# RF NMS — Satellite Ground Station Monitoring & Control

**URL:** https://pikotv.com/rf-nms  
**Last updated:** 2026-09-23  
**Content-Type:** text/markdown  
**Canonical HTML:** https://pikotv.com/rf-nms

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## Overview

PikoTV partners with **SatService GmbH** to deliver advanced RF Network Management System (NMS) solutions for satellite ground stations, teleport operators, VSAT hubs, and broadcasters. The flagship product is the **sat-nms MNC** — a proven, open-platform Monitoring & Control system used by operators worldwide.

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## SatService GmbH

**Website:** https://www.satservicegmbh.de  
**Founded:** 1996  
**Headquarters:** Steißlingen, Germany  
**Specialization:** Satellite ground station infrastructure, communication systems, M&C software

SatService GmbH is a globally recognized system integrator and solution provider specializing in satellite ground station infrastructure. Their flagship product line, **sat-nms**, includes advanced Monitoring & Control (M&C) systems offering flexible, modular, and scalable solutions used by teleport operators and broadcasters around the world.

With its proven TCP/IP-based architecture, sat-nms enables:
- Seamless integration with any equipment
- Real-time device monitoring
- Redundancy management
- Event-driven automation

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## PikoTV + SatService Reference Deployment

**Customer:** Turkuvaz Medya  
**Project:** Full modernization of RF Headend NMS

Through this partnership, PikoTV and SatService GmbH successfully delivered:
- Full deployment and configuration of sat-nms MNC
- Comprehensive operator and administrator training
- Enhanced visibility and improved control workflows
- High-availability design tailored for broadcast-grade reliability

SatService brings deep expertise as both a software developer and system integrator, while PikoTV ensures regional project management, deployment, and long-term technical support — making this a strong model for future broadcast infrastructure modernization projects in Türkiye and beyond.

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## sat-nms MNC — Monitoring & Control System

**Product page:** https://satnms.com

The sat-nms MNC is an off-the-shelf Monitoring & Control solution for:

| Application | Description |
|---|---|
| Satellite ground stations | Full M&C for uplink/downlink equipment |
| VSAT hubs and networks | Hub monitoring, redundancy switching |
| SNG stations | Satellite news gathering M&C |
| Terrestrial applications | Any equipment with remote control |
| Teleports | Multi-carrier, multi-beam teleport management |

> **"We support ANY equipment with ANY remote control protocol on ANY interface."** — SatService

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## Architecture

### Client/Server Architecture

| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Network | Full TCP/IP based |
| Settings | All settings including UI definitions located on server |
| Communication | Efficient, event-based client/server protocol — minimal bandwidth |
| Clients | Multiple simultaneous operator clients supported |

### Interfaces

| Interface Type | Details |
|---|---|
| Network | Ethernet — SNMP, HTTP, proprietary TCP/IP |
| Serial | RS-232 serial interfaces |
| Parallel | Digital I/O (opto-coupled inputs, relay outputs) |

### Server Platform

| Platform | Specification |
|---|---|
| Hardware | 1 HU rack-mountable, compact, energy-efficient server |
| Virtualization | Linux KVM, VMware, VirtualBox |

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## Key Features

### Open Platform

- Supports all protocols and all devices
- Configuration instead of programming — no custom code required
- Customers are free to change configuration and create drivers
- Full documentation available
- Northbound interface to third-party software (SNMP, HTTP, REST)

### Modular and Extendable

- Application logic encapsulated in logical devices
- Plugin infrastructure to add protocols and external interfaces
- Scale from small ground stations to large multi-site teleports

### User Friendly

- Designed by SATCOM experts together with end users
- Virtual Device Driver Concept
- Task and device oriented graphical UI
- Web browser interface — no client software installation required

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## Core Functionality

### Monitoring & Control of Equipment

- Performed continuously without any influence from operator clients
- Connected equipment is polled and monitored in real time
- Equipment polling processed in parallel (multi-threaded)
- Full control over all connected equipment
- Supports any remote control protocol (SNMP, serial, IP, proprietary)

### Alarming and Logging

- Shows and logs events and alarms as they occur
- Stores monitored data at defined intervals
- Configurable alarm thresholds and escalation rules
- Historical alarm log with search and export

### Logical Devices

- Software modules for application logic (redundancy switching, protection, automation)
- Provides additional value and functionality beyond raw M&C
- Modular and configurable — add or remove as needed

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## User Interface Examples

The sat-nms MNC provides task and device oriented graphical UIs for different application scenarios:

| UI Type | Use Case |
|---|---|
| HTS Interface | High-throughput satellite hub monitoring |
| Contribution Interface | Satellite contribution link M&C |
| Teleport Interface | Full teleport multi-carrier management |

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## sat-nms IO-FEP — Front-End Processor

The **sat-nms IO-FEP MNC Front-end Processor** interfaces to any low-level interface commonly used in satellite ground stations:

- Equipment alarm contacts
- Waveguide and coaxial switches
- Status signals and relay outputs
- Temperature sensors (PT-1000)

The IO-FEP works as:
1. **Integrated component** of sat-nms MNC
2. **Stand-alone system** with web browser interface and integrated event/alarm log
3. **Third-party integration** via SNMP, HTTP, and RS-232

### IO-FEP Key Features

| Feature | Specification |
|---|---|
| Ethernet interface | SNMP and HTTP |
| Web browser UI | No client software required |
| Serial interface | RS-232 |
| Digital inputs | 32 or 48 opto-coupled digital inputs |
| Relay outputs | 6 relay outputs + 10 opto-coupler outputs |
| Waveguide switch connectors | 8 or 16 connectors |
| Redundancy switching | Built-in, with RF inhibit support |
| RF inhibit | Supports inhibit contacts of waveguide switches and HPAs |
| Temperature measurement | Up to 4 external PT-1000 sensors |
| Alarm/event logging | Integrated, with configurable thresholds |
| Form factor | Compact, DIN-rail mounted |
| Higher-level M&C | Interfaces to any M&C system via SNMP/HTTP/RS-232 |

### IO-FEP Applications

| Application | Description |
|---|---|
| VSAT Hub | Hub-side alarm and switch monitoring |
| SNG / SNG Central Station | Satellite news gathering M&C |
| TV Uplink | Broadcast uplink equipment monitoring |
| Teleport | Multi-carrier teleport M&C |
| Alarm Contact Monitoring | Any equipment with dry contact alarms |
| Waveguide & Coaxial Switch Control | Automated and manual switching |
| Redundancy Switching with Inhibit | Protection switching with RF inhibit |
| Independent Protection Switching | Autonomous failover without server dependency |

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## sat-nms Product Family

| Product | Description |
|---|---|
| **sat-nms MNC** | Monitoring & Control System — core platform for ground station M&C |
| **sat-nms NMS** | Network Management System — higher-level network view |
| **sat-nms IO-FEP** | I/O Front-End Processor — low-level interface adapter (standalone or integrated) |
| **sat-nms QMON** | DVB-S/S2 Quality Monitoring System — RF signal quality analysis |

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## Standards & Protocols Supported

| Category | Protocols / Standards |
|---|---|
| Network management | SNMP v1/v2c/v3, HTTP, REST |
| Serial | RS-232, RS-422, RS-485 |
| Satellite equipment | Proprietary M&C protocols (manufacturer-specific drivers) |
| Virtualization | Linux KVM, VMware ESXi, VirtualBox |
| Signal monitoring | DVB-S, DVB-S2 (via sat-nms QMON) |

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## Related Pages

- [Monitoring — QoS/QoE & RF NMS](https://pikotv.com/monitoring) — [Markdown](https://pikotv.com/content/monitoring.md)
- [Technology — Codec Support & Technical Specs](https://pikotv.com/features) — [Markdown](https://pikotv.com/content/technology.md)
- [Global Deployments](https://pikotv.com/deployments) — [Markdown](https://pikotv.com/content/deployments.md)
- [Partners & Ecosystem](https://pikotv.com/partners) — [Markdown](https://pikotv.com/content/partners.md)
- [Contact PikoTV](https://pikotv.com/contact) — [Markdown](https://pikotv.com/content/contact.md)

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## External Resources

- SatService GmbH: https://www.satservicegmbh.de
- sat-nms product site: https://satnms.com