A single reception station can potentially receive all the data being transmitted from one communications satellite, independent of the data provider.
Important Note: Upgrade of EUMETCast Europe 2nd Transponder to the full capacity
Overview of Reception Station Requirements
A typical EUMETCast reception station comprises a standard PC, a DVB reception device (internal or external), and a satellite off-set antenna fitted with a digital universal V/H LNB for Ku-band, or fitted with a circular polarisation feedhorn, bandpass filter and special LNB for C-band.
For detailed instructions for the orientation of the Satellite antenna please read EUMETCast, Satellite Antenna Pointing Guide.
To decode and decrypt the EUMETCast data stream, EUMETCast Client Software and EUMETCast Key Unit (EKU) are also required.
The cost of EUMETCast reception stations is kept to a minimum by using industry open standards to the maximum extent possible, resulting in an adaptable front-end solution to users' applications. For further information on purchasing station equipment, contact a manufacturer.
In addition to the front-end equipment, EUMETCast Client Software and EKU, data processing software will be required. These software applications are commercially available — for further information, contact a relevant manufacturer or EUMETSAT.
Reception station set-ups for individual services
We currently operate two EUMETCast broadcasts: EUMETCast Europe in Ku-band via EUTELSAT 10A and EUMETCast Africa in C-band via EUTELSAT 5 West A.
An overview of the reception devices and setup needed for each service is noted below. For full details on all set ups please read TD 15: EUMETCast — Broadcast System for Environmental Data (PDF, 3 MB)
For locations not covered by the plots in the below or any other queries contact our User Service Helpdesk.
EUMETCast Europe
EUMETCast Europe is operated using the DVB-S2 standard. The following table shows the transponder parameters.
| Parameter | Transponder 1 | Transponder 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Name | EUTELSAT 10A | EUTELSAT 10A |
| Transponder | C4 | C10 |
| Down Link Frequency | 11262.500 MHz | 11387.500 MHz |
| Symbol Rate | 33000 kS/s | 33000 kS/s |
| Polarisation | Horizontal | Horizontal |
| Roll-Off | 5% | 5% |
| Transmission Standard | DVB-S2, VCM mode | DVB-S2, CCM mode |
| MODCOD 1 — Basic Service | 8PSK3/5 MPE transport stream (TS) ISI=1 max 55 Mbps info bit rate (at TS level) max 50 Mbps IP data rate |
No Basic Service |
| MODCOD 2 — High Volume Service | 16APSK2/3 MPE transport stream (TS) ISI=1 max 85 Mbps info bit rate (at TS level) max 77 Mbps IP data rate |
16APSK2/3 MPE transport stream (TS) ISI=1 max 85 Mbps info bit rate (at TS level) max 77 Mbps IP data rate |
| Remarks | The same ISI value will be used for the Basic Service and High Volume Service. This allows the simultaneous reception of both services with one DVB receiver. If the receiver supports the full data rate, there is only one DVB receiver needed for a full single transponder. |
New parameters effective 3 July 2017. |
Satellite footprint and recommended antenna sizes
The footprint (Figure 1) illustrates the general coverage of the new service. The required antenna sizes depend on reception station location, the EIRP, the typical weather patterns and the selected DVB-S2 parameters (e.g. MODCOD, Symbolrate).
Figure 1: EUTELSAT 10A Satellite Coverage
Basic Service
The Basic Service can be received with minimum specified antennas in most areas across the footprint (see Antenna Sizes and Availability for the Basic Service (8PSK3/5) and the High Volume Service (16APSK2/3).
The plots show the yearly availability taking into account typical weather patterns for standard antenna sizes. Professional users should aim for 99.98% availability.
For best performance we recommend using the latest version of the EUMETCast client software.
An updated EUMETCast DVD can be ordered from our Helpdesk. New users will automatically receive the new package upon registration.
For existing users this package is also available via EUMETCast and is disseminated twice every day at 05:25 and 17:25 UTC on the 'Info-Channel-1'.
The package will be delivered into a sub-directory called 'tellicast-client-pre-release' on the EUMETCast station and consists of several zip and tar archive files and installation instructions.
High Volume Service
For the High Volume Service larger antennas are required. An antenna size for 99.98% or better availability is recommended (see Antenna Sizes and Availability for the Basic Service (8PSK3/5) and the High Volume Service (16APSK2/3).), although with clear sky conditions even the Basic Service antennas might be usable.
Due to the very high throughput of the channels delivering large files this might create losses for machines with limited RAM availability and/or slow I/O disk performances.
To prevent loss of reception we recommend:
- Stand alone reception stations are recommended (with no Virtual Systems or Network-attached storage).
- 64bit CPU.
- 64bit operating system (Linux, Windows)
- 4 GB RAM or larger
- 1GB network interfaces (for DVB router and LAN)
- USB 2.0 (for EKU)
- Latest EUMETCast (Tellicast) client software
An updated EUMETCast DVD can be ordered from our Helpdesk. As with the Basic Service new users will automatically receive the new package upon registration. For existing users this package is also available via EUMETCast and is disseminated twice every day at 05:25 and 17:25 UTC on the 'Info-Channel-1'. The package will be delivered into a sub-directory called 'tellicast-client-pre-release' on the EUMETCast station and consists of several zip and tar archive files and installation instructions.
EUMETCast Africa
EUMETCast Africa is operated using the DVB-S standard in C-band. The following table shows the transponder parameters.
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Name | EUTELSAT® 5 WEST A |
| Transponder | C02 |
| Down Link Frequency | 3731.7570 MHz |
| Symbol Rate | 11.963 MS/s |
| FEC | 2/3 |
| Polarisation | Circular Left Hand |
Satellite footprint and recommended antenna sizes
The footprint (Figure 2) illustrates the general coverage of the service. The required antenna sizes depend on reception station location, the EIRP, the typical weather patterns and the selected DVB-S parameters (e.g. MODCOD, Symbol Rate).
Figure 2: EUTELSAT 5 West A Coverage
Antenna size recommendations providing sufficient rain margin in C-band are based on EUMETSAT experience, scaled from antenna sizes used at EUMETSAT (top value of each band).
How to use the table below: read the satellite EIRP value from the coverage map and select the corresponding antenna size. For antenna elevations below 15° use next lower EIRP value.
| 41 | – |
| 40 | – |
| 39 | 2.40 |
| 38 | 2.69 |
| 37 | 3.02 |
| 36 | 3.39 |
| 35 | 3.80 |
| 34 | 4.27 |
| 33 | 4.79 |
| 32 | 5.37 |
| 31 | 6.03 |
| 30 | 6.76 |
EUMETCast Terrestrial
EUMETCast Terrestrial will multicast satellite data in Europe via the National Research and Education Network (NRENs) and the GÉANT infrastructure. Only organisations eligible for access to a NRENs can access the service, if the NREN supports multicasting.
The terrestrial service will re-use components familiar to users of the EUMETCast satellite service and then, as for EUMETCast satellite, subscribes to the related multicast channels to receive the data.
This is based on the same:
- Reception station requirements (without front-end antenna requirements).
- Reception software and access control via usage of EKUs.
- Helpdesk and user support.
- Support to Data Policy endorsement.
The prerequisites are that that NREN is multicast enabled and cooperates with the GÉANT Association.
Each user site interested in the EUMETCast Terrestrial service will also be responsible for:
- Eligibility and bandwidth subscription to their NREN.
- Implementation of their reception station as well as their internal local data routing.
The demonstration service comprises a sub-set of Copernicus Sentinel-3A marine data and products.
Devices
The following table shows, in alphabetic order, information provided by industry on devices that they state to be compliant with above requirements. The devices that are already used by EUMETSAT are marked.
Please note that this list will change over time as industry might provide updated information or suggest additional devices. Therefore, we recommend you consult this web page regularly.
| Company Name | Model | Type | EUMETCast Service Support | OS Support | Further info by Company | EUMETCast Setup Info | Used by EUM |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ayecka | Ayecka SR1 | Router/ LAN | EUMETCast Europe (BS & HVS), Africa | All | Ayecka SR1 Satellite Receiver | SR1 Setup Guide (v4A) | Yes |
| Newtec | EL940 IP Satellite Receiver is not available any more, replaced by MDM6000 | Router/ LAN | EUMETCast Europe (BS & HVS), Africa | All | - | EL940 Setup Guide (v1F) | Yes |
| Newtec | MDM6000 (successor of EL940) | Router/ LAN | EUMETCast Europe (BS & HVS), Africa | All | Newtec MDM6000 Satellite Modem | MDM6000 Setup Guide (v1F) | Yes |
| Novra | Novra S300E or S300N | Router/ LAN | EUMETCast Europe (BS & HVS), Africa | All | Novra S300E Satellite Receiver | S300 Setup Guide (v2D) | Yes |
| Omicom | Pro Omicom 16/32 PSK | PCI Card | EUMETCast Europe (BS & HVS), Africa | Windows, Linux | Omicom Pro 16/32 APSK PCI | Omicom Windows Setup Guide (v1C) For Linux Guide contact Email |
Yes |
| TBS | TBS 6925/6983 Both Satellite Receivers are not available any more, replaced by TBS 6903/6908 | PCIe | EUMETCast Europe (BS & HVS), Africa | Windows, Linux | TBS-6925 TBS-6983 |
TBS-6925/ 6983 Windows Setup Guide (v1E) TBS DVB-S2 Receivers EUMETCast LINUX Setup Guide (v2) |
Yes |
| TBS | TBS 6903 TBS 6908 |
PCIe | EUMETCast Europe (BS & HVS), Africa | Windows, Linux | TBS-6903 Professional DVB-S2 Dual Tuner Card TBS-6908 Professional DVB-s2 Quad Tuner Card |
TBS-6903/6908 Windows Setup Guide (v2) TBS DVB-S2 Receivers EUMETCast LINUX Setup Guide (v2) |
Yes |
| TBS | TBS 5925 | USB | EUMETCast Europe (BS & HVS), Africa | Windows, Linux | TBS-5925 Satellite Receiver | TBS-5925 Windows Setup Guide (v1F) TBS DVB-S2 Receivers EUMETCast LINUX Setup Guide (v2) |
Yes |
| The following device with STV0903BAC demodulator chip support only 8PSK MODCODs | |||||||
| TechniSat | Skystar 2 HD — Has been discontinued | PCIe | EUMETCast Europe (BS), Africa | Windows | Skystar 2 eXpress HD | SKYSTAR 2 HD PCIe WINDOWS BS Setup Guide (v1B) | Yes. Note Basic Service reception only |
| The following Device supports only C-band | |||||||
| Technotrend | S2-4100 | PCIe | EUMETCast Africa | Windows, Linux | Technotrend S2-4100 Tuner Card | Technotrend S2-4100 Linux Setup Guide (v1) Windows setup guide is not yet Available |
Yes |