iBroadcast: Remote Uplink Case Study

A major UK satellite broadcaster were looking to replace their proprietary, vendor specific remote control and monitoring (RC&M) software with a configurable, off-the-shelf solution.

The proprietary software required recurring expenditure and did not offer the level of configuration and control the broadcaster desired.

Astec, a leading supplier of integrated software solutions, implemented a solution utilising the core of their flagship product, iBroadcast. The base functionality of iBroadcast offered all of the advantages of a dedicated, proprietary software package, but did not require specialist coding knowledge.

Along with remote monitoring and control of the uplinks, the system offers a full site failover and site selection capability. Astec provided functionality for the monitoring, logging and trending of the major performance indicators, which give the broadcaster the ability to see in detail where their operation could benefit from proactive activity, and reduced costs associated with completing unnecessary scheduled maintenance.

The system is incredibly reliable and operates 24/7, 365-days a year. The broadcaster now has a complete overview of both the physical condition of their equipment and the quality of their broadcast output, with no reliance on Astec engineers.

The implemented system has significantly reduced the workload of the operators and has led to the broadcaster entirely automating one of their physical uplink sites.

Through the failover systems, detailed trending, and environmental controls provided in the software package, the broadcaster has been able to reduce costs and further guarantee both the integrity and the quality of their broadcast output.

www.astecsolutions.com

This article is also available to read at BFV online here, page 19.

(JP/LM)