Starlink Performance Durability Guide

01. OVERVIEW

1.1 STARLINK PERFORMANCE HIGHLIGHTS

Starlink Performance was designed as a robust solution for customers who require reliable, high-speed connectivity in harsh environments. Key durability features include:

• A powder-coated aluminum enclosure for shock protection and corrosion resistance.
• Water and dust resistant to IP68 standard without the connector installed, and a locking connector that provides IP69K water and dust resistance.
• Designed to withstand environments with aggressive vibrations and shocks.
• A 140° sweep angle ideal for enterprise and in-motion applications.
• An advanced power supply capable of powering via AC (primary), DC (primary), or AC (primary) + DC (backup).
• A field-termination connector for custom installations.
• Stainless steel threaded inserts for robust mounting.
• Thermal performance enhancements for efficient snow melting and improved performance in extreme temperatures.

The Starlink Performance kit has been rigorously tested to meet the conditions described in Graph 1, with a ten-year lifespan in the most challenging environments. Reliability test profiles were derived from the most extreme climates, including those representative of desert and arctic conditions, as well as high vibration and high humidity environments.

Graph 1: Starlink Performance Durability Overview

* Performance limitations may begin at a lower temperature to protect the device (varies based on throughput).
** Tested on Starlink flat and stowed mounts.

02. STARLINK PERFORMANCE DURABILITY DETAILS

2.1 SNOW MELTING

Starlink Performance can melt snow at a rate of 3.5 in/hr (8.9 cm/h) when snow density is 100 kg/m³, and at a rate of 5.2 in/hr (13.2 cm/h) when snow density is 68 kg/m³. The user terminal must be installed with a Wedge Mount, Wall Mount, or Pipe Adapter to ensure water drains away from the surface to maintain the best signal with Starlink satellites.

2.2 HAIL

Starlink Performance and the Advanced Starlink Power Supply were designed to survive hail impacts up to 1.25 in (3.18 cm) in diameter without affecting performance.

2.3 DROP

Starlink Performance remains operational after a 1 m drop onto steel on any of its surfaces, and the Advanced Starlink Power Supply remains operational after a 1.5 m drop onto steel on any of its surfaces.

2.4 VIBRATIONS

Starlink Performance and the Advanced Starlink Power Supply were designed to withstand a robust vibration profile on the Wedge Mount and Flat Mobility Mount. This profile was generated by adjusting power spectral density (PSD) levels, frequency breakpoint, and test duration to encompass rail, construction, land vehicle, marine, and agriculture use cases with a ten-year equivalent mission duration. While some industry profiles may show higher PSD at certain frequencies, the cumulative damage added by the increased test duration provides additional coverage to account for PSD differences. Each axis is run at the same levels to qualify the equipment for any installation orientation.

Graph 2: Starlink Robust Vibration Exposure Levels

Schematic 1: Comparison of common use vibration test profiles - Vertical axis

[Chart showing vibration profiles]

The comparisons above show test profiles between our qualified levels and MIL-STD-810H. Please note that test durations vary and are included in the legend.

2.5 SHOCK

Starlink Performance and the Advanced Starlink Power Supply were designed to withstand an internally derived shock profile consisting of three 50 g, 11 ms half-sine shock pulses in each of the six equipment orientations on Wedge Mount and Flat Mount. This test qualifies the hardware for installation in any orientation and encompasses most off-road and marine environments.

In addition to functional shock tests, Starlink Performance survives the MIL-STD-810H collision risk shock profile consisting of a 75 g, 6 ms sawtooth pulse installed on Wedge Mount and Flat Mount.

2.6 WATER AND DUST INGRESS

Starlink Performance was qualified IP68 with the connector disconnected and IP69K with the connector mated. Un-mated immersion tests were performed to a depth of 1.1 m for over 30 minutes. IPx9K tests were performed using water pressures greater than 8 MPa and temperatures greater than 80 °C. The test includes 30 seconds of active spray at each nozzle, with nozzle locations set every 30 degrees on each face of the user terminal. The maximum distance from the user terminal to the high-pressure jet is 150 mm.

The Advanced Starlink Power Supply was qualified IP68 with all connectors properly mated. Internal IPx8 immersion tests were performed to a depth of 1.1 m for over 30 minutes. Additional testing was performed for IPx5 (low-pressure water jet), IPx6 (high-pressure water jet), and IPx7 (immersion in <1 m) with satisfactory results.

2.7 THERMAL

Table 3: Summary of Thermal Environment Performance

These temperatures assume the most adverse conditions (no wind and maximum solar load). Functional tests were performed up to 80 °C.

2.7.1 THERMAL PERFORMANCE LIMITS

The "maximum temperature" indicates the maximum ambient temperature at which the hardware can operate with minimal impact on performance. When the ambient temperature exceeds this value, the product will continue to operate, but will limit its duty cycle to protect itself, thereby reducing the maximum allowable throughput until it is forced to shut down at temperatures above 75 °C (167 °F). Wind, solar intensity, and mounting location can all impact the duration and severity of the limitation. For more information, refer to the graph below. Please note that the dual-channel throughput capability shown below in Schematic 2 will be a future network upgrade for Starlink Performance.

All products are designed to operate at temperatures as low as -40 °C (-40 °F) without performance impact. Power consumption at lower temperatures increases when the snow-melting mode is active.

Schematic 2: Throughput vs. Ambient Temperature with Full Solar Load

[Chart showing throughput vs. ambient temperature]

2.7.2 ACCELERATED THERMAL LIFESPAN TESTS

In addition to real-world functional tests, Starlink Performance underwent rigorous accelerated lifespan tests to ensure proper product operation for a minimum ten-year lifespan.

Graph 4: Summary of Accelerated Thermal Lifespan Test

03. STARLINK ADVANCED POWER SUPPLY DETAILS

2.8 CORROSION/MARINE ENVIRONMENT

Starlink Performance was tested to withstand 3,000 hours of ASTM B117 and 400 hours of ASTM G85 A3 without impact to the structure or performance. Tests were performed with properly installed sealing connectors.

2.9 WIND

Starlink Performance was subjected to winds exceeding 270 km/h (over 170 mi/h) in all orientations on a Starlink Flat Mount and on a Starlink Wedge Mount. Starlink wall and pole mount configurations were tested at 177 km/h (110 mi/h), the equivalent of a Category 2 hurricane.

3.1 INPUT VOLTAGE AND FREQUENCY

The AC input for the Advanced Starlink Power Supply was designed to support input voltages from 90 V to 264 V, covering single-phase grid voltages worldwide. Additionally, the power supply was designed for frequencies from 47 to 64 Hz, covering 50 to 60 Hz (± 5%) terrestrial grids.

The DC input for the Advanced Starlink Power Supply was designed to support input voltages from 10.5 V to 57 V. However, it is recommended to power the system at DC voltages above 20 V whenever possible. At lower input voltages, the output power will be reduced to limit the total power supply amperage to less than 20 amps. In these cases, user terminals requiring high throughput (active snow melting) may be limited due to power throttling.

Schematic 3: DC Input Voltage vs. Output Power

[Chart showing DC input voltage vs. output power]

3.2 IEC STANDARDS TESTS

Graph 5: IEC Standards Tests for Advanced Starlink Power Supply

04. STARLINK PERFORMANCE POWER CONSUMPTION

Energy consumption is highly dependent on Starlink usage and ambient temperature. Different transmit (TX) and receive (RX) durations will increase or decrease power consumption. Please note that these figures are average estimates and will vary based on usage, different power inputs, and unit-to-unit variability.

Graph 6: Starlink Performance Power Consumption at 25 °C (77 °F, Ambient Temperature)

The table above does not include power consumed by a router. The router port on the Advanced Starlink Power Supply is capable of providing up to 40 W of Power over Ethernet (PoE) to power a router if desired. Total power consumed, including that of a connected router, will depend on the router type. The Starlink router will require an additional 8 to 12 W over the values above.

05. REFERENCES