User's Guide

Wireless Matrix MBS2 User Guide Document MBUD-0086v1b
Figure 2: MBS2 Front Oblique View without Covering
The MBS2 is typically connected to a peripheral computer called the Client Side Computer (CSC)
using a tethered serial port connection and/or an untethered 802.11b connection. The CSC can
be a standard laptop or other computing device. The user application and associated middleware
resides on the CSC. The MBS2 is capable of supporting some user applications.
The CSC communicates over the Wireless Matrix Wide Area Wireless (WAW) Network via the
MBS2. At the link layer, PPP or the Modem Interface Protocol (MIP) can be used between the
CSC and MBS2.
At the transport layer, the CSC can use UDP to communicate with a Customer Host via the WAW
Network.
WAW Network
The WAW Network, shown in Figure 3, consists of a Data Hub, satellite and terrestrial wireless
networks, and the MBS2 unit. WAW is an enterprise solution wireless data service between
remote modems and Customer Host computers, offering seamless coverage with a single point of
connection to the network. This packet-data service can be routed over either Mobile Satellite
Venture’s MSAT-2 satellite or the AT&T Wireless Services (AWS) GPRS network
Customer Hosts connect to the Data Hub via Frame, VPN, or leased-line. The Data Hub consists
of:
• Network Operations Support System (NOSS): manages the modems on the WAW
network
• Wireless IP Gateway (WIPG) that connects to the ISPD and AWS GPRS networks and
controls data sent between the Customer Hosts and MBS2s.
• ISPD equipment
The Wireless Matrix-owned and operated ISPD Network consists:
• Primary Data Hub equipment located at Wireless Matrix in Reston, Virginia
• Secondary Data Hub equipment located in Ashburn, Virginia
• Communications Ground Segment (CGS) located at Mobile Satellite Ventures in Reston,
Virginia
• MSAT-2 geostationary satellite. MSAT-2 covers the United States and its coastal waters
as well as Canada
On the client side, a CSC device connects to the MBS2. The MBS2 routes messages over the
Wireless Matrix ISPD Satellite network or the AWS GPRS network, depending on which network
the MBS2 determines to be the “Active Network”. The MBS2 is also responsible for notifying the
WIPG when its Active Network changes.
March 04, 2004 Page 7