Telesat Ka-Band Hardware

Each Ka-band system consists of the following hardware:

• Ka-band antenna (67cm x 75cm in diameter with signal reflector, oval shaped)
• Outdoor TRIA unit (Transmit and Receive Integrated Assembly)
• Satellite modem with separate receive/transmit connections and an RJ-45 ethernet port

The Antenna

Ka-Band 2-Way internet via satellite uses a 67cm x 75cm (26" x 30") dual-reflector antenna.

The TRIA

The TRIA unit (located under the antenna arm in the above picture):

• It receives the signal from the satellite.
• It amplifies the signal from the satellite thousands of times before sending it to the modem via coaxial cable.
• It receives the signal about to be sent to the satellite.
• It amplifies the signal about to be sent to the satellite enough so that it may go through clouds and the atmosphere in order to properly reach the satellite, so that the satellite may send it back to Earth, for processing.

The Satellite Modem

The Ka-Band modem is similar to a cable modem - it is based on the DOCSIS 1.1 protocol.

This modem is manufactured by ViaSat.

The modem is configured when it is installed and it does not have a user interface. This is one of the reason why a Ka-Band satellite system can not be installed by a non-qualified installer (a spectrum analyzer is required to align the antenna).

Modem Specifications

• Power module requires: 100-220V 50/60Hz AC.
• Power module outputs: 3.3V 4A, 9V 8A, 30V 2A to the modem.
• Modem connections: Power module, LAN RJ-45 Ethernet, Sat Rx F-Con, Sat Tx F-Con
• Dimensions: 9" (23cm) x 9" (23cm) x 1.5" (4cm).
• Can be installed horizontally or vertically.

Modem LED Status

Power LED	Rx LED	Tx LED	LAN LED

• PWR - solid: Modem is ON
• Rx - blinking: acquiring receive signal
  • Blinks once every 1 sec. during signal search phase
  • Blinks twice every 1 sec. during signal strength verification
  • Blinks three times every 1 sec. during acquisition phase
  • Blinks four times every 1 sec. during modem software update
  • Blinks very fast if there's a problem with the reception
• Rx - solid: receive signal lock
• Tx - blinking: transmitting
• LAN - solid: LAN detected
• LAN - blinking: LAN activity