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Introduction Meteorological communications in the SW Pacific

AFTN for many years – then it became a charged service in many countries

Countries switched to email – now a problem in most places• Over subscribed for the available capacity• Technical problems within ISPs and connections• Not timely enough for meteorological communications• Huge bills when staff forget to disconnect from dial-up systems• Internet surfing means exposure to viruses• Anti-virus software not kept up to date• Messages dropped

We are now moving to RANET• HF radio digital email• Satellite digital email• Base station established at Melbourne, Australia

Woleai, Yap RANET

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RANET RANET is an “Originator to End User” System

• Designed to provide information to remote communities• Information received via WorldSpace, HF or commercial

satellite receivers• Uses small Community FM Radio Stations to rebroadcast

(not strictly RANET but included in the concept)• Projects include a number of FM solar/hand cranked

radios for community

Information rebroadcast by local Community FM Radio Station…Liku Village, Niue.

Testing at MetService

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WorldSpace satellite broadcast WorldSpace satellite broadcast (receive only)

• Latest Satellite Digital Audio Broadcast Technology• Uses low-cost radio receivers and antennas• Data Interface available for PC or Laptop• Able to send HTML and images at 128 Kps• Data easily viewed using Internet Browser eg. IE6• Will carry the Pacific component of the EMWIN broadcast

in the Asia-Pacific region on AsiaStar satellite

Issues• AsiaStar broadcast not received east

of about 180 degree meridian

Typical WorldSpace outdoors antenna and receiver

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WorldSpace AsiaStar Coverage

AsiaStar Footprint and West Pacific Reception Area

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WorldSpace RANET Product Delivery

WorldSpace AsiaStar Product Delivery

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WorldSpace Equipment Requirements

AsiaStar Footprint and Out of Footprint Costs (excluding PC)

USD 160 In Footprint Costs

USD 160 Out of Footprint CostsUSD 500

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Internet Communications to and from Pacific Country ISPs

Often no Backup System Available• In the event of ISP equipment failure• In the event of Satellite failure eg Intelsat 804• In the event that main satellite has to be “parked” in

strong winds; eg tropical cyclones

There are cost-effective solutions…

Typical ISP satellite coms equipment.

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HF Radio Email What is HF Email? (two way communications)

• Email received and sent via a HF Radio Transceiver • Requires a special radio modem • Modem interfaces to PC or laptop• Software can interface with many applications, e.g.

Outlook Express, our mSTAR automatic weather station

Niue HF email system, quickly installed after TC Heta

Funded by Met Office, UK

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HF Radio Email Why HF Radio Email?

• Cost effective two-way remote communications system• Easy to install and operate• Some Pacific NMS already have suitable HF Radios• Many staff already have HF radio experience

Typical HF radio Email system set-up

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Pacific communications projects(Completed or in progress)

Vanuatu – Siviri Village RANET project Funding agency: NOAA

Vanuatu - HF/VHF radio systems (three locations)

Funding agency:

Met Office, UK

HF/VHF radio system for Vanuatu (under test in NZ)

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EMWIN and RANET Systems

Kiribati

Solomon Islands

Papua New Guinea

Vanuatu

Fiji Tonga

Samoa

Tokelau Is.

Cook Is

Siviri Village, Port Vila, Bauerfield Efate Liku & Hakupu Villages

Hanan Airport Niue

Woleai Atoll, Yap

Tuvalu

EMWIN systems all countries

RANET WorldSpace satellite receiver installed or pending

RANET HF Email / FM radio installed

RANET HF Email / FM radio installations in progress

Iridium Satellite / HF Email systems installed or pending

Nanumea Vaitupu Funafuti Niulakita

Tarawa

KEY

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Pacific RANET Network Design

Pacific RANET Network Design