C-COM shows off iNetVu Ka-band, Ku-band satellite antenna systems at NAB 2013

C-COM Satellite Systems Inc. is proudly putting its new iNetVu line of Ka-band and Ku-band auto-pointing antenna systems on display at NAB 2013. The iNetVu FLY-75V Flyaway Antenna, iNetVu Ka-75V Drive-Away Antenna, and iNetVu 981 Drive-Away Antenna will be basking in the spotlight for the perusal of interested consumers.

The SNG market considers the iNetVu mobile antenna series to be one of the most advanced, cost-effective, and reliable solutions in the market. The proven iNetVu solution transmits video in real time, providing instant communication to press and media groups worldwide leverage. Broadcasters have deployed the C-COM satellite antenna systems in various locations across the world.

The acclaimed antenna designers at C-COM recently rolled out the iNetVu FLY-75V Flyaway Antenna. Measuring 75 centimeters, the Flyaway product is highly portable, motorized, self-pointing, and capable of full auto-acquisition. It can be configured with the iNetVu 7710 Controller and was designed with the new Ka-band in mind. The C-COM satellite antenna system only takes minutes to deploy and acquire satellites once deployed. In addition, it is priced very effectively, making it highly attractive for cost-conscious users.

Next in line is the iNetVu Ka-75V Drive-Away Antenna. Also measuring 75 centimeters, this auto-acquire satellite antenna system can be mounted on the roof of a vehicle. It is perfect for providing direct broadband access over any configured satellite to smaller vehicles and broadcast applications. Ka-75V uses the iNetVu 7024C Controller and takes advantage of the recently-emergent VIASAT / KA-SAT satellite Surfbeam II/PRO Nomadic modems. It is robust, extremely accurate, and economically attractive to broadcasters.

Last but not least is the 98 centimeter iNetVu 981 Drive-Away Antenna. This Ku-band auto-acquire satellite antenna system is ideal for bigger vehicles and SNG applications. It is paired with the iNetVu 7024C Controller and is compatible with the most popular commercial Ku modems and services in the world. It can be upgraded to Ka-band while in the field and comes an optional, aerodynamic and aesthetically-pleasing pod.

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ViaSat VR-12 Ka band antenna qualifies for FAA, global standards

ViaSat Inc. announced that its VR-12 Ka-band satellite antenna system has qualified for FAA and international regulations covering electrical and electronic equipment installed on commercial aircraft. The ViaSat product has recently completed industry standard DO-160G testing; the first batch of the newly-certified production units will be available for shipping in a few weeks.

The DO-160G standard applies to every aircraft ever built. This includes general aviation and business jets, helicopters, commercial jets, and modified civilian aircraft operated by the government. The standard test covers altitude, dust and sand, lightning and electrostatic discharge, power input, RF susceptibility, temperature, vibration, requirements, and other relevant criteria.

When partnered up with a ViaSat mobile satellite modem, the VR-12 Ka antenna system can deliver Beyond Line of Sight (BLOS) airborne satellite communications. Its very high data rate is suited for military intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) applications that use both commercial and military Ka-band frequencies and require intensive bandwidth.

On previous flight tests, VR-12 Ka successfully tested satellite Internet (achieving upwards of 10 Mbps of aircraft-to-satellite transmission rates,) simultaneous transmission of HD video, video teleconferencing, and VoIP applications.

The VR-12 Ka succeeds the VR-12 Ku band satellite antenna. The older ViaSat system serves aboard more than 300 government aircraft and has accumulated more than half a million mission hours.

ViaSat has learned from its customers that a simple flight line maintenance action can quickly swap antennas in order to adapt the aircraft BLOS communications capabilities. To this end, the Company ensured that the VR-12 Ka system is a form and fit interchange with the older Ku-band system.

The VR-12 Ka-band satellite antenna can be installed aboard Gulfstream, King Air, Pilatus, C-130, and other aircraft. The ViaSat systems will be able to operate in Ka-band overlay regions covered by the Company's growing worldwide mobile satellite communications network.

Inmarsat Global Xpress using Metaswitch solutions for VoIP services

Inmarsat will be upgrading the voice services of its Global Xpress (GX) Ka-band satellite broadband using IP communications solutions from Metaswitch.

Metaswitch Universal Media gateways, MetaSphere Multimedia Telephony Applications Server, the MetaView Network management System, and Perimeta Session Border Controllers will all be used to enhance Global Xpress' voice services.

GX is an all-IP satellite broadband network comparable to terrestrial LTE networks. It implements voice as a service on top of the satellite broadband network, but requires VoIP services to deliver voice communications.

Metaswitch and Inmarsat have been working together since 2012. Last February, Metaswitch was tapped to support Inmarsat's FleetBroadband maritime communications service. Inmarsat network hubs in Western Europe and the Pacific Rim were equipped with Metaswitch Universal Media Gateways and the MetaSphere Multimedia Telephone Applications Service. 

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Inmarsat declares plans for SwiftBroadband, Alphasat, GX Aviation at NBAA 2012

During the NBAA 2012 conference, global mobile satellite communications services provider Inmarsat discussed the new enhancements for its SwiftBroadband satellite broadband service come 2013.

Inmarsat announced that it will be introducing high data rate technology to SwiftBroadband which will increase its speed. Next is the implementation of new SwiftBroadband services specifically designed for use by helicopters. Finally, Inmarsat will take key steps in the addition of extra safety services that will leverage SwiftBroadband to deliver prioritized IP connectivity to the cockpit. These new safety services will help save up to 30% of the cost spent on satellite ACARS messaging.

In addition, Inmarsat will unveil more details about its Alphasat I-XL Ka-band satellites. The first of the three I-5 platform is currently being built by Boeing. It is scheduled for launch during the second half of 2013. Its two sister satellites will follow it at six-month intervals.

The Alphasat constellation will supplement the older I-4 satellite fleet. The new Inmarsat Ka-band satellites will boost SwiftBroadband capacity over Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Middle East.

Finally, Inmarsat also confirmed that GX Aviation, its global in-flight Ka-band satellite Internet service, will enter commercial availability in early 2015 following the completion of the Alphasat constellation it will leverage for capacity and connectivity.


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USAF awards $339 million to Boeing for new WGS-10 satellite

The U.S. Air Force likes what Boeing Space and Intelligence Systems is doing for the Wideband Global Satellite Communications program. So it’s modifying its contract and awarding Boeing an additional $338.7 million to build a tenth WGS military communications satellite.

As its name suggests, the planned WGS-10 will be the tenth member of the WGS system. Its new wideband digital channelizer gives it twice the satellite bandwidth compared to its predecessors’ configuration.

The USAF is procuring the WGS satellites through a commercial-style operating model. The new purchasing model saves significant amounts of money by streamlining processes, tests, and governmental oversight functions based on the developing maturity of the WGS production line.

Boeing’s production of the WGS satellites began in 2000. The first three satellites are in geosynchronous orbit, providing wideband communications to warfighters around the globe. WGS-4 was successfully launched in January 2012 and is currently being readied for operations. The next five satellites, 5 to 9, are currently in production, while number 10 has just been ordered by the USAF.

The Wideband Global satellite communications system provides 24/7/365 communication worldwide for U.S. warfighter through broadcast, multicast and point-to-point connections. It is the only system that can support X- and Ka-band communications at the same time, and its capability to crossband ensures transparent communication across terminal types. The three currently-operational satellites currently gathers and routes real-time data through more than 700 X-band, 3100 Ka-band, and 400 X/Ka-band terminals around the world.

VA-208 dual satcom payload undergo last preparations

As of July 23, 2012, Ariane Flight VA-208's satellite passengers are undergoing last preparations for their August 2 launch mission.

The French Guiana-located Spaceport’s S5B dual-function hall is hosting the HYLAS 2 satellite. At the time of this writing, the satellite has received its propellant, which it will use to maneuver itself once in orbit. Manufactured by Orbital Sciences Corporation on behalf of satellite communications company Avanti Communications, HYLAS 2's cutting-edge Ka-band technology will deliver high-speed, low-cost two-way data communications. The Ka-band satellite can direct 24 fixed beams and one steerable beam to provide data capacity to rapidly-expanding African, Middle Eastern, and Caucasus markets.

HYLAS 2's companion, the Intelsat 20 platform, has already been mounted on its adapter interface with the Ariane 5 rocket. Built by Space Systems/Loral for satellite communications company Intelsat, the C-band / Ku-band satellite specializes in delivering high-power distribution of video, voice, and data network services using legacy C-band and Ku-band payload. This spacecraft will replace the earlier, co-located Intelsat 7 and Intelsat 10 communications satellites.

The upcoming Arianespace Flight VA-208 will be the 208th mission of an Ariane family vehicle. Commission by satellite communication companies Intelsat and Avanti, VA-208 will also be the fourth mission for the heavy-lift Ariane 5 for this year.

EM Solutions wins bid with Japan for KIZUNA-compatible SOTM system

EM Solutions and its Tokyo-based partner, Jepico Corporation, will provide Japan with the Satellite on the Move (SOTM) system, which -in combination with the planned W.I.N.D.S. (KIZUNA) Ka-band communications satellite- can ensure unbroken satellite communications and broadband during disasters.

The two partner companies won a bid with the National Institute of Information and Communications Technology, Japan’s national research institute on information and communications. Their SOTM system will ensure steady communications with the newest Ka-band broadband satellites (such as KIZUNA) even in the roughest conditions, such as stormy seas or off-road.

More than 21 meters in length with solar panels fully extended and massing 2.7 tons, KIZUNA will be placed at an altitude of approximately 36,000km at the 143 degrees East slot. It will provide super high-speed data communications with download speeds of up to 1.2 Gbps for government organizations, companies, and even private civilian users.

EM Solutions first developed its SOTM technology with the Australian Defence Force (ADF) through the former's links with the Defence Science and Technology Organisation (DSTO.) According to Dr. Rowan Gilmore, EM Solutions CEO, the ADF asked the DSTO to provide a mounted battle command on-the-move satellite communications system. The end result was a very tough terminal that could maintain vital communications and supply troops with high-quality, broadband information even in the worst driving conditions.

According to Dr. Gilmore, SOTM can be easily mounted on a vehicle, driven to the location of a natural disaster, and deployed to provide a mobile communication facility on site. SOTM can support vital communications during times when everything else breaks down.

The recent Great East Japan earthquakes, aftershocks, and accompanying tsunami disrupted terrestrial communications networks throughout affected regions of Japan. The dearth of communications severely disrupted early-warning, rescue, and relief efforts that relied on those disabled ground stations.

Japan's WINDS OTM system is intended to maintain high-speed broadband communications even when terrestrial networks are down. EM Solution's SOTM platform will be one of many systems that can tap KIZUNA's capacities in order to coordinate disaster relief operations.

Avanti hires MDA for HYLAS 3 satellite broadband payload

Information solutions provider MacDonald, Dettwiler and Associates Ltd. (MDA) signed a CA$35 million contract with U.K. satellite company Avanti Communications Group plc. MDA will design and build a Ka-band broadband communications payload solution for Avanti's HYLAS 3 satellite.

Avanti's HYLAS 3 satellite will deliver high-capacity, high-speed data communications services to Africa and the Middle East. This includes numerous satellite communications and broadband services. Avanti expects a 2015 launch.

Avanti selected MDA to work on its HYLAS 3 payload due to the Canadian company's expertise in Ka-band multi-beam solutions. "MDA is delighted to begin work on HYLAS 3," said Don Osborne, MDA Vice President, "To leverage its world-class Ka-band satellite technology in support of Avanti's continued growth and success."