Satellite Communication Systems On-Board Spanish Oceanographic Vessels: Performance and Optimization Analysis

This article describes the architecture of two broadband satellite communication systems using a Very Small Aperture Terminal which have been installed on two Spanish oceanographic research vessels. The potential use, equipment and their characteristics are studied and compared. Analysing four parameters (jitter, round time trip, package loss and throughput), system configuration has been modified from the launch until the final optimization in order to improve TCP/IP based communications. The hardware selection is fundamental to the successful implantation of the systems, which has to guarantee the quality of satellite services. Satellite channels can affect TCP/IP protocols, but these difficulties were overcome with correct system configuration. Despite the service being operated correctly, several tests had to be done periodically to improve it and check the satellite service conditions. After the optimization of equipment configuration and network parameters on VSAT links of both vessels, effective and stable links have been obtained for web navigation and VPN communication.