VSAT stands for Very Small Aperture Terminal. It is a small telecommunication earth station that receives and transmits real-time data via satellite. A VSAT transmits signals to orbital satellites which are then transmitted to different hubs around the world.
Role of VSAT in Maritime Industry
VSAT technology was an instant boon for the maritime industry. It changed the business phase of maritime operations with modernization.
In earlier times, when a ship disembarked from a port, it was disconnected from the global communication system. With VSAT implemented on ships, crew and passengers are now connected to:
High-speed Internet services
Telephone communication
Weather monitoring
Filing regulatory documents
Ordering supplies from sea to save port time
This increases productive hours and enhances business intelligence.
Types of Data Transmitted by VSAT
VSATs are most commonly used to transmit:
Narrowband Data
Includes point of sale transactions such as credit card, polling or radio-frequency identification (RFID) data, or supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) data.
Broadband Data
Includes satellite Internet access, Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP), or video streaming.
Frequency Bands in Maritime VSAT
Maritime VSAT services normally operate at Ku-band and C-band for the commercial market.
Ku-band: Microwave frequencies between 12–18 GHz, commonly used with antennas ranging from 60 cm to 1.5 m.
C-band: Frequencies between 4–8 GHz, typically requiring larger antennas (up to 2.4 m).
VSAT services rely on satellites at GEO orbital locations, requiring stabilized antennas for tracking ship movement.
VSAT System Components
A remote maritime VSAT system typically consists of two parts:
Above Deck Unit (ADU): Includes the antenna and transceiver placed inside a radome.
Below Deck Unit (BDU): Controls the antenna from inside the ship.
Bandwidth and Sharing
Ships often share bandwidth with others, which can provide basic service but limits large data transfers.
Guaranteed Bandwidth
Operations in offshore, cruise, and exploration segments require large data. VSAT ensures guaranteed bandwidth for reliable broadband-speed transmission of data and voice.
Contention Ratios
The contention ratio is the number of users sharing available bandwidth. It shows how many subscribers share fixed network bandwidth.
Committed Information Rate (CIR)
In shared environments, CIR ensures a minimum guaranteed bandwidth for each user.
CIR = average or minimum guaranteed bandwidth
BIR/MIR = theoretical maximum bandwidth available if free capacity exists
Innovation and Future of Maritime VSAT
Maritime operators are realizing the value of VSAT for profitability and market advantage. Data rates are increasing, allowing for streaming and bandwidth-heavy applications.
Industry Trends
High Throughput Satellite (HTS) operators introducing next-gen maritime operations.
Compact terminals and antennas improving hardware economics.
Application developers rolling out tools for safer and more productive operations.
Maritronics has a fleet of updated hardware systems for maritime services. They provide VSAT systems for various vessels worldwide.
You can contact Maritronics to learn more about Marine VSAT Service Suppliers in Dubai and how these can be implemented on your vessels.
When VSAT Is the Right Fit