BASE2

Broadband Access Satellite Enabled Education

Lampros StergioulasBrunel University

“Space technologies connecting remote communities to knowledge”

BASE2 Consortium• National Center for Scientific Research “Demokritos”, GR

• Athens Information Technology, GR

• Brunel University, UK

• Fraunhofer Gesellschaft zur Foerderung der angewandten Forschung e.V., DE

• Universidad Polytechnica de Madrid, ES

• University of Cyprus, CY

• General Confederation of Greek Agrarian Association, GR

• SuperFast Ferries S.A., GR

• Hellenic Aviation Industry S.A., GR

BASE2 Vision

Learning experience via the communication / interaction among communities

Satellite and terrestrial technologies can enable advanced learning services

What is BASE2 for?

• Satellite-Terrestrial Network Architecture

• eLearning Service Architecture

• Services for– Isolated agrarian communities

– Maritime communities

Objective 1End-to-End integrated tele-education services

– Supporting a large number of users– Matching users’ requirements– Variety of services

• Virtual classroom• Collaborative learning• Individual learning

Objective 2End-to-End network broadband infrastructure that will integrate terrestrial (wireless or wireline) and satellite technologies

– DVB/DVB-RCS and VSAT technologies to be integrated and interoperate with WiFi, WiMax, Optical Fiber, …

Objective 3Educational content generation, management and delivery

– Content requirements and content creation methodology

– Integration of content generation and content delivery infrastructures.

– Content management and delivery frameworks

Objective 4Validation of network and service architecture

– Trials with selected sites in:• isolated rural areas• vessels

– Iterative cycles of validation and deployment.

– Comparative evaluation to alternative architectures

BASE2 Methodology• Initial Scenarios and Service Elicitation• Scenario Definition and Requirements• Service Architecture Requirements• Interoperability pre-trials• Network Architecture Deployment

BASE2 Elicited Services• Virtual Classroom

BASE2 Elicited ServicesVideo-Conferencing

BASE2 Elicited ServicesWebinar

BASE2 Elicited Services• Learning Management System (LMS/LCMS)

– CLIX (bilingual)• Learning Content Management System (LCMS)

– DIAS• Content exchange between the platforms

BASE2 Scenarios (1)• Common room based:

1. Lecture broadcast-multicast pre-recorded lectures (streaming or download) 2. Virtual Classroom (live sessions)3. Offline Q&A4. Video Conferencing5. Webinar6. LMS

BASE2 Scenarios (2)• Home based:

1. Virtual Classroom2. Video Conferencing3. Webinar4. Webcast5. LMS

e-Learning Requirements of User Groups (Agrarian)

The needs regarding educational content and services supporting such content are identified by the agrarian user community as follows:

• Application of good agricultural practice codes.• Cross compliance policies• Quality products and products of geographical origin.• New products • Product processing, promotion and marketing• Management issues• Young farmers settling/installation assistance• Special policies on rural women activities• EU Policy changes in agriculture and the agro-food industry

e-Learning Requirements of User Groups (Maritime)

The needs regarding educational content and services supporting such content are identified by the maritime user community as follows:

Security-related education requirements:

• Methodology of ship security assessment; on site surveys techniques to reduce the risk of possible security threats

• Methods of ship security surveys and inspections. • Instruction techniques for security training and education including

security measures and procedures. • Knowledge of current security threats and patterns. • Recognition on a non–discriminatory basis of characteristics and

behavioral patterns of persons who are likely to threaten security • Methods of physical searches and non-intrusive inspections • Negotiations with terrorists • First Aid: Care of casualty, physical examination–symptoms and signs

Safety-related education requirements:

• Firefighting Training: Familiarization with fire fighting equipments, fire suits, breathing apparatus.

• Fire Fighting: How-to command and control an incident. • Passenger mustering and crowd management: Method of safe evacuation and

mustering during emergency situation • Fighting Sea Pollution: Guideline and procedures to reduce the sea pollution

after collision or grounding or bunkering

General Training-related education requirements:

• Computers & software training: Familiarize with MS Word, Excel, Outlook and PowerPoint Applications

• Marine risk assessment: To identify the source of risk that face but also to know how to deal with them effectively. Implementing risk management strategies in the increasingly sophisticated ad competitive environment.

• Marine accident prevention and analysis: The Human Factor

e-Learning Requirements of User Groups (Maritime)

User Service Requirements Survey• 25% women • 75% men• 50% aged 35-49• 50% aged 18-34• 56 Agrarian• 27 Maritime

Interaction during Virtual Classroom sessions

0,00%10,00%20,00%30,00%40,00%50,00%60,00%70,00%80,00%90,00%

100,00%

Only with tutor Both with tutor and other learners

MaritimeAgrarianTOTAL

Preferred Teleconferencing Scenario

0,00%10,00%20,00%30,00%40,00%50,00%60,00%70,00%80,00%

Classroom-based VideoConferencing

Classroom-basedLaboratory

Home-basedCollaborative Learning

MaritimeAgrarianTOTAL

Technical Requirements DVB/S DVB/RCS VSAT WiMax WiFi Scenario #1 (Broadcast/multicast e-learning service to a common room)

Scenario #2 (Offline feedback and Q&A Session following broadcast/multicast e-learning service to a common room)

Scenario #3 (Virtual Classrooms With Remote Tutor)

Scenario #4 (WebCast – access from common room)

Scenario #5 (Videoconferencing between geographically dispersed classroom)

Scenario #6 (LMS-based e-learning service – access from a common tele-education room)

Scenario #7 (LMS-based e-learning service – access from home)

Scenario #8 (Virtual Classroom from home)

Scenario #9 (Webcast – access from common room)

Scenario #10 (Videoconferencing from home)

Supports Additional Support Req. Not Applicable

BASE2 eLearning Services Network Requirements

Assessment of BASE2 services network QoSrequirements:

– Maximum RTT– Frequency Range– Possible Number of Stations– Overall BER– Availability Percentage

BASE2 eLearning Services Trial Sites

Identification of geographically dispersed community eLearning sites

BASE2 eLearning Services Network Architecture

Network Architecture for BASE2 Services

• Headquarters: NCSR• Content Provider: AIT• Content Relayed to:

• Greece• Cyprus• Vessels

BASE2 eLearning Services Satellite Network Requirements

The most suitable satellite service providers for BASE2 eLearning services are EUTELSAT (W3A), HellasSat (E39), EUTELSAT (W2) and IntelSat (62E), whose network footprints are as follows

BASE2 eLearning Services Network Interoperability Evaluation Structure

Interoperability evaluation methodology:Network interoperability evaluation phases linked with the OSI seven layers reference model

BASE2 eLearning Services Network Interoperability Evaluation Tools

• Bandwidth Measurement Tool: Iperf

• IP Connectivity Testing Tool: Ping

• Traffic Monitoring Tool: Paessler Router Traffic Grapher

BASE2 eLearning Services Wired Network Interoperability Evaluation Study (Pre-trials)

0

500

1000

1500

2000

2500

3000

Tim

e (m

s

HUB toSIT 1

HUB toSIT 2

HUB toSIT 3

SIT 1 toHUB

SIT 1 toSIT 2

SIT 1 toSIT 3

SIT 2 toSIT 1

SIT 2 toSIT 3

SIT 2 toHUB

Minimum

Average

Maximum

MeanDeviation

• Real-life evaluation of scenarios• Geographically dispersed sites• Satellite deployment• Multiple user sites• eLearning session creation• Subjective testing

• Network connectivity testing• Network bandwidth and jitter

testing• Graphical Analysis of the results• Comparison of the multiple

scenario results

BASE2 eLearning Services Wireless Network Interoperability Evaluation (Pre-trials)

• Network connectivity testing• Network bandwidth and jitter

testing• Graphical Analysis of the results• Comparison of the multiple

scenario results 0

100

200300

400

500

600700

800

9001000

Tim

e (m

s

Client to HUB Client to HUB (with mobility)

MinimumAverageMaximumMean Deviation

• Real-life evaluation of scenarios• Geographically dispersed sites• Satellite deployment• eLearning session creation• Wireless network connectivity• Subjective testing

BASE2 eLearning Application Interoperability Considerations

• Skype

• MSN Messenger

• Microsoft NetMeeting

• Isabel CSCW

Network Architecture• Installation of infrastructure

– Eleven DVB-RCS stations• With WLAN and WiMAX at dedicated locations

– Two DVB-S receive only systems– Three VSAT systems

• One with WiMAX or WiFi extension in Cyprus• One aboard on a Superfast Ferries vessel • One at NCSR premises

Network Architecture• Telelearning software setup

Installation of ISABEL PC at every site– Build connection to the locally installed broadband

communication system– Two configuration schemes

• Audio only return• Audiovisual return• Mainly because of bandwidth limitations @ DVB-RCS

Network Architecture• System Installation Challenges

– Mostly in rural community areas– Some hardly reachable– No standard installation procedure possible– Stable electrical power at minimum questionable– Terrestrial communication system extensions

necessary to reach audience

Network Architecture• Tests carried out

– After Build-up connectivity– Intersystem integration test

• For Installations with WiMAX, WLAN and Ethernet

– Basic End-to-End operation of ISABEL after installation

Maritime Deployment

• Installation

– VSAT system with tracking antenna– Installed on Superfast XII– Ethernet connection to Points of Interest on board the

ship behind the satellite link

Agrarian Deployment

• Installations

– DVB-RCS installation• Eleven sites installed• At GESASE centres• Some have WLAN and WiMax extensions to connect other

areas and buildings in the vicinity

Agrarian Deployment

• Installation

– DVB-S installation• Two sites installed (implemented via DVB-RCS platform)• Broadcast only• Alternative return channel by ISDN, PSTN or GPRS

Agrarian Deployment

• Installation progress

– VSAT installation• Two sites installed in Cyprus and Peloponnesus.• WiMax or WiFi extensions to connect surrounding villages• WLAN from WiMax/WiFi endpoint planned

Agrarian Deployment• Example of an Agrarian Installation

Lecture production site

DVB-RCShub station

facilities

Hellas-Sat 2

DVB-RCS SIT

WiMaxbase station

WiMaxsubscriber station

Audience

Internet

Forward: DVB-SReturn: DVB-RCS

Ethernet

Ethernetor WLAN

802.16

BASE2 Trials• Objectives

– Components and platform verification– System validation– In-practice validation of the integrated learning services, learning

platform enhancement based on users’ feedback.

BASE2 Trials• Learning scenarios outline

– Asynchronous learning (LMS/LCMS)– Virtual classroom

– Web cast scenario

BASE2 Trials• Sites participation in trials

– 11 agrarian sites and one maritime vessel participated in both synchronous and asynchronous tele-education.

– About 20 live sessions and 30 hours of asynchronous e-learning for every user.

– Sites were divided in groups for the synchronous learning procedure according to their availability and common thematic interests.

– People at each site were also divided in groups for the asynchronous learning for a more efficient use of the equipment at rooms.

BASE2 Trials• System validation by users

On-going validation is taking place by continuously contacting users and collecting their experience and opinion of the platform use.

For a complete and thorough service validation, questionnaires have been devised, which are handed out to users and uploaded in projects site for completion aiming to:a) collect their opinion about using the BASE2 advanced learning servicesb) specify any of their requirements not currently met by the platform

The users’ feedback so far indicatedthe need for more live sessions and more videos with expertsmore educational themes of interest to the usersthe need for lessons which lead to certificates, structured in learning path the adaptation of the image quality for a more efficient streaming

BASE2 Trials• Some useful conclusions

– One person (catalyst) per site trained to handle (simple) technology issues, organize people and be able to answer their initial questions.

– One tutor available to answer questions related to the topics ofthe asynchronous lessons helps considerably.

– A small technical team able to assess and solve technical problems (e.g. satellite connection) that might occur should be available

– Strong and well planned coordination is needed in order to solveavailability problems of trainers, synchronize and group sites together under a single learning activity, find and select appropriate subjects according to trainees’ needs, identify technical issues.

Cost effectiveness - Overall cost of a DVB-RCS terminal

• Build-up one time cost: The installation cost of a DVB-RCS terminal is roughly estimated around 300 € (without counting the travelling required)

• Operational cost: can vary from 120€/month for a 512/256 kbps link up to 800€/month for a 2048/512 kbps link.

• Maintenance cost: Software upgrades are usually offered without cost. Hardware maintenance activities can be done by the users in order to completely avoid contracted staff costs

Dream becoming reality• Far from a utopian dream…• Hybrid satellite networks can deliver high-quality

education and training services (“killer app” of e-learning)• Can help tremendously in counteracting the digital divide

and e-exclusion in geographically isolated areas and ships on sea

• There is a well justified economic case to be made for DVB-RCS for sufficient numbers of remote (“geographically excluded”) sites

• Can be combined with other services (e-health, e-gov) to increase value to the user community

• State support needed at same level as traditional modes of training delivery (face-to-face seminars)

Coordinated actions neededBASE2 is in constant communication with

other EU projects (RuralWings, Teleaccess)

Coordinated action and synergy will help the rapid take-up of potential applications

Thank you

Questions?