Satellite Transition Information
AMC-1 to SES-3, Transponders 12 & 22
Previous Information:
As you know, Microspace Communications Corporation provides satellite services for your network in North America via the satellite known as AMC-1. AMC-1 is owned and operated by SES World Skies (SES). While AMC-1 continues to operate properly, it is approaching its end-of-life due to fuel requirements. SES successfully launched the replacement satellite in July, 2011. That replacement satellite is named SES-3. In a letter dated January 19, 2012 your company was notified that the AMC-1 to SES-3 transition date was anticipated for the first quarter of 2015. That timeframe is now being updated.
Updated Transition Date Information:
SES has notified Microspace that SES-3 will replace AMC-1 on Sunday, August 24, 2014. Per the terms of the Satellite Services Lease Agreement between our firms, Microspace is responsible to give your company at least four monthsÂ’ notice prior to the transition date. Due to our diligence with the satellite owner, we are able to give you more than a yearÂ’s notice of the anticipated transition date, and wanted to share this with you proactively.
No Frequency Reassignment:
Often times in such a satellite transition there are frequencies (customer channels) that need to be reassigned. For your network there will NOT be any frequency changes when the SES-3 satellite is deployed.
Polarization Change:
As your company was previously notified, there is a 26 degree polarization difference between the two satellites. Microspace has been recommending that when your company installs new locations and/or is performing maintenance at the downlink antenna locations, you can minimize the impact of this polarization change by setting the LNB polarization 13 degrees away from optimum. This LNB offset adjustment will prevent any adjustments from being made following the August 24th, 2014 transition date. Microspace has created a video about the polarization change, and you can view it anytime on the Microspace website at: http://microspace.com/satellite-transition/
Activities at the Actual Time of the Transition:
Simply stated, on Sunday August 24, 2014, you and your customer sites will NOT have to perform any actions, assuming the polarization adjustments recommended by Microspace were followed.
So you know, the current Microspace uplink transmission will be transferred to our in-place backup antenna, which will have been calibrated, including the polarization change, for the new satellite. Later that day, after recalibrating our primary uplink antenna and transmission systems, we will transition all traffic onto that primary uplink antenna.
These described transitions will occur in milliseconds, therefore we are not anticipating any downtime during this transition.
Benefits of the New Satellite SES-3:
From a daily operational standpoint, you should expect a highly reliable and available signal from SES-3 at your downlink locations in North America. The satelliteÂ’s higher power levels will provide additional rain-fade margin, presuming properly aligned antennas.
The new SES-3 satellite is expected to have improved adjacent satellite performance and it has a larger footprint than its predecessor.
Additionally, since SES-3Â’s operational life is expected to exceed 15 years, you and your customers are on a very stable, long-term delivery platform.
This video was prepared by Microspace to clearly explain the satellite polarization differences between AMC1 and the new SES 3 satellite that will replace it on August 24th, 2014. With properly adjusted polarization on the new SES 3 satellite you will experience greater signal level and enhanced cross polarization performance.
AMC-1 to SES-3, Transponders 12 & 22
Previous Information:
As you know, Microspace Communications Corporation provides satellite services for your network in North America via the satellite known as AMC-1. AMC-1 is owned and operated by SES World Skies (SES). While AMC-1 continues to operate properly, it is approaching its end-of-life due to fuel requirements. SES successfully launched the replacement satellite in July, 2011. That replacement satellite is named SES-3. In a letter dated January 19, 2012 your company was notified that the AMC-1 to SES-3 transition date was anticipated for the first quarter of 2015. That timeframe is now being updated.
Updated Transition Date Information:
SES has notified Microspace that SES-3 will replace AMC-1 on Sunday, August 24, 2014. Per the terms of the Satellite Services Lease Agreement between our firms, Microspace is responsible to give your company at least four monthsÂ’ notice prior to the transition date. Due to our diligence with the satellite owner, we are able to give you more than a yearÂ’s notice of the anticipated transition date, and wanted to share this with you proactively.
No Frequency Reassignment:
Often times in such a satellite transition there are frequencies (customer channels) that need to be reassigned. For your network there will NOT be any frequency changes when the SES-3 satellite is deployed.
Polarization Change:
As your company was previously notified, there is a 26 degree polarization difference between the two satellites. Microspace has been recommending that when your company installs new locations and/or is performing maintenance at the downlink antenna locations, you can minimize the impact of this polarization change by setting the LNB polarization 13 degrees away from optimum. This LNB offset adjustment will prevent any adjustments from being made following the August 24th, 2014 transition date. Microspace has created a video about the polarization change, and you can view it anytime on the Microspace website at: http://microspace.com/satellite-transition/
Activities at the Actual Time of the Transition:
Simply stated, on Sunday August 24, 2014, you and your customer sites will NOT have to perform any actions, assuming the polarization adjustments recommended by Microspace were followed.
So you know, the current Microspace uplink transmission will be transferred to our in-place backup antenna, which will have been calibrated, including the polarization change, for the new satellite. Later that day, after recalibrating our primary uplink antenna and transmission systems, we will transition all traffic onto that primary uplink antenna.
These described transitions will occur in milliseconds, therefore we are not anticipating any downtime during this transition.
Benefits of the New Satellite SES-3:
From a daily operational standpoint, you should expect a highly reliable and available signal from SES-3 at your downlink locations in North America. The satelliteÂ’s higher power levels will provide additional rain-fade margin, presuming properly aligned antennas.
The new SES-3 satellite is expected to have improved adjacent satellite performance and it has a larger footprint than its predecessor.
Additionally, since SES-3Â’s operational life is expected to exceed 15 years, you and your customers are on a very stable, long-term delivery platform.
