The Satcube Ku provides high performance satellite broadband with speeds of up to 20 mbps. The terminal builds upon a unique pointing system which allows the user to point the antenna with an accuracy of within 0.2 degrees. This is achieved with high-performance navigation sensors and smart software integration. The refined user interface on the display guides the user to optimal performance everytime, everywhere. 

The Satcube navigation system utilises GPS, Global Positioning System, to accurately provide location. The angular position of the antenna is determined by the IMU, Inertial Measurement Unit, which includes accelerometer, MEMS gyroscope and Power Density sensors. The accelerometer is used as an inclinometer for the polarization, tilt angle, and the elevation axis. The MEMS gyro is physically aligned to the azimuth axis to report any relative movement of the terminal in azimuth. The terminal locates the satellite carriers by measurements provided by the Power Density Sensors. A wideband and a narrowband sensor is in use to create what is on the Satcube Ku display is shown as RQ, Receive Quality. Azimuth pointing is determined through the magnetic compass included. As magnetic compasses are prone to magnetic variations and interference the user interface plays a big part in guiding the user to the satellite. 

The Satcube Terminal is unique in its usability which is supported by the embedded system. The system not only guides the user, but should the terminal be blocked or misdirected the transmission is interrupted automatically and assumes a waiting state until the terminal is properly aligned. 

The Satcube Ku User Interface

The system provides the coordinates to the selected satellite to where the user then adjusts the elevation and polarization. The user then proceeds to align the terminal in azimuth which is guided by arrows. The correct position is reached when the double arrows appear and the azimuth gauge is filled up, as shown in the picture above. The azimuth gauge is filled according to the signal strength, the RQ-value. Once pointed the transmission can be started and connection will be established.  

The pointing system provides sufficient measurement accuracy to be able to point the antenna against correct satellite orbit position within 0.2 deg (RMS) accuracy in all axes.  

To see how user-friendly this system is in action watch our “how-to”-video.  

SWaP is an acronym for Size, Weight and Power. In research and development, it is generally used in reference to optimize the Size, Weight and Power of a device or system. 

There are always many factors that go into development of a new or updated product design, and the more complex that product is, the more factors there are to consider. When the product or system is being developed for the space industry those factors are often boiled down to the SWaP criteria.

SWaP stands for Size, Weight and Power – it is typically used in the context of reducing the overall dimensions and weight of a device while increasing its efficiency and lowering the overall footprint. The industry trends toward smaller more powerful devices and is a significant advantage for most customer groups over time.

For transportable satellite terminals, size and weight are of the utmost importance, but also the radiated power that the equipment can handle to create the best link over the satellite. Equivalent Isotropically Radiated Power (EIRP) is mainly driven by the terminal’s antenna gain and the output power of its amplifier. The SWaP factor for a satellite terminal is therefore best described with Size (cm) * Weight (kg) / EIRP (W). The lower the factor, the better.

Satcube AB is a disruptive development company in the satellite communication arena. The company was founded back in 2006 and aims to provide the world with seamless satellite broadband. Our Satcube Ku is unique in its size, usability and performance, and we would now like to welcome you into this success by sharing a glimpse of Satcube AB.Over the course of developing the Satcube Ku, a lot of valuable lessons have been learned. 

This blog is us inviting you to take part in the development of the Ku going forward. To listen in to our thoughts on what is important to the end-user of high-end fast deployment portable satellite terminals. To create a forum for discussions with our engineers regarding design prioritizations and trade-offs. To showcase new functionality that is constantly added to the terminal, and the introduction of satellite communication devices into the digital era. To show non-traditional satcom users how easy it can be to incorporate satellite communication, either for redundancy or as a communications enabler in otherwise impossible spots. 

This by highlighting different use-cases to show how first responders rapidly can deploy the satellite terminal for critical communication or how broadcasters easily can travel with the IATA-certified terminal to cover live events, worldwide.

The full team at Satcube sees this as an opportunity to share what we have learned, and as an avenue to affect the Satcom industry discourse with what is important to us. 

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