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Command Center: Jeffrey Chu
Chairman + CEO, Glowlink Communications


ChuHead Jeffrey C. Chu is the co-founderof this Los Altos, California, based company. He is an expert in satellite monitoring and interference mitigation technology, having co-invented and managed the first generation of such systems for the United States government. Mr. Chu received his Bachelor degree in Science from Harvey Mudd College, and his Master Degree in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science from the University of California, Berkeley.

MilsatMagazine (MSM)
You have built Glowlink through vigorous adherence to a high quality of production standards and complemented by the selection of a solid team of in-house professionals — would you please tell our readers of your Company’s history and how you came to found the Company?

Jeffrey Chu
Back in 2000, a few of us had the vision of bringing to the commercial market something called DSP, which is a digital technology mostly used, until then, in high-end, sophisticated communications applications, into the commercial market. In particular, we wanted to exploit this technology to tackle a serious problem that is rampant when dealing with wireless communications over satellites — their notorious susceptibility of being vulnerable to interference problems — this was the motivator for Glowlink’s birth.

ChuFig1 Interestingly, Glowlink was founded in January of 2000. As many readers may recall, the dot.com disintegration occurred in March of that year, taking a lot of companies down in its wake. The telecommunications sector was especially hard hit. How that affected Glowlink then, and how we managed to make it through this troubling time remains interesting, but is probably a topic of discussion for another time.

MSM
With your advanced degree from the University of California at Berkeley, you must be as concerned as many in the industry regarding the lack of trained specialists within the pool of potential employees — how critical is the lack of engineering talent? Does Glowlink have any mentor programs themselves, or via other initiatives, to assist with STEM training of today’s students, whether in middle or high school and at the college level? How can our industry better promote such training?

Jeffrey Chu
I believe the lack of trained specialists is a severe problem, and not just for a company such as Glowlink, but for practically all U.S. companies within the high-tech arena. I remember back in 2006, the CEO of one of the largest investment banking companies in the country remarked that he wished he would never need the services of engineers and doctors, because as the best and the brightest all seemed to flock to Wall Street. Yes, I think we have a HUGE gap in this country because indigent talents tend to shy away from the hard sciences. This is unfortunate, as science and technology are each the singular strength that differentiates our country, vis-à-vis other countries around the world.

If we don’t fix this problem, as a nation we will have, and are starting to experience today, a real problem competing in a globalized world where other countries are graduating more engineers and scientists in one month than we do in an entire year! Glowlink is trying to do what it can to help alleviate this situation, but we are somewhat limited by our size and the need to focus on what we do as an innovation-driven company.

ChuFig2 However, I can share with you this: My own son is now a senior in electrical engineering and computer science at the University of California at Berkeley. In his spare time, which is a rare commodity in his major, he mentors disadvantaged kids, teaching them math and science. And this is from a guy who, back in high school, had the lofty flake of an idea to wonder around Wall Street with a cup of coffee in his hand, a Wall Street Journal under his arm, producing nothing tangible save for making big bucks creating paper wealth and engineering unrealistic dreams! Thankfully, my son is now working very hard in a tough program. He is not making big bucks. I am very proud of him, and also glad for our country. I think if we all contribute in our own, individual way, we will strengthen our country. Isn’t that what America is all about: Sowing our own individual best, and being responsible for our own actions?

MSM
What market segments does Glowlink address and focus upon? Are you involved in both domestic and overseas work?

Jeffrey Chu
We target government and commercial markets. We focus primarily on solving the interference problems in wireless communications, from how to prevent them from occurring, to resolving such “challenges” when they do occur. Glowlink is lucky in that from almost day one, we have been involved in the domestic and international markets. That has given us a front-row seat whereby we are able to watch and analyze global business development trends. Today, our equipment can be found throughout the world. Such an accomplishment is pretty unique for a small, technology-centric company such as Glowlink.

If instituted correctly, MILSATCOM saves lives and produces successful missions — can you offer us some examples of how your technology has removed some of the interference concerns that have plagued communications capabilities?

Jeffrey Chu
Glowlink equipment has been used in monitoring mission-critical communications on DSCS and WGS satellites on a worldwide basis. In addition, our equipment is used to detect and pinpoint interference problems on commercial satellites that carry important government and military communications traffic. Obviously, the ability to stand as a competent sentry on these types of communications, and to provide actionable information, is the key in maintaining the integrity of the traffic and the users served.

MSM
As we now know, Glowlink focuses on the mitigation of satellite interference problems. Organizations such as sIRG are informing and educating others as to this critical SATCOM “challenge.” How serious is the interference problem as of this interview? Do you feel the industry has improved its understanding of the steps that must be taken to protect crucial satellite services?

Jeffrey Chu
Satellite interference has always been a problem and the very reason why we founded Glowlink 12 years ago. I don’t believe the interference problem has become any worse, or better, for that matter. I just think interference awareness has been increased, and not because users don’t know about it, but because interference can no longer be ignored. Even an ostrich has to come up for air once in a while, right? That said, I don’t think the industry has improved its understanding of the steps that must be taken to protect crucial satellite services. There are a lot of bright lights and an increasing crescendo of “concerns” surrounding the interference problem, but I think the approach has been largely amateurish and symbolic, with little insight or substance. I am glad that at least the problem is public and can no longer be denied.

MSM
How does Glowlink manage to “be heard” by those within the government and military acquisition command chains, especially when competing with larger companies?

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Jeffrey Chu
Mostly via word of mouth and through media channels such as SatMagazine and others to reach our intended audience. Importantly, our valued government customers are sometimes the best marketing resources. We found this approach to be quite effective for us. We don’t have the deep pockets or size of our much larger competitors who are able to deploy massive amounts of marketing resources and people. So, we don’t try to match them. In fact, Glowlink has no marketing or sales staff whatsoever. That has worked to our favor in a couple of aspects. One, it lowers the overall cost of doing business as we can pass along the saving from zeroing out marketing directly to our customers. Second, when a customer calls, they talk to the real people who can understand their problems and know how best to solve them. Sometimes, when we do not have the solution for their problem, we refer them to other reputable vendors. I know our customers appreciate end respect us for doing the right thing.

MSM
Does your Company weave its technologies into SATCOM products offered by other commercial firms? 

Jeffrey Chu
Not at this point in time, but we expect to start doing that in the near future.

MSM
Would you please explain how geolocation techniques are melded with monitoring to inform users of satellite interference?

Jeffrey Chu
When we first looked at the geolocation application, which is basically a way to find out where an interference is originating, we realized the key to this determination is a superb signal processing platform. The underlying orbital mechanics and mathematics, formidable as they may be, are not terribly complicated. It so happens that our carrier monitoring system has a fantastic signal processing platform because we had designed the technology in that way when the company was formed. We basically took that platform, added the math, and, voila, a great geolocation product — the Glowlink Model 8000, was born.

It turns out this melding of the two applications has two other tremendous benefits: One, it allows monitoring and geolocation to be performed quickly and seamlessly, a factor that is key in detecting and geolocating fast moving type of interferences that are here one moment and gone the next; the other major benefit is the compactness and portability of single-chassis construction that enables the unit to be easily transported and setup. A user can simply move the chassis to a satellite ground station and set it up quickly to continuously monitor the satellite of interest. When an interference surfaces, the Model 8000 can detect it, ID it, and proceed to geolocate it. — it truly is as simple as that.

MSM
A growth area for your Company seems to be that of VSAT transmit antenna commissioning — please explain how this technology supports your product offerings.

Jeffrey Chu
The VSAT product, we call it VXCS, can be used to quickly and efficiently establish a VSAT network, using patented technology already deployed and proven in other Glowlink products. By quickly and accurately setting up VSAT terminals, VXCS can significantly reduce the risk of inadvertently generating interferences, which supports the main theme of our entire product offerings: The prevention and resolution of interferences.

ChuFig3 MSM
In what other complimentary areas of the satellite communications industry is Glowlink involved?

Jeffrey Chu
Glowlink interference technology has helped to fundamentally improve the quality and integrity of satellite communications traffic. Going forward, we will likely bring to the market technologies that prevent interferences as well as proactively raise the bar on improving the efficiency of the communication itself, such as more bits per hertz of bandwidth used.

MSM
Looking back over the past decade, what projects bring a smile to your face and a true sense of satisfaction?

Jeffrey Chu
When I graduated from Berkeley, I joined a startup company in the Silicon Valley and helped developed the first generation of automatic satellite monitoring system for the U.S. Government. On the strength and success of that product, the company went public and I did well, financially speaking. However, the real satisfaction is this: That system went out to monitor the defense satellite communications system (DSCS) for the next 25 years. When Glowlink was formed and contracted to produce the replacement, we delivered, on time, the Model 1000 product. And almost to the day, 25 years later, we were able to move the original system to the Model 1000, which the government is now using to monitoring the Wideband Global Satellite (WGS) constellation. This brings a true sense of satisfaction to all of us who worked on the project. I think I feel particularly fortunate to be involved in such a personal way in both of these projects, spread over 25 years.

MSM
Over the next year or two, how do you see the battle against interference being waged? What do you believe we can expect as far as new technologies in the SATCOM and MILSATCOM arenas?

Jeffrey Chu
The problem of interference will always exist, no matter what is done. The key is adaptability. Approaches such as carrier ID, the satellite common database, while worthwhile, are not enough. Trying to solve the problem via any policy or forced adoption would be ineffective and could backfire. Technology is key.

In terms of new technologies, I do see the additional melding of digital and analog technologies, where product will become even smaller and simultaneously more powerful. Technologies will continue to emerge that will solve the bandwidth limitation problem without power limitation problems. Satellites will continue to play an indispensable role, in civilian and military applications, with increasing demand for pristine and wide bandwidth.

MSM
Where will Glowlink be in the next year, and what new products that can be discussed will become evident from your Company?

Jeffrey Chu
We expect to announce products and technologies to support the evolution toward cleaner and broader satellite bandwidths. You will also see us start to deploy these products and technologies in areas outside of the satellite environs and move more into the mainstream, mass communications market. We are keeping our head in innovation and our fingers on the market pulse to make certain we hit the market when the market is ready. Not before. Not after.

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