PCMA:

Enhancing Bandwidth Efficiency in New and Old Networks

Ninh Le
Director, Complex Systems Group

© 2008 VT iDirect, Inc.

 PCMA Saves 15% – 45% on Bandwidth

Satellite Transponder Spectra

Power (dB)

Power (dB)
Normalized Frequency Normalized Frequency

Without PCMA With PCMA

PCMA saves satellite bandwidth by using the same

spectrum for both upstream & downstream carriers.
Hughes Network Systems (HNS) makes proprietary Outroute Cancellation
EMC makes COTS (commercial off-the shelf) NRS Bandwidth Booster
ViaSat makes COTS PCMA (Paired Carrier Multiple Access)
Comtech makes COTS DoubleTalk under license from AST
 PCMA Is Easy to Implement
Because It Only Goes at the Hub

 Overlapping uplink signal is subtracted to get

desired downlink signal

- Downlink =
Hub + Remote Remote
Hub
Why Does PCMA Work Best on iDirect Systems and
Not So Well on Other VSAT Systems?
 iDirect’s upstream carriers use 100% reservation access
Other VSAT need random access because traffic is often bursty.
Collisions in random access schemes like Slotted Aloha spike power.
20% of TDMA bursts in Slotted Aloha overlap bursts from other remotes.
2 bursts colliding doubles power; 3 bursts colliding triples power; etc.
Power spikes jam downstream, occasionally forcing competing VSAT off net.
 iDirect’s 100% reserved upstream avoids power spikes to downstream
Only iDirect’s reservation scheme is responsive enough to carry bursty traffic.
 iDirect’s remote terminals all have uplink power control (UPC).
Without UPC, remotes uplink maximum power all the time.
Maximum power typically contains 2-3 dB of extra power for rain fade and
another few dB of extra power for differences in G/T contour.
Every dB of extra uplink power at any remote is a dB of unnecessary
interference to the downstream carrier.
Downstream facing more interference needs more transponder power or a
less efficient MODCOD to overcome the extra (unnecessary) interference.
UPC minimizes upstream power interfering with downstream carrier.
UPC makes all remotes hit satellite with the same (minimum) flux density.
No unnecessary interference = maximum efficiency.
 When Should iDirect Bring Up PCMA as a Topic?
Obvious Situations

 When new bandwidth is not available for new projects, PCMA

frees up existing bandwidth for use by new iDirect VSAT.

 When low margin projects need cost cuts to be viable, PCMA cuts
operating costs, especially for bandwidth intensive apps.
For Evolution, PCMA saves the most BW in 3:1 asymmetric networks.
iNFINITI best in networks too small for DVB-S2’s min (2-3 MHz) scale.
For iNFINITI networks…
PCMA cuts operating costs by the same amount as LDPC from DVB-S2
PCMA upgrade takes less time, work, & money than DVB-S2 upgrade
 When Should iDirect Bring Up PCMA as a Topic?
Payback Calculator for Obvious Situations

PCMA Payback Period and Additional Revenue Calculator

Satellite Links Paramaters
DS IP Data Efficiency 1.29 bits/sec/Hz
US IP Data Efficiency 0.8 bits/sec/Hz
Satellite BW Cost 5,000 $/MHz/Month

Hub Equipment Configuration

IFL Frequency L-Band
1:1 PCMA Redundancy Yes
Frequency Converters Yes
Installation Services Yes (Frequency Converters)
SkyMonitor No
Installation Services No (SkyMonitor)

Downstream IP Data DS-to-US Link Asymmetry

Aggregate
1:1 1.5 : 1 2:1 3:1 4:1
Throughput, US IP Data Payback Additional US IP Data Payback Additional US IP Data Payback Additional US IP Data Payback Additional US IP Data Payback Additional
Mbps Throughput, Period, Revenue, Throughput, Period, Revenue, Throughput, Period, Revenue, Throughput, Period, Revenue, Throughput, Period, Revenue,
Mbps Months % Mbps Months % Mbps Months % Mbps Months % Mbps Months %
0.50 0.50 31 62.0% 0.33 33 80.4% 0.25 47 57.1% 0.17 79 33.7% 0.13 120 22.0%
1.00 1.00 16 62.0% 0.67 17 80.4% 0.50 24 57.1% 0.33 40 33.7% 0.25 60 22.0%
2.00 2.00 8 62.0% 1.33 9 80.4% 1.00 12 57.1% 0.67 20 33.7% 0.50 30 22.0%
3.00 3.00 6 62.0% 2.00 6 80.4% 1.50 8 57.1% 1.00 14 33.7% 0.75 20 22.0%
4.00 4.00 4 62.0% 2.67 5 80.4% 2.00 6 57.1% 1.33 10 33.7% 1.00 15 22.0%
5.00 5.00 4 62.0% 3.33 4 80.4% 2.50 5 57.1% 1.67 8 33.7% 1.25 12 22.0%
6.00 6.00 3 62.0% 4.00 3 80.4% 3.00 4 57.1% 2.00 7 33.7% 1.50 10 22.0%
7.00 7.00 3 62.0% 4.67 3 80.4% 3.50 4 57.1% 2.33 6 33.7% 1.75 9 22.0%
8.00 8.00 2 62.0% 5.33 3 80.4% 4.00 3 57.1% 2.67 5 33.7% 2.00 8 22.0%
9.00 9.00 2 62.0% 6.00 2 80.4% 4.50 3 57.1% 3.00 5 33.7% 2.25 7 22.0%
10.00 10.00 2 62.0% 6.67 2 80.4% 5.00 3 57.1% 3.33 4 33.7% 2.50 6 22.0%
15.00 15.00 2 62.0% 10.00 2 80.4% 7.50 3 57.1% 5.00 4 33.7% 3.75 6 22.0%
20.00 20.00 2 62.0% 13.33 2 80.4% 10.00 2 57.1% 6.67 3 33.7% 5.00 5 22.0%
25.00 25.00 1 62.0% 16.67 1 80.4% 12.50 2 57.1% 8.33 3 33.7% 6.25 4 22.0%
30.00 30.00 1 62.0% 20.00 1 80.4% 15.00 2 57.1% 10.00 3 33.7% 7.50 4 22.0%
35.00 35.00 1 62.0% 23.33 1 80.4% 17.50 2 57.1% 11.67 2 33.7% 8.75 3 22.0%
 When Should iDirect Bring Up PCMA as a Topic?
Less Obvious Situations

 When competing against Comtech’s CDM-QxL modems, PCMA

makes iDirect’s SCPC modems comparable in BW efficiency.
PCMA expands iDirect’s addressable GSM market to thicker trunks.
In SCPC applications, both sides of a link need a PCMA canceller.
To afford PCMA at all sites, iDirect needs L-band PCMA canceller.
ViaSat should deliver first L-band PCMA cancellers in Q2 of 2009.

 When special access is required for the return channel…

PCMA hides upstream carriers from detection
PCMA makes bandwidth for spread spectrum carriers affordable
 iDirect Hub with PCMA and Quintech Converters
Power In Power In Power In Power In
Nominal: -25dBm Nominal: -25dBm Nominal: -25dBm Nominal: -25dBm
Min: -65dBm Min: -50dBm Min: -30dBm Min: -50dBm
Max: -5dBm Max: -20dBm Max: +10dBm Max: -20dBm
Power Out Power Out Power Out
Nominal: -25dBm Nominal: -25dBm Nominal: -25dBm
Min: -50dBm Min: -35dBm Min: -50dBm
Max: -20dBm Max: -5dBm Max: -20dBm

Frequency Frequency
IFL (Up) IF RX RX IF IFL
RX (Down) LNB
Out Converter In Out In Out Converter In Rx
L-band 1 70 70 3 L-band

Canceller
Center MHz Center MHz Center Center

PCMA
Frequency Frequency Frequency Frequency
iDirect
Hub L-band 70 70 L-band
Frequency Frequency
Center MHz Center MHz Center Center
(Down) (Up)
Frequency Frequency Frequency Frequency
Converter Converter
IFL IF TX TX IF IFL HPA
TX 2 4
In Out In Out In Out Tx

Power Out Power Out Power Out Power Out

Nominal: -25dBm Nominal: -25dBm Nominal: -25dBm Nominal: -25dBm
Min: -35dBm Min: -50dBm Min: -35dBm Min: -50dBm
Max: +7dBm Max: -20dBm Max: -5dBm Max: -20dBm

Power In Power In Power In L Band

Nominal: -25dBm Nominal: -25dBm Nominal: -25dBm
Min: -50dBm Min: -30dBm Min: -50dBm 70 MHz BNC F
Max: -20dBm Max: +10dBm Max: -20dBm
 iDirect Will Sell PCMA Cancellers at List Price

PCMA Packages from iDirect Frequency Converters Options

Single Amount of MSRP for Mandatory Minimum Frequency Frequency

Thread or Cancellation PCMA Professional PCMA Converters Converters
Redundant (MHz) Appliance Services Packages for L-band IFL for 70 MHz IFL

Single Thread 2 $ 12,499 $ 9,000 $ 21,499 $ 7,320 $ 3,660

Single Thread 5 $ 15,999 $ 9,000 $ 24,999 $ 7,320 $ 3,660
Single Thread 10 $ 24,999 $ 9,000 $ 33,999 $ 7,320 $ 3,660
Single Thread 20 $ 37,499 $ 9,000 $ 46,499 $ 7,320 $ 3,660
Single Thread 36 $ 49,999 $ 9,000 $ 58,999 $ 7,320 $ 3,660
1:1 Redundant 10 $ 42,498 $ 9,000 $ 51,498 $ 7,320 $ 3,660
1:1 Redundant 20 $ 63,748 $ 9,000 $ 72,748 $ 7,320 $ 3,660
1:1 Redundant 36 $ 84,998 $ 9,000 $ 93,998 $ 7,320 $ 3,660

Frequency Converters from Quintech deliver best phase noise value.

Technical Support Charges after the Sale: as per standard iSupport fees.
Mandory Professional Services: 3.5 days including travel and expenses.
Link budget analysis to quantify bandwidth savings
Design of PCMA network
Pre-installation coordination
Installation of PCMA Canceller
Acceptance Testing, Training, and Documentation
 Operational Considerations

Necessary Link Conditions

Duplex circuits only (symmetric or asymmetric inroute + outroute)
Loopback transponder to receive own uplink signal. No cross-strap Xpdr.
Nice to Have: Factors that Make PCMA More Efficient
Cancellation at Both Sides of Each SCPC Link (Comtech CDM-QxL)
Large Hub Antennas
5+ meter Ku-band antenna
7+ meter C-band antenna
More Powerful Satellite Transponders
48+ dBW EIRP for 36 MHz Ku-band transponders
38+ dBW EIRP for 36 MHz C-band transponders
Lower Link Availability
99.0% or lower end-to-end availability for Ku-band links
99.7% or lower end-to-end availability for C-band links
Lower SNR (signal to noise ratio) Thresholds
Better FEC coding (LDPC vs. TPC)
Lower MODCOD’s (BPSK and QPSK vs. 8PSK and 16APSK)
Asymmetric downstream:uptream traffic (1:1 to 3:1 asymmetry is best)
 Operational Considerations

 Required Changes in Network Operating Processes

 Need one upstream carrier outside PCMA to bring in new VSAT
CW to peak BUC power at new remote must be done outside PCMA
CW jams shared downstream. Never overlay CW on downstream.
 Bring remotes into network at low initial transmit power
Let UPC slowly lift dBm from below SNR threshold to optimal SNR
This acquisition process takes more time than starting at high dBm
 Geographic redundancy in iDS 7.0 or later software is needed
Each remote in a PCMA network should have 2 networks configured
Primary configuration is the network as it should be with PCMA
Second configuration uses the same spectrum for unpaired carriers that
remotes can fail over to if normal PCMA operations are ever disrupted
 To prevent jamming from inter-symbol interference, symbol rates of
paired carriers cannot be within 5% of each other.
 UPC must target no more than SNR threshold + 0.5 dB
Upstream SNR 0.5 dB beyond SNR threshold harms downstream
Fine UPC adjustments needed when SNR within ± 0.5 dB of target
 Downstream PEB + Upstream PEB ≤ Allocated PEB
Downstream carrier typically 0.1 to 0.5 dB bandwidth limited
0.1 to 0.5 dB of total power typically used for upstream carrier
PCMA Link Budget Analysis:
Additional Interference to Downstream Carrier
PCMA Link Budget Analysis:
Additional Interference to Upstream Carrier
 PCMA Link Budget Analysis:
Math to Quantify Additional Interference to Both Downstream and Upstream Carriers

Σ
n
1 1
=
SNReffective SNRi
i=1

Note: SNR above must be quantified in power ratios, not dB’s.

dB SNR = 10 x log
( Watts of Signal
Watts of Noise )
Therefore, in the first equation above…

SNRi = 10 (dB SNR)÷10

 PCMA Link Budget Analysis:
Spread Sheet to Quantify Interference to Both Downstream and Upstream Carriers

PCMA Downstream Interference Analysis

Units
Downstream Carrier/Link Parameters
Modulation 4-PSK 2 bits/sym
LBA Required Eb/No with FEC coding 5.9 dB
FEC code rate 0.6284

Clear Rain over Rain over

Sky Hub VSAT
PCMA Totals per carrier (End-to-End)
C/(N+I) without upstream interference 12.01 12.01 11.52 dB
Downstream satellite power density -40.44 -40.44 -40.44 dBW/Hz
Upstream satellite power density towards VSAT -48.96 -48.96 -49.18 dBW/Hz
C/USI (UpStream Interference) 8.52 8.52 8.74 dB
C/(N+I) with upstream interference 6.91 6.91 6.90 dB
Required C/(N+I) 6.89 6.89 6.89 dB
System Margin 0.02 0.02 0.01 dB
C/(N+I) degradation due to upstream interference 5.10 5.10 4.62 dB

+ PCMA Upstream Interference Analysis

Units
Carrier/Link Parameters
Modulation 4-PSK 2 bits/sym
Required Eb/No with FEC coding 8.2 dB
FEC code rate 0.793
PCMA cancellation 27 dB

Clear Rain over Rain over

Sky Hub VSAT
PCMA Totals per carrier (End-to-End)
C/(N+I) without downstream interference 11.20 10.90 10.99 dB
Upstream satellite power density -48.96 -48.96 -49.18 dBW/Hz
Downstream satellite power density towards Hub -40.44 -40.44 -40.44 dBW/Hz
C/DSI (DownStream Interference) 18.48 18.48 18.26 dB
Upstream C/(N+I) with downstream interference
Required C/(N+I)
10.46
10.20
10.20
10.20
10.24
10.20
dB
dB
LBA System Margin
C/(N+I) degradation due to downstream interference
0.25
0.74
0.00
0.70
0.04
0.75
dB
dB
Additional Considerations for Saturated Transponder:
1.5 dB OBO and 1 dB Extra Upstream Eb/No Threshold Are Recommended

Downstream Downstream Downstream Downstream Downstream Downstream SNR Downstream

Output Backoff MODCOD HPA Uplink Pwr Av. SCPC Errors SNR Threshold at 9m Antenna EIRP at Hub
(dB) (Watts) (Packets/20sec) (dB) (dB) (dBW)

0.0 8PSK rate 5/6 45.7 0 10.6 14.3 49.3

0.5 8PSK rate 5/6 40.3 0 10.6 13.3 48.9
1.0 8PSK rate 5/6 37.8 0 10.6 13.4 48.4
1.5 8PSK rate 5/6 30.5 0 10.6 12.0 47.9
1.5 8PSK rate 5/6 30.8 0 10.6 13.8 47.9
2.0 8PSK rate 5/6 26.1 0 10.6 13.0 47.4
2.5 8PSK rate 5/6 24.1 0 10.6 12.5 46.9
3.0 8PSK rate 5/6 21.9 0 10.6 12.4 46.4
1.0 8PSK rate 5/6 37.6 0 10.6 14.2 48.4
1.0 8PSK rate 5/6 37.6 0 10.6 14.1 48.4
1.0 8PSK rate 5/6 37.6 0 10.6 14.1 48.4
1.0 8PSK rate 5/6 37.6 0 10.6 14.0 48.4
1.0 8PSK rate 5/6 39.0 0 10.6 12.9 48.5
1.5 8PSK rate 5/6 30.8 0 10.6 12.3 47.9

Downstream Upstream VSAT Modem Upstream Upstream SNR SNR of TDMA SNR of TDMA Upstream Total
Output Backoff MODCOD Power to BUC Av. CRC Errors Threshold Carrier Inside Carrier Outside Baud Rate
(dB) (dBm) (Bursts/20sec) (dB) PCMA Spectrum PCMA Spectrum (Msps)

0.0 QPSK rate 0.66 -10 0 6.1 9.0 9.5 1.536

0.5 QPSK rate 0.66 -10 0 6.1 12.0 12.5 1.536
1.0 QPSK rate 0.66 -10 0 6.1 12.3 13.4 1.536
1.5 QPSK rate 0.66 -10 0 6.1 14.0 14.5 1.536
1.5 QPSK rate 0.66 -17 0 6.1 6.7 7.1 1.536
2.0 QPSK rate 0.66 -17 0 6.1 8.2 8.6 1.536
2.5 QPSK rate 0.66 -17 0 6.1 8.6 8.7 1.536
3.0 QPSK rate 0.66 -17 0 6.1 8.9 8.9 1.536
1.0 QPSK rate 0.66 -17 20 6.1 5.5 5.0 1.536
1.0 QPSK rate 0.66 -16 0 6.1 6.0 6.4 1.536
1.0 QPSK rate 0.66 -15.5 0 6.1 6.5 6.4 1.536
1.0 QPSK rate 0.66 -15 0 6.1 7.0 7.0 1.536
1.0 QPSK rate 0.66 -15 0 6.1 6.2 6.8 27.512
1.5 QPSK rate 0.66 -15 0 6.1 8.3 9.7 27.512
 Conclusion:
PCMA can give iNFINITI VSAT the efficiency of DVB-S2.
PCMA can boost the efficiency of DVB-S2 even further.

© 2008 VT iDirect, Inc.