INDUSTRIES

HTS Infrastructure

High Throughput Satellite (HTS) Infrastructure

High Throughput Satellites (HTS) are reshaping how we think about satellite communications on the ground. By delivering significantly higher capacity through frequency reuse and beamforming, HTS is bringing satcoms to new markets. However, it is also bringing to bear new demands on the ground segment.

Render of high throughput satellite in space with globe behind

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The HTS Ground Segment

Traditional architectures, designed to service GEO satellites, are less optimal when supporting the large numbers of beams and smaller gateways critical to HTS. Next-generation ground stations need to offer flexible, distributed signal processing in a highly deployable format to enable rapid scaling. Digital intermediate frequency (Digital IF or RF over IP) transport and modular RF setups can support operators with tailored layouts able to scale on demand.

Visual of HTS ground station atop modern building

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Operational Complexity

HTS also adds significantly to operational complexity, from performance monitoring to network orchestration. The ground segment needs to allow facilities to expand capacity in stages, flexing to scale alongside demand growth without requiring a huge capital injection in the formative stages to build in demand. Modularity is key to this flexible layering of capabilities as throughput evolves.

Render of globe from outer space with glowing blue satellite network lacing

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Adaptability is Critical

At the same time, the ground segment must be adaptable. It must accommodate architectures from dense teleport antenna hubs for GEO connections to remote or mobile installations for MEO/LEO constellations. Compact RF units and adaptable, configurable gateways ease deployment and integration challenges, reducing cost and infrastructure burdens for a lean, agile operating model suited to this new era of satcoms architectures.

Medium sized satellite ground station with multiple antennas against a blue sky

Single satellite antenna against a sunset sky

HTS GROUND SEGMENT

Delivering on the promise

The leap in capacity and beam density made by HTS drives a new level of demand on the ground. It requires the modularity and flexibility to divide RF processing into scalable blocks, which can grow seamlessly with traffic and service demand. It needs compact, efficient hardware that integrates into evolving network topologies, ensuring developing organisations and established operators alike can develop lean, cost-effective business models. The ground segment is critical to helping operators deliver on the promise of HTS.