Satellite Network Configurations: Mesh vs. Star

This section of the satellite tutorial covers satellite network configurations.

There are two main configuration types used in a satellite network: mesh and star.

Mesh Configuration (Point-to-Point)

Mesh configurations, also known as point-to-point configurations, involve direct communication between earth stations via the satellite. This means only one “hop” is required for communication.

In this setup, VSAT-1 and VSAT-2, for example, communicate directly through the satellite. Typically, mesh configurations use larger antenna diameters at the VSAT ground stations. Information flows from VSAT-1 to the satellite, then from the satellite to VSAT-2, and the reverse occurs for communication in the other direction.

Star Configuration

In a star configuration, earth stations (VSATs) communicate through a central Hub station. This results in two “hop” communications.

As shown in the image, VSAT-1 and VSAT-2 communicate via both the HUB Station and the Satellite.

In one direction, information flows from VSAT-1 to the Satellite, from the Satellite to the Earth Station (Hub), from the Earth Station back to the Satellite, and finally from the Satellite to VSAT-2. This is referred to as two-hop communication.

Similarly, in the other direction, information travels from VSAT-2 to the satellite, from the satellite to the Hub station, from the Hub station back to the satellite, and from the satellite to VSAT-1.