“Gonets” user terminal

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“Gonets” multifunctional personal satellite communication system is realized in the frame of the Russian Federal Space Program with direct involvement of the Russian Federal Space Agency.

The major elements of “Gonets” communication system are developed by the leading companies of the space industry: Reshetnev ISS (Zheleznogorsk), RI of Precision Instruments (Moscow) and OAO “Izhevskiy Radiozavod”.

“Gonets” system is intended to transfer digital data in packet-burst mode and ensure supervisory radiotelephone services.

The basic application areas of the system are as follows:

• private, corporate, banking, medical and administrative networking;
• monitoring the status and location of mobile transport;
• ecological and industrial monitoring, gathering scientific data (geodetic, hydrological, seismic and others);
• communication in remote regions having poor-developed infrastructure (far north regions, Siberia and Far East);
• emergency traffic.

When users are located within the satellite coverage zone, the data are transmitted without delays.

In case users are located at a distance over 5000 km, the data sent by the originator are stored by the satellite and then re-transmitted to the recipient when the satellite covers its region, while the time of delivery does not exceed several hours.

In case of expedited data need to be transferred to a region on ground located far from the originator, immediately after receipt by the satellite the data can be transmitted to the regional center. Thereafter the data can be transferred to the recipient via other satellites and regional centers within “Gonets” system or through other communication links.

The user terminal consists of RF modem and IBM-compatible computer.

“Gonets” system terminals are equipped with small-size non-directional antennas, capable to be placed on transport to keep communication during movement.

Specific features of the system

• the system is based on a constellation of 45 satellites (5 planes each involving 9 satellites) in low circular orbits;
• data can be transferred on two principles: intraregional and trans-regional; with the intraregional communication (within the area of 5000 km diameter) the data are transferred directly through the satellite on close to real-time basis;
• user terminals of the communication system are small-size radio-modems ensuring data rates up to 9600 bit/sec.

• 2 design options.
• ease of use.
• setup time less than 10 min.
• communication with satellite is ensured without operator.
• nondirectional antenna.
• capability to define coordinates (up to 100 m accuracy).
• wide range of operation temperatures (-25…+55°Ñ).
• Supply voltage 220 V or 12 V.
• Small mass and sizes.

“AT-SO-4” user terminal constitutes a complete set of equipment to ensure automatic data exchange with satellites of “Gonets” low orbit communication system.

The user terminal consists of

• R-AT-4 small-size radio modem with position determination device (GPS) or without it.
• Non-directional aerial for communication with instant selection of preset channels.
• Power source.

For more detailed information regarding “Gonets” system please refer to: www.gonets.ru.