Non-GEO Constellations Analysis Toolkit, V3.0 Released by NSR

Northern Sky Research (NSR) has launched Version 3.0 of its Non-GEO Constellations Analysis Toolkit (NCAT3), enhancing the industry-leading evaluation toolset of LEO and MEO satellite constellations. NCAT3 expands the set of NSR-surveyed systems to 72 sub-constellations and doubles benchmarking capability to 100 concurrent shells.

“Hard data drives accurate performance predictions. Coverage and speed characteristics revealed for Starlink and OneWeb closely match metrics previously calculated through NCAT." Carlos Placido, NSR consultant and toolkit lead developer.

Carlos Placido, NSR consultant and toolkit lead developer.

LEO and MEO satellite constellations are a transformative force in space, with both anticipated and unforeseen ramifications to the broader telecommunications industry. “The rapid pace of innovation and dynamism drives the need to be able to simulate new scenarios quickly and evaluate the impact of system modifications”, notes NSR founder and Analysys Mason Partner, Christopher Baugh.

“Hard data drives accurate performance predictions. Coverage and speed characteristics revealed for Starlink and OneWeb closely match metrics previously calculated through NCAT," said Carlos Placido, NSR consultant and toolkit lead developer.

The NSR Non-GEO Constellations Analysis toolkit can benchmark several constellations concurrently. Through programmable, virtual representations of constellations, NCAT3 can be used to understand and predict current and future constellations’ applicability and performance. “The time dimension brought in via input updates takes this toolbox one step closer to digital twins of constellations," Placido said.

NCAT3 datasets, calculations and visualizations include addressability, bandwidth supply-demand, and competitive standing versus terrestrial networks, by leveraging thousands of data points processed through the toolkit’s logic. Version 3.0 includes an expanded constellation dataset, quarterly updates and a growing list of operational and planned gateway stations driving single-hop coverage analysis.

How the Non-GEO Constellations Analysis Toolkit Works

NSR’s Non-GEO Constellations Analysis Toolkit 3.0 (NCAT3) is an assembly of analytical models that x-ray and benchmark LEO and MEO satellite constellations factually. With updateable datasets, configurable filters and user-defined inputs, NCAT3 is a standalone product that may be leveraged in combination with market data and insight extracted from relevant NSR and Analysys Mason research studies.

The data-driven and feature-rich configurable toolset allows factual assessments of non-geostationary orbit (NGSO) satellite constellations across multiple layers including orbital mechanics, business case, addressability, coverage, and capacity supply-demand dynamics for fixed broadband and mobility applications at global, regional or country-levels.

NCAT3 provides in-depth understanding of NGSO SATCOM for both business and technical professionals alike.

(Source: Northern Sky Research news release. Images provided and from file)