting along the way.

Satellite networks launched between 1965 and 2011

Satellite networks 1965 to 2011

This timeline shows the launch dates of the “old guard” of satellite network operators; and while they’re unquestionably well established, don’t take old as meaning redundant here. These companies have stood the test of time; their services are highly reliable, and they’ve repeatedly updated their networks over the decades. Between them they serve the gamut of satellite internet applications, from Iridium’s Short Burst Data, designed for tiny amounts of IoT data, through to Viasat’s broadband internet service with speeds of up to 100 Mbps.

Satellite networks launched between 2018 and 2024

As mentioned, in recent years, more and more companies have started to build satellite networks; all are in Low Earth Orbit (LEO), and almost all are using what are called “SmallSats”. Here we’re using the term for any satellite weighing less than 180 kg and measuring between the size of a kitchen fridge and a Rubik’s cube. It’s this smaller size that has, in part, allowed for this growth – it’s much cheaper to put a SmallSat into Low Earth Orbit than it is to put a large satellite (over 1,000 kg) into Geostationary orbit.

Coupled with the trend for SmallSats and Low Earth Orbit, the other major reason for the increased number of new entrants is the lowered cost of putting satellites into space. From $85,000 per KG in the 1980s, to just $1,000 per KG in 2020 (source); for that you can largely thank SpaceX.

About satellite orbit heights

A quick explanation about the significance of orbit heights in satellite connectivity. Satellites in Low Earth Orbit (or LEO) are much closer to Earth than Geostationary satellites, which means that the time it takes to send data to the satellite and back to Earth is reduced – usually less than 1 second.

If you need real-time data transmission for your systems to operate smoothly, this is a welcome and necessary benefit. However, for this to be realized in practice, there needs to be a satellite overhead at the point at which you transmit; we’ll touch on the challenges new entrants have in this respect shortly.

What are the implications for water sensor manufacturers?

1. Lower cost

Firstly, cost: these networks cost less to establish, so the operators have less costs to recoup! That in turn has forced the established players to diversify their services to compete. This is great news as the relatively high cost of sending data over satellite previously made some use cases non-viable – but no longer. If you need to capture data from your remotely deployed sensors, cost is rarely, if ever, a prohibiting factor now.

Reservoirs

Water levels, precipitation, air and water temperature, relative humidity

Pipelines

Leak detection, Third Party Intrusion, broken wires, storm water ingress

Treatment Plants

Water levels and flows, energy consumption, water quality, equipment status

2. Smaller antenna size

Secondly, antenna size and power. This has always been variable depending on the amount of data needing to be transmitted: a large amount needs a large antenna and a decent amount of power. Small amounts of sensor data, however, can be sent to satellites in Low Earth Orbit using absolutely tiny antennas such as the patch antenna included with the RockBLOCK 9603.

This connects to the Iridium network, which was one of the first LEO networks launched. This low-power-by-design modem can be powered by a battery for many years, and the same is true for many of the devices which connect to the new space entrants.

RockBLOCK 9603 with zoom on patch antenna

3. The convergence of satellite and 5G

The next step in the evolution of Satellite IoT is the convergence of cellular and satellite networks. The telecommunications industry is working on several ideas that will enable seamless data transfer between these networks. A key application of this convergence is to extend the reach of 5G which in comparison to its predecessors, provides limited coverage. If satellites can function as “cell towers” in space, it would unlock the full potential of 5G, providing global coverage from anywhere on the planet. 3GPP’s latest release – Release 17 – included technical specifications for direct-to-device 5G over satellite. This release also extended interoperability, Integrated Access and Backhaul (IAB), and network slicing to support Non-Terrestrial Networks (NTNs). Read more about 5G and satellite technology.

Things to be aware of

It’s not all good news, though. It takes time and money to build a reliable satellite constellation, and every one of the new entrants is still in the process of establishing their network – including Starlink and Swarm.

That means that you can suffer from high latency – i.e. there simply isn’t a satellite overhead for your device to send data to, so you will need to wait until there is. To give you a real-life example, if you connect your sensor to the Swarm network from North America, it can take from 2 minutes to 2 hours for your data to be intercepted by a satellite, and then delivered back to Earth. For Iridium, those parameters are 10 seconds to 15 minutes. And bear in mind Swarm is one of the best established of the new entrants; newer and less well funded companies will have much longer delays.

Similarly coverage can be spotty; there is still only one satellite company that delivers 100% global coverage, and that’s Iridium. The established geostationary satellite operators usually have great coverage, and just miss out the polar regions.

The new networks also suffer from congestion: demand can outstrip supply, leading to failed transmissions and higher costs as data packets are re-sent; plus slower speeds when the network is busy. That’s plaguing Starlink right now – they’ll fix it, for sure, but just now it could be problematic.

However, if your instruments or sensors are within the coverage of one of these networks, and you can cope with receiving data once or twice a day, with the promise that this will speed up as they launch more satellites, then there is a huge amount of choice available to you, and the cost is really very low.

Our recommendations for water sensor satellite connectivity

For critical national infrastructure like water utilities, we continue to recommend established networks like Eutelsat, Iridium and Inmarsat with millions of subscribers, who’ve proven they can manage spikes in demand; who’ve got redundancy services baked in; who have very high levels of coverage and still benefit from very low latency.

Low Earth Orbit
100% global coverage
Network optimization and redundancy

Geostationary Orbit
99.9% service availability
Merged with Viasat: huge scale

Geostationary Orbit
1,200 employees
40 years experience

What about data security?

“Water utilities are the third most targeted sector for hackers in the United States”
– Journal of Environmental Engineering

Water terrorism is on the rise and is likely to get worse as clean, safe water becomes an increasingly scarce resource. In 2022, hackers claimed to have access to the SCADA data of Thames Water (oddly, while they thought they’d hacked Thames Water, they’d actually hacked South Staffordshire Water; and in neither case were they actually able to access SCADA systems).

The hackers claimed to have the ability to tamper with the safety of drinking water, a terrifying prospect for the general public (source). While this incident blew over with basically no harm done, there are state-sponsored cyber warfare units who will be vastly more capable, should they be tasked with targeting national infrastructure.

To be clear, sending your data via satellite isn’t risk-free. But it is much harder to intercept data going from a sensor to a satellite, then back to a ground station, than it is to intercept data that’s using public infrastructure like the internet. And if that ground station is physically on your premises – that’s an air-gapped solution that’s about as secure as data transfer gets. This private satellite network is called TSAT and we don’t know of any more secure way to transmit mission critical data.

And while TSAT represents the highest tier of security capabilities within satellite IoT, by default, satellite data traffic is relatively secure, meeting most military and government security standards.

Further, at Ground Control, we’ve built Cloudloop, a delivery network for Iridium and Inmarsat traffic, which allows us to have full control over our certified, cutting-edge data paths, while securely delivering traffic.

We built this because we wanted to deliver additional security for our customers’ data, and offer optional public static IPs and completely configurable firewalls to assist in securely moving your data from A to B.

To summarize: satellite IoT has transformed in the last five years: prices have come down, transceivers are smaller, power requirements have lessened, and security has improved. And with Amazon’s Kuiper satellite network scheduled for launch in 2024, the pace of change is not going to slow.

We’re here to help you make sense of all of this. We keep on top of all of these developments so we can make expert recommendations to you, and ensure that a system you implement today will remain viable 5, 10 or 15 years into the future.

Would you like to know more?

We partner with sensor / instrumentation manufacturers to deliver end to end solutions for water companies across the world. If you design and build sensors, we'd love to hear from you to talk about working together. If you're a water utilities company and looking for a connectivity bridge for your remote sites, we can help!

Call or email us, or complete the online form, and we'll come back to you within one working day.

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Did you know that 81% of emergency managers have experienced communication failures during emergencies?

Whether a major incident is caused by a natural disaster, accident or malicious intent, first responders have to contend with a constantly evolving situation where priorities can change from minute to minute. Adding to the complexity is communication, which is made particularly challenging when multiple agencies need to communicate in order to respond effectively; when an incident takes place in a remote area, or if bandwidth gets constrained.

None of these issues are easy to resolve, but we’ve written this blog post to outline some potentially overlooked, affordable and easy-to-deploy solutions which can help tackle the three core issues of interoperability, network congestion, and coverage in remote areas.

1. Interoperability

“During incidents like 9/11 and Hurricane Katrina, cell phone towers were destroyed and overloaded, and first responders’ radios were incompatible, making life-saving communications almost nonexistent when they were needed most.” – United States Army

“The inability of responders from different departments and jurisdictions to communicate over their various radio systems during the event… was determined to have been a factor in the inability to evacuate 343 firefighters from the World Trade Center buildings, who all perished as a result.” – Dereck Orr, NIST

Why were the radios incompatible? Because public safety departments across the US are free to choose their own radio systems from different manufacturers, which sometimes operate on different radio bands. But forced standardization of radio systems isn’t the answer, as allowing agencies to select their providers encourages competition, driving innovation and lowering costs.

Two options present themselves: firstly, using an “interoperability gateway” otherwise known as a crossband repeater – technology designed to transmit and receive on different parts of the radio spectrum. These devices can be quickly deployed to allow agencies using different radio systems to talk to each other, in addition to other frequently used devices like satellite phones and VoIP desk phones.

Secondly, using Mission-Critical Push-to-Talk (MCPTT) enabled devices. This is a newly developed protocol that several telecommunication companies are building into their applications, including Ericsson, Qualcomm, ESChat and Motarola. If you’re using software built to the MCPTT specification, irrespective of the network or handset being used, you can communicate with other agencies using MCPTT. Currently this technology isn’t interoperable with LMR, but this is a known requirement that’s being worked on (source).

2. Network congestion

For people caught up in an emergency, it’s a natural reaction to try and reach friends and family, but this can, and frequently does, lead to network congestion. And that can have catastrophic consequences for emergency responders and the people they’re trying to save.

Cognizant of this, two communications companies took the initiative to create networks exclusively for the use of first responders: AT&T’s FirstNet, and Verizon’s Frontline. Both provide a choice of different phones, tablets, laptops and routers compatible with the service, and cover up to 2.71 million square miles. This helpful article provides a more detailed comparison and pricing.

It’s not a perfect solution: users of FirstNet have reported poor signal coverage, while users of Frontline report frustration with saturated networks. One workaround is to use an app like ESChat, which supports multiple terrestrial networks, but also offers a satellite option, Iridium Certus, which provides 100% global coverage. That’s a highly valuable failsafe if cell phone towers are damaged or congested, or terrestrial infrastructure is wilfully targeted, as was seen at the Nashville bombing in 2020.

ESChat partnered with Thales to make this satellite solution available. If you’re a first responder with a MissionLINK 200, MissionLINK 700 or MCD-MissionLINK device, or its maritime equivalent, the VesseLINK 200 or VesseLINK 700 (the differences are the data speeds available), you’ll be able to subscribe to the ESChat service and benefit from low-latency PTT from your smartphone or tablet.

Satellite systems in general are a great failsafe should terrestrial networks be damaged, destroyed or overloaded; and the proliferation of new satellite constellations over the last few years has created more choice and lower prices for users.

Do satellite networks suffer from network congestion too?

As satellite grows in popularity thanks to companies like Starlink, congestion on satellite networks needs to be considered. Like terrestrial networks, some satellite network operators provide dedicated bandwidth for emergency response traffic, whereas with others, you’re sharing the network with commercial users. Starlink for example has grown its user base so quickly that the demand is outpacing the capacity of the network, causing speeds to slow right down when many customers try to connect at the same time.

The best advice is to do your research, and ideally speak to someone who understands the satellite industry very well before deciding on a satellite partner.

3. Coverage in remote areas

While FirstNet and Frontline cover 77% of the landmass of the United States, that still leaves 800,000 square miles where there is no cellular coverage. These dead zones are naturally removed from population centers but are no less at risk from wildfires, hurricanes, earthquakes, landslides or flooding, which can cause huge damage to critical infrastructure like oil, gas and water utilities, plus farms, forestry and mining operations.

Sending emergency responders into areas like this presents a new set of challenges around communication, as neither cellular nor radio networks are likely to be consistently available. Satellite systems perform highly effectively in these circumstances, providing instant infrastructure that’s independent of terrestrial networks.

Portable, battery-operated devices like the MCD-4800 “The Football” or the MCD-MissionLINK create a WiFi hotspot of up to 1,000ft, providing broadband internet for up to 12 connected devices.

This delivers reliable access to email, text messages, Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS), and mapping. It enables the tracking of manpower and equipment, and access to GIS data; as well as the ability to upload drone data and to monitor local TV news coverage.

Even a simple handheld device like the RockSTAR can save lives. This highly ruggedized equipment provides real-time tracking of your personnel, and can transmit IoT data such as their temperature and heart-rate.

Two-way text messaging is possible both via the device and via a Bluetooth-connected smartphone, and there are alert features if the device is dropped, or the person moves out of a pre-agreed trajectory.

Effective communication during major incidents is a tough nut to crack, but the technology exists today to overcome interoperability challenges, and the emerging MCPTT protocol holds great promise to banish this issue altogether. But it remains important to have options, like satellite, that don’t rely on terrestrial infrastructure. Terrestrial infrastructure – including that which supports LMR – will always be the default, but that makes it a high priority target for terrorist attacks. Plus, it remains vulnerable to natural disasters, and is absent from 23% of the US’ landmass.

Objective, expert advice

Ground Control is a satellite communications expert, having supplied emergency responders with solutions for over 20 years.

We work with multiple satellite network operators and partner with companies like Thales, Hughes, Cobham and Starlink to make sure you get the best possible solution for your circumstances. We’re here to help with objective, expert advice when you need it.

Satellite communications have revolutionized the way police forces operate. Not only has satellite communication technology transformed the reach, reliability and robustness of global connectivity, but it has also provided law enforcement agencies with a powerful tool to enhance their capabilities and improve citizen safety.

In this blog post, we will explore the crucial role and key benefits of satellite-based communication in modern policing and law enforcement practices.

5 benefits of satellite communication for modern policing

1. Seamless connectivity

Satellite communications have the unrivaled ability to establish connectivity even in the world’s most remote and underserved areas. Traditional terrestrial communication networks are often unable to provide reliable coverage in rural regions, national parks, or disaster-stricken areas.

Unlike traditional terrestrial communication systems that often suffer from limitations such as range restrictions, network congestion, and vulnerability to natural disasters or deliberate disruptions, satellite provides a reliable and resilient communication infrastructure that can overcome these challenges. This capability enables law enforcement personnel to remain connected, allowing them to communicate and access critical information, regardless of location.

2. Rapid deployment and flexibility

Satellite communication systems offer rapid deployment capabilities, making them ideal for law enforcement operations that require immediate connectivity. Whether it’s establishing a temporary policing command post, setting up communication networks in disaster-stricken areas, or deploying resources to remote locations, satellite solutions can provide the required flexibility.

A mobile VSAT system could be mounted on the ground, on top of a vehicle, truck, trailer, or even transported in the back of an SUV. Deployment is rapid and suitable for any location – providing a robust, high-speed internet and communications solution. Police forces can subsequently reliably achieve quick, uninterrupted connectivity and operational effectiveness in dynamic and evolving situations.

3. Improved inter-agency collaboration

US law enforcement agencies need to collaborate with multiple agencies during joint policing operations, cross-border investigations, and when combining interagency task forces. Satellite communications enable the facilitation of seamless, secure communication and data sharing between these different agencies, regardless of their geographical location.

In rural areas, satellite-based connectivity can be the only way to achieve this as traditional communication systems like cellular and LMR are typically, much more limited. Satellite enabled messaging devices support rural-based police officers by providing reliable tracking and messaging anywhere in the world, powering collaboration across multiple regions, enhancing policing coordination, and strengthening the overall effectiveness of law enforcement efforts.

4. Real-time surveillance and intelligence gathering

Real-time surveillance monitors high-risk areas, tracks suspects, and shares data with other police forces and agencies for more coordinated operations and successful crime combating. Satellites equipped with high-resolution imaging sensors can provide real-time or near-real-time imagery of vast areas, enabling law enforcement agencies to monitor critical locations, track multiple suspects, or identify potential threats to life. This advanced surveillance capability helps to serve better public safety in the US and the world.

5. Coordinated disaster management and emergency response

During natural disasters, satellite communications play a crucial role in maintaining communication lines when terrestrial infrastructure is damaged, overloaded, or otherwise fails. When this happens, satellite serves as a lifeline for law enforcement agencies to coordinate response efforts, share critical information, and request additional resources. Furthermore, satellite connectivity enables mobile command centers to be established quickly so police can set up communication hubs out in the field during emergency and critical situations. This enables efficient coordination, resource allocation, and decision-making in real time. In the wake of the Boston Marathon bombings, police and the FBI relied on satellites as cellphones were unreliable in the bombing aftermath.

Powering Policing with Satellite Communication Solutions

MCD-4800

For seamless connectivity in policing operations, the MCD-4800 provides instant infrastructure independent of terrestrial networks. Within a minute the MCD-4800 becomes a powerful WiFi hotspot accessible by any wireless device within a 300ft range for up to 5 hours on internal battery power alone. This capability enables law enforcement personnel to remain connected, allowing them to communicate and access critical information, regardless of location.

MCD-4800 – “The Football”

Toughsat Flyaway

The Toughsat Flyaway is designed to mount in all locations where a mobile VSAT system could be mounted, such as on the ground, on top of a vehicle, truck, trailer, or even transported in the back of an SUV. Deployment is rapid and suitable for any location - providing a robust, high-speed internet and communications solution. Police forces benefit from reliable connectivity and operational effectiveness in dynamic and evolving situations.

Toughsat Flyaway

RockSTAR

RockSTAR is a handheld tracking and messaging device which transmits from anywhere in the world. Ruggedized, and with an astonishing 12 month battery life. RockSTAR makes sure that officers' location is monitored, with alerts if the device is dropped, or moves out of the intended route / location. It can also transmit wearables' data such as heart rate and blood pressure, making it a valuable health and safety addition for remote policing.

RockSTAR Handheld Tracker

RockREMOTE

RockREMOTE is an IoT device utilizing the Iridium Certus network; this means it's cost-effective to send relatively large amounts of IoT data, including compressed images. Forces around the world use RockREMOTE as part of camera traps, remote security checks and alarm systems. It's also deployed on unmanned vehicles, including drones, to allow commands to be sent, and data received, from wherever the vehicle travels.

RockREMOTE Rugged

MCD-MissionLINK

The MCD-MissionLINK is a portable, easy-to-operate satellite terminal which provides a powerful Wi-Fi hotspot (up to 1,000 feet), providing satellite broadband for up to 12 devices. This device differs from the MCD-4800 in three key areas: it doesn't require pointing, so may work better in forested or mountainous areas; it delivers faster internet speeds, and it will work anywhere on the globe, including the polar regions.

MCD-MissionLINK

Closing thoughts…

Satellite communication technology offers numerous benefits to law enforcement agencies. From seamless connectivity in remote areas to enhanced surveillance capabilities, satellite technology has become an invaluable tool for improving operational efficiency and public safety. The ability to establish reliable communication during emergencies, support inter-agency collaboration, and provide global reach strengthens the overall effectiveness of law enforcement efforts all over the world.

By harnessing the power of satellite communications, law enforcement and policing agencies can adapt to the ever-evolving landscape of modern crime and ensure safer and more secure communities. As satellite grows in popularity, so too do the service options, and the competitiveness of the pricing. It’s anticipated that in the next few years, satellite and cellular networks will effectively merge, which will open up more possibilities to support policing and law enforcers.

Harness the Power of Satellite Communications

Satellite communication technology transformed what law enforcement agencies and police forces can achieve to enhance crime combating capabilities and improve citizen safety. See what Ground Control can achieve for you, your teams and your agency.

Contact us today. We'll be able to help and offer impartial advice on the best solutions to improve your operational and connectivity challenges.

The World Economic Forum’s IoT Guidelines for Sustainability report states that 84% of IoT deployments are addressing, or have the potential to address, the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals. These SDGs include combating climate change, sustainable production patterns and ensuring availability of clean water.

But as the report points out, “No services are possible without the infrastructure in place. Particularly in the case of IoT, at some point in the future revenues may come from the services associated with data, but without addressing the infrastructure solutions first, that day is still far away.”

In this post, we’re exploring challenges that are preventing the roll-out of IoT solutions in the areas that need it most, and offering some ideas to resolve these issues. It’s not a fully comprehensive list of challenges. We’ve left out the issue of national and municipal government buy-in, and conflict / war zones, as while they’re unquestionably barriers, we’re realistic about the ability of a blog post to provide a practical solution to them!

The two barriers to IoT infrastructure we’re addressing are affordability and geography.

Where in the world is the lack of IoT infrastructure most acute?

This graphic illustrates the impact of the digital divide. This relates to the gap between demographics and regions that have access to modern information and communications technology, and those that don’t. The statistics are shocking: 43% of Africans can use the internet, compared to 93% of Americans and 88% of Europeans. Even in more developed regions like the Americas, four out of 10 Latin Americans in rural areas have no way to connect to the internet (source) – because terrestrial networks are prohibitively expensive to set up in non-densely populated areas.

And the digital divide doesn’t only affect individuals’ access to the internet. The lack of infrastructure also means businesses and governments can’t deliver the benefits of IoT connectivity: improvements in energy efficiency; healthcare outcomes; public safety; environmental monitoring; transport planning; agriculture sustainability – the list goes on.

As just mentioned, the main reason for this is that cellular networks rely on a dense network of base stations and antennas to provide coverage, which is expensive and challenging to deploy, and there’s limited financial incentive for the private sector to support this outside of urban areas.

Results-from-Cornell-University-LoRaWAN-project

One proposed solution to the IoT connectivity challenge is to create coverage through LPWAN technology. A group of academics in the United States received funding for just such a project in 2021, with the goal of enabling small communities in upstate New York to benefit from IoT applications including remote meter readings for utility firms; traffic monitoring; real-time road and flood monitoring; crop and livestock monitoring for farmers, and building management.

Early returns for the latter indicated energy cost savings of between 15-30%; great news for the bill payer and the environment alike (source).

While there’s a lot to recommend this, there are a couple of additional considerations: firstly, the gateway that controls the network and aggregates the data from the nodes needs to be able to connect to the cloud, and for that it needs another means of connectivity. If you can position your gateway within cellular coverage, adding a cellular modem to your gateway will resolve this challenge. If you are out of cell tower range, a satellite modem such as Ground Control’s RockREMOTE will have the same effect.

The second consideration is mobility: neither of the two most popular LPWAN technologies – NB-IoT and LoRaWAN – were intended for mobile applications such as fleet monitoring or animal tracking. LoRaWAN can be used to connect moving sensors, but there’s a greater risk of transmission interference as a result of signal collision if a large number of nodes are connected (read more). This has an associated effect of increasing the energy consumption as packets are retransmitted, and changes in device location sometimes resulting in a higher spreading factor (SF).

To solve the mobility issue in areas with no terrestrial infrastructure, you may want to explore satellite transceivers, but be sure to look for devices with omni-directional antennas with no requirement to ‘point’ them at the satellite network overhead. The tiny RockBLOCK 9603, which transmits very small packets over the Iridium network, is ideal for sensor data transmission from animal tracking collars, UAVs, and drifting data buoys. If you need to send and receive higher volumes of data, something like the RockREMOTE Rugged works well for heavy machinery monitoring and control, including autonomous tractors and mobile generators.

But isn’t satellite IoT prohibitively expensive?

Satellite IoT has experienced a huge growth in demand and service providers as – largely thanks to Space X – the cost of launching a satellite has decreased from $85K per KG in the 80s to just $1K per KG in 2020 (source). This means plenty of competition and service diversification, which has driven down costs. As an example of this, a customer of ours, Synnefa, facilitates remote farming for smallholders in Kenya.

By providing them with accurate, real-time data on soil moisture, temperature, nutrient levels in the soil, and light intensity, Synnefa enables these remote farmers to optimise productivity while reducing waste, and it’s working:

50% Water savings
41% reduction in fertiliser usage
30% increased production.

Synnefa uses terrestrial connectivity where available, and Kenya is better connected than much of Africa, but as the map shows, there are huge swathes of agricultural land that have no access to cellular networks. So the Synnefa team ship their FarmShield device with a RockBLOCK 9602; if the sensor is out of terrestrial communication range, it can use satellites to send data.

But the critical point here is that Synnefa charge their customers no more for cellular than they do for satellite; there is a difference in cost to Synnefa, but it’s not so significant that they have to pass it on. Synnefa’s customers can benefit from more sustainable and productive farming wherever their farm is located.

Satellite connectivity continues to get more affordable, and we’re excited to watch the progress of SatelioT who are in the process of launching nanosatellites into Low Earth Orbit just 500 KM above us; that’s so close they don’t even need an antenna to create terrestrial connectivity. The purpose of these nanosatellites is to act as telephone towers in space, extending the reach of 5G NB-IoT connectivity to basically anywhere on Earth. So in principle, and hopefully soon in practice, you’ll be able to connect your IoT device to this Non-Terrestrial-Network (NTN) without needing an additional transceiver or antenna. This would be a huge step forwards for isolated communities, and with no new hardware needed, would greatly speed up the introduction of remote monitoring applications.

As with all of these newer entrants, including Swarm, who’s probably the best known of the nanosatellite manufacturers, it’s worth noting that for at least the next 2-3 years, the frequency with which your device will be able to send and receive data will be much slower than established satellite constellations like Iridium or Inmarsat. This is because there are simply fewer satellites overhead, so you’ll need to wait longer before your device signal is picked up. And you’ll also need to check if the region you’re aiming to connect is covered by an orbiting satellite, as few satellite operators have truly global coverage. But if you have coverage, and your application can manage with store-and-forward delivery, these are low cost options that may hold the key to unlocking some missing infrastructure and financing challenges.

IoT can help combat climate change – but climate change is making it harder to create IoT infrastructure

Another barrier to leveraging IoT for sustainable development is the increased frequency, duration and magnitude of extreme events, including droughts, flooding and extreme heat. And the countries most likely to be affected by these conditions are often the countries with the least ability to adapt. Projections indicate that Sub-Saharan Africa will bear the brunt of climate change impacts on food security, due to its reliance on rain-fed agriculture. Projects such as solar irrigation, rainwater harvesting and irrigation systems will be essential to enhance water availability, but their efficacy is limited without sensors.

Knowing what resources you have, where they are, and where and when they’re most needed is fundamental to the successful deployment of smart irrigation technology. You can send someone to gather and report sensor data, or you can utilise IoT to get real-time data, and vastly speed up your reaction time to new data, while better modelling future needs. Sub-Saharan Africa, however, has some of the most limited terrestrial network coverage in the world. Connecting Africa reports that 47% of the world’s uncovered population is in SSA (source).

Further, terrestrial networks where they do exist are susceptible to natural disasters; flooding, hurricanes and earthquakes and ensuing landslides can create power outages and damage cell towers; fibre ducts can become waterlogged; repairs can be delayed due to road damage. In 2022, 1,200 cell towers were impacted in South Africa alone due to a prolonged spell of heavy rain and the ensuing flooding and landslides (source). In developing countries, infrastructure such as the electricity grid and piped water are often the responsibility of county-level or national government, and it can take years before damage is rectified. One study in Kenya found that 62% of electrical grid failures caused by floods were never repaired (read more). This presents massive challenges for IoT deployment that relies on terrestrial communication networks like BLE, WiFi and Cellular.

So, we turn again to the twin options of LPWAN – specifically LoRaWAN here, because of its independence from 4G / 5G cellular tower infrastructure – and satellite; sometimes deployed separately but often combined to provide low cost coverage over a wide area, with no dependency on terrestrial networks for data backhaul.

Neither of these options are immune to damage but they are more resilient. LoRaWAN gateways are, of course, much smaller than cell towers, and the signal is largely unaffected by wind and rain. They’re available in IP68 rated enclosures with automated leak detection and remote configuration options – essential if you’re not going to be able to reach the device for long periods of time.

Similarly, satellite transceivers are often built into highly ruggedised enclosures, or are shipped with such enclosures. Some are solar powered; others will work off a single battery for years. Devices like the RockREMOTE Rugged also support Over The Air (OTA) device configuration. Paired with a sensor array or data logger, you’ve got a IoT solution that is highly resilient against adverse weather, as the transmission is going to, or being received from, satellites orbiting far above the Earth (some not as far as they used to be, but still well out of trouble!). The ground stations used by satellite network operators are carefully chosen for their stability and security; it’s why satellite connectivity is so often deployed in emergency situations, when terrestrial networks have failed.

Leading renewable energy provider RWE has installed hydrology stations which monitor water levels, precipitation, air and water temperatures, and relative humidity, to detect excess rainfall in remote parts of Wales, UK. These hydrology stations are located at hydroelectric power stations; reservoirs which pipe water through turbines to supply renewable energy to the grid.

If there’s excessive rainfall, the operators can push more water through the turbines, which provides more green energy; and there’s a huge added benefit in that this also greatly reduces the chances of localised flooding, as the reservoir’s capacity to absorb more water grows.

In the complete absence of cell towers – this being a particularly beautiful and remote part of the UK – these hydrology stations use satellite connectivity, in this case Inmarsat BGAN M2M, to transmit the data in real-time back to the operations centre. The cost is managed through edge computing, which allows the frequency of transmission to be increased to every 15 minutes if data falls outside of normal parameters, but is usually set to transmit every 3 hours.

In summary, the places that would benefit the most from IoT to help with sustainable development goals are often the places most under-served by terrestrial networks – because it’s too difficult, too expensive, or too risky to install them. Outside of urban areas, coverage in Africa, Asia and Oceania is extremely limited, and yet these regions are some of the most at-risk from rising sea levels, drought, flooding and other extreme weather conditions.

In order to bridge the digital divide, we need to look to low cost, resilient and easy to deploy connectivity solutions. Some are available today – LoRaWAN and satellite IoT, both combined and independent of each other, are entirely viable options. And it’s very exciting to see what’s coming in the next few years from innovations which will bring satellite and cellular networks together.

Would you like to know more?

If you have an IoT project with connectivity challenges, you're absolutely in the right place to get expert help. Call or email us, or complete the form and we'll be happy to talk through your options.

We design and build our own satellite transceivers, and also work with trusted third parties to offer a wide range of connectivity options and airtime partners.

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According to a recent poll by Gallop, one-third of Americans have faced extreme weather including hurricanes and blizzards, in recent years. In many respects, it’s surprising this figure isn’t higher. The United Nations (UN) reported a 153% increase in the number of extreme weather events in the last 20 years. And it’s clear the US has been significantly impacted, with 20 separate billion-dollar weather and climate disasters in 2021 alone.

NOAA is – fortunately – projecting an average hurricane season in 2023, due to the dampening effect of El Nino, but equally the Atlantic is unusually warm, which could counteract this effect. Of course even a below-average hurricane season can be deadly. And while the West Coast might be spared hurricanes, it’s increasingly vulnerable to wildfires. The National Significant Wildland Fire Potential Outlook projects a higher risk than normal for large stretches of Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Nevada and Montana (California’s snowpack may spare it the worst of the 2023 wildfires). Meanwhile, Canada’s wildfires are making global headlines, with millions of Canadians and Americans affected.

Given the significant impact just one of these events can have, we want to highlight why connectivity is so important during the emergency response.

Why is connectivity essential during an emergency response?

First responders don’t know what situation they’re stepping into. To ensure organizations can manage their response, safeguard their personnel and rapidly disseminate information to other relevant agencies and teams on the ground, connectivity certainty and thus communication certainty, is essential. Included below are some of the most common use cases our First Responder customers require and utilize our connectivity solutions for:

Mapping and GPS data
Access to GIS data – essential data regarding property and ownership, and MSDS sheets – delivering potentially life-saving information on material safety.
Personnel and equipment tracking. Tracking the real-time location of every personnel member on the ground, in addition to equipment and assets, including emergency vehicles and helicopters, can all save invaluable time.
Communication, including via the Red Phone Emergency Responder Voice Network. Enabling organizations and personnel to communicate via voice, email or even radio, with one another and with the Command Center, and disseminate information to other relevant Public Safety agencies.
Monitor local news coverage. Making certain teams aren’t missing anything news outlets may have picked up on.
Report and document response and progress. For example, the progress of a wildfire.
Drone video backhaul. Utilizing connectivity to control and live stream video via drones to provide real-time information to those on the ground.

Mobile Satellite Internet for First Responders

Since satellite services connect with an orbiting satellite at least 550km above the Earth’s surface, they are not affected by cellular dead-zones or terrestrial infrastructure failure (temporary or otherwise), meaning satellite can deliver connectivity certainty.

Based on our 20 years’ experience working with corporations and public agencies, we know that not everyone will have a backup plan in place which caters for a situation without terrestrial connectivity. We’re well versed in the typical hurricane narrative: hurricane season begins, storms begin to form out at sea, concerned organizations begin to call us for information and lead times on satellite communication hardware… then storms pass or die out and all is forgotten. Or, as is more often the case in recent years, the aforementioned storms continue.

In all cases, the Ground Control team work as hard as possible to ensure agencies have confirmed delivery of the required, satellite-enabled equipment prior to any hurricane, tornado, wildfire, or other extreme weather event. But there are occasions, particularly when there has been a larger scale disaster, where shipping may be delayed or temporarily suspended, or even scaling hardware to meet demand is a challenge. As the number and severity of extreme weather events is increasing, we want to ensure all organizations can confidently mitigate risk, whatever the situation.

Professional Grade Mobile Internet

Introducing The Toughsat

Our Toughsat products are often used by emergency services that need a quick and portable VSAT antenna for both high-speed internet and VoIP phone services for on-site personnel.

Toughsat XP is Ground Control’s flagship professional series mobile satellite system, incorporating the best of our experience into a complete system. At the click of a button, the solution provides the speeds and bandwidth needed for robust Internet and communications, making it the perfect in-field communications solution.

The Toughsat XP delivers connectivity for up to 256 wireless capable devices such as smartphones, tablets and laptops or VoIP phones. Your team can be online in minutes, with 20 Mbps x 5 Mbps broadband internet speeds, worldwide. What’s more, the powerful broadband WiFi hotspot operates even in extreme weather conditions.

Ground Control’s emergency communications satellite equipment meets or complies with all SAFECOM requirements for emergency interoperable communication equipment. The Toughsat is also the only VSAT antenna listed by make and model in the US FEMA Cache list.

Comparing the Toughsat to a Starlink Device

Both the Toughsat (which utilizes the iDirect satellite airtime service – see special rates for first responders) and Starlink provide emergency responders with high speed, low latency internet access from anywhere with a clear view of the sky – there’s no dependency on terrestrial networks.

Both physical devices are ruggedized, and will stand up to a wide range of weather conditions, from extreme cold and heat to heavy rain and gale force winds. Neither the Toughsat nor the Standard Starlink is intended for use in-motion (if you have a requirement for high-speed internet while in-motion, we would recommend the Kymeta u8 or the MissionLINK 700).

Starlink devices are often low cost in comparison to other satellite internet hardware. Starlink doesn’t invite other manufacturers to build hardware to connect to the Starlink satellite constellation, and its intentionally disruptive business model is to sell directly to members of the public, undercutting incumbents like HughesNet and Viasat.

However, that last point provides a segue to a potential drawback of the Starlink service: it is extremely popular, and can be prone to network congestion. “The demand for Starlink service is outpacing the capacity of the network” according to Starlinkhardware.com, further noting that “you may notice your speeds slow way down… caused by too many Starlink customers trying to connect at the same time.”

For Emergency Responders this is a key potential risk to be aware of when deciding on your portable satellite solution. Other solutions – Toughsat among them – have dedicated airtime for emergency responders, guaranteeing reliable internet speeds irrespective of how much other traffic is utilizing the network. They cost more, but don’t face the network congestion challenges of Starlink.

Get in touch

If you'd like to know more, and discuss your requirements, please get in touch. We have 20 years' of experience and have served hundreds of emergency responders in that time. We design and build our own hardware, but we also partner with other leading manufacturers to make sure we have the best option for your needs.

Disasters can affect any area of North America and are most commonly the result of weather-related and geological events. Disasters include everything from wildfires to hurricanes, tornados to floods, earthquakes to dam failures. In 2023, the volume and severity of hurricanes is projected to be ‘normal’ by NOAA, but wildfires are expected to be above average (indeed an area larger than the Netherlands has already burned this year in Canada – that’s more than 5 million hectares).

A single disaster’s impact can significantly vary. From localized to widespread, predictable to unpredictable. That said, FEMA highlights that, as natural hazards are usually more predictable, it’s possible to identify which areas within the US may be most vulnerable to certain types of natural hazards. In addition, as each hazard has both unique characteristics and common elements, the combination of this knowledge enables agencies and organizations to better prepare and respond to natural disasters.

FEMA categorises disasters as recurring events with four phases: 1. Mitigation, 2. Preparedness, 3. Response, and 4. Recovery. The below diagram briefly describes each phase and illustrates the relationship of these four phases within emergency management.

At Ground Control, we have 20 years experience working alongside First Responders and Emergency Personnel. While each situation and/or disaster is unique, there is consistency when it comes to exactly how satellite technology can support and aid teams within each phase.

Mitigation & Preparation – Utilizing IoT

The explosion of the Internet of Things (IoT) continues to revolutionize our world, and the first response sector is no exception to this. In recent years, the number of IoT applications to save human life, no matter how remote the disaster, has exponentially increased. Just a couple of examples include digitally connected gear with built-in sensors that measure air quality, toxins and motion, and protective clothing which continuously monitor vital signs.

Ground Control recently partnered with American Signal Corporation to deliver a Tsunami early warning system, in which the RockBLOCK Plus is utilized as their satellite transceiver. Although this type of technology is more common in larger organizations, we have also had customers successfully create an off-grid fire prevention system utilizing the monitoring capabilities of the RockBLOCK.

Response – Communication Certainty

The vast majority of our First Responder customers acquire our systems for use during emergency response. Generally speaking, our solutions revolve around ensuring teams on the ground have communication and connectivity certainty.

In a crisis, lack of or delayed situational awareness can cost lives, and often, mobility can prove a significant barrier. With SOTM “Satcom-on-the-Move”, teams can stay reliably connected with one another and their Command Center. Utilizing both portable and mobile connectivity solutions, teams can benefit from an almost instant, reliable 300-1000 ft WiFi hotspot. Meaning they can stay connected, even while surveying surroundings and interacting with the community.

In addition, personnel tracking devices such as the RockSTAR can ensure that the location of all personnel is accurately and reliably tracked, in real-time, with zero reliance on terrestrial connectivity. And push-to-talk devices and satellite phones ensure voice communications are achievable, no matter the circumstances. Additionally, features such as talk groups can further support team communications.

Recovery – Supporting Public Safety

First Responders’ main concern will always be public safety in the immediate crisis. However, the recovery phase is crucial. Following the mass destruction of hurricanes Irma and Maria in 2017, 900 VSAT terminals were deployed at sites around the affected region and critical locations including San Juan Airport.

Enabling wi-fi and communications means First Responders on the ground can continue to effectively communicate, and civilians are able to contact loved ones and make appropriate arrangements during the recovery phase.

At Ground Control, we help First Responders and public safety organizations and agencies prepare, providing teams with equipment they need to ensure more successful missions. Reliable communications and connectivity, allow emergency personnel to more safely focus on the task at hand. If you’d like talk to one our experienced team about how you can better support your people ground with satellite technology, simply email sales@groundcontrol.com.

Get in touch

With over 20 years experience facilitating emergency preparedness and response across the globe, we understand that in a crisis, every second counts. We’re constantly evolving and adapting our Public Safety offer and systems to best support teams on the ground. Which is just part of the reason Ground Control has been a trusted name in Emergency Responder satcom since 2002. Whatever your communication or connectivity needs, we can help.

Why is offshore wind production relatively expensive?

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What can be done to reduce these costs?

Wired vs. wireless or wired plus wireless?

Wireless connectivity options for transmitting IoT data from offshore wind farms

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Is satellite data transmission expensive?

Who else benefits from wireless sensor data transmission?

Recommended OSV satellite IoT hardware

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Primary, secondary or failover communication

Talk to the experts

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How TSAT overcomes the key data challenges for power utilities

1. Instant communication infrastructure

2. Real-time monitoring and control

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3. Enhanced grid reliability

4. Robustness against extreme weather events

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5. Highly secure

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A detailed look at TSAT

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Save costs and be secure

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Unlock the potential of your data

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Connectivity: why it’s holding Forestry back

The role of LEO satellites in bridging the gaps

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Implications for developing precision forestry technologies

Steps towards Forestry digitisation

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Unlock the potential of your data

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Satellite networks launched between 1965 and 2011

Satellite networks launched between 2018 and 2024

About satellite orbit heights

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What are the implications for water sensor manufacturers?

1. Lower cost

Reservoirs

Pipelines

Treatment Plants

2. Smaller antenna size

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3. The convergence of satellite and 5G

Things to be aware of

Our recommendations for water sensor satellite connectivity

What about data security?

Would you like to know more?

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1. Interoperability

2. Network congestion

Do satellite networks suffer from network congestion too?

3. Coverage in remote areas

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Objective, expert advice

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5 benefits of satellite communication for modern policing

1. Seamless connectivity

2. Rapid deployment and flexibility

3. Improved inter-agency collaboration

4. Real-time surveillance and intelligence gathering

5. Coordinated disaster management and emergency response

Powering Policing with Satellite Communication Solutions

MCD-4800

Toughsat Flyaway

RockSTAR

RockREMOTE

MCD-MissionLINK

Closing thoughts…

Harness the Power of Satellite Communications

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Where in the world is the lack of IoT infrastructure most acute?

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But isn’t satellite IoT prohibitively expensive?

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