MIDAS Functions

Low total cost of ownership--Ability to efficiently use satellite
　resources with small RF and antenna sizes provides for very efficient 　space segment utilization as well as inexpensive hub and remote
　equipment.
Flexible and scaleable-Architecture allows optimization of network
　price/performance on a site-by-site basis.
Reliable --Based on field-proven technology.
Quality of service (QoS)-Metrics are integral to the MIDAS system.
Multi-Service Platform-Wide variety of applications on a single
　infrastructure.
Investment protection-Interfaces with industry standard SCPC equipment.
　Easily accommodates changing user requirements and emerging
　technologies.
Full mesh connectivity--MIDAS supports single-hop connectivity between
　network sites.
Multiple grades of service--Dynamic allocation of satellite bandwidth and
　power from a pool allows multiple grades of services o is provided for
　applications with different requirements. MIDAS supports:
Fully-configurable circuit characteristics
　　　Data rates (2.4kbit/s to 155.52 Mbit/s)
　　　Encoding (Viterbi, Sequential, R=1/2, 2/3, 5/6, 7/8; Reed-Solomon)
　　　Modulation schemes (BPSK, QPSK, 8PSK, 16QAM)
　　　Terrestrial interfaces (EIA-232, EIA-422/449, V.35, ISDN BRI)
　Circuit priority and preemption
　Dedicated bandwidth pools with optional overflow pool
Broadcast/Multicast--Does not require additional bandwidth. Data can be
　broadcast to all the traffic nodes within the network using a single
　carrier.
Asymmetric services-Supports asymmetric circuits, allowing for improved
　utilization of space segment for applications that do not require
　symmetric bandwidth in each direction, such as Internet access.
Simplified long term budgeting-Bypasses the complex web of terrestrial
　networks, operators and pricing schemes, and is not sensitive to the
　distance between the network sites, allowing a better prediction of
　recurring communication costs over longer periods of time.
Simplified network management and control-The simplified architecture of
　the MIDAS network makes it easier to manage from a central NMS site
　than terrestrial networks. This architecture provides direct control over
　all individual network components.

Figure

MIDAS Network composition

MIDAS Traffic Nodes, provide access to network services-typically
　 include an antenna, transceiver, node control mode(s), and traffic
　 modems(s)
MIDAS Network Management System (NMS)--- manages the satellite
　bandwidth and power resources as well as the remote traffic nodes.
　The MIDAS NMS consists of:
　　NMS controller
　　Operator workstation with a Graphical User Interface (GUI)
　　Network Control Modem
　　LinkSyncTM modem
　　Printer (optional)
　　Control Channel Infrastructure --- provides communication between
　 the NMS and the traffic nodes for management and control functions.

NODE CONTROL MODEM
SNM-1000, it is capable of managing up to 30 data, ISDN and video modems via the multi-drop EFBUS1 and EFBUS2 modem control interfaces.

SUPPORTED MODEM
　MIDAS SNM-2200
　 ComtechEFData's SDM-300A
　 ComtechEFData's SDM-300L
　 ComtechEFData's SDM-8000
　 ComtechEFData's SDM-9000

DATA/CONTROL MODEM
SNM-1010, it is a fully digital, integrated satellite data modem and DAMA controller.

ISDN/CONTROL MODEM
SNM-1020, it is a fully digital integrated satellite modem with built-in DAMA controller and ISDN BRI adapter.

DATA NETWORK TERMINAL
SNT-1010, it is available for C- and Ku-Band operation, and is ideal for customers requiring a single data circuit operating within a DAMA environment.
Indoor Unit(IDU), a full-featured satellite modem with built-in DAMA controller
Outdoor Unit (ODU)
LNA assembly (C-Band only)

ISDN NETWORK TERMIANL
SNT-1020, available for both C-and Ku-Band operations, it is ideal for customers requiring a single ISDN BRI operating within a DAMA environment.
Indoor Unit (IDU), a full-featured satellite modem with built-in ISDN adapter and DAMA controller
Outdoor Unit (ODU)
LNA assembly (C-band only)

ISDN ACCESS SERVERS
MNA-9200/9210, it is a cost-effective ISDN switch providing switching and routing of ISDN circuits at a gateway site operating within MIDAS.

SWITCHED ISDN ON-DEMAND

An efficient, reliable and fully integrated communication infrastructure is a key strategic resource for any organization aspiring to position itself to take advantage of the emerging global opportunities. However, until recently, multiple solutions were needed to accommodate the diverse communication requirements of voice, fax, data and video.

ISDN brings a whole new gamut of applications made possible by its multi-channel architecture that allows on-demand connectivity and seamless integration with different applications. However, ISDN penetration is low even in developed countries and most of the developing countries have little or no access to ISDN and all its advantages. The Switched ISDN On-Demand capability of California Microwave/EFData's MIDAS, makes ISDN Basic Rate Interface available to virtually anyplace in the world, be it corporations, health care networks, educational institutions, manufacturing facilities, R&D facilities, off-shore oil and gas platforms, remote mining sites, or even cruise ships and super-tankers. It brings the digital clarity and versatility of ISDN and provides connectivity to the global information highway, satisfying wide-ranging communication needs.

Basic Rate Interface (BRI)
Standards-based
Multi-protocol support
Terrestrial ISDN extension to remote location via Gateway
Private (closed) satellite ISDN
Fast installation
Low cost pay-per-minute services
Simplified network management and control

MIDAS Switched ISDN On-Demand is the only fully-integrated satellite-based ISDN BRI solution. Providing an end-to-end digital quality transmission medium without noise and data transmission errors encountered in analog systems, it enhances the throughput, quality, and versatility of the communications medium, replacing multiple, dedicated communication links with one or more ISDN circuits. Being standards-based, it ensures that investment in application hardware and software will not be obsolete with future enhancements to ISDN.

MIDAS provides seamless extension of terrestrial ISDN to remote locations. Via one or more Gateways, the remote subscribers are provided access to the terrestrial ISDN. The remote subscribers access the terrestrial ISDN destination by simply dialing the desired phone number. Similarly, subscribers on the terrestrial ISDN can access remote subscribers by dialing their phone number. Support for major ISDN protocol variants, and protocol conversion capabilities of the MIDAS ISDN Access Server allows interconnection with terrestrial ISDN switches worldwide.

MIDAS can also be used to create private satellite ISDN, with full-mesh connectivity, completely bypassing the terrestrial ISDN. The remote subscribers access each other simply by dialing the desired destination phone number.

The MIDAS NMS manages the network and provides complete control of dynamically-assigned satellite channels for full-mesh, single-hop ISDN circuits between distant locations, to carry voice, fax, data, video and other digital information. A wide variety of protocols such as TCP/IP and X.25 can be encapsulated and transported with no hardware or software differences. The consequent improvements in management of the communication and application services makes MIDAS an ideal platform for enabling centralized control of geographically distributed resources.

MIDAS's ability to set up ISDN circuits on-demand within seconds makes it ideal for: Internet access, LAN connectivity, Corporate Intranet, Desktop videoconferencing, Telemedicine, Distance Learning, Corporate training, etc.
Multiple devices (phones, faxes, computers, etc.) can be connected to an ISDN BRI, alleviating the need for multiple ISDN BRI's for handing multiple devices. Using inverse-multiplexing and Multilink-PPP, multiple B-channels can be combined to create higher data rate channels when needed.

In addition, MIDAS also supports supplementary services such as calling party identification, incoming and outgoing call restriction, closed user groups, etc., allowing for better control over the network.

VIDEOCONFERENCING
In today's global marketplace, customers, suppliers, employees and business partners typically are scattered throughout the world. But while vital people and functions grow more distant geographically, today's business environment demands that they work together more closely and quickly than ever before. Fortunately, EFData's MIDAS Videoconferencing solution can help business bridge the distances and shorten project cycles easily and affordably.

MIDAS VIDEOCONFERENCING:
Point-to-multipoint and point-to-point videoconferencing capability
Facilitates collaboration
Enables coordination of multi-site projects
Provides a medium for distance learning
Allows businesses to drastically reduce business travel and its associated costs
Easy-to-use touchscreen control system

In addition, MIDAS allows users to bypass difficulties associated with ground-based videoconferencing systems, including widely varying tariffs for bandwidth, the need for more than one carrier, and the lack of ground-based communications infrastructure in remote areas of the world. Also, the LinkSyncTM feature reduces recurring costs by allowing users to place additional circuits in a resource-limited system than is typically possible with other satellite solutions.

All that's required for MIDAS videoconferencing is installation of an affordable MIDAS traffic node and VCCSTM (Video Conference Control System) at each videoconferencing site. Typical site equipment consists of an antenna and associated control equipment, modems, video codec, camera, display and the MIDAS VCCSTM.

The VCCSTM is simplicity itself. Using a touchscreen, users can easily initiate, conduct and terminate videoconferences. Unlike some other videoconferencing systems, any site with a VCCSTM can function as the conference "chairperson", controlling all aspects of the conference. The chairperson can select the participants, accept or reject broadcast requests, etc.

AUTOMATIC CIRCUIT RESTORAL

With traditional terrestrial network solutions, redundancy does not ensure reliability. In many cases, redundant terrestrial fiber links are buried together in the same trench and conduits, and most telephone companies do not guarantee the speed with which the circuits will be restored. As a result, circuit outages can last for days! Fortunately, California Microwave/EFData's MIDAS Automatic Circuit Restoral solution provides reliable protection against circuit failures and ensures fast and automatic circuit restoral.

Provides fully-automatic, simplistic, unattended operation
Restores data circuits ranging from 2.4 Kbps to 155 Mbps
Automatically restores failed circuits via satellite in less than 5 seconds
Optimizes space segment usage

The MIDAS system supports both priority and pre-imputable satellite circuits. This allows you to optimize the most expensive component of the restoral network - the satellite space segment. With MIDAS, the space segment can be reused for pre-imputable services when priority restoral circuits are not in use. Thus, occasional use applications such as videoconferencing, switched ISDN and data circuits can employ the idle space segment.

In addition, MIDAS shares hub modems and the satellite space segment among all of the circuits in the network. Unlike a traditional SCPC network, you only need to purchase enough hub equipment and space segment to cover the worst-case outage condition. This reduces the recurring monthly satellite space segment expense, as well as the capital investment required for hub equipment.

The MIDAS Network management System (NMS) features a Graphical user Interface (GUI) based on Windows 98. The NMS is used to configure the traffic nodes and circuits in the network. Because circuit restoral is fully automatic, MIDAS requires absolutely no operator intervention once circuits are configured.

The MIDAS Automatic Circuits Restoral application is compatible with any California Microwave/EFData modem configured with the "RTS Detection" feature. Furthermore, MIDAS is compatible with any standard router or switch that can be programmed to automatically switch from a primary path to an alternate path upon primary path failure.

MIDAS' LinkSyncTM feature provides Automatic Frequency Control (AFC) for all network modems, and power management for all network satellite circuits. AFC produces faster circuit setup times and allows tighter packing of carriers. Power management yields a guaranteed quality of service or bit error rate, for the satellite circuit while observing power for other circuits. The result is a more efficient usage of the satellite space segment and fast call setup times.

CONGESTION REDUCTION/OVERFLOW

Companies seeking a competitive edge in the global marketplace must be assured of a prompt and uninterrupted flow of data. Data of useless unless it can be accessed when needed. Therefore, information system reliability translates into bottom line results. System failures caused by too much data flow can result in missed opportunities.

MIDAS provides an automatic congestion reduction solution to deal with peaks in information traffic, and solve the problems encountered when terrestrial circuits fail.

Establishes overflow circuit within seconds
Routers get connected over the overflow satellite circuit in addition to the primary terrestrial circuit
Integrity of data flow is maintained
Overflow circuit is automatically terminated when router detects end of congestion

Terrestrial circuits can only be leased for a fixed Committed Information Rate. Burst traffic makes it inefficient to lease capacity for peak traffic. MIDAS offers a satellite solution that guarantees your data will arrive at its destination on time, regardless of bandwidth fluctuations in traffic flow, allowing customers to lease terrestrial capacity for typical traffic needs. MIDAS manages the over flow traffic, supplementing the terrestrial network. In addition, MIDAS can backup the primary terrestrial circuit in case of failure.

Controlling traffic and congestion throughout the network is critical in delivering reliable performance for important applications and users. Several bandwidth management solutions are available today that claims to solve the congestion problem. None of these products have been able to provide the requisite level of functionality to control the bandwidth of real world traffic…until MIDAS.