Capabilities

With more than 20 years of experience, we are domain experts within the satellite communication software industry.

Our vision

…to connect the world through intelligent software.

Gatehouse SatComs approach to software protocols for satellite communications in terminals, on satellites and in the core network requires a team with a broad range of capabilities. The engineering and management teams at Gatehouse not only have extensive experience in and around these areas, but they are also industry leaders in specific technical areas, such as eNodeB, gNodeB, waveforms and system orchestration within the non-terrestrial network technology area.

Innovation is in our DNA and at the core of what we do every day. Our leadership recognized 4 years ago the opportunity in 5G technology for advancing satellite communications in LEO, MEO and GEO. GateHouse SatCom is perfectly fittet for this task with the vast experience in many different satellite communication software protocols. We are part of connection the world through intelligent software.

Areas of expertise

Communication protocols: Data Link, Medium Access Control, Network and Transport layers. UMTS non-access stratum layers (CC, SS, SMS, SM, RABM, MM, GMM), BGAN adaptation layer, Inmarsat Air Interface (IAI and IAI2), DVB-S2, TCP/IP, GSM/GPRS, PDCP, TCP PEP, GMR-1, GMR-2
Satellite communication, system and terminal design and operational aspects
Protocol stack design and implementation

Conformance and performance test of satellite communication terminals using communication protocol test equipment and system emulators
Physical layer design and implementation
Software defined radio implementation (SCA and non-SCA)

Embedded micro-controller based systems. Porting of software to specific Board Support Packages and Operating Systems
FPGA and DSP design and implementation
Structured testing including conformance testing and stress testing
Automated testing

Our history

Gatehouse SatCom was established in 1992. Since then, we have developed more than 10 different waveforms. Beginning in 2000, we established ourselves as the leading supplier of SatCom terminal software for the Inmarsat BGAN system for aeronautical, maritime, and land terminal manufacturers.

We have over the years been involved in DVB, DAMA, GMR and many many other waveforms building up vast capabilities and competencies in almost every satellite communications waveform. (15 waveform graphics?)

Lately we have been working on becoming the leading supplier of Non-Terrestrial 5G NB-IoT software for SatCom operators and terminal manufacturers. Today, GateHouse SatCom is an active member of 3GPP, contributing to 5G NB-IoT and participating in New Radio working groups. Our vision is to connect the world through intelligent software by delivering standardized, innovative waveforms for the SatCom market that unlock the full potential of Satellite Communications in a connected world.

Terminal Waveforms

Over the past couple of decades, we have honed our skills in working with waveforms for the terminal side. Our knowledge is based upon dozens of projects such as government proprietary systems, BGAN terminal software in different varieties, DVB-protocols and in the older versions GMR.

There are many aspects to consider when developing a terminal for satellite communications, and we have extensive experience with all the elements that are needed. We can advise on almost any aspect, or we can, through our network, find the right people to cooperate with.

Over the years we have built an understanding of the technologies, techniques and setups that work well across different waveforms to ensure flexibility and performance.

As for the future, we are constantly looking for new projects and challenges. Through our partnerships, we hope to reach an even higher potential and expand upon the possibilities for waveforms and satellite communication in the terminal area. We are currently very deeply involved in standardized waveforms, but we are also doing many projects within proprietary and tailor-made waveforms.

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BGAN
5G
DVB
GMR
Government Confidential Waveforms

Inmarsat protocols

Network Protocols

Based on DAMA concepts, GateHouse SatCom developed a protocol which is a tailored solution for tactical radio systems. It can be used in a wide range of similar systems and is open for adaptation to specific system requirements.

DAMA is a well-proven standard, however it is still used throughout the world in many applications. Through GateHouse SatCom’s extensive experience, DAMA can be updated and applied in many up to date scenarios.

GateHouse SatCom has a broad knowledge and knowhow regarding network protocol through being part of the ongoing work on specifications in the Inmarsat BGAN-system, and also through making test and emulation tools for the Global Xpress network. GateHouse has encountered a vast amount of edge cases over the years, both analyzing signal errors and other bugs, and also finding the neat solutions to implement.

The possibilities for improvement and expansion in most networks via the network protocols are vast and we look forward to continuously working to perfect our services, products and offerings in this area.

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DAMA
Global Xpress
DVB
GAN

5G Satellite NB-IoT

Partnerships

We have the capability of developing a satcom system, not just the ones we already know and use. GateHouse SatCom has established huge mathematical models of both networks and the whole satellite system. These are build using MATLAB and other tools.

This gives GateHouse SatCom the capability of modelling almost any system using any software protocol. Our system engineering model allows for feasibility studies and pilot projects, covering initial areas such as dimensions of the system, capacity analysis, link budgets, interference analysis etc. and going over into actually building a virtual network emulator, which can simulate the full system, before launching actual satellites.

Test tools