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Data Services FAQ

Here you'll find a number of frequently asked questions about Space Data and the SkySite®Network. If you need more detailed information about how to install Space Data products or use our services, please go to the Support FAQ.

Who uses the SkySite® Network?

The SkySite® Network supports wide ranging wireless telemetry and vehicle location applications. Some of today's users are energy industry managers seeking cost-effective ways to connect SCADA systems to remote sites and those seeking to monitor the location of service vehicles and related assets as they travel through remote production areas. In the future, the SkySite® Network will offer users the additional ability to send and receive messages in remote areas.

What is the coverage area?

Space Data's SkySite® Network provides two-way data communications coverage to Texas, Oklahoma, most of Louisiana and Arkansas and portions of New Mexico and Gulf Coast waters. Check our coverage map.

What types of applications work best on the SkySite® Network?

The SkySite® Network is optimized for low- to medium- data-volume applications. Thus, it is ideally suited to gathering and sending data from individual locations or subscribers. SkySite® Network services can also be used to aggregate data from small groups of sites connected by radio systems. Ideal applications include the following:

  • SCADA communications
  • RTU/EFM/PLC monitoring
  • Pump-off controller monitoring
  • KW meter reading
  • Compressor/tank alarming
  • Rectifier monitoring
  • Vehicle location
  • Asset tracking
  • Two-way messaging

How does Space Data's solution compare with other wireless alternatives?

Cellular Digital Packet Data (CDPD). In most areas of the country, carriers have discontinued or have already discontinued offering CDPD services. Thus, CDPD generally will cease to be a viable option. In areas where CDPD continues to be offered, it will continue to lack the cost effective "everywhere" coverage that is available on the SkySite® Network.

Satellite services. Although the SkySite® Network is similar to a satellite network in many ways, Space Data offers user hardware and monthly service at a lower cost than is available with satellite solutions. Thus, the Space Data system is much more cost-effective for the monitoring of individual sites.

Spread spectrum radio. Space Data offers a service, whereas radio systems require customers to operate and maintain their own network. Radio systems are not cost effective when sites are widely dispersed and thus unable to communicate between themselves. Space Data's system is more effective in this case. For situations in which radio is used to monitor sites that are closely spaced, Space Data's service can be used to provide a lower cost backhaul alternative to satellite systems. Additionally, spread spectrum systems operate in unlicensed spectrum and are thus subject to interference in areas where there is a high density of devices that are operating in the same radio band. Space Data owns its own radio frequency spectrum.

Analog cellular. Although analog coverage area is the broadest of all terrestrial networks, solutions are expensive to deploy and suffer from poor reliability. Space Data's service is more cost effective, provides coverage over an even larger area and has been optimized for data communications.

Digital cellular. Services such as GPRS on GSM networks and 1X on CDMA networks have limited coverage, as compared to the analog cellular network. At the time of this writing, GSM-based services were also unable to provide the fixed IP addresses required by SCADA systems. Space Data's service remains the only truly cost-effective solution for very wide area coverage.

What kind of devices can I use on the SkySite® Network?

Space Data has developed a family of telemetry and tracking devices optimized for use on the SkySite® Network. The SM-1010 ReFLEX modem, for example, is used for telemetry applications requiring an interface to a measurement device such as an EFM or RTU. Other Space Data devices support features such as direct analog and digital inputs,GPS location, cathodic protection and short messaging applications.

How does the SkySite® Network operate?

A constellation of high-altitude, balloon-borne transceivers known as SkySite® Platforms is launched every 8 to 12 hours from sites in the vicinity of the target coverage area. An onboard processor on each SkySite® Platform controls its rise to an altitude of 60,000 to 100,000 feet. At that altitude, a coverage circle of 350 miles in diameter can be achieved. Each SkySite® Platform transmits and receives messages to and from subscriber devices such as Space Data's SM-1010 modem. When information such as a poll is sent from a SCADA system to a remote device, the data initially is sent to the Space Data Network Operations Center (NOC). The NOC determines which SkySite® Platform is currently over the desired device and sends the data to the regional ground station that is presently tracking that specific SkySite® Platform. The SkySite® Platform then retransmits the data down to the subscriber device. For the "reverse" path, that is, data flowing from the subscriber device to the sending location, the data flows in the opposite direction.

What makes the system reliable?

Every eight to twelve hours, a constellation of SkySite® Platforms is launched and kept aloft for approximately 24 hours. Additionally, new SkySite® Platforms can be launched on short notice to augment coverage or capacity as necessary. Space Data operates a 24/7 Network Operations Center (NOC). The NOC monitors and controls data flow into and out of the SkySite® Network. Space Data NOC engineers are able to reliably predict and proactively solve potential network problems. SkySite® Constellation operators monitor and control all SkySite® Platforms and use real-time information to ensure that no coverage gaps develop.

How does weather affect the SkySite® Network?

Nearly a thousand sites around the world have launched weather balloons twice per day for over 60 years, even in the most inclement weather, demonstrating that the required balloon launches can be performed reliably on a coordinated basis. Since the SkySite® Platforms operate at 80,000 feet or more, they are well above the active weather layers which normally exist below 50,000 feet. The winds at 80,000+ feet are relatively uniform, thus allowing the constellation of SkySite® Platforms to maintain their relative spacing as they drift with the winds.

What is the impact on aircraft safety?

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) allows SkySite® Platforms to be launched without restriction in domestic airspace because they are sufficiently small and light to pose no threat to aircraft safety. At less than six pounds, the SkySite® Platform conforms to FAA regulations for unrestricted balloon flights. FAA weight limits are written to ensure that any conforming balloon and its associated payload will not cause damage to an airplane should it be struck or ingested by its engines. In 60 years of operation, there have been no documented incidents of a weather balloon striking an aircraft. Also, SkySite® Platforms operate at 80,000+ feet, almost 3 times higher than the altitude at which commercial aircraft fly.

What is the impact on the environment?

The balloon portion of the SkySite® Platform is made of biodegradable latex that is designed to vent and return to earth. The payload portion of the SkySite® Platform weighs only a few pounds, is environmentally benign and returns gently to earth on a parachute. About 18 percent of National Weather Service balloon payloads are returned via postage-paid mailer. Space Data will have a higher return rate because it has integrated advanced control systems into the SkySite® Platform design and also because GPS data will help locate each SkySite® Platform.

Does Space Data have spectrum to operate the system?

Yes. Space Data holds Federal Communications Commission licenses for about 2 MHz of nationwide narrow-band spectrum in the 900 MHz frequency band.

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