Exhibit A - Product Description and Specifications A... · Skystar 360E General Description Skystar...

General Description

January 2003

Document No. DC-3359-30

Gilat Satellite Networks Ltd.

This document contains information proprietary to Gilat Satellite Networks Ltd. and may not be reproduced in whole or in part without the express written consent of Gilat Satellite Networks Ltd. The disclosure by Gilat Satellite Networks Ltd. of information contained herein does not constitute any license or authorization to use or disclose the information, ideas or concepts presented. The contents of this document are subject to change without prior notice.

Skystar 360E General Description

Skystar 360E General Description January, 2003

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Contents

1. Introduction....................................................................................................................1

2. Applications ...................................................................................................................2 2.1 Two-Way Interactive IP Communications.................................................................2 2.2 Broadband Internet/Intranet Access.........................................................................2 2.3 Reliable IP Multicast ................................................................................................3 2.4 Voice Over IP (VoIP) ...............................................................................................3 2.5 Video Conferencing .................................................................................................3 2.6 Security ...................................................................................................................4 2.7 Enhanced IP Applications (Optional)........................................................................4 2.8 Legacy Protocols (Optional).....................................................................................4 2.9 Corporate Training...................................................................................................5

3. Skystar 360E Point-to-Multipoint Network Architecture ..............................................6 3.1 Skystar 360E Hub....................................................................................................7 3.2 Skystar 360E VSAT .................................................................................................9

3.2.1 Indoor Unit (IDU) ...........................................................................................9 3.2.2 Outdoor Unit ...............................................................................................10 3.2.3 Antenna ......................................................................................................11

4. Satellite Access Scheme .............................................................................................12

5. Product Features..........................................................................................................15 5.1 Efficient Satellite Power and Bandwidth Utilization ................................................15 5.2 TCP Acceleration...................................................................................................15 5.3 Multicast Service (Optional) ...................................................................................15 5.4 Internet Page AcceleratorTM (Optional) ...................................................................16 5.5 Dial Backup (Optional) ...........................................................................................16

6. Technical Specifications .............................................................................................17 Figures

Figure 1: Skystar 360E Network Architecture ..................................................................6 Figure 2: Skystar 360E NMS Main Screen ......................................................................8 Figure 3: Skystar 360E IDU Rear View (left to right) - Serial Port, 4 LAN Port, and

Reverse Modem.......................................................................................................9 Figure 4: RA/DA Access Scheme ..................................................................................13 Figure 5: Dual Bit Rate Access Scheme........................................................................14



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1. Introduction

SkystarTM 360E is a private/shared VSAT network designed for two-way IP and multicast applications, with an option to support X.25 and Asynchronous transactions. The product is ideally suited for web-based intranet and Internet access, as well as for private and shared networks where headquarters or data centers communicate with hundreds, thousands and even tens of thousands of geographically dispersed sites.

Skystar 360E is a versatile VSAT product that integrates and features multiple applications together on one platform. The same network can be used for interactive IP and legacy protocol communications, as well as for IP multicasting and video/audio streaming.

The two-way functionality allows for high levels of interaction, feedback and access to resources. With DVB compliant Outbound and extensive IP capabilities, Skystar 360E supports virtually any data and IP multicast application.

This stand-alone platform is completely independent; all features, including routing and TCP acceleration technology, are incorporated into the box, making for effective remote maintenance and control, and a clear demarcation between the communication and network infrastructures.



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2. Applications

Skystar 360E is ideal for IP-based interactive and multimedia applications, data/video broadcasting and multicasting, as well as for transactional communications and batch file transfer over IP, Async and X.25 protocols. Skystar 360E implements cutting-edge IP technology for Internet/Intranet access and multimedia multicasting (data streaming, webcasting, news feed, etc), while still incorporating the traditional, well-tested Skystar Advantage legacy capabilities as an option. The Skystar 360E platform supports the following applications:

Two-Way Interactive IP Communications

Broadband Internet/Intranet Access

Corporate Training

Reliable IP Multicast

Voice Over IP (VoIP)

Video Conferencing

VPN

Legacy Protocols

Enhanced IP Applications

2.1 Two-Way Interactive IP Communications

Skystar 360E fully supports interactive IP applications. A typical configuration may include POS or financial transactions, FTP, email, B2B and e-commerce applications.

2.2 Broadband Internet/Intranet Access

Using satellite technology enhanced by Gilat’s TCP acceleration technology, users can enjoy enhanced data rates while accessing their corporate Web servers or Internet sites. Skystar 360E can be used to provide full Internet access. In addition, Gilat’s patented Internet Page Accelerator (IPA™), which can optionally be added to the system, improves the performance of web browsing and web applications over the satellite media, enabling enhanced user experience and satellite bandwidth savings. This is obtained by reducing the impact of the round-trip satellite delay perceived by the user and reducing the amount of inbound traffic from the VSAT from web browsing.



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2.3 Reliable IP Multicast

Skystar 360E provides a perfect platform for reliable IP multicast. It offers a solution that turns IP multicast, a non-acknowledged protocol, into reliable data multicasting.

Business-critical applications require information to be distributed from a central location to many sites and to arrive reliably and without overloading the network. For example, reliable IP multicasting can be used for software updates to servers, video clip updates, large-image distribution and pricing information for point-of-sale terminals. Satellites, with their inherent broadcast capability, greatly simplify the delivery of IP multicast compared to other technologies. IP multicast allows a single copy of data to reach all intended destinations, significantly enhancing network performance and efficiency. Gilat Surecast™ enables reliable IP multicasting and provides an integrated multicast solution over the Skystar 360E.

2.4 Voice Over IP (VoIP)

VoIP can be easily integrated over the Skystar 360E using external IP telephone devices. With VoIP support, the Skystar 360E can provide an integrated telephony and data solution over the same platform

The Skystar 360E VSAT communicates via a full duplex, transferring the VoIP packets to and from the Hub, where they are routed to the Hub Gateway via the control of the Gatekeeper. The Hub Gateway (GW) converts the VoIP packets back to legacy digital voice signal (PCM), carried over E1 lines to the public switch of the local PSTN, thereby enabling ordinary telephone communications with any other telephone subscriber in the world. Alternatively, the hub GW can communicate with an Internet ISP connection to provide VoIP communication over the Internet.

Users of the VSAT and Remote Gateway (RG) can also establish calls to an IP-phone over the Internet. However, the basic voice-overlay provides access to the PSTN.

2.5 Video Conferencing

The Skystar 360E supports interactive video conferencing between a central location and the remote offices. Using this application, corporate meetings can take place between headquarters and branch offices. Participants can see and hear each other using TV screens or monitors and can benefit from realistic and interactive



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communication. Inbound speeds over 384 Kbps enable clear picture and audio performance.

2.6 Security

Increased security can be enabled on the Skystar 360E network using Virtual Private Networks (VPN). VPN can be implemented over the satellite segment only or alternatively, from end-to-end.

VPN over the satellite segment can be implemented using the Skystar 360E’s optional outbound encryption. The encryption can be implemented on the entire Outbound stream or per specific applications. The Inbound stream is intrinsically safe due to frequency hopping, using Gilat’s proprietary satellite protocol and additional scrambling features.

End to end VPN can be implemented as well, with additional hardware at the hub and software at the remote VSAT site. This mode of VPN is less efficient in terms of space segment utilization and delay time.

2.7 Enhanced IP Applications (Optional)

The Skystar 360E offers as a business enhancement option an array of IP features to complement its already potent IP capabilities. The Skystar 360E enhanced IP business option includes features such as NAT, DHCP, IGMP, IRDP and RIP (versions 1 and )2. All of these enhanced features are installed in the indoor unit itself and enabled at the HPS.

2.8 Legacy Protocols (Optional)

Skystar 360E offers an optional legacy support as an add–on feature. This feature allows for the integration of X.25 or Asynchronous applications on the same satellite data channel. This feature will allow the use of legacy applications such as credit card authorization over asynchronous protocols or ATM operation over X.25 to run on the same platform, simultaneously with IP applications. Corporations interested in migration from legacy to IP will find the Skystar 360E an ideal platform for easy migration, enabling the operation to run over the legacy applications until the new IP applications are ready and tested.



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2.9 Corporate Training

With Skystar 360E, companies can provide interactive training to employees throughout their organization, regardless of their location. Corporate training via satellite allows employees to be updated with the latest developments in the company, without incurring travel costs. With DVB transmission, the Skystar 360E enables employees to see and hear their instructor via remote PC or TV. In addition, the two-way capabilities of the VSAT allow students to communicate with their instructor reliably and efficiently. The training system is easily integrated within the Skystar 360E to offer a comprehensive solution.



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3. Skystar 360E Point-to-Multipoint Network Architecture

The Skystar 360E system supports a variety of IP applications, providing central host-to-remote terminal and remote terminal-to-remote terminal connectivity as shown in Figure 1.

Internet/ Intranet

Hub Protocol Processor (Optional)

Skystar 360E Hub

Server Farm (Optional)

Multicast Server

(Optional) Host

Computer

Skystar 360EVSAT Indoor Unit

VSAT Outdoor Unit

RFT

LAN

Serial (Optional)

ATM/POS

NMS

Internet/ Intranet

Hub Protocol Processor (Optional)

Skystar 360E Hub

Server Farm (Optional)

Multicast Server

(Optional) Host

Computer

Skystar 360EVSAT Indoor Unit

VSAT Outdoor Unit

RFT

LAN

Serial (Optional)

ATM/POS

NMS

Figure 1: Skystar 360E Network Architecture

A Skystar 360E network consists of the following components:

A number of VSATs, located at the customer’s remote sites. These transmit on Ku, Extended Ku, C or extended C band satellite channels to provide the transmission medium interconnecting the hub and the VSATs.

A master earth station and control facility, or hub.

A Network Management System to control the system.

Optional Servers: Internet Page Accelerator, Multicast, Serial Protocols Support etc.



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3.1 Skystar 360E Hub

The hub consists of baseband equipment and RFT. The RFT incorporates a standard antenna (typically 4.5 meters for Ku-band). The baseband is modular in design and contains Hub Satellite Processors (HSPs) to control transmission through the satellite, Hub Protocol Server (HPS) with its 100BaseT interface, an optional HPP (Hub Protocol Processor) for serial protocols, and internal TCP acceleration and routing functionalities connected to the user’s host and an advanced, object-oriented Network Management System (NMS).

The modular hub design allows each customer’s network to be sized cost-effectively to meet existing and future needs. It also permits easy incorporation of new features, as well as independent sizing of host ports and inbound and outbound bandwidths.

The Skystar 360E NMS enables an operator to monitor and control the entire communications network. The NMS allows a user to view, modify and download individual configuration items of the hub station and remote terminals. The client/server model provides centralized management and control, while giving access to multiple operators. The NMS server workstation is typically located at the hub site, while the NMS user workstation is at the customer’s location. The NMS user interface is used for network configuration, operator management, network monitoring and control, alarm and event display, statistics gathering and report. The main screen of the Skystar 360E NMS is shown in Figure 2.



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Figure 2: Skystar 360E NMS Main Screen

The Skystar 360E system supports SNMP (Simple Network Management Protocol) at several levels. The Skystar 360E NMS acts as a Proxy Agent for the entire Network allowing an external SNMP Manager using the SNMP protocol to obtain selected Status, Statistics, Configuration and Alarm information about any Skystar 360E component and the Sun NMS itself. The VSAT's contains their own SNMP agent software allowing the customer the option to communicate directly with the device using the SNMP Protocol's getRequests and getNext commands.

The VSATs Workgroups feature allows Service Providers to manage the allocation of the hub and the satellite resources between different customers in a shared hub environment. Different customers can be arranged in workgroups, and for each workgroup the service provider can allocate a different range of the inbound space segment, different IB bit rate and a separate segment of the outbound channel. This powerful feature enables service providers to guarantee different level of services to



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different types of users over a single hub and to better optimize the bandwidth resources.

Optional advanced QoS and SLA enforcing tools are available as modular add-ons.

3.2 Skystar 360E VSAT

A remote site consists of a small outdoor antenna (typically 0.55-1.2 meters for Ku-band and 1.8 meters for C-band), a low-power outdoor unit (ODU) and an indoor unit (IDU).

3.2.1 Indoor Unit (IDU)

The IDU provides the interface to the customer’s LAN/serial devices and controls the satellite transmissions for the VSAT. Rear view of optional hardware configuration is shown in Figure 3.

Figure 3: Skystar 360E IDU Rear View (left to right) - Serial Port, 4 LAN Port, and Reverse Modem

The Reverse Modem VSAT was designed to address the need of tens of thousands of retailers that are currently using dial-up based credit card authorization devices. Many of the common Point of Sale (PoS) terminals include a built in modem. When a credit card is swiped, the PoS automatically dials through the PSTN to the authorization center in order to validate the credit card, The reverse modem VSAT enables PoS devices to use the satellite always-on channel without replacing the existing equipment.

The VSAT is configurable via software downloads without site visits. The VSAT software, which includes the TCP acceleration and the optional routing functionalities, (such as static routing, RIP and IRDP) is embedded in the IDU.



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The following table describes the interfaces of each IDU type:

IDU Type Interfaces Standard 1 10BaseT Ethernet

4 Port Ethernet LAN switch 4 100BaseT Ethernet

Serial port VSAT 1 10BaseT Ethernet

1 Serial (RS-232)

Reverse modem VSAT 1 10BaseT Ethernet

3 RJ-11 Telephony ports

3.2.2 Outdoor Unit

The remote site outdoor unit (ODU), mounted at the focal point of the VSAT antenna, transmits modulated RF signals to the hub and receives modulated RF signals from the hub, via the satellite.

The ODU contains a high-power up-converter (HPC) and power amplifier for the transmit signal, a low noise block converter (LNB) for the receive signal, and an orthomode transducer (OMT) for connecting both the power amplifier and the LNB to the antenna feed.

The ODU is sealed against the environment and is capable of functioning reliably in ambient temperatures ranging from -40°C to +60°C (-40°F to +140°F), with up to 100% relative humidity.

The ODU utilizes a television receive only (TVRO) technology by using a mass-produced LNB on the VSAT receive channel. This increases the reliability of the system as compared to a proprietary designed and manufactured low noise block converter. Also, the remote site hardware is simpler and lower in cost.



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3.2.3 Antenna

The VSAT antenna includes a reflector, an offset feed horn and mounting hardware. The standard reflector is a parabolic dish made of a glass fiber composite. Antenna size for a particular location depends on the inbound channel bitrate, weather conditions and the satellite footprint for that region; for Ku band, a sub-meter, 0.55 m to 1.20 m (2 to 4 feet); for C or Ex-C band, 1.80 m to 2.4 m (6 to 8 feet).



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4. Satellite Access Scheme

Skystar 360E features a unique and patented two-dimensional satellite access scheme, which combines the TDMA, slotted Aloha and FTDMA techniques. Remote terminals burst in randomly selected frequency channels at each transmission. Compared to other TDMA VSAT systems, this access scheme offers a more efficient usage of space segment, better response time, high throughput and higher reliability due to a greater immunity to inter-carrier interference.

The two-dimensional FTDMA satellite access scheme allows more than 30% of space segment utilization for Random Access (RA) versus 15% for the traditional slotted Aloha algorithm.

A special Collision Reduction Application mode (CRA) is employed to further enhance utilization in random access mode. CRA is a Gilat patented application designed to increase the throughput on the inbound bandwidth by decreasing collisions. Statistics show that over 80% of the traffic at any given time on a satellite network is generated by a relatively small number of VSATs; typically less than 20% of the total number. This small numbers of VSATs are referred to as “busy” VSATs, and are responsible for most of the traffic. The busy VSATs typically remain busy for periods of tenths of seconds to a few minutes. The collisions in Random Access (RA) mode are of 3 types:

Busy VSATs with Busy VSATs

Busy VSATs with Non-busy VSATs

Non-busy VSATs with Non-busy VSATs

The most common collisions are of the busy VSAT with busy VSAT type. CRA is a method by which busy VSATs are identified and distributed across the inbound bandwidth in such a way that busy to busy collisions are eliminated. That way the total number of collisions is reduced (hence the name CRA), and throughput increases per given bandwidth.

When a higher level of throughput is required, the VSAT can operate in Dedicated Access (DA) mode as shown in Figure 4. In this mode, a VSAT is assigned to transmit on a dedicated frequency, thereby avoiding competition with otherVSATs in RA mode and eliminating collisions completely.



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Figure 4: RA/DA Access Scheme

In order to maximize efficiency, a dedicated frequency slot (channel) can be used for up to 16 VSATs. Implementing Partial Dedicated Access (PDA) mode, the same frequency can be used for few VSATs, thereby saving DA frequency channels. This feature translates into significant savings of total bandwidth resources.

Skystar 360E supports dual bit rates, as shown in Figure 5; this increases network application flexibility, while improving space segments utilization. Each VSAT can support two bit rates with multiple access modes (for instance, a lower bit rate can be assigned for RA channels while a higher bit rate is used for DA channels).



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Figure 5: Dual Bit Rate Access Scheme t

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5. Product Features

5.1 Efficient Satellite Power and Bandwidth Utilization

Skystar 360E ’s superior space segment utilization, due to its proprietary FTDMA satellite access scheme, is made even more efficient by the implementation of MSK modulation and turbo coding on the Inbound channel. The turbo coding selected can be either fast turbo coding, where the throughput is higher but requires a higher Eb/No, or strong turbo coding where the throughput is lower and so is the required Eb/No. The Inbound bit rate can be as high as 0.5 Mbps with turbo coding. Additionally, the DVB compliant outbound carrier enables high Space segment utilization due to its variable FEC options and transponder saturation capability. A 36 MHz saturated transponder can deliver over 50 Mbps.

The combination of efficient satellite power and bandwidth utilization makes Skystar 360E an extremely cost-effective solution.

5.2 TCP Acceleration

The Skystar 360E software converts the TCP message into an internal satellite transmission format. This satellite transmission format dramatically reduces the TCP packet overhead.

The TCP acknowledgments are handled by the Skystar 360E software and are not transmitted over the satellite link. Therefore, only actual application data and the information needed to establish sessions are transmitted. This innovative technique provides full end-to-end data validity and also results in high link efficiency and throughput, while maintaining consistent, rapid response times.

The reduction of the TCP header overhead, coupled with the spoofing of housekeeping and application TCP acknowledgments, provides an increased channel utilization.

5.3 Multicast Service (Optional)

IP multicast is used to efficiently deliver information to a large number of recipients simultaneously. Implementing IP multicast via satellite as an added value overlay to interactive data networks provides single-tier architecture for multicast applications.

Using Skystar 360E as a platform for IP multicast provides all the advantages of satellite communications capabilities; high reliability, high-speed delivery, optimal bandwidth utilization, centralized management, improved video quality, security and fixed latency.



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5.4 Internet Page AcceleratorTM (Optional)

This unique and patented HTTP acceleration technology reduces significantly the HTTP traffic on the inbound channel, improving the space segment utilization as well as user’s experience and increasing the overall system performance.

In an Internet/Intranet network a large percentage of user traffic over the network is HTTP traffic or browsing. The average web page contains tens of individual objects. To display a web page, each browser has to sequentially download all of these objects separately, a process that affects the perceived user experience over a satellite link with its inherent delay.

The Internet page accelerator (IPA) is a client-server application. The server at the Skystar 360E hub intercepts the base page response from the web site that is to be downloaded. It starts retrieving all the objects of this page over the link from the hub to the Internet. At the same time, the client software spoofs the “GET” requests generated by the browser to try and retrieve the individual objects to be displayed. When the IPA server at the hub has retrieved all the objects from the web page and assembled the page, the page is pushed to the client. The client in turn sends the pre-assembled page to the browser. The result of this process, from the user’s point of view, is an enhanced user experience, since the user gets the whole page after a short delay and does not have to wait for each object on the page to be separately downloaded and displayed.

5.5 Dial Backup (Optional)

The dial backup service in Skystar 360E utilizes terrestrial lines to restore connectivity in the event of a failure that interrupts the satellite link between a VSAT and the hub. Dial backup is intended primarily to improve the network availability in cases of rain fade, satellite failures or other environmental RF outages.

The Dial-backup provides the full set of communication services over the terrestrial line both on the Inbound and Outbound channels. Seamless and automatic migration of data traffic from satellite to dial-up and vice versa is provided for all protocols, with no effect on existing data sessions.

Point-to-Point Protocol (PPP) software is implemented at the VSAT. It provides the capability for the VSAT to establish, maintain and tear down a PPP connection between the VSAT and the ISP or between the VSAT and a T1/RAS server at the hub location. This enables the dial back-up UDP traffic to ride on top of the PPP connection.



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6. Technical Specifications

Network Architecture Two-way, star topology Frequency Bands Ku, Extended Ku, C or Extended C Band Protocols Supported TCP/IP, UDP, ARP, ICMP, static routing

Optional: X.25, Async. X.3/X.28/X.29 IP Addressing Classes (A, B, C ,D), sub-netting and

classless addressing Enhanced IP (Optional) DHCP, NAT, RIP V1, RIP V2, IRDP,

IGMP Optional Features IPA™, QoS, reliable IP multicast(Surecast) Hub Station Interfaces LAN 100BaseT Outbound Carrier Standard DVB-S Carrier Bit Rate 2.5 to 52.5 Mbps Error Correction Concatenated Viterbi and Reed-Solomon FEC rate 1/2 ,2/3, 3/4, 5/6, 7/8 Modulation QPSK Inbound Carrier Access Scheme Proprietary FTDMA Symbol Rate 38.4, 76.8, 153.6 or 307.2 ksps (software

configurable) Bit Rate 38.4 kbps to 512Kbps Modulation MSK Error Correction Turbo Code or Viterbi and Reed Solomon Remote Terminal Outdoor Unit Antenna Size (typical) Ku band: 55 cm to 1.2 m

C-Band: 1.8 m LNB Standard TVRO Up-Converter Proprietary Operating Temperature -40° to +60°C Relative Humidity Up to 100% Indoor Unit RF Input/Output Two F Connectors, 75 Ohm female Data Interface Standard – Ethernet 10BaseT port;

Optional – 1 additional Serial port or Optional – 4 Ethernet 10/100BaseT ports Optional – Reverse Modem Interface

Operating Voltage 110/220 VAC, 50/60 Hz Dimensions 213 x 220 x 88 mm Weight 1.35Kg Operating Temperature 0° to 50°C Relative Humidity 10% to 90%

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