Latest ASTRO streamers in Network Operation Center at SES

After the successful co-operation of ASTRO with SES group in 2018/19, the goal of the next project phase was to modernize the SES Network Operation Center (NOC) with the space-saving latest streamer generation U 144-X and U 148-X. These streamers are embedded in the U 100-230 base units, which are equipped with redundant, energy-saving U 100-SNT ECO power supplies.

The streamers can receive up to 12 or 24 transponders in one 19” rack unit, depending on whether the signals shall be descrambled or just forwarded transparently. Those transponders are converted to 12 or 24 IP MPTS, or each service can be transmitted as SPTS simultaneously. For an easy handling of different satellite positions and polarizations, the tuners are able to use the DiSEqC protocol.

In the SES NOC, broadcast signals are under surveillance at any time. To do this, an exact 1:1 conversion of the received signals is mandatory to enable an exact analysis. And also the flexible configuration and high signal density is decisive. The overall objective of saving resources with modern technology is fully achieved in this mutual project with ASTRO and SES.

In the matter of sustainability, the change to ASTRO streamers led to a tremendous saving of rack space and energy consumption. After the conversion, there was only one 19” rack with 11 used rack units in operation, compared to seven 19” racks equipped with approximately 150 single IRDs. The modern ASTRO streaming system is used to feed the multiviewer system for the monitoring of video and audio signals in the SES NOC.

SES is the international leading satellite operator with more than 70 satellites in different orbital positions all around the globe and worldwide provider for broadcast transmission and data services. The SES networks as international data service provider delivers modern data management amongst others for telcos, seafaring, aviation, governments and other institutions.