Innovations in Satellite Data Solutions

Executive Summary

Yippy is a technology company that specializes in the development of search-based applications, data normalization, compression/optimization and aggregation through enterprise application service environments (EASE).  Yippy partnered with Globalstar, an NYSE company, and global satellite communications provider to create a solution to improve satellite data access and address enterprise document security concerns over MSS networks.  This white paper describes opportunities for using Yippy satellite solutions.

Introduction

In 2015, Globalstar announced a partnership¹ with Yippy for its search, data compression, document retrieval, and management services. Through a series of follow on agreements^2, Globalstar will offer Yippy’s compression and data services to their existing subscriber base, as well as other service providers³ and enterprises utilizing Mobile Satellite Services (MSS) and Fixed Satellite Services (FSS).

The initial partnership goals were to reduce clock-time for up and down requests as well as materially reduce the bandwidth utilization of the subscriber. For clarity, the Pilot Program stated goals were for a Globalstar subscriber at 8 kbps be able access CNN.com and an internal corporate pdf document with single sign on (SSO) in under 15 seconds in a highly secure environment.  Yippy achieved much better results than those required.

The Data Compression industry for MSS, FSS, and terrestrial mobile networks is forecasted to grow⁴ with two-thirds of the earth are not connected to the Global Economy due to unaffordable, unavailable, or unreliable networks. Yippy provides a plug and play appliance solution that provides extremely aggressive reduction in downstream bandwidth utilization for webpage or document retrieval.  The appliance also provides document security, encryption, management, and storage of indices for the global enterprise to the individual subscriber.

 

The Challenge with Satellite Internet Speeds

Satellite voice communications are on par with late 90’s cellular networks, but for data it's a daunting and capital intensive challenge. In general, mobile satellite data communications are slow; typically, 10kbps ‑ 100kbps.  The average internet webpage weight downstream has ballooned to over 2MB and growing.⁷ It is expected that the average internet webpage will reach 3MB by the end of 2017.⁸ This explosion in downstream payloads could not have been accounted for by satellite providers as most internet content is created to be consumed with a terrestrial broadband connection. Even mobile optimized websites are relatively large by satellite and terrestrial communications standards already topping 1MB downstream.⁹

Let's talk speed

Yippy’s compression technology allows Globalstar subscribers to access mobile webpage content in typically 5-7 seconds @9 kbps as opposed to 2-5 minutes with other MSS service providers such as Iridium. Using the Yippy EASE 360 platform, the service enhances the customer experience and enables downloads and uploads to be completed faster while maintaining a secure connection and reducing critical overhead on satellite networks.

For terrestrial networks such as 2G-4G, the compression technology provides the fastest mobile browsing experience available with downstream latency in milliseconds and nearly instantaneous content retrieval.  Yippy’s combined satellite and terrestrial service offerings are language, network, and platform agnostic, and are designed to be integrated into large intranets or global networks utilizing multiple wireless, fiber, or satellite network protocols. For satellite connection speed, data links to low-earth orbit (LEO) mobile satellites are slower than dial-up. Globalstar's current product offering is at 9 kilobits (kb) per second (a next generation product offering is said to offer up to 72 kbps, nearly ISDN speed.¹⁰                                                                                                                  

 Let's talk size:

The table below was used for comparing download times with an optimal connection on the Globalstar Gen 1 network at 8 kilobits/second. The table clearly show the results for the following Mobile webpages. These are the actual results from testing in 2016 which includes 300ms of network latency. Yippy achieved data reduction greater than 90% while maintaining the original content attributes including forward links, and providing image recall if desired.You can imagine that if you’re trying to use the internet with a satellite phone with connection speeds approaching 9.6 kbps, the internet is primarily unusable.  To put this in perspective, the average 2MB web page (and all its associated assets: images, css, javascript,etc)  will take between 15 and 20 minutes to load in a standard web browser, and up to 20 seconds on terrestrial mobile⁹ devices.

The Yippy Solution

Since we can't change the satellite infrastructure and make it faster, then we need to shrink the data being passed. We can also shorten the path of the requests from the user to the destination by moving the destination closer to the user (This sounds confusing, but it will make sense when you see a picture).

Yippy addresses this problem with Watson Algorithms:

The Yippy solution is search engine-centric and in this case the technology used is proprietary technology based on IBM's Watson Explorer® formally called Velocity from Vivisimo.¹³ Yippy acquired an unlimited worldwide perpetual license for Velocity in 2010 in a deal with Vivisimo¹⁴, a leading enterprise search and discovery company out of Carnegie Mellon University¹⁵ which was acquired by IBM in 2012.¹⁶ Yippy uses Watson algorithms to fetch the entire webpage in real time then reconstruct the site in a single object while maintaining the formatting, links, menus and other attributed visualization including image recall with geo location and proximity to the original webpage.

Most internet browsing experiences start with either direct navigation or search. That's why Google is so popular. But Google's not optimized for a slow satellite data speeds therefore it is not the right choice for opening new markets around the world were broadband is non-existent. Yippy EASE 360 platform is a search engine like Google but it's optimized with many attributes beyond the big three Google, Yahoo, and Bing. Yippy is one of the top ranked search engines in the world.¹⁷ Not only is it optimized, but Yippy can host the search engine on the satellite network fringe or gateways. This shortens the path of the request from the user to the search engine while providing a walled garden with windows architecture that never exposes the user to the internet.  True cloud computing, were all transactions are done on the cluster.

This also helps with language and cultural barriers, as the Yippy search engine can be tuned for the environments it will serve.  Meaning, a hosted platform in Japan, can serve all of Asia, and be accessible to comply with the rules or censorship required by those nations users and/or subscribers. Helping all nations reach those outside of terrestrial communications and giving them control over the content is key to adoption in many regions around the world.

Based upon Watson, which Yippy operates autonomously from IBM, and coupled with other internally developed and acquired technologies, Yippy has developed a suite of technology solutions which enhance the underlying technology’s output while simplifying the deployment process.  These solutions range from cloud, enterprise search, business intelligence, document security and data compression for MSS/FSS satellite and terrestrial wireless operators.  Additionally, the Company has developed middleware, connectors and associated programs which enable deployments to be successful with substantially less resources and personnel as typically required in the industry.  Yippy creates solutions.

 Yippy's EASE 360 platform creates a faster internet experience for the unconnected world.

1. Best placed close to the satellite network - ground station
2. Compresses a webpage to single object format. Reduces images, css, and large JavaScript frameworks.
3. Recreates website on the fly for an optimized visualization that is content centric with all attributes of the original content including links and image recall. (As shown below)
4. Perfect for opening remote markets to the Global Economy

The Solution Implemented by Globalstar

In theory, the Yippy compression platform can be accessed from anywhere on the internet. But to get the best possible reduction in latency, the Yippy compression platform was installed on fringe of Globalstar's network.  Working with Globalstar's network team, Yippy deployed multiple clusters of servers at several ground stations throughout the world.  The diagram below shows the key components of the system implemented..

Note, the inherent Edge or Fog computing network represented in this diagram below. Clearly, the introduction of Yippy EASE 360 platform has transformed a primarily voice network, into a global ISP with material benefits for IoT and IIoT sensors, transactions, analytics with Edge - Fog computing characteristics with data compression.   Globalstar acquired 20% of Yippy¹⁸ and Yippy acquired 20% of the Globalstar’s network and ability to host servers on all their spectrum in every gateway, ground station, and/or NoCs in a 20 year deal with the goal to create a global ubiquitous cloud (World Wide Web 2)^19,20 in a 20 year deal signed in 2015. This network also provides a much-needed terrestrial backbone due to the recent approval of the spectrum known as TD-LTE.  With Yippy appliances hosted at the fringe of the network, and on the TD_LTE NoCs, we will be able to provide a nearly utopian unification of all business data through one system over a mash-up of wireless technologies.  Creating tremendous bandwidth saving for IIoT transactions reporting from Edge computing systems.

Yippy’s EASE 360 solution coupled to Globalstar network spectrum and hardware including by not limited to its simplex, duplex, and M2M sensor technology can provide a global reach today for many types of sensors and other connected devices. The primary mission for this partnership is to provide true global ubiquitous communications for all data driven initiatives worldwide.

 

 Key Points of the Implementation

• The Yippy solution is deployed as a hardware/software solution aka: Appliance.
• Yippy owns significant real-estate in Gateways around the world.
• Yippy Appliances are installed at the Gateways of the satellite network or regionally for terrestrial.
• The Yippy solution may be accessed by proprietary internally developed apps and/or web based.
• Globalstar’s firmware on all wireless mobile satellite devices (SAT-FI) are updated to use Yippy web services as the primary connection to the world wide web.
• Yippy is also leading internet search engine. All requests that would normally be processed by a public search engine (Google, Bing, etc), are be processed by Yippy (accelerated).
• Yippy enterprise document manage, delivery and search allows for highly secure access to enterprise data silos while outside terrestrial communications.
• Edge ‑ Fog computing abilities for IoT and IIoT
• Sensor transactional computations on the fringe or Edge of network sending back only the needed analytics for management to build reports and gain real time insight.
• Language, platform, network agnostic
• Thousands of data connectors available
• The Yippy technology is integrated with the Globalstar's e-commerce system to support single account sign on.
• Proximity to subscriber or sensor ‑ true cloud computing attributes
• IBM Watson® based not open source providing features and benefits far beyond competitor abilities including IBM, Yippy’s 3^rd largest shareholder.

Globalstar or Satellite Subscriber ‑ View Point

This section describes how a subscriber with a Globalstar device surfs the internet and benefits from the Yippy compression platform.

A consumer buys a satellite phone or satellite hotspot wi-fi enabled device and minutes from Globalstar.

To browse the internet, the subscriber can use any computer, laptop, or mobile device with wi-fi (or a data cable).

As shown in the picture, a satellite phone can be connected to a laptop.The picture below shows the Globalstar Sat-Fi. Think of the combination of a satellite phone and wi-fi router.

With the Sat-Fi, you can connect any wi-fi enabled device, including  laptops, tablets, or mobile devices and surf the internet via a satellite connection.  This unit can support up to eight connected devices.

Note: These Globalstar devices are not fixed and could be deployed in a moving vehicle, ship, or airplane.

Once the subscriber establishes a satellite connection, they can start their session with the Yippy Mobile app or Sat-Browse (a Yippy optimized browser).  If they use their favorite browser (without optimization) on Sat-fi, the user is automatically redirected to a pre-configured home page for web-based access to Yippy’s compressed data experience.

Globalstar customers are required to log in to use the Yippy service. This authentication is integrated with the Globalstar e-commerce system so the customer will use the same log in information that was used to create their Globalstar account. The following screen-shots are represented of what Global customers see. The image below shows a standard search results page. From hear the user may select an optimized page (by default) or select the standard unoptimized page with the full size images and assets.