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SatLabs Test Bed validation completed 28 Apr 2005: The SatLabs Test Bed validation has now been completed following a thorough validation process carried out by VeriSat and CETECOM over the past few months. CETECOM independently developed the test procedures to be executed in the test bed using the specific test command language. Operational DVB-RCS terminals from 2 different manufacturers have been used in the validation process. ESA and CETECOM witnessed the validation testing. The test bed will now be transferred to CETECOM where they will start qualification testing for SatLabs members. An initial pre-operational phase will optimise the qualification testing procedure and verify the test operations at CETECOM. Once the initial phase has been completed by mid May, the qualification program will become operational, leading to interoperability compliance certificates. The SatLabs Qualification test bed has been developed by VeriSat, a Norwegian company that is focused on the development of test systems in the field of satellite telecommunications. In co-operation with several leading companies (such as Alcatel Bell Space, Erzia and Skysoft) VeriSat has developed a tool, which is capable of composing and broadcasting DVB-S streams containing descriptions of satellite interactive networks based on the DVB-RCS standard. Furthermore, the system is capable of analysing the data stream that is sent out by the tested terminal. The test bed offers all the necessary functionality to perform the certification tests and is designed to be upgradeable to support future DVB-RCS enhancements such as DVB-S2 and future interoperability requirements. The development was done under a contract from the European Space Agency. VeriSat was established in 2002 with the mission of offering DVB-RCS test equipment. The VeriSat DVB-RCS Forward Link Analyser is now used by more than 10 companies and has become the industry standard for DVB-RCS signalling qualification. CETECOM, the appointed SatLabs Qualification Laboratory, has significant experience with DVB-RCS and, due to their involvement with SatLabs, also have a perfect knowledge of the SatLabs Qualification Program and associated test equipment. Nemko Comlab, a leading test lab for telecom and radio equipment, will act as a backup to CETECOM. Both CETECOM and Nemko Comlab are global test houses with test centres spread worldwide. This offers the additional advantage that the qualification testing could easily be carried out in different geographical areas in order to reduce test time and cost.