Newsgroups: alt.dcom.telecom
From: norman@netcom.com (Norman Gillaspi)
Subject: usenet via satellite faq reply
Message-ID: <ttcj0wqnorman@netcom.com>
Date: Sat, 28 Mar 92 05:46:21 GMT
Organization: Netcom - Online Communication Services (408 241-9760 guest)
nclosed is my original posting and some answers to some questions. If you
are interested in this technology please send me your US mail address. If you
have already sent me your address I will be mailing in about a week.
I am conducting a survey to determine if there is interest and
the extent of the interest in a direct broadcast satellite (DBS) Usenet
news feed service.
The system would have the following charecteristics:
Antenna size 18" or 45cm
Antenna type Parabolic
Antenna mount Wallmount
Data rate 9600 Bps
Modulation FDM-V.29 Subcarrier
Demodulator FM extended threshold
Xmit band KU band
Satellite GE K-2
Coverage Continental US
Price $1500.00 includes complete system and 1 year of
service.
All news groups woul be transmitted; along with requested newslists.
The advantages for the users will be virtually a direct connection to
the Internet for incoming news. This of course will eliminate indirect routing
and associated delays. Outgoing postings will be handled through regular
terrestrial methods.
Users could be Organizations,BBS operators and individuals.
The system will consist of an outside 18" antenna, mount, and satellite
receiver approximately the size of a Telebit modem. The output from the
receiver is a V.29 signal from a standard RJ-11 male jack. The signal can
then be demodulated using a fax modem as a data pump which then provides
an RS-232 signal out to a computer.
This system can be used with an inexpensive XT,AT or Unix box that is
readily available. This computer is setup to receive the data continuosly.
This computer behaves like an Electronic mail box. This mailbox would receive,
buffer,and manage the data. This Email box could be interrogated by other
users through the use of an RS-232 or LAN. Conventional newsreaders would be
used.
Some early attempts have been made in the past to
distribute the news via satellite or FM radio subcarrier. Theese companies
encluded Norsat, Stargate and others .Theese attempts were partially acceptable.
However problems with copyright,slow throughput,multipath distortion,limited
coverage area,hardware expense,incompatiable hardware and probably most
important timing caused limited use.
If you would be interested in supporting this effort as an individual
purchaser of the system or as a corporate sponser. Please send your comments
via Email to norman@netcom.com .
Norman Gillaspie Tel 415-424-0380
992 San Antonio Rd Fax 415-424-0405
Palo Alto , Ca 94303 Email netcom.com
To the interested parties who responded to the survey:
I want to thank you for responding. I believe there is a definite
need for a satellite broaddcast service providing transmission
of Usenet news, E-Mail, commercial news, entertainment packages,
etc.
Briefly, I would like to explain my background, interest and
how we might make this happen.
I was involved in the television broadcast business
from 1970 to 1980. In 1980 I was one of the pioneers of the
home satellite industry, and founded GCI (Gillaspie Communi-
cations Inc.). We produced over 15,000 satellite receivers and
microwave down converters.
In 1984 I founded a company called ISS Engineering, Inc.
ISS has produced and marketed products to cable TV, TV broad-
casters, radio stations and satelite common carriers. ISS is also
a satellite common carrier and currently possesses apx. 10% of
the resources on GE's K-2 transponder 2. ISS designed satellite
receivers and components for companies wishing to bypass the
telephone company leased lines in point-to-multipoint applications.
We have significant capacity on K-2 and we have one of the highest
energy density signals from K-2. ISS is currently transmitting
data to over 500 sites reliably throughout the U.S.
I believe ISS has one of the best technical solutions for
most applications involving satellite data broadcast. ISS has
been basically an RF house, but as a common carrier I realize the
possibilities for distributing E-Mail or Usenet news, etc.
I believe ISS has the technology and satellite resources to make
this a viable service today.
ISS currently has uplink facilities in Mountain View, CA.
A second uplink out of Orange, NJ will be operational in 1992.
As an active reader of Usenet news for apx. 18 months, I have
found Usenet is a great way to stay current and to get more of a
real time feeling of various trends in society. Most of my activities
involving the net have been one-way, read-only, much like reading
newspapers or magazines. In the future with electronic publishing I see
the transmission of electronic newsletters, talking cartoons, requests
for bids, patent abstracts, legal rulings, and many other forms of
up-to-date information being distribued in a more immediate form via
satellite broadcast.
The proliferation of computers and communication networks will
allow electronic publishing to have an increasing acceptance. This
should also open up a delivery and distribution method for artists,
writers, government and special interest groups,etc. Satellite
delivered information is the most direct route to the ultimate user.
Let me respond to some the the questions and comments I received.
1) $1500 a year seems a bit steep for a service.
This would cover the initial hardware purchase and service. A possible
fee for the 2nd year would be on the order of $30 per month.
2) What would be transmitted?
Supporters wuold be able to receive Usenet news groups, personal E-mail,
weather pictures, and other forms of information that are requested
by supporters.
3) How would ISS get the information to the uplink?
The information to be transmitted would be received through a direct
internet connection or in conjunction with dial-up modems, or
through the use of uucp, etc. and then transmitted via satellite.
4) How could groups or organizations benefit?
Information could also be received by BBS, a company LAN, or other
service provider. In this way multiple people could share the
service to a common address.
5) Why V.29 on the output of the receiver?
In the past it has been my experience that installations that involve
long cable runs from the antenna to receiver are problematic from
the standpoint of cost, convenience and reliability. Running coaxial
cable for example in a multi-story building from the 10th floor to
the first is expensive even if doable. But with a satellite receiver
close to the antenna, V.29 modem tones from the receiver can be
distributed to one or more fax modems (multidrop) located next to
the E-Mail box computer.
Also, the next generation fax boards will make it possible to transmit
voice for narrow cast radio broadcasts and talk shows. Applications
might be to user groups, developers, educational organizations,etc.
6) What about errors if one-way will not allow for a request for
re-transmission?
The broadcast service will be a virtually transparent link and would
follow the existing addressing protocols. It would be possible for the
sender to compress the file, run and error correction code such as
Reed-Solomon, etc. to detect and correct errors. Also, the satellite
signal is much more reliable as there is only a single hop involved.
Link margins can compute error rates to be very low. In real life
satellite links will go for days without an error if the satellite
links are designed properly.
7) Is 9600 BPS fast enough?
The data can be compressed before being transmitted. The long
uucp routing instructions currently used would be cut way down
as the receive site would be getting virtually a direct connection
to the internet. Additional channels could be added as needed.
8) Can I receive the signal outside of the U.S?
In much of Canada and Mexico a larger antenna would be required.
Link calculations could prove needed antenna sizes. In Alaska,
Mexico and the Carribbean another satellite would be needed, such
as a C-Band satellite. In Europe a carrier might be available on
Pan Am Sat. The problem in Europe and most other countries are
regulatory. Certainly the signal could fall on all of Europe.
However, reception might be deemed illegal by local authorities.
9) What about copyright?
It is my understanding that as a common carrier ISS is not
responsible for copyright, much like a wireline telephone
carrier. The sender,however, might need to meet certain
copyright requirements.
10) Can I get more information?
I will be please to put together an information packet about the
hardware, along with possibilities on usage and implementation.
Please send me your mailing address via E-Mail.
11) When could I get delivery?
The hardware and satellite system exist. What doesn't exist is the
Unix server at the uplink to forward the message. I have an
ATT 3B2-600 we are planning to put into use. (Anyone wishing to
donate equipemnt and help in the Palo Alto, California area?)
In addition, ISS has not created any software to accept, store and
manipulate E-Mail once it has been received. At this time we will
only be able to spool and transmit data. The receive site will have
to support data rates of 9600 BPS. Here is an opportunity to
create, modify or integrate this capability into existing programs.
What we have here is a classic chicken and egg scenario. We need
people to support this effort initially through the purchase of
hardware. The more customers, the cheaper the cost. However, ISS
is willing to provide and donate the air time in exchange for the
purchase of hardware.
Once again, please send me your postal address and I will drop
more information to you.
Regards.
Norman Gillaspie norman@netcom.com
ISS Engineering, Inc.
992 San Antonio Road
Palo Alto, CA 94303
Tel. (415) 424-0380
Fax (415) 424-0405
--
Norman Gillaspie ISS Engineering
992 San Antonio Rd. Palo Alto
Calif 94303 norman@netcom.com
415-424-0380