Learn about Globalstar’s Bent Pipe and Path Diversity Satellite Technology – Globalcom

Globalstar’s Bent Pipe and Path Diversity Satellite Technology

How is Globalstar able to provide such dependable communications? Here are a number of reasons why Globalstar has such exceptional service and coverage.

LEO Globalstar Satellites use “Bent Pipe” Technology

Globalstar uses a Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite constellation made up of 48 satellites. Combining (LEO) satellites with Globalstar’s Bent Pipe Technology allow for communication signal to travel a relatively short distance which prevents dropped calls and periods of no service. The way the technology works the signal or call would travel up from the Globalstar satellite phone or terminal to the 48 satellite constellation then down to a Globalstar ground station then travel to its call destination by landline. Globalstar’s main competitor Iridium uses a different technology to deliver the call. An Iridium call may travel through multiple satellites before being transmitted down to an Iridium ground station where it would then travel to its call destination by landline. Because the Iridium may travel a long distance before reaching its call destination the use may experience echo, time delay or a higher occurrence of dropped calls. This would all depend on environmental factors and the distance to which the call had to travel. Globalstar on the other hand uses a technology which shortens the distance the call must travel allowing for dependable communication free from echo and time delay. The disadvantage to Globalstar’s technology is that it can only offer global regional coverage because the user must by in range of the Globalstar gateway to be able to communicate. The LEO satellites are slow low the curvature of the earth would block the line of site between the user, the satellite and the ground station if the ground station is to far way from the satellite the user would be using. Iridium satellite technology uses a different approach by passing the call from Iridium satellite to Iridium satellite which would not need a ground station in the region of the earth the user is located. There are advantages and disadvantages to both products. That is why at GlobalCom we first find the needs of the customer and recommend a product that would best meet their needs.

Path Diversity Technology

Globalstar uses a patented method of signal reception called Path Diversity which permits the combining of multiple signals of varying power into one coherent signal. A user of the Globalstar phone can operate the phone without a problem with a signal satellite in view. Typically two to four satellites can be overhead at any one time. Users can communicate with as many as three satellites simultaneously. Using a rake receiver the signal from these multiple satellites can be combined into a single static free signal. The Globalstar satellite phone or terminal has an average power output range of between 50-300 mw the phone will alter the power levels to compensate for shadowing and interference as needed.

The Globalstar satellite constellation is constantly in motion moving in and out of view. The user will be seamlessly added to and removed from the satellites while on an active call which will reduce the risk of the call being interrupted. This allows the Globalstar system to provide a fewer dropped calls.

Larry N.

Last week, I was in an isolated location, quite far from any people or means to communicate with the outside world should an accident occur. I am a fly fishing enthusiast who takes a number of trips during the year to very remote locations where no cellular service is available. I decided to purchase your Globalstar Satellite Phone to take with me on these trips in case of an emergency. Last week, I was in an isolated location, quite far from any people or means to communicate with the outside world should and accident occur. I tested the Globalstar Satellite Phone and wanted you to know how well it works. It has remarkable clarity, and the weight of the phone is quite satisfactory for my fly vest. Your company should find a way to spread the message out to other fly fishermen so that they can get the same protection.

Sincerely,
Larry N.

Katy

To Whom it May Concern:

Enclosed please find the returned international satellite phone. He informed me that it worked perfectly in Argentina. Thank you for your assistance.

Sincerely
Katy
Roger Engemann Company

Donna Quinn

Dear Globalcom,

Your equipment was just wonderful. Dr. Bujnoski had no problems, and your are now in receipt of the returned phone. Today I called your office just to verify that, and asked to be sure and send the itemized bill to us as another doctor used the phone on this trip to Tanzania, and we will need his portion of the calls separated out so that he can reimburse Dr. B. Your office was very polite and we were told that the bill will not be received to your office until the middle of next month. This is fine by us, just as long as we do get a copy of the itemization after you have received it. Thank you again for the assistance and the great service and equipment, and we will recommend your company to other clients we have going to Africa with us.

Most sincerely,
Donna Quinn

Mike B.

I recently went fly-fishing in Ascension Bay Mexico and brought along my Globalstar phone. I recently went fly-fishing in Ascension Bay Mexico and brought along my Globalstar phone. Cameras should have been there to see the smiles on everyone who used it, able to talk to their families and friends with crystal clear sound from a remote area of the world. Several of the folks who used the phone said they were going to go out and buy them. Just wanted to cheer you folks on – it’s a great system and hope that it takes off soon!

Mike B.

Sgt. Steve Jones

Dear GlobalCom,

I just wanted to drop a line about your products and service. I was recently deployed overseas to a remote area. I needed a reliable way to keep in touch with my family so I purchased a Globalstar phone from your company. I was impressed with the great service you provided in getting the item to me in a timely manner. This was extremely important due to the rapid deployment I was facing. After I arrived in theatre a family medical emergency arose stateside. Through the use of your product I was able to coordinate a rapid extraction from the remote area and expedite my travel arrangements back to the States.

>Thank you for providing such outstanding products and service, without it I wouldn’t have been there when my family needed me most.

Sincerely,
Sgt. Steve Jones
United States Air Force

Sarah

Dear GlobalCom,

I was sure you would like the original paperwork on the purchase we made. I also wanted to thank you for all the time you took giving me the information on the services you offer. It really made a big difference to me that you were able to give me such personal and attentive service. I appreciate it.

Sincerely,
Sarah
Beaty Construction

E. Moore

The captain has decades of experience in Alaskan waters and can navigate even the most remote areas. And that’s exactly where we headed–> remote, remote, remote. We set off for Alaska, the Juneau area, & boarded an 85′ charter boat. We brought our Globalstar phone and from anywhere, at anytime, the phone was used for a variety of purposes (mostly for daily business decisions, family contact, etc). The clarity of the phone was outstanding. We have ZERO complaints. Absolutely a wonderful service. Regardless of movement or speed, there was no hesitation in the service, nor did we (at any time) say “Hello! Hello! Can you hear me?” as is commonplace with cell phones. But the most immediately rewarding benefit of the phone was provided by life’s circumstances. It happened that we anchored in a “no one will ever find it” cove for the night. The captain lowered the anchor via remote switches & we set our sights on harvesting shrimp. Yes, we pulled up shrimp the next day… but what wouldn’t come up was the anchor. Somehow, it had wrenched itself in the depths below & no amount of strain, backing up, or re-positioning, could loosen the grip. The tremendous force placed upon the pulley strained the heavy chain… so strained that it busted and snapped the pulley at the bow… also damaged the bow. The only solution was to saw the chain, place a bouy on it, & hope for recovery on the next trip out. Enter: Globalstar phone. The tooling of a new pulley, housing, and bow re-enforcement would take approximately four days, which was two days beyond our re-docking and the entry of a new group which had chartered the boat. That is a situation no Captain or boarding guest takes pleasure in greeting. Several calls were made (to & fro) to tool replacements… sizing questions… measurements…a trek in finding the right man, with the right talent (with the time on his hands) to fix the problem. The task, however, was accomplished. The unit was overnighted by air from California to Alaska… it awaited the Captain as we pulled into harbor. Granted, it took some sweat to switch out the units & do the repairs, but the oncoming new guests were never the wiser. There was no lost time, no lost income, no alternate accommodation costs. In general conversation, it was decided that the phone would clearly have paid for itself resolving just that one instance. Additionally, the business use of the phone (owner-to-business site) reaped substantial rewards. And for the ladies? Constant contact with house & children sitters was an absolute comfort. I will never fret over a dropped call. Just a story about life, and about how Globalstar made it better. The benefits of remote communication cannot be undervalued. It certainly has proved its value to me.

E. Moore

Bob

Dear GlobalCom,

I want to take this time to thank you for your assistance in obtaining this phone and service. It has been a seamless transaction and your professionalism as well as your personal attention to our needs especially in making this so easy for my wife is worthy of recognition.

My son received the phone in Baghdad yesterday and was able to talk to his wife for more than just a few minutes for the first time in over 7 months when he deployed to the gulf. In fact they talked for nearly an hour. He called me this morning and he was so upbeat, this alone made every penny we have and will spend a value that will not be surpassed for a long, long time.

The quality of our conversation also far surpassed my expectations, there was no delay what so ever and he might as well have been next door the quality was so good. I want you to know that your efforts have had such a huge and positive impact on people you don’t even know and we are grateful that you were put in our path to help us during this most difficult time of separation.

My son is very much my hero but I would have you stand next to him any day of the week, you to have become a hero in the lives of so many people that you will never meet but you should feel good about yourself and proud of yourself for being an honest, hard working and enjoyable American. Thank you, I hope some day I have the opportunity to give you some portion of what you have given me, my son, my family and his family.

If you ever plan to come to the greater Sacramento area please do not hesitate to call me, I would be more than happy to arrange a comp stay for you here. Thank you Hobert, thank you!!

Bob
Doubletree Hotel

Tohber

Dear Sir

A word about the missing battery. Presently it is at the bottom of the Little Current Lake north of Nabina Ontario, Canada. Above it, in the log-pile is my pinned canoe. While making the call with your satellite phone to arrange for helicopter pick-up, the water-proof phone box started to roll off the log-pile, dumping some of its contents which included the spare battery. Without the satellite phone I would still be in the bush in Ontario.

Yours
Tohber
Birmingham

John Madden

There’s a lot of land between California and New York, and cell phones just don’t work everywhere. I’ve tried Globalstar in the middle of nowhere, and it sounds great – like a regular phone. This phone works when I need it.

John Madden,
NFL football analyst

T. Herndon

This is T. Herndon and I wanted to let you know how your phone worked for me and my hunting trip.The phone was used marginally during the first part of our trip to Alaska but when the bush pilot company didn’t pick us up it was used a lot more. Imagine being us, out there 300 miles from civilization and not knowing if we were going to be picked up! Well, without the sat phone that is exactly where we would have been. The pilot finally got us on Monday afternoon (we were supposed to be picked up on the Saturday before at 11 am and we were picked up on Mon. at 2 pm!)With your phone we kept in contact with all four of our more than upset wives, and children.
Summer, tell all of your people thanks for a job well done!

T. Herndon
Arizona Outfitter

James

Dear GlobalCom,

The telephone was very useful in the middle of Neirgian Bay, Canada! It sure worked well and we’re very pleased. It’s nice to know technology can be at your finger tips in remote areas!

Thank you for the use!

James

susan

Dear GlobalCom,

Enclosed is the satellite phone I rented for John. Thank you for your assistance with this rental, we were very happy with the service you have provided.

Sincerely,
Susan
The Pepsi Bottling Group

Eric L.

There was no paging or cellular service, so I used the Globalstar phone to call the marina and lake patrol to ask if there were any reported incidents. My Globalstar phone came in handy last weekend while on a houseboat on Lake Mojave, NV. First, my friend’s wife was debating whether or not to go on the trip because she would be leaving their 15 month old daughter with her parents for three days and they would have no way to contact each other should their be a problem. I reminded them that I would have my Globalstar phone with me and they could use it to check in with her parents whenever they wanted to. She agreed to go and used the phone several times (she now wants one). The second incident came when a friend, who took a jet ski to the marina for “provisions,” was an hour overdue. Many of the 16 people on the houseboat became worried and debated whether or not we should pack up and go on a search and rescue. There was no paging or cellular service, so I used the Globalstar phone to call the marina and lake patrol to ask if there were any reported incidents. There were none, but they notified the patrol to be on the lookout for our wayward friend. Fifteen minutes later, he showed up and all was well. Just a couple of “real world” situations where Globalstar service proved its worth.

Eric L.

Karen

Dear GlobalCom,

Enclosed is the satellite phone we recently rented. The phone worked great and I appreciate all the help you provided in getting it to me on short notice.

Please feel free to call me if you have any questions.

Thanks again,
Karen
Champion Elevators

Mick

Dear GlobalCom,

Enclosed is the Iridium satellite phone, data kit and solar panel we leased from you. I’ll be faxing the paperwork for purchase of the RBGAN unit today.

I really appreciate your help throughout our Iraq adventure and will certainly call you again if we need any other equipment.

Best Wishes,
Mick
The Providence Journal Company

Michael L.

Just flip up the antenna and talk…from anywhere! As an experienced user of satellite telephone services, I can say one thing about GlobalStar. It is not a satellite phone, it’s cellular on steroids! The new “GStar” works just like my cellular phone. No setup required! Just flip up the antenna and talk…from anywhere! Also, the service provides clear connections without the onerous delay associated with most satellite services and no echoes. Just like cellular. The price is reasonable, too!

Michael L.