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

Power (dB)

Power (dB)

Satellite Transponder Spectra

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

Hub

Downlink =
Hub + Remote

Remote

Why Does PCMA Work Best on iDirect Systems and

Not So Well on Other VSAT Systems?
iDirects 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.

iDirects 100% reserved upstream avoids power spikes to downstream

Only iDirects reservation scheme is responsive enough to carry bursty traffic.

iDirects 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-S2s 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
US IP Data Efficiency
Satellite BW Cost

1.29 bits/sec/Hz
0.8 bits/sec/Hz
5,000 $/MHz/Month

Hub Equipment Configuration

IFL Frequency
L-Band
1:1 PCMA Redundancy
Yes
Frequency Converters
Yes
Installation Services
Yes
SkyMonitor
No
Installation Services
No
Downstream IP Data
Aggregate
Throughput,
Mbps
0.50
1.00
2.00
3.00
4.00
5.00
6.00
7.00
8.00
9.00
10.00
15.00
20.00
25.00
30.00
35.00

(Frequency Converters)
(SkyMonitor)

DS-to-US Link Asymmetry

1:1

1.5 : 1

2:1

3:1

4:1

US IP Data
Throughput,
Mbps

Payback
Period,
Months

Additional
Revenue,
%

US IP Data
Throughput,
Mbps

Payback
Period,
Months

Additional
Revenue,
%

US IP Data
Throughput,
Mbps

Payback
Period,
Months

Additional
Revenue,
%

US IP Data
Throughput,
Mbps

Payback
Period,
Months

Additional
Revenue,
%

US IP Data
Throughput,
Mbps

Payback
Period,
Months

Additional
Revenue,
%

0.50
1.00
2.00
3.00
4.00
5.00
6.00
7.00
8.00
9.00
10.00
15.00
20.00
25.00
30.00
35.00

31
16
8
6
4
4
3
3
2
2
2
2
2
1
1
1

62.0%
62.0%
62.0%
62.0%
62.0%
62.0%
62.0%
62.0%
62.0%
62.0%
62.0%
62.0%
62.0%
62.0%
62.0%
62.0%

0.33
0.67
1.33
2.00
2.67
3.33
4.00
4.67
5.33
6.00
6.67
10.00
13.33
16.67
20.00
23.33

33
17
9
6
5
4
3
3
3
2
2
2
2
1
1
1

80.4%
80.4%
80.4%
80.4%
80.4%
80.4%
80.4%
80.4%
80.4%
80.4%
80.4%
80.4%
80.4%
80.4%
80.4%
80.4%

0.25
0.50
1.00
1.50
2.00
2.50
3.00
3.50
4.00
4.50
5.00
7.50
10.00
12.50
15.00
17.50

47
24
12
8
6
5
4
4
3
3
3
3
2
2
2
2

57.1%
57.1%
57.1%
57.1%
57.1%
57.1%
57.1%
57.1%
57.1%
57.1%
57.1%
57.1%
57.1%
57.1%
57.1%
57.1%

0.17
0.33
0.67
1.00
1.33
1.67
2.00
2.33
2.67
3.00
3.33
5.00
6.67
8.33
10.00
11.67

79
40
20
14
10
8
7
6
5
5
4
4
3
3
3
2

33.7%
33.7%
33.7%
33.7%
33.7%
33.7%
33.7%
33.7%
33.7%
33.7%
33.7%
33.7%
33.7%
33.7%
33.7%
33.7%

0.13
0.25
0.50
0.75
1.00
1.25
1.50
1.75
2.00
2.25
2.50
3.75
5.00
6.25
7.50
8.75

120
60
30
20
15
12
10
9
8
7
6
6
5
4
4
3

22.0%
22.0%
22.0%
22.0%
22.0%
22.0%
22.0%
22.0%
22.0%
22.0%
22.0%
22.0%
22.0%
22.0%
22.0%
22.0%

When Should iDirect Bring Up PCMA as a Topic?

Less Obvious Situations

When competing against Comtechs CDM-QxL modems, PCMA

makes iDirects SCPC modems comparable in BW efficiency.
PCMA expands iDirects 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
Nominal: -25dBm
Min:
-65dBm
Max:
-5dBm
Power Out
Nominal: -25dBm
Min:
-50dBm
Max:
-20dBm

Power Out
Nominal: -25dBm
Min:
-35dBm
Max:
-5dBm

L-band
Center
Frequency

iDirect
Hub

TX

Power Out
Nominal: -25dBm
Min:
-35dBm
Max:
+7dBm
Power In
Nominal: -25dBm
Min:
-50dBm
Max:
-20dBm

70
MHz Center
Frequency

L-band
Center
Frequency

Frequency
(Down)
Converter

IFL
In

RX
Out

IF
In

70
MHz Center
Frequency

IF
Out

Power Out
Nominal: -25dBm
Min:
-50dBm
Max:
-20dBm
Power In
Nominal: -25dBm
Min:
-30dBm
Max:
+10dBm

TX
In

Power In
Nominal: -25dBm
Min:
-50dBm
Max:
-20dBm

Power Out
Nominal: -25dBm
Min:
-50dBm
Max:
-20dBm

Frequency

RX
In

PCMA
Canceller

Frequency

IFL
(Up)
Out Converter

RX

Power In
Nominal: -25dBm
Min:
-30dBm
Max:
+10dBm

Power In
Nominal: -25dBm
Min:
-50dBm
Max:
-20dBm

IF
(Down)
Out Converter

70
MHz Center
Frequency

L-band
Center
Frequency

Frequency
(Up)
Converter

IF
In

Power Out
Nominal: -25dBm
Min:
-35dBm
Max:
-5dBm
Power In
Nominal: -25dBm
Min:
-50dBm
Max:
-20dBm

LNB
Rx
L-band
Center
Frequency

70
MHz Center
Frequency

TX
Out

IFL
In

HPA
Tx

IFL
Out

Power Out
Nominal: -25dBm
Min:
-50dBm
Max:
-20dBm
L Band
70 MHz

BNC

iDirect Will Sell PCMA Cancellers at List Price

PCMA Packages from iDirect

Single
Thread or
Redundant
Single Thread
Single Thread
Single Thread
Single Thread
Single Thread
1:1 Redundant
1:1 Redundant
1:1 Redundant

Amount of
Cancellation
(MHz)
2
5
10
20
36
10
20
36

Frequency Converters Options

MSRP for
PCMA
Appliance
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$

12,499
15,999
24,999
37,499
49,999
42,498
63,748
84,998

Mandatory
Professional
Services
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$

9,000
9,000
9,000
9,000
9,000
9,000
9,000
9,000

Minimum
PCMA
Packages
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$

21,499
24,999
33,999
46,499
58,999
51,498
72,748
93,998

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

Frequency
Converters
for L-band IFL
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$

7,320
7,320
7,320
7,320
7,320
7,320
7,320
7,320

Frequency
Converters
for 70 MHz IFL
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$

3,660
3,660
3,660
3,660
3,660
3,660
3,660
3,660

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 MODCODs (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

1
=

SNReffective

1
SNRi

i=1

Note: SNR above must be quantified in power ratios, not dBs.

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

Downstream
LBA

Units
Carrier/Link Parameters
Modulation
Required Eb/No with FEC coding
FEC code rate

4-PSK
5.9
0.6284
Clear
Sky

PCMA Totals per carrier (End-to-End)

C/(N+I) without upstream interference
Downstream satellite power density
Upstream satellite power density towards VSAT
C/USI (UpStream Interference)
C/(N+I) with upstream interference
Required C/(N+I)
System Margin
C/(N+I) degradation due to upstream interference

12.01
-40.44
-48.96
8.52
6.91
6.89
0.02
5.10

Rain over
Hub
12.01
-40.44
-48.96
8.52
6.91
6.89
0.02
5.10

bits/sym
dB

11.52
-40.44
-49.18
8.74
6.90
6.89
0.01
4.62

dB
dBW/Hz
dBW/Hz
dB
dB
dB
dB
dB

Rain over
VSAT

PCMA Upstream Interference Analysis

Units
Carrier/Link Parameters
Modulation
Required Eb/No with FEC coding
FEC code rate
PCMA cancellation

4-PSK
8.2
0.793
27
Clear
Sky

Upstream
LBA

PCMA Totals per carrier (End-to-End)

C/(N+I) without downstream interference
Upstream satellite power density
Downstream satellite power density towards Hub
C/DSI (DownStream Interference)
C/(N+I) with downstream interference
Required C/(N+I)
System Margin
C/(N+I) degradation due to downstream interference

11.20
-48.96
-40.44
18.48
10.46
10.20
0.25
0.74

bits/sym
dB
dB

Rain over
Hub
10.90
-48.96
-40.44
18.48
10.20
10.20
0.00
0.70

Rain over
VSAT
10.99
-49.18
-40.44
18.26
10.24
10.20
0.04
0.75

dB
dBW/Hz
dBW/Hz
dB
dB
dB
dB
dB

Additional Considerations for Saturated Transponder:

1.5 dB OBO and 1 dB Extra Upstream Eb/No Threshold Are Recommended
Downstream
Output Backoff
(dB)
0.0
0.5
1.0
1.5
1.5
2.0
2.5
3.0
1.0
1.0
1.0
1.0
1.0
1.5

Downstream
Output Backoff
(dB)
0.0
0.5
1.0
1.5
1.5
2.0
2.5
3.0
1.0
1.0
1.0
1.0
1.0
1.5

Downstream
MODCOD

Downstream
HPA Uplink Pwr
(Watts)

8PSK rate 5/6

8PSK rate 5/6
8PSK rate 5/6
8PSK rate 5/6
8PSK rate 5/6
8PSK rate 5/6
8PSK rate 5/6
8PSK rate 5/6
8PSK rate 5/6
8PSK rate 5/6
8PSK rate 5/6
8PSK rate 5/6
8PSK rate 5/6
8PSK rate 5/6

Upstream
MODCOD

QPSK rate 0.66

QPSK rate 0.66
QPSK rate 0.66
QPSK rate 0.66
QPSK rate 0.66
QPSK rate 0.66
QPSK rate 0.66
QPSK rate 0.66
QPSK rate 0.66
QPSK rate 0.66
QPSK rate 0.66
QPSK rate 0.66
QPSK rate 0.66
QPSK rate 0.66

Downstream
Av. SCPC Errors
(Packets/20sec)

45.7
40.3
37.8
30.5
30.8
26.1
24.1
21.9
37.6
37.6
37.6
37.6
39.0
30.8

VSAT Modem
Power to BUC
(dBm)
-10
-10
-10
-10
-17
-17
-17
-17
-17
-16
-15.5
-15
-15
-15

Downstream
SNR Threshold
(dB)
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0

Upstream
Av. CRC Errors
(Bursts/20sec)

Downstream SNR Downstream

at 9m Antenna
EIRP at Hub
(dB)
(dBW)

10.6
10.6
10.6
10.6
10.6
10.6
10.6
10.6
10.6
10.6
10.6
10.6
10.6
10.6

Upstream SNR
Threshold
(dB)
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
20
0
0
0
0
0

14.3
13.3
13.4
12.0
13.8
13.0
12.5
12.4
14.2
14.1
14.1
14.0
12.9
12.3

SNR of TDMA
Carrier Inside
PCMA Spectrum
6.1
6.1
6.1
6.1
6.1
6.1
6.1
6.1
6.1
6.1
6.1
6.1
6.1
6.1

9.0
12.0
12.3
14.0
6.7
8.2
8.6
8.9
5.5
6.0
6.5
7.0
6.2
8.3

49.3
48.9
48.4
47.9
47.9
47.4
46.9
46.4
48.4
48.4
48.4
48.4
48.5
47.9

SNR of TDMA
Carrier Outside
PCMA Spectrum
9.5
12.5
13.4
14.5
7.1
8.6
8.7
8.9
5.0
6.4
6.4
7.0
6.8
9.7

Upstream Total
Baud Rate
(Msps)
1.536
1.536
1.536
1.536
1.536
1.536
1.536
1.536
1.536
1.536
1.536
1.536
27.512
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.