Multi-channel Iridium communication system for polar field experiments

Modern science projects in Polar Regions have increased the data communication needs of Polar research community considerably. Existing communication facilities, which are based on geostationary and geosynchronous satellite systems, are not suitable for small science camps. We have developed a reliable, truly mobile and lightweight iridium based communication system that can provide round the clock data and Internet access to Polar Regions. Using COTS components and inverse multiplexing methodology, an integrated field unit is developed. A graphical user interface (GUI) based link management software is used to handle all aspects of the connection autonomously. This paper presents the architecture of this system along with the results of field experiments that were conducted at Greenland in summer 2003