Hughes ActiveComms Ecosystem Makes the “Multi-Everything” a Reality
The industry has coalesced around the idea of multi-orbit solutions, multi-service networks and multi-transport technologies combining to enable ubiquitous connectivity. Making the “multi-everything” vision a reality, however, takes more than accessing various transports with a bit of artificial intelligence or cloud computing. It requires three distinct components that, when integrated at every layer, form an ActiveComms Ecosystem (ACE), fulfilling the promise of connectivity that’s both ubiquitous and seamless to the user.
Multi-Orbit & Multi-Transport Connections
A variety of transport capabilities is only the first requirement for realizing the multi-transport vision.
It’s no secret that a single type of transport – or constellation of satellites for that matter – cannot possibly meet the growing demand for connectivity. That’s why a variety of complementary transports is critical for satisfying that demand while also creating opportunity to leverage the best of every one, based on the specific application and/or business requirements. Hughes is uniquely positioned to offer multi-transport service, with a variety of proven combinations for both military use and commercial implementations – including more than 50,000 SD-WAN sites under management. The deployment of a standalone 5G private network for the Navy further exemplifies our commitment to developing innovative solutions that are multi-transport and ready for the impending transition to 5G.
Smart, Enabling Technologies
The second necessity for turning the ‘multi-everything’ concept into a connected reality is smart technologies that unlock the capabilities of multiple transports. As an example, Hughes ActiveTechnologies™ software, is built into our multi-transport terminals and even our JUPITER™ 3 network core. ActiveTechnologies is a proven SD-WAN solution, with over 50,000 global deployments, that transforms ordinary connections into extraordinary, multi-transport networks. This proprietary software facilitates intelligent decision-making to prioritize and route data in the most efficient way possible, including considering application QoS and cost-per-bit, whether that’s over fiber, cable, LTE, LEO or GEO satellite. Similar technology is used for defense applications in the Hughes Terminal Management Agent, which relies on AI-powered rules to interconnect what would otherwise be stove-piped systems.
A brand new electronically steerable antenna (ESA) engineered by Hughes for OneWeb LEO service is the latest innovation in our next-generation technology toolbox. This electronically steerable, phased array antenna is low profile and contains no moving parts, making it ideal for both fixed and mobile connectivity employing the OneWeb constellation – essential to unlocking the power of these solutions, whether LEO-only or part of a multi-orbit or multi-transport solution.
Managed Network Services & Automation
The third element in the multi-everything paradigm is a managed services approach that brings the various transports and enabling technologies together to optimize operations and ensure quality of service. Bandwidth alone simply is not enough anymore – enterprises and operators of all sizes and capabilities need managed network services and network automation to support and optimize their network resources with security, reliability and cloud-accessibility.
It's about using Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning (AI/ML), to make networks smarter and scalable and simplify operations. As an example, new JUPITER System Series 3 terminals, data centers and gateways combine leading edge electronic components and private cloud architecture to integrate the new class of geostationary satellites with terrestrial networks to increase adaptability, boost throughput and reduce latency. Private cloud-delivered network management gives operators anytime, anywhere insight and control over their satellite implementations.
As an industry-recognized leading managed service provider, Hughes enables cloud connectivity, network automation and integration at every layer of the network – from the transport or physical layer to the outroutes and inroutes to the end-to-end layer to the applications themselves. Our resource management system for defense networks is an example of managed network services in action, facilitating seamless GEO and MEO connectivity for aero applications. Similarly, implementations that help bridge the digital divide – like cellular backhaul and community Wi-Fi hotspots – depend on network management for optimal network availability, cost-savings and performance.
Making the whole much greater than the sum of its parts, the ActiveComms Ecosystem sets Hughes solutions apart, fully integrating the transports, enabling technologies and network management to realize the multi-transport vision of a truly connected future. How do you realize the multi-everything future? Let Hughes be the ACE up your sleeve in delivering the networking solutions that achieve your business goals.