System Overview

The TracPhone V30 is a complete mini-VSAT Broadband communications system for mariners on the move, delivering a seamless and consistent Internet experience. And it all comes with an antenna that is smaller and lighter than traditional VSAT antennas.  

TracPhone System Diagram

System Diagram

The TracNet hybrid communications system offers satellite, cellular, and Wi-Fi connectivity with intelligent, automatic switching between them.

Basic TracNet System Diagram

The system consists of two main components: 

  • Antenna Unit – Using its integrated GPS, advanced reflector technology, and gyro stabilization, the antenna automatically locates and tracks the correct satellite, even while your vessel is on the move. Its built-in VSAT modem controls satellite selection and processes all incoming and outgoing VSAT data traffic. Its terrestrial communications module (TCM) with integrated high-power cellular antennas and high-gain Wi-Fi antennas offers seamless switching to cellular and shore-based Wi-Fi networks.
  • Below Deck Unit (BDU) – With its built-in router and wireless access point (WAP), the BDU (referred to as the VSAT-HubTracNet Hub+TracNet Hub) provides the onboard local area network (LAN), and its easy-to-use web interface allows you to operate and configure all aspects of the system. Three LEDsA touchscreen on the front panel provides quick access to system status information.

Automatic Connection Switching

KVH’s H-Series Automatic Connection Switching uses an optimal decision process to choose the best gateway from the gateway choices of marina Wi-Fi, Cell, and VSAT. The best gateway is based on a few use cases. The first use case is to switch fast when a gateway is down. The second use case is to honor the hierarchy of gateways, using performance and cost metrics, in this order: Wi-Fi, Cell, then VSAT. The third use case is to switch proactively, moving off a gateway as a gateway degrades, switching before it drops. The final use case is to minimize flapping and thrashing.

Automatic Connection Switching runs continuously in the background, actively and passively observing gateway up time and performance. It uses highly efficient active over-the-air tests that measure latency, jitter, and packet failure to create a truly representative profile of the gateway. Oftentimes gateways will fail before the website you are trying to reach, and our active tests measure that effect. Passive tests observe gateway state, and combined with active tests, creates a robust model of each gateway. Tests are fed to a decision algorithm that uses a variety of methods to predict the best choice, knowing the past history and state of the gateway. The decision engine has a memory and models the behavior, using it to predict the best choice.

Connection Switching is designed to be user-friendly, allowing you to switch between manual and automatic modes gracefully. When you switch to automatic mode, it already knows the best connection prior to you switching to automatic mode. Automatic mode can be used all the time, unless you want to deliberately use a specific gateway.

In addition, you have the option to add an external gateway to the TracNet system to serve as an alternate or backup connection. In automatic mode, the alternate connection will be used whenever it is available, and the backup connection will be used only when no other gateway is available.

Satellite Communications

Communications satellites are located in fixed positions above the Earth’s equator and relay data to/from the earth within the regions that they serve. Therefore, to communicate via a given satellite, you must be located within that satellite’s unique coverage area, also known as its “footprint.”

To view the latest VSAT service coverage map, visit www.kvh.com/tracphonemapswww.kvh.com/tracnetmaps.

Example of a Satellite Footprint

Satellite Footprint

In addition, since satellites are located 35,900 km (22,300 miles) above the equator, the antenna must have a clear view of the sky to transmit and receive signals. Anything that stands between the antenna and the satellite can block signals, resulting in lost data. Common causes of blockage include the following:

  • Trees, buildings, cranes, and bridges
  • Other vessels docked alongside your vessel
  • Onboard masts, antennas, or other structures
  • Inclement weather conditions

Example of Satellite Blockage

Blockage Example

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