VSAT network architecture
This page describes VSAT network architecture and mentions VSAT network topology types.
Broadly VSAT network as a whole consists of VSAT terminals distributed across different regions on the Earth and Hub station
located at one central place.
Communication between Hub station and VSAT terminals is carried out using RF frequencies in different bands (e.g. C band, Ku band) as per
applications and regions of use.
Refer Ku band versus C band➨.
VSAT network topology types

The figure-1 depicts topologies used in VSAT network architecture.
As shown there are only two topologies viz. Star and Mesh.
In Star type of VSAT network, all the communications occur through Hub station using
multi hop communication.
In mesh type of VSAT network, all the communications occur directly between
VSATs without the need of any central Hub station.
The star based VSAT network architecture is further classified into Shared Hub and distributed Hub types.
In shared Hub network type, One large hub station is used and all the VSATs are divided into sub-networks.
Each subnetwork is assigned to particular CUG (Closed User Group).
Different CUG is created for all the clients separately. Each CUG will have their
own inbound and outbound rf carriers.
VSATs in all the CUGs use the same one Hub station.
In distributed Hub network type, each network will have its own hub station known as "min-Hub".
This mini hub is located near the client's premises. In this network, all the clients will have its
own traffic hub dedicated to its own CUG.

Refer VSAT System operation➨ and VSAT network configurations➨ for more information.
VSAT RELATED LINKS
Refer following sub topics related to VSAT technology:
Article on VSAT
VSAT NMS protocol
RF Terminology
Satellite Terminology
Access types
SCPC
MCPC
RF Transceiver
C band RFT
Microstrip
RF upconverter design
Power Amplifier
what is modulation
satellite Modem
Link Budget