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SADIS procurement guidelines


Satellite Distribution Service (SADIS)

SADIS is a high quality, cost-effective and largely error-free satellite data distribution system that brings vital flight information to aviation users around the world. It provides a point to multi-point service in real-time on a 24-hour basis via satellite.

A new SADIS 2G installation involves just four hardware units: an antenna (normally 2.4 metre diameter), low noise block (LNB), digital receiver (DRO) and 'MegaPAC'. Most users access the data distributed via SADIS 2G by connecting a workstation to the MegaPAC. The workstation should provide a suite of appropriate visualisation software.

Requirement to purchase new software and hardware

On 1 July 2005 the World Area Forecast Centres (WAFCs) ceased distribution of the wind and temperature charts in T.4 facsimile format. These products have been officially replaced by GRIB encoded equivalent products. Most users will have needed to purchase new workstation software in order to be able to use the GRIB-encoded data correctly. This important change has affected all SADIS users.

On 1 September 2004 a new second generation (2G) SADIS service was launched. The legacy first generation (1G) service will continue to be broadcast in parallel with the 2G service until 31 December 2008. Prior to this date existing SADIS users have a requirement to purchase a new receiver (DRO) and MegaPAC which are compatible with the 2G service.

Please note: For the vast majority of users currently accessing the 1G service, existing LNBs and antennas will be compatible with the 2G service.

 

Hardware procurement guidelines

The current (1G) SADIS service has been available to users since 1995. In 2003 the ICAO SADIS Operations Group decided that a new service should be implemented so that modern technological advantages in satellite communications could be realised, and to enable users to benefit from more cost effective, readily available hardware.

Advantages of 2G

  • The service is primarily engineered around the internet protocol (TCP/IP and UDP mulicast) at the client side, but compatibility with legacy X.25 workstations can be provided if required.
  • User hardware more cost effective and readily available from a variety of companies.
  • Resolves the problem of obsolescence in 1G hardware.
  • SADIS 2G operates at 64 kbps - less communication overheads.

Prospective SADIS users may wish to wait until September 2004 before purchasing new hardware to take advantage of the new 2G service.

General purchasing guidelines

  1. There is a requirement to purchase new hardware (before 31 December 2008) and software (before July 2005). Do you want to purchase both of these upgrades at the same time or on separate occasions? It is recommended that if you want to purchase them at the same time then you contact the SADIS workstation manufacturers who can provide both hardware and software. If you want to purchase just hardware then it is recommended that you contact the SADIS 2G suppliers - see contact details below.
  2. Consider the levels of on-site installation, training, ongoing support and maintenance that may be required to ensure that you receive the level of service which is acceptable to you.
  3. Check the warranty that comes with the hardware. Is an extended warranty a cost effective option for you?
  4. Check the delivery schedule for the hardware. Is the timescale acceptable to you? What level of confidence does the supplier have in meeting the schedule? Will the supplier agree to compensation if the delivery schedule is not adhered to?
  5. Suppliers of SADIS 2G hardware: L-Teq, Paradigm Communications and Vados Systems.

 

A list of manufacturers and suppliers is available.

 

Software procurement guidelines

There are a number of different companies providing software for the visualisation of SADIS and WAFS data. You may wish to contact the SADIS team at the Met Office for a list of contact names and addresses for each of these companies.

The Met Office has reviewed many of these packages against a list of criteria which the ICAO SADIS Operations Group has agreed are a required minimum. The results of these reviews are available on-line. Please note that these reviews are not an endorsement or certification of any of these products but an objective review of the ability of these software packages to deliver products to the standards and formats laid down by ICAO. More information about this review process is available from the Met Office SADIS team.

Software procurement guidelines

  1. Can the vendors provide software that fully meets the ICAO standards? Check the results from the Met Office reviews. In particular, be rigorous in checking that the software can produce WAFS SIGWX charts from BUFR and WAFS wind, temperature and relative humidity information from GRIB data to acceptable ICAO standards. Does the software have a configurable "attention getter" facility? Will the software inform you automatically when SADIS administrative messages are transmitted? Can the software accept and ingest data automatically via the SADIS ftp backup service?
  2. Be clear about your requirements.
  3. What level of on-site software installation, training, on-going support and maintenance is required?
  4. Importantly, will future software upgrades be provided by the vendors to ensure that the software remains current with ICAO recommendations? How will these be funded? This issue is particularly important with regard to upgrades to the BUFR and GRIB visualisation software.
  5. Contact at least three of the software vendors with a view to receiving quotations for the supply of software and/or hardware.


A list of manufacturers and suppliers is available.