Ground Segment

The Ellipso^TM ground segment design makes it as efficient as the satellite constellation, and capable of supporting the most advanced Internet, voice and data services. It uses a relatively low number of ground stations for global coverage, deploying them near regional fiber hubs for networking efficiency.

The ground control station itself acts as the interface point between the satellite user and the terrestrial networks they are linked to. It handles the actual connections to the satellite, including the functions of satellite acquisition, tracking, hand-offs, signal modulation and multiplexing. Each GCS typically tracks and uses two satellites while acquiring a third. The GCS also determines the position of subscriber terminals for administrative, billing and application purposes. (The GCS is analogous to a cellular system cell-site controller). 12 initial gateways can be incrementally deployed to obtain full global coverage, with additional gateways added on an as-needed basis.

Ellipso^TM planned the deployment of an IP (Internet protocol) backbone network to link gateways to the distribution partners' networks, and to the network control. The IP architecture will helps to seamlessly interconnect into the distribution partners' networks around the world, wireless or wireline, and with whatever protocols these may require.