What's VSAT?

Technically, VSAT refers to a terrestrial two-way satellite or a maritime stabilized VSAT antenna with an antenna (dish) of less than 3 m in size; in general, the term VSAT is used to designate any two-way Internet terminal via satellite that is not a terrestrial teleport station.

VSAT antennas can be vehicular, marine-stabilized, fixed or portable.

There are many different manufacturers of VSAT hardware in each of the above categories, so each satellite company can design a VSAT according to the specifications of its customers and the requirements of the chosen satellite network.

Satellite networks have their own individual characteristics that vary from network to network, and each network has different antenna sizes and transmission power requirements. Scientific calculations based on geographical location, desired IP data rate, circuit reliability and resilience are called Link Budgets.

The minimum VSAT antenna size to meet the requirements of a particular customer is determined by the link budget calculation of each satellite network operator.

Maritime VSAT antennas have gyroscopic stabilization, so regardless of the vessel's movement, the VSAT antenna "follows" and is accurately pointed at the desired satellite.