Predictika · Satellite communications equipment

An AI sales agent's satellite remote quote, checked before it goes out

An AI sales agent prepares a quote for an ST Engineering iDirect satellite remote: model, outbound mode, modulation, symbol rates, BUC and LNB power, encryption, spread spectrum and the site environment. Before it goes out, the agent sends it to Predictika, which checks it against a declarative model of iDirect's published remote datasheets and returns a verdict, every reason and the figures it looked up.

Scope: iDirect Evolution X1, X1 Outdoor, X3, X5 and 9350 remotes: outbound mode and modulation, symbol rates, BUC and LNB power, encryption, spread spectrum, power input, ports and operating environment. See everything this validator covers

This validator models quotes for the five iDirect remotes in the datasheets, not just the scenarios shown below.

  • Remote and platform — iNFINITI TDM outbound is checked as Evolution X5 only; Velocity compatibility, TRANSEC, gigabit LAN and 36 to 76 VDC input as 9350 only; the 12/24 VDC input and the IP67 / NEMA 6 outdoor enclosure as X1 Outdoor only.
  • Rates and modulation — downstream modulation and symbol rate, upstream symbol rate against each remote's maximum, and a maximum downstream information rate stated on the quote must equal the datasheet value.
  • Power — BUC supply voltage and wattage, BUC output power, LNB supply voltage and current, and the number of LNBs the receive inputs can power.
  • Options and environment — AES 256-bit encryption and spread spectrum licenses, spreading factor and chip rate, LAN port count, operating temperature, altitude, and the antenna size in the X1 bundle.
  • Approval — a band outside what the datasheet lists (for example Ka band on an X5) is not blocked but flagged for a person to confirm.

Any iDirect remote quote that touches these rules is in scope — not only the scenarios pictured here. Not covered: prices (iDirect publishes none, so this validator produces no price build-up or line-item quote), hub and network design, other iDirect remotes, antennas and RF equipment other than the checks above. Assumptions: the 9350 BUC limit of 120 W at 24 V and 240 W at 48 V is read as 5 A times the supply voltage; the chip rate is the upstream symbol rate times the spreading factor; the datasheets date from about 2010 to 2019 and newer firmware or hardware may differ.

The AI sales agentBuilds the remote quote from the conversation and says it is ready.
Predictika validatorChecks every rule at once and returns the verdict, each finding, and the computed figures.

6 scenarios in 3 groups · each group runs from the agent’s first attempt to the outcome · click one to switch

What the agent proposes

The AI sales agent says

Illustrative agent statement. The validator receives the structured request below.

Proposing agent: AI sales agent (scripted)

Before sending, the agent must call Recorded run

Predictika validator


      

        
        
        
      

      
Waiting for the call.

      
    

  

  
  

    
Where rules-based CPQ gets it wrong
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Our assessment of what a typical rules-based CPQ (product rules, price rules and validation rules, as in Salesforce CPQ) does with the same cases. It is a judgment about effort and reliability, not a claim that nothing can be built.

    
What the validator caughtTypical rules-based CPQPredictika
Which remote supports which optionOnly with workarounds
TRANSEC, gigabit LAN, Velocity, iNFINITI and the DC inputs each belong to one remote, so every option needs its own rule per model, kept in step with the datasheets.		The remote and every option travel in one request and are checked together.
BUC and LNB power against what the remote suppliesOnly with care
The limits depend on the remote and, for the 9350, on the BUC voltage, so a rules-based CPQ needs a limit table and a rule for each combination.		The limit is looked up for the chosen remote and voltage and compared with the BUC and LNB load on every call.
Licenses behind encryption and spread spectrumOnly with workarounds
A license is a separate line that the rep has to add; nothing stops a quote that asks for the feature without it unless a cross-line rule was written.		The feature and its license are in one request, so a missing license is found at once.
Every problem returned in one answerOnly with workarounds
Rules tend to fire as the quote is saved or a step is completed, so a rep often fixes one error and meets the next.		All findings come back together, whatever order the choices arrived in.

  

  

    
What this validator catches: findings from its test cases
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Every rule is checked on every call, in any order the choices arrive; one problem never hides another. Blocking findings stop the quote; approval findings need a person to sign off; everything else is computed.

    
1INFINITI TDM outbound mode is listed for the Evolution X5 only; the Evolution X3 datasheet lists DVB-S2/ACM outbound.
2INFINITI TDM downstream is BPSK, QPSK or 8PSK; 16APSK is not listed.
3INFINITI TDM downstream is limited to 15 Msps; the request is 20 Msps.
4Only the 9350 datasheet lists iDirect Velocity compatibility; the Evolution X5 datasheet describes the Evolution platform.
532APSK downstream modulation is not listed for this remote; DVB-S2/ACM downstream is QPSK, 8PSK and 16APSK, plus 32APSK on the 9350.
6BPSK downstream modulation is not listed for this remote; DVB-S2/ACM downstream is QPSK, 8PSK and 16APSK, plus 32APSK on the 9350.
7A downstream symbol rate of 50 Msps is above the 45 Msps maximum.
8A downstream symbol rate of 0 Msps is below the 1 Msps minimum of this remote.
9An upstream symbol rate of 100 ksps is below the 128 ksps minimum of this remote.
10An upstream symbol rate of 6000 ksps is above the 5000 ksps maximum of this remote.
11An upstream symbol rate of 8000 ksps is above the 7500 ksps maximum of this remote.
12An upstream symbol rate of 30000 ksps is above the 29000 ksps maximum of this remote.
13The quote states a maximum downstream information rate of 150 Mbps, but the datasheet lists 160 Mbps for this remote in this mode.
14The quote states a maximum downstream information rate of 150 Mbps, but the datasheet lists 21 Mbps for this remote in this mode.
15A 12/24 VDC power input is listed for the Evolution X1 Outdoor only, not for the Evolution X3.
16A 36 to 76 VDC power input (with the DC power supply) is listed for the 9350 only, not for the Evolution X5.
17An unsheltered outdoor site needs the Evolution X1 Outdoor, the only remote in these datasheets with an IP67 / NEMA 6 enclosure; the Evolution X3 has no such rating listed.
18This remote cannot supply a 48 V BUC; the 9350 supplies 24 V or 48 V and the other remotes 24 V.
19The BUC draws 130 W, but this remote supplies at most 120 W to the BUC.
20The BUC draws 90 W, but this remote supplies at most 85 W to the BUC.
21A 6.0 W BUC is above the 5.0 W BUC this remote supports.
22A 4.0 W BUC is above the 3.0 W BUC this remote supports.
23An LNB supply of 24 V is not offered; the Evolution X1 supplies 24 V, the X3 and X5 14 V or 19 V, and the 9350 13 to 19 V.
24An LNB supply of 20 V is not offered; the Evolution X1 supplies 24 V, the X3 and X5 14 V or 19 V, and the 9350 13 to 19 V.
25The LNB draws 400 mA, but this remote supplies at most 300 mA.
262 LNBs cannot be powered; only the 9350 has two receive inputs (Rx1 and Rx2) and the other remotes have one.
27No link encryption is listed in the datasheet of the Evolution X1.
28AES 256-bit link encryption is an optional license on the Evolution X3 and is not on the quote.
29On the 9350, AES 256-bit link encryption applies to iDirect Velocity only.
30The FIPS 140-2 Level 3 TRANSEC module is listed for the 9350 only, not for the Evolution X5.
31Spread spectrum is not listed in the datasheet of the Evolution X3.
32A spreading factor of 3 is not offered; the Evolution X5 offers 1, 2, 4, 8 and 16 and the 9350 offers 2, 4 and 8.
33Spread spectrum is an optional license on the Evolution X5 and is not on the quote.
34An upstream rate of 1000 ksps spread by 8 gives 8000 kcps, above the 7500 kcps maximum of this remote.
35A spreading factor of 1 is not offered; the Evolution X5 offers 1, 2, 4, 8 and 16 and the 9350 offers 2, 4 and 8.
36The site minimum of -10 C is below the 0 C operating minimum of this remote.
37The site maximum of 48 C is above the 45 C operating maximum of this remote.
38The 9350 is listed for operation up to 15,000 ft; the site is at 16000 ft.
39A gigabit Ethernet LAN is listed for the 9350 only; the Evolution X3 has a 10/100 Ethernet LAN.
402 LAN ports are requested; the Evolution X5 has a single LAN port and the 9350 has an 8-port switch plus one front-panel port.
41The Evolution X1 bundles are specified with a 75 cm or larger Ku-band antenna; the quote has 60 cm.
42The Evolution X1 bundle is specified for Ku-band and the datasheet says to contact iDirect sales for other frequencies; a person should confirm C band use.
43The datasheet lists Ku-band and C-band radio standards only; a person should confirm Ka band use.
44A 36 to 76 VDC power input (with the DC power supply) is listed for the 9350 only, not for the Evolution X1 Outdoor.
45The BUC draws 40 W, but this remote supplies at most 25 W to the BUC.

  

  

    
Scenarios and results
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The recorded result of the validator for each scenario on this page: the request the AI agent sent, the verdict, and every finding, in the order they appear above.

    
1. Outdoor site: Standard X1 ordered for an unsheltered outdoor solar site

    
The agent's request. Please quote an Evolution X1 remote, DVB-S2/ACM downstream at 20 Msps (QPSK) and 1000 ksps upstream, with a 4 W BUC drawing 20 W at 24 V and an LNB drawing 200 mA at 24 V. The site is outdoors and unsheltered. The power input is 12/24 VDC. The antenna is 60 cm. The maximum downstream information rate of this remote is 160 Mbps. It is ready to send.

    
Verdict: Blocked.

    
    
      
  • 12/24 VDC input is Evolution X1 Outdoor only. A 12/24 VDC power input is listed for the Evolution X1 Outdoor only, not for the Evolution X1.
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  • Unsheltered outdoor site needs the X1 Outdoor. An unsheltered outdoor site needs the Evolution X1 Outdoor, the only remote in these datasheets with an IP67 / NEMA 6 enclosure; the Evolution X1 has no such rating listed.
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  • BUC output power above what the remote supports. A 4.0 W BUC is above the 3.0 W BUC this remote supports.
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  • Antenna smaller than the X1 bundle specification. The Evolution X1 bundles are specified with a 75 cm or larger Ku-band antenna; the quote has 60 cm.
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2. Outdoor site: The agent resubmits after fixing the errors

    
The agent's request. Please quote an Evolution X1 Outdoor remote, DVB-S2/ACM downstream at 20 Msps (QPSK) and 1000 ksps upstream, with a 3 W BUC drawing 20 W at 24 V and an LNB drawing 200 mA at 24 V. The site is outdoors and unsheltered. The power input is 12/24 VDC. The antenna is 75 cm. The maximum downstream information rate of this remote is 160 Mbps. It is ready to send.

    
Verdict: Allowed.

    
    
      
  • Remote summary. Evolution X1 Outdoor, 20 Msps downstream, 1000 ksps upstream, BUC 20 W at 24 V.
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3. Licenses: X5 with AES encryption and spread spectrum, no licenses

    
The agent's request. Please quote an Evolution X5 remote, DVB-S2/ACM downstream at 20 Msps (QPSK) and 1000 ksps upstream, with a 4 W BUC drawing 60 W at 24 V and an LNB drawing 400 mA at 19 V. It needs AES 256-bit encryption. It uses spread spectrum with a spreading factor of 4. It is ready to send.

    
Verdict: Blocked.

    
    
      
  • AES-256 license missing. AES 256-bit link encryption is an optional license on the Evolution X5 and is not on the quote.
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  • Spread spectrum license missing. Spread spectrum is an optional license on the Evolution X5 and is not on the quote.
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4. Licenses: The agent resubmits after fixing the errors

    
The agent's request. Please quote an Evolution X5 remote, DVB-S2/ACM downstream at 20 Msps (QPSK) and 1000 ksps upstream, with a 4 W BUC drawing 60 W at 24 V and an LNB drawing 400 mA at 19 V. It needs AES 256-bit encryption and the license is on the quote. It uses spread spectrum with a spreading factor of 4 and the license is on the quote. It is ready to send.

    
Verdict: Allowed.

    
    
      
  • Remote summary. Evolution X5, 20 Msps downstream, 1000 ksps upstream, BUC 60 W at 24 V.
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5. Power and platform: 9350 with TRANSEC and a heavy BUC and LNB load on Evolution

    
The agent's request. Please quote a 9350 remote on the Evolution platform, DVB-S2/ACM downstream at 20 Msps (QPSK) and 8000 ksps upstream, with a 4 W BUC drawing 200 W at 24 V and an LNB drawing 500 mA at 19 V (2 LNBs). It needs AES 256-bit encryption. It needs the TRANSEC module. It needs 4 LAN ports on gigabit Ethernet. It is ready to send.

    
Verdict: Blocked.

    
    
      
  • BUC draws more than the remote supplies. The BUC draws 200 W, but this remote supplies at most 120 W to the BUC.
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  • LNB draws more than the remote supplies. The LNB draws 500 mA, but this remote supplies at most 450 mA.
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  • 9350 AES-256 needs Velocity. On the 9350, AES 256-bit link encryption applies to iDirect Velocity only.
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6. Power and platform: The agent resubmits after fixing the errors

    
The agent's request. Please quote a 9350 remote on the Velocity platform, DVB-S2/ACM downstream at 20 Msps (QPSK) and 8000 ksps upstream, with a 4 W BUC drawing 200 W at 48 V and an LNB drawing 400 mA at 19 V (2 LNBs). It needs AES 256-bit encryption. It needs the TRANSEC module. It needs 4 LAN ports on gigabit Ethernet. It is ready to send.

    
Verdict: Allowed.

    
    
      
  • Remote summary. 9350, 20 Msps downstream, 8000 ksps upstream, BUC 200 W at 48 V.
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Narration transcript
Click to expand
    
The text of the narrated walkthrough, step by step.

    
    
      
  1. Welcome to a demo of Predictika's Validator. An AI sales agent prepares a quote for an ST Engineering iDirect satellite remote: model, outbound mode, modulation, and more. Before it goes out, the agent sends it to Predictika, which checks it against a declarative model of iDirect's published remote datasheets and returns a verdict, every reason and the figures it looked up.
    2. 
      
  2. I will start with the first request by the agent.
    3. 
      
  3. The agent says. Please quote an Evolution X1 remote, DVB-S2/ACM downstream at 20 Msps (QPSK) and 1000 ksps upstream, with a 4 W BUC drawing 20 W at 24 V and an LNB drawing 200 mA at 24 V. The site is outdoors and unsheltered. The rest of the request is on screen. The maximum downstream information rate of this remote is 160 Mbps.
    4. 
      
  4. Before it goes out, the agent calls the validator.
    5. 
      
  5. Blocked, with four findings, all in one answer. A 12/24 VDC power input is listed for the Evolution X1 Outdoor only, not for the Evolution X1. An unsheltered outdoor site needs the Evolution X1 Outdoor, the only remote in these datasheets with an IP67 / NEMA 6 enclosure; the Evolution X1 has no such rating listed. A 4.0 W BUC is above the 3.0 W BUC this remote supports. The other one is on screen.
    6. 
      
  6. The validator returned four blocking findings in one answer. A check that reads one field at a time would pass most of this; it shows only when the choices in the quote are checked against each other.
    7. 
      
  7. What this shows: for BUC and LNB power against what the remote supplies, a rules-based CPQ is error-prone for this.
    8. 
      
  8. Now the agent resubmits.
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  9. The corrected request. It changes the remote to Evolution X1 Outdoor, the BUC to 3 W RF, 20 W at 24 V and the antenna to 75 cm.
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  10. It calls the validator again.
    11. 
      
  11. This time the validator clears it.
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  12. All four earlier findings are cleared.
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  13. Four problems caught in one call, fixed in one pass, and a clean quote. That is the value of Predictika's validator: catching mistakes before they reach the customer. Now you can try the other scenarios yourself.
    14.