Gateways
 |
|
 |
|
|
GatewaysQUALCOMM-designed
Globalstar Gateways are an integral part of the Globalstar
ground segment, which also includes Ground Operations
Control Centers (GOCCs), Satellite Operations Control
Centers (SOCCs), and the Globalstar Data Network. |
Each Gateway, which is
owned and managed by the service provider for the country
in which the Gateway is located, receives transmissions
from orbiting satellites, processes calls, and switches
them to the appropriate ground network. |
A Gateway may service more
than one country. Gateways consist of three or four vdish
antennas, a switching station and remote operating controls.
Because all of the switches and complex hardware are located
|
|
 |
| on the ground, it is easier for Globalstar
to maintain and upgrade its system, than it is for systems which
handle switching in orbit. |
Gateways offer seamless integration with local and regional
telephony and wireless networks.
The Gateway connects the Globalstar satellite-based wireless
network with the Public Land Mobile
Network (PLMN), such as AMPS and GSM. It also connects directly
into the local Public Switching
Telephone Network (PSTN). As such, the Gateway is the termination
point for network transmission
and network signaling. |
|
 |
| The Gateway is connected to the existing PSTN using standard E1/T1 trunk supporting a variety of
signaling protocols. Inter-operability between the Globalstar system and telephone/cellular companies
enables the subscriber to maintain a convenient single point for billing. Encoding ensures voice and
signaling security for individual transmissions. |
The Gateway is a sophisticated piece of engineering, designed by QUALCOMM to make the Globalstar Communications System capable of offering seamless services for all Globalstar customers. |
| Other components of the Globalstar Communications System include: |
* Ground Operations Control Centers (GOCC) |
| The Ground Operations Control Centers (GOCC) are responsible for planning and controlling the use
of satellites by Gateway terminals and for coordinating this utilization with the Satellite Operation Control
Center (SOCC). GOCCs plan the communications schedules for the Gateways and control the allocation of
satellite resources to each Gateway. |
*Satellite Operations Control Center (SOCC) |
| The Satellite Operations Control Center (SOCC) manages the Globalstar satellite constellation.
The SOCC tracks satellites, controls their orbits, and provides Telemetry and Command (T&C) services for
the constellation. Globalstar satellites continuously transmit spacecraft telemetry data that provides
on-board health and status reports for the satellite. The SOCC also oversees satellite launch and
deployment activities. The SOCC and GOCC facilities remain in constant contact through the Globalstar
Data Network (GDN). |
* Globalstar Data Network (GDN) |
| The GDN is the connective network which provides wide-area intercommunications facilities for the
Gateways, the Ground Operations Control Centers, and the Satellite Operations Control Centers. |
 |
|
