dslreports logo
 
    All Forums Hot Topics Gallery
spc
Search similar:


uniqs
1928
DrStrangLov
join:2012-03-28

1 recommendation

DrStrangLov

Member

Antenna glitch on ViaSat-2 satellite

January 9, 2018 Boeing investigating antenna glitch on ViaSat-2 satellite

WASHINGTON — An on-orbit antenna issue identified during testing of the ViaSat-2 high-throughput satellite has Boeing and ViaSat searching for answers.

Satellite operator ViaSat said Jan. 9 that the ViaSat-2 satellite launched in June to provide some 300 Gbps of throughput will need additional testing to find what’s causing “some spot beams to perform differently than they did during ground testing.”

Boeing, manufacturer of the ViaSat-2 satellite, is working with ViaSat to identify the problem and find a solution.

“Our advanced ground network, coupled with the flexibility features of the ViaSat-2 satellite, will help us manage the impact from the identified antenna issue if needed,” Mark Dankberg, ViaSat’s chairman and CEO, said in a statement. “We look forward to launching commercial service next month and bringing new higher-speed fixed and mobile services to market.”
cordell
join:2013-01-24
Reidsville, NC

1 recommendation

cordell

Member

Well this doesn't sound good. As you find updates, please let us know. If not for satellite, many in rural areas have no other options.... and I hope never to return to HughesNet. Exede/ViaSat has given me exceptional service.
DrStrangLov
join:2012-03-28

1 recommendation

DrStrangLov

Member

9th January 2018 ViaSat-2 set for commercial service launch in February 2018

Viasat says it has begun beta service on the ViaSat-2 satellite, and affirmed plans for full commercial service launch in February 2018.
...
...
...
Based on measured data and analysis of the current in-orbit performance of the satellite as well as the network as a whole, the company believes the issue will not impact the coverage area of the satellite, or materially impact the planned services and the expected financial results from the ViaSat-2 system.

Mark Dankberg, Chairman and CEO, Viasat said: “Our advanced ground network, coupled with the flexibility features of the satellite, will help us manage the impact from the identified antenna issue if needed.
==========================

Wild Guess - Some commercial aircraft are the "beta testers." Also, you get real "unlimited service" as a beta tester
DrStrangLov

1 recommendation

DrStrangLov

Member

January 9, 2018 To date, ViaSat has successfully completed a number of key performance tests on the ViaSat 2 satellite and end-to-end network, including demonstrating downstream speeds of more than 100 Mbps to production consumer terminals. The satellite ground network and other networking technologies are performing better than initially planned as measured in successful alpha testing, the company stated.
...
...
The company expect [sic] the ViaSat 2 satellite system to significantly improve speeds, reduce costs and expand the footprint of its broadband services across North America, Central America, the Caribbean, a portion of northern South America, as well as the primary aeronautical and maritime routes across the Atlantic Ocean between North America and Europe.
DrStrangLov

1 recommendation

DrStrangLov

Member

Tidbit via Airline Industry (Runway Girl Network)

01 Jan With ViaSat-2 coming on line for airlines two or three months after residential customers get service next month, ViaSat’s Americas customers can expect a “bandwidth rich environment”.
=====
.
Another Tidbit: Beta Testing
.
"...American Airlines debuted its Boeing 737 MAX 8 late last month, as reported by Flightglobal journalist Edward Russell.
quote:
Also, the @ViaSatInc wi-fi is in and out on American's 737 Max. Prefer it just be slow rather than keep dropping off. #paxex

— Edward Russell (@e_russell) November 29, 2017

Noting that “it was a first flight of that aircraft” and Viasat’s Gen 2 connectivity kit was still in beta so “you do expect a few wobbles”, Viasat VP commercial mobility Don Buchman told RGN that the firm immediately began working out the kinks and was pleased with how things came together.
===========================

Interesting Tidbit via previous cited article
quote:
We’ve had business jets [equipped with connectivity] where the passenger wouldn’t get on the plane if it wasn’t working.
DrStrangLov

1 recommendation

DrStrangLov

Member

Footnote - "Viasat’s Gen 2 connectivity kit"

This equipment is new, and I suspect it was using ViaSat-1's beams and/or Exede-5 beams. So, not a satellite issue, but a new equipment glitch.

Viasat indicates "Gen-2 equipment is compatible with most other Ka-band satellites, giving airlines greater choice in satellite solution provider."
fmj77
join:2017-09-24
Collettsville, NC

fmj77 to DrStrangLov

Member

to DrStrangLov
My installer started beta testing Viasat 2 this week and he is very impressed with the speed and performance. Looks like we'll get to upgrade in a month or so.

humanfilth
join:2013-02-14
river styx

1 edit

1 recommendation

humanfilth to DrStrangLov

Member

to DrStrangLov
Risk folding up the antenna, if it might not open to at least the current point again. Or fully break something that stopped the full deployment in the first place.

twitter.com/pbdes/status/961729069749387264

Dankberg said @ViasatInc and @BoeingDefense still studying ViaSat-2 antenna deployment issue; unclear, but could limit downlink to ~ 260 gbps.

twitter.com/pbdes/status/961732544927481856

On ViaSat-2 antenna deployment problem, @ViasatInc apparently considering reversing antenna deployment, then redeploying in hope of fixing problem. Debate is over likelihood of making it worse; talking w/ @BoeingDefense , insurers about this.

Edit: Subscriber article. »www.spaceintelreport.com ··· ndwidth/ Highlights from Feb. 8 conference call: —ViaSat-2 enters service starting week of Feb. 12, nationwide service by end-Feb. —ViaSat-2 antenna issue to reduce throughput by 13%; no material effect on service or business model, which was never based on 100% of capacity. — Company expects ViaSat-2 will be much less residential-broadband focused
DrStrangLov
join:2012-03-28

1 recommendation

DrStrangLov

Member

said by humanfilth:

Risk folding up the antenna, if it might not open to at least the current point again.

Just use the Hubble Space Telescope to examine it.
DrStrangLov

1 recommendation

DrStrangLov

Member

11 January, 2018 - Other parts of the ViaSat-2 system are performing well, which gives the company maneuvering room to deal with a slight antenna problem affecting some spot beams, said Mike Crawford, an analyst with B. Riley/FBR.
================

"Some spot beams..."

Well, maybe in my area: Service Not Available In Your Area
DrStrangLov

1 edit

1 recommendation

DrStrangLov

Member

ViaSat's Mark Dankberg: Cause of defect on two ViaSat-2 antennas remain a mystery


"...the sequence of events that led to defects in two of the four Ka-band antennas on the ViaSt-2 satellite remains a mystery."
...
...
You’re saying it’s not easy to say stop the nominal deployment sequence and get to the same effect you are seeing — a not-fully deployed antenna?

Correct. We will learn more. Even the exact configuration they are in, we’ll get more data on the ground that will confirm what those patterns are. But it will take some time, we’ll need a lot more terminals out there.
=========================

.
DrStrangLov

DrStrangLov

Member

An apparent installer (post and name deleted from another forum) has suggested several gateways may have to be relocated. VS-2 was designed to have redundancy, so if a gateway failed, another gateway could take up the slack.

I have no idea if this was idle speculation. Doing a google search on this person's apparent name would suggest a blue collar person, and I would not think Viasat would broadcast this tidbit. Relocating a gateway would require FCC's blessing, and a lot of "footwork" for Viasat.