The European Space Agency (ESA) has awarded a contract to develop commercial IP multicast services over satellite to a consortium that includes Inmarsat, EMS, Logical CMG , GateHouse and Livewire Digital Ltd.

Livewire Digital Ltd. are responsible for the implementation of the “Radio Access Network’ (RAN), the kernel component that models the IAI2 protocols and resource allocation algorithms at the Satellite Access Station (SAS).

As part of a phased development, extending the Inmarsat BGAN protocols, the project will lead to a Micro-SAS offering unicast and multicast services to a population of multicast enabled BGAN terminals operating over leased capacity. 

IP-Multicast over satellite has many key markets including the government, defence and maritime sectors. Key applications include:

Netted voice (push to talk net radio)
Situational awareness provision
Netted data services, supporting data-intensive collaborative tools, cash server updates, and software and database updates to remote devices. 
Weather & Chart updates

Livewire Digital Ltd. has been instrumental in the development of the Inmarsat BGAN service, providing the type approval systems to the BGAN terminal manufactures, undertaking analysis projects and implementing proof of concept systems.
In parallel to the BGAN R&D developments, Livewire has designed a range of market leading applications for the broadcast industry offering Live and Store & Forward delivery of media over BGAN.
   
Tristan Wood, Managing Director of Livewire Digital, said: “The Micro-SAS is a very exciting project, presenting many technical challenges and commercial opportunities. We are delighted to be working with ESA and Inmarsat on these leading edge technologies”