{"id":50246,"date":"2024-10-31T01:35:13","date_gmt":"2024-10-30T17:35:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wp-productionenv-bjg9h2g2bgg5b8aa.southeastasia-01.azurewebsites.net\/news\/st-engineering-idirect-points-to-diagonalization-to-unlock-the-multi-orbit-era\/"},"modified":"2024-10-31T01:35:13","modified_gmt":"2024-10-30T17:35:13","slug":"st-engineering-idirect-points-to-diagonalization-to-unlock-the-multi-orbit-era","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/news\/st-engineering-idirect-points-to-diagonalization-to-unlock-the-multi-orbit-era\/","title":{"rendered":"ST Engineering iDirect Points to Diagonalization to Unlock the Multi-Orbit Era"},"content":{"rendered":"

The satellite industry is undergoing a seismic shift. With competition heating up from players like SpaceX and Amazon, and the horizontal consolidation of satellite operators, the sector is being compared to the Apple-Android rivalry \u2014 a clash of walled gardens and open ecosystems.<\/p>\n

But there\u2019s a new approach on the horizon. ST Engineering iDirect is introducing \u201cdiagonalization,\u201d a concept intended to break down the rigid silos of traditional vertical and horizontal models, paving the way for a more integrated business approach. This strategy aims to drive the interoperability the satellite industry needs while aligning with the broader telecom and tech landscape.<\/p>\n

The industry has long debated the benefits of different orbits and standards, but ST Engineering iDirect CEO Don Claussen believes it\u2019s time to broaden the conversation to business models. \u201cVertically integrated models seek full control at the expense of interoperability and customer choice, while horizontal approaches often rely on broader ecosystems that can lack agility,\u201d Claussen explains. \u201cDiagonal integration offers a third path\u2014breaking down these silos for a seamless user experience that aligns satellite services with telcos and wireless providers \u2013 where standardization and collaboration are essential.\u201d<\/p>\n

Claussen emphasizes that the conversation about different orbits should focus on their strengths \u2014 flexibility and scalability \u2014 rather than viewing them as rivals. \u201cMost networks will adopt multi-orbit solutions, not just a single path. We need to move away from perceiving companies or orbits as competition and instead consider how to integrate all available options,\u201d he says.<\/p>\n

Many satellite operators are already taking this approach. For example, GEO operators are leveraging multiple ground vendors to enhance their networks\u2019 resilience, manage risks and ensure business continuity. The industry is evolving, embracing new technologies to expand capabilities.<\/p>\n

According to Sridhar Kuppanna, Senior Vice President of Engineering at ST Engineering iDirect, customer demand is shifting from proprietary solutions toward a multi-vendor approach, fueling a push for standards-based integration. \u201cWith 5G-NTN (Non-Terrestrial Networks) on the horizon, satellite networks need to seamlessly interact with terrestrial networks,\u201d Kuppanna explains. \u201cNew high-throughput, software-defined satellites require standards-based APIs and end to end orchestration critical for integrating space and ground solutions.\u201d<\/p>\n

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ST Engineering iDirect executives: SVP of Corporate Strategy Cynthia Harty; CEO Don Claussen; and SVP of Engineering Sridhar Kuppanna.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Overcoming Roaming and Network Integration Challenges<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Achieving seamless integration presents challenges, Kuppanna acknowledges. ST Engineering iDirect is working on enabling roaming across different satellite and terrestrial networks, while also addressing operational support system (OSS) and business support system (BSS) consolidation. Claussen adds that \u201cgrowing pains\u201d are expected as large satellite operators consolidate and service providers integrate multiple systems.<\/p>\n

Customers are looking to ST Engineering iDirect to facilitate multi-orbit, multi-network connectivity, notes Cynthia Harty, Senior Vice President of Corporate Strategy. \u201cThe value of roaming is undeniable, and we\u2019re collaborating with partners to bring this capability to market,\u201d she says. The company is driving future standards for service orchestration across competing networks.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe idea of deploying iDirect\u2019s waveform and software on non-iDirect hardware was unthinkable five years ago. Now, it\u2019s a requirement,\u201d Harty says. \u201cWe have to understand our customers\u2019 growth projections and enable them.\u201d<\/p>\n

With vertical approaches from companies like SpaceX pushing the industry to rethink strategies, pursuing standards that offer customers more flexibility is essential, especially amid horizontal consolidations. Newly merged operators like SES\/Intelsat and Viasat\/Inmarsat have mixed infrastructure, presenting a choice: overhaul everything for a single vendor or enable interoperability.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe future lies in a \u2018network of networks\u2019 where everything is connected. Developing compatibility is foundational for seamless connectivity. No one solution fits all, and customers need to start where they are, with the investments they\u2019ve already made,\u201d says Kuppanna. \u201cAn ecosystem where networks co-exist is crucial.\u201d<\/p>\n

Operators and service providers are increasingly dependent on diverse ground systems to meet scaling and resiliency needs. \u201cOffering more technology options gives our customers a competitive edge,\u201d Kuppanna adds. \u201cWe\u2019re embracing that reality.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adapting to a Changing Landscape<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Claussen points out that the industry has recognized the need to standardize and collaborate.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe new entrants have demonstrated that loud and clear. We\u2019ve paid attention and now it\u2019s opportunity time. We \u2013 the ecosystem \u2013 have something more expansive to offer. I think it\u2019s time to clearly differentiate ourselves,\u201d Claussen says. \u201cTechnology is accelerating rapidly from the cloud to automation. Partnerships between and beyond the satellite industry are creating enormous value that will benefit customers and users immeasurably.\u201d<\/p>\n

Efforts by industry groups like DIFI, WAVE consortiums, and 3GPP standards are key to enabling diagonalization and interoperability across vendors. Customers are already engaging with these bodies to drive standards for digital IF\/RF and 5G NTN adoption.<\/p>\n

These changes demand more than technological advancements\u2014they require new ideas and flexible approaches. \u201cTelcos are looking to add value beyond just providing a data pipeline. Our focus will be on higher-layer applications and can leverage the intelligence in the network to create greater value,\u201d Kuppanna adds.<\/p>\n

In the coming months, ST Engineering iDirect plans to test its new INTUITION ground system with customers in their own network environments, alongside continuing to deliver proof-of-concepts showcasing what standards can achieve. Claussen emphasizes that seeing is believing. \u201cPowerPoint slides can\u2019t show the true value of a solution. But once customers experience Intuition\u2019s virtualization and multi-orbit capabilities, they\u2019ll start to embrace these advancements,\u201d he says.<\/p>\n

The release of INTUITION for testing marks a pivotal step forward\u2014inviting the industry to explore, experience, and envision a path to the future.<\/p>\n

Claussen summarizes \u201cThe concept of diagonalization is more than just a buzzword; it is a call for the satellite industry to rethink its foundational business models. By facilitating greater integration and interoperability, ST Engineering iDirect aims to unlock new possibilities for seamless connectivity across orbits and networks, positioning itself at the forefront of the multi-orbit revolution.\u201d<\/p>\n

The future of satellite communications is not about choosing sides in a binary battle\u2014it\u2019s about breaking down barriers, connecting the dots, and building a truly interconnected digital world.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

The satellite industry is undergoing a seismic shift. With competition heating up from players like SpaceX and Amazon, and the horizontal consolidation of satellite operators, the sector is being compared to the Apple-Android rivalry \u2014 a clash of walled gardens and open ecosystems. But there\u2019s a new approach on the horizon. ST Engineering iDirect is […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":47854,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":"","_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-50246","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/50246"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=50246"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/50246\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/47854"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=50246"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=50246"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=50246"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}