[Starlink] Quick questions about Starlink user terminal

[Ulrich Speidel]

On 12/05/2023 9:48 am, Sirapop Theeranantachai via Starlink wrote:
> Hi, I'm currently working on packet simulation analysis over large LEO 
> constellations such as Starlink, and I do have a few questions on the 
> Starlink commodity terminals and ISL.
>
> 1) Is the commodity hardware capable of forming multiple GSL channels 
> to multiple satellites? If it's not possible, is it possible that the 
> hardware allows multiple downlink but only one uplink?
Based on our observations, no to both questions - one sat at a time. 
We've noticed that power use goes up with observed downlink rate, 
though. Mike Puchol might be able to comment a bit more here as he's 
tried to get between Dishy and the birds.
>
> 2) Does Starlink currently use laser ISL or is it planning in the 
> future? If so, how is the link performance due to laser accuracy?
Laser links are in use, and most likely also between different orbital 
planes, but use is a bit weird. Traffic from Tarawa (Kiribati) emerges 
onto the Internet in Auckland, NZ, 4200 km away and not near a common 
orbital plane in Starlink's dominant 53.2 deg constellation. Link 
performance - how long is a piece of string? We've seen significant 
transient outages from Tarawa, but when there is no outage, rates are 
comparable to what you'd get elsewhere (anecdotally - we haven't seen 
any actual test results from there yet, the owner of the only unit there 
has reported regulatory issues).
>
> Best,
> Mark
>
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>
-- 
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Dr. Ulrich Speidel

School of Computer Science

Room 303S.594 (City Campus)

The University of Auckland
u.speidel at auckland.ac.nz
http://www.cs.auckland.ac.nz/~ulrich/
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