Digital Video Broacast Return Channel Satellite (DVB-RCS) Hub Installation and Integration for DISA and US CENTCOM

As the Department of Defense (DOD) begins to standardize 2-way satellite networks DISA is leading the way in defining and deploying new standards-based technologies for use by the COCOMs. DISA´s first big effort in this area this year was to install and integrate the first DVB-RCS satellite network for US CENTCOM. The initial network consisted of a redundant Hub and 20 subscriber suites. The DVB-RCS Hub provides a unified network transport using a variety of IP-based services; such as SIPRNET connectivity, GBS data and streaming MPEG2 IP video. The subscriber suites will allow remote users to access SIPRNet, receive GBS data and source UAV video. At the completion of this effort in February 2006 the OSD CIO issued a Memorandum of Policy affecting all transmissions of IP over transponded commercial SATCOM and MILSATCOM systems establishing DVB-S2 and DVB-RCS as the protocol solutions for hub-spoke IP network topologies. This paper will describe the DVB-RCS Hub Implementation, Installation and lessons learned for the customer US CENTCOM. It will outline the DISA approved forward link (DVB-S) and the EMS return link architecture. It is within this architecture description we will describe the Forward link architecture, it´s similarity to the current GBS IP architecture as well as future GBS integration with various two-way user pull/publish capabilities. Discussion will also include the CENTCOM DVB-RCS Hub´s future applications of IP-based services. Voice over IP (VoIP), Video Teleconferencing (VTC), information publishing, dissemination and distribution to the disadvantaged warfighter locations are planned topics. The future technology discussion will also describe upgrade paths to MPEG4 video, DVB-RCS/S2, higher return channel throughput rates and satellite interactive terminal interoperability