Dana wrote:
[snip]

> As for the delay, that will still be there, as you have to get up and back
> to the satellite, On VSATS in the field and my own satellite connection at
> the house here in Alaska, I have seen delays up to 2 doing ping.

If done properly routing in the satellite will half the delay.

Previous systems did it one of two ways.

1. Subscribe A to satellite and the satellite broadcast the data to
everyone.
2. Or Subscriber A to satellite, satellite forwards data to a military
base somewhere. The routing computer at the military base decides
which one of its satellites to send the data to. Base sends data
to satellite and the satellite forwards data to Subscriber B.
This requires four 36,000 mile hops and 4 radio frequencies.

The new satellite appears to contain its own routing computer.
New way. Subscriber A to satellite. Satellite examines the Call
Request and looks in its data base for Subscriber B. If B is
within the foot print then the satellite calls Subscriber B.
This requires two 36,000 mile hops and 2 radio frequencies.

The is only a small advantage in having tactical routers but big
advantages in strategic and logistics routers. The front line
Lieutenant can send an email back to the USA.

Andrew Swallow