ADEC Network: Equipment Description
DIGITAL TRANSMISSION EQUIPMENT:
ADEC Telecommunications Center, Fort Collins
The equipment described herein will be integrated into the analog
and digital satellite ground station at Colorado State University
in Fort Collins, Colorado. The digital encoding standards
represent tentative system architecture design standards. These
standards are subject to change pending a final review of all
appropriate technologies.
ADEC has tentatively chosen the DigiCipher II digital standard for three principal reasons:
- This standard is used by PBS, SERC (from the South Carolina
State system) and state telecommunications systems which include
eight of the ADEC members. A summary of transmission standards
and transponder use for educational institutions in provided in
table C-1. Data from this table indicates that the DigiCipher II
standard remains dominant in the higher education satellite community.
- This widely used standard is fully compatible with the North
American MPEG II/ATSC (Motion Picture Expert's Group/ Advanced
Television Systems Committee) standard which is migratable to
terrestrial digital broadcast standards and HDTV (High Definition
TeleVision) standards. The system is based on the AC-3 Dolby
audio standard. Other digital proprietary systems such as
Magnitude, Wegener and PowerVu are compatible with the European
MPEG II/DVB (Digital Video Broadcast) standard which employs the
Musicam audio standard.
- This system has built-in flexibility for system configuration and it is designed on a modular model which makes the system easy to manipulate and cost sensitive to expansion. The system has very robust and flexible high-speed data handling capabilities.
The teleport located at Colorado State University (CSU) is a critical component of the plans for the telecommunications network. The site was chosen for its geographic location as well as for favorable characteristics of the existing telecommunications facilities and the quality of the staff.
The facilites at CSU have production quality television studio, post production and transmission equipment encluding a satellite ground station with seven downlink and 2 uplink antennae.
The site is centrally located in the United States on the 105th Meridian which makes it an ideal location for transmitting to and receiving signals from the domestic FSS inventory. The site is within 65 miles of a major air traffic transportation hub and is well served by the Interstate Highway system. Terrestrial telecommunications infrastructure serving the area is excellent. The location also can access space segment which is capable of reaching European audiences with Atlantic satellites and Pacific Rim audiences with Pacific satellites. CSU is served by a terrestrial high capacity fiber Internet link to the Boulder Super Computer Center. ADEC/Net will acquire a complementary link to the Center in Boulder which will provide the Internet link for the MCPC Internet uplink.
DESCRIPTION OF PROJECT EQUIPMENT:
Equipment for the ADEC/Net Hub will be purchased and installed in two stages. Stage I installation will provide the Hub with sufficient capabilities to test, calibrate and monitor the network as it begins satellite transmission of digital video, audio and data signals. Stage I will also serve as a training phase for new personnel who will be added to the CSU/ADEC NCC. Installation of the equipment identified for Stage II will allow the network to more fully address the objectives outlined in the Narrative.
RF Equipment: Transmit Facilities:
ADEC/Net must have high quality transmission facilities which are fully dedicated to ADEC/Net use.
1. As stated in the Narrative, ADEC/Net will be providing multiple-channel, 24/7 audio, video and data telecommunication services to its members.
2. ADEC/Net will be providing negotiated contract 24/7 feeds to DBS headends through the ADEC transponder.
DESCRIPTION OF RF TRANSMIT EQUIPMENT TO BE INSTALLED
ADEC/Net Telecommunications Hub -- Fort Collins, Colorado
| ITEM | Stage I (Pre-Test) |
Stage II (Post-Test) |
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| 1. Up-link Antenna | $62,000 | ||||
| Andrews Corp. ES46 Series: Ku-band Gregoriam Feed. Elevation over Azmuth pedestal mount. Transmit/Receive (TX/RX) orthogonal configuration with digital phase stable LNB. Factory equipped with automatic de-ice heaters. Includes eliptiguide waveguide (Approx. 50') and connectors with pressure window and dehydrator. Intelsat type accepted. | |||||
| 2. HPA | $38,000 | ||||
| CPC Corp. 300 TWT with linearizer | |||||
| 3. Up-converter | $12,000 | ||||
| Mitec | |||||
| 4. Fiber Optic RX 70mhz from Network | $700 | ||||
| Control Center (NCC), TX 70mhz feed to up-converter (6 channel 58-88mhz MCPC multiplexed + SCPC) | |||||
| 5. Satellite Fiber Links (RX) | $1,100 | ||||
| Receive LNB L-band signal over multimode fiber to the receive monitoring console at NCC. (750" run on existing fiber) Power splitter (4-way) | |||||
| 6. Integrated Receiver/Decoder (IRD) 2 @ $1500 | $3,000 | ||||
| a. Tuneable to all ADEC MCPC channels b. Tuneable to all ADEC subscriber SCPC channels |
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| 7. Waveform Monitor 2 @ $2000 | $4,000 | ||||
| Tektronix 5120 with rackmount adaptor | |||||
| 8. Spectrum Analyzer | $30,000 | ||||
| 9. Video Monitor | $1,200 | ||||
| Sony PVM 14N1U rack mounted | |||||
| 10. Video Distribution Amplifier | $85 | ||||
| (Installed in existing rack frame) | |||||
| 11. Crown Audio Monitor amp/speaker | $500 | ||||
| Subtotal: | $122,585 | $30,000 | |||
Network Control Center (NCC) Equipment:
The NCC will be serving a complex set of functions which vary considerably from the functions performed by a typical statewide satellite telecommunications ground station facility.
1. ADEC/Net will be receiving source material from many different places, in analog and multiple digital satellite standards and in many different transport modes including Internet I (IP Multicast) and II and mailed delivery of video tape, CD/ROM and digital video disc (DVD). All of this source material must be managed into an aggregated programming schedule for delivery on the ADEC/Net MCPC digital channels.
2. NCC equipment will be dedicated to ADEC/Net use which will include management and monitoring of ADEC programming and the programming of all the ADEC members which have access to the ADEC transponder SCPC common space channels and to the ADEC member 24/7 SCPC or MCPC channels.
DESCRIPTION OF NCC EQUIPMENT TO BE INSTALLED
ADEC/Net Telecommunications Hub -- Fort Collins, Colorado
| ITEM | Stage I (Pre-Test) |
Stage II (Post-Test) |
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| 1. Backhaul Receive Antenna | $13,000 | ||||
| (For Clark Building, A-Wing) C/Ku roof-mounted 4-port feed C/Ku/H/V
with two Ku and two C-band digital phase stable LNBs. Horizon to horizon
motor drive mount. (Note: This receive antenna will supplement the 7 existing antennae which are located at the CSU hub. The total proposed inventory of eight units will provide sufficient flexibility to the satellite reception requirements of CSU and ADEC/Net) |
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| 2. IRDs (Multiple System) 5 @ $1500 | $7,500 | ||||
| DigiCipher, Magnitude, NDS, Wegener, PowerVu (One IRD for each standard used by ADEC members and affiliates, provides turnaround service and monitoring from TX/RX system antenna.) | |||||
| 3. Four-port Power Divider - 5 @ $20 | $100 | ||||
| (Backhaul antenna split) | |||||
| 4. Distribution Amplifiers (DA) 25 @ $85 | $425 | $1,700 | |||
| General purpose video DA (Backhaul antenna and IRD split) |
|||||
| 5. Network IRDs -- 10 @ $1500 | $7,500 | $7,500 | |||
| (6 MCPC, 3 SCPC common space and 1 SCPC tuneable) | |||||
| 6. L-Band Amplifier | $200 | ||||
| (Drives splitters) | |||||
| 7. Spectrum Monitor | $4,500 | ||||
| Tektronic | |||||
| 8. Waveform Monitor -- 2 @ $2000 | $4,000 | ||||
| Tektronic with dual rack mount adaptor | |||||
| 9. Vector Scope | $2,670 | ||||
| Tektronic Model 1720 | |||||
| 10. Triple B/W Monitors -- 7 @ $1800 | $5,400 | $7,200 | |||
| (10/network, 3/receive antenna + Transmit source monitors; 2/Internet II, 2/Beta SP tape and 1/SVHS tape) | |||||
| 11. Dual 9" B/W Monitors -- 2 @ $500 | $1,000 | ||||
| with rackmount adaptor (TX/RX) | |||||
| 12. Audio Follow Video Switchers -- 2 @ $500 | $1,000 | ||||
| 16X1 (TX monitor/RX monitor) | |||||
| 13. Input/Output A/V Master Monitor Switch | $300 | ||||
| 14. Audio Fan/DA | $1,000 | ||||
| 15. Audio/Video Patch 24x24 | $5,000 | ||||
| Switchcraft | |||||
| 16. S-VHS Tape Player | $4,600 | ||||
| JVC BR-S522DX with built-in TBC with rackmount kit. | |||||
| 17. Beta-SP Tape Record/Play | $20,500 | ||||
| Sony BetaCam SP PVW-2800 | |||||
| 18. Beta-SP Tape Play Only -- 2 @ $13,640 | $13,640 | $13,640 | |||
| Sony BetaCam SP PVW-2600 | |||||
| 19. Audio Level and Quality Monitor | $800 | ||||
| Videotek APM 200 | |||||
| 20. Console | $6,000 | ||||
| Stantron | |||||
| Subtotal: | $58,035 | $71,140 | |||
Digital Encoding Equipment:
Provision of the Digital Encoding Equipment for the ADEC/Net hub is critical. Without this equipment, ADEC would be unable to take advantage of the quality, cost efficiencies and flexibility inherent to digital technologies. Continued use of analog space segment for voice, video and data would be cost prohibitive. The digital equipment described in this proposal will provide a platform for the delivery of high quality video programming, IP Multicasting, Internet/WorldWideWeb and audio programming with the capability to add independent interactive services such as 2-way VSAT Internet Service and desktop video teleconferencing in the future.
DESCRIPTION OF DIGITAL ENCODER EQUIPMENT TO BE INSTALLED
ADEC/Net Telecommunications Hub -- Fort Collins, Colorado
| ITEM | Stage I (Pre-Test) |
Stage II (Post-Test) |
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| 1. Digital MCPC Encoder | $230,000 | ||||
| Eight channel encoder chassis. Auxiliary IP data Port - Isochromous. Modulation output QPSK or OQPSK @ 70mhz + 18mhz in 125khz steps | |||||
| 2. Digital MCPC Channel Modules 6 @ $65,000 | $65,000 | $325,000 | |||
| (NOTE: The first digital MCPC channel will provide the capability to test and monitor the network and provide initial ADEC programming to Learning Centers. The five additional channels will provide the capability for the Network to uplink the two ADEC Channels - one programmed for DBS providers and the other programmed for Learning Centers, one channel for Internet bandwidth, one channel for the ADEC/Net default/network control channel and two channels for member programming delivered to ADEC via Internet II for delivery on the ADEC/Net MCPC common space.) | |||||
| 3. Proxi-Server | $7,000 | ||||
| Internet interface for backbone to the MCPC Encoder | |||||
| Subtotal: | $295,000 | $332,000 | |||
| TOTAL ALL: | $475,220 | $433,140 | |||
| $908,360 | |||||
ALLOCATION OF CHANNELS FOR THE MULTIPLE CHANNEL ENCODING SYSTEM:
Digital signals will be transmitted to one or more dedicated full-time Ku-band ADEC/Net transponders. ADEC/Net will initially operate on limited Multiple Channel per Carrier (MCPC) bandwidth which will provide sufficient space for a single channel. This channel will provide for testing of an ADEC aggregated programming schedule and limited multiplexed data for testing of the Internet delivery component.
The Test Stage will also provide for three SCPC 3MHz channels which will be identified as the ADEC SCPC Common Space which will be accessible by ADEC members with digital uplink capability. These three SCPC channels will be scheduled, controlled and monitored through the ADEC/Net NCC at Fort Collins.
The Post-Test Stage will provide approximately 18MHz of MCPC bandwidth occupied by six 24/7 ADEC channels:
Channel One: ADEC/Net Default/Network Control Channel
The NCC will add an ADEC Control Channel shortly after initiation
of the Network. This channel will be a 24/7 video/data channel
within the MCPC segment. This channel will transmit data to all
IRD's system wide, allowing any IRD to be tuned to any channel
automatically (without operator intervention at the receive site)
from the network hub uplink. The tuning data will convey the
limited access code to all IRD's. All IRD's will be programmed
to return/re-tune to the Control Channel in the absences of
tuning information unique to that IRD.
A complete schedule of transponder activity will be available on the WorldWideWeb. The operator will "click" on the scheduled event which will result in the transmission by the hub uplink to the subscriber's IRD the correct codes to automatically select the program channel at the indicated time at the subscriber/member site. Program subscription and selection on the Internet will free the Home Channel for video transmission rather than "marquis" information.
Channel Two: ADEC/DBS Channel
This channel will be used to transmit a fully programmed ADEC
channel to DBS headends in compliance with the FCC Section 25(b)
4% set-aside for delivery of ADEC member programming to the home
and the work-place. The channel may be encrypted if required by
the DBS providers
Channel Three: ADEC Learning Center Channel
This channel be dedicated to the delivery of open channel
scheduled programming directed to the ADEC learning centers and
programming which is generated from CSU. This channel will be
used to turn analog and non-compliant digital signals to the
ADEC/Net digital standard.
Channel Four: Band-width for Internet
This channel will be dedicated to 24/7 transmission of high speed
data for ADEC provided Internet service. Primary users of this
service will be those in rural and isolated areas where access to
high band-width Internet carriers is limited, cost prohibitive or
not available. Return access to the ISP will initially use
terrestrial telephony. The platform will be capable of offering
2-Way VSAT Internet service in the future with the NCC serving as
an Internet Service Provider.
Channel Five: ADEC Common Space Channel
Channel Six: ADEC Common Space Channel
The two ADEC Common Space Channels will provide space for
uplinking ADEC member programming which is delivered for
satellite transmission terrestrially via Internet II.
ADEC anticipates that as demand for channel capacity at the hub/teleport increases, the full Internet channel will be converted to use for transmission of video and the channel will serve as a back-up or Channels One-Five. Internet service will then be multiplexed over the dedicated MCPC bandwidth which may be expanded to accommodate the reconfiguration of the space segment. This may be accomplished with no additions of equipment to the ground segment.
The three 3 MHZ SCPC common space channels which are to be established at Stage I will be available for use by ADEC members which will access the ADEC transponder(s) with SCPC digital uplinks on an occasional use basis. ADEC/Net may reduce the number of SCPC Common Space channels if the Internet II transmission of video programming reduces demand significantly. These channels will be controlled, scheduled and monitored through the ADEC/Net NCC at CSU.
The remaining ADEC/Net space segment will be dedicated to use by individual ADEC members for 24/7 traffic which will be programmed by the owner-members with management oversight and monitoring occurring at the NCC.
Estimated Bandwith: ADEC/Net Transponder
| MCPC Channels One through Six: | 12-18MHz | ||
| SCPC ADEC Common Space: | 3-9 MHz | ||
| SCPC/MCPC Member controlled bandwidth: | 12-24MHz | ||
| (A minimum of 4 - 3MHz SCPC channels have been requested) | |||
| TOTAL Bandwidth Required: | 27-51MHz | ||