ST Engineering iDirect launches cloud-native satellite ground system for customer testing

Oct. 10, 2024
Intuition integrates Global Bandwidth Management (GBWM), enabling service providers to offer optimized service-level agreements.

HERNDON, Va. - ST Engineering iDirect in Herdon, Va. announced the availability of Intuition's new cloud-native, software-defined ground system designed for multi-orbit satellite networks for customer testing and integration.

The Intuition platform aims to transform the deployment of satellite networks and the delivery of connectivity services. It combines ST Engineering iDirect's established technologies with cloud-based, multi-orbit solutions, allowing customers to scale their operations.

This initial release precedes a full launch planned for 2025 and gives customers the opportunity to test Intuition within their own networks. The goal is to enable faster adoption of the platform's high-performance features, which build on the company’s existing innovations in mobility and bandwidth management.

Related: Türksat selects ST Engineering iDirect for ground-based technology for its SATCOM system

The platform supports cloud migration by allowing customers to familiarize themselves with its hub compute rack (DCR) infrastructure in a private cloud environment, offering greater flexibility in network processing.

The system’s network management system (NMS) is built on a microservices architecture with standards-based APIs, supporting hundreds of thousands of terminals. It provides a detailed view of network performance, usage, and health, enabling data-driven decisions through a single interface.

Intuition enhances mobility applications with faster beam mapping for optimized beam selection and domain-based automatic beam switching (D-ABS), allowing seamless network transitions. 

Related: Lockheed Martin opens satellite operations center test bed

Additionally, Intuition integrates Global Bandwidth Management (GBWM), enabling service providers to offer optimized service-level agreements—a key feature for global operators. Customers can also use Intuition’s infrastructure and modems to assess the lifecycle of their current technology and make informed decisions on adoption strategies.

"No two customers will use Intuition the same way," said Don Claussen, CEO of ST Engineering iDirect. "This initial release is a critical first step that empowers our customers to plan more effectively and rapidly integrate Intuition within their unique network environments. We're committed to working with our customers to develop tailored strategies that maximize the return on their investments, ensuring long-term growth in today's competitive landscape."

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