People
AGI: Promotes Product Management Director
Kevin Flood was promoted to director of product management for Analytical Graphics Inc., (AGI) the developer of STK aerospace analysis and visualization software. In his new position, Flood overseas development and implementation of the company’s product line.
Flood joined AGI in 2002 as a product manager on the business development staff.
IDIRECT TECHNOLOGIES: Expands Management Team
iDirect Technologies appointed Greg Cinque as chief technology officer.
Cinque last served as vice president of engineering of Manticom Networks.
The company also named Warren Brown vice president of marketing and corporate communications. Most recently, Brown was director of marketing and corporate communications for Iridium Satellite LLC.
SES ASTRA: Appoints Vice President Of African Region
Stephen Rich was appointed vice president and general manager responsible for the African region of SES Astra, the SES Global company.
Rich joins SES Astra from Panamsat, where he was regional vice president for Panamsat Africa Ltd. since 1998.
THALES: Fills New Position
Thales North America Inc. named Frank Tobin Jr. to the newly created position of vice president of Homeland Security, part of the company’s business development team.
Tobin was formerly senior vice president of Spectrum Solutions Group.
XANTIC: Names CEO
Xantic appointed Pieter Eelkman Rooda its new CEO.
Rooda worked in various capacities at Fokker Aircraft before joining the Dutch Broadcasting Co. NOB in 1994. There he worked as CEO of various NOB companies
Services
FIBERSAT: Offers Satellite Uplinking
Fibersat Global Services is providing satellite distribution of multiple Los Angeles- based television programming services.
Fibersat is receiving four separate signals (KJLA TV, LATV Network, KXLA TV, and KVMD TV) through digital terrestrial circuits and is providing MPEG-2/DVB digital video compression and satellite uplinking onto the Galaxy 11 satellite positioned at 91 degreesW. The turnkey satellite services are being provided through facilities located within Fibersat Global Services’ Los Angeles International Mediacenter.
GLOBECAST: Delivers Russian TV Channel
Globecast is delivering Russian network RTR-Planeta on its proprietary Hot Bird platform at 13 degreesE across Europe, North Africa and the Middle East.
Globecast provides RTR-Planeta with 24/7 end-to-end channel distribution, including downlink from Express 3A, and encoding and uplinking at Globecast’s Paris-based multiplex to Eutelsat’s Hot Bird.
MICROSPACE: Gains ITEA Membership
Microspace Communications Corp. is officially a member in the International Theater Equipment Association (ITEA), a partnership of corporations that manufacture, distribute, sell, install and service equipment and supplies used by the motion picture industry. An ITEA membership aligns Microspace with equipment and service providers in the industry.
PATRIOT ANTENNA SYSTEMS: Earns Europe*Star Approval
Europe*Star approved a range of Patriot Ku-band antennas for use with its satellites. These antennas, ranging in size from 90cm to 1.8-meters, are appropriate for satellite newsgathering, private data networks, television broadcast services and other satellite communications applications.
According to Patriot, the approval of these antennas provides Patriot’s customers and satellite integrators with easy registration of new earth stations with Europe*Star, because the performance characteristics and manufacturing tolerances of the antennas have already been verified.
SPACENET: Extends Connexstar Service
Spacenet expanded its Connexstar business satellite networking services with two new packages.
The first service package is Connexstar TransAct, designed to support credit authorization, point-of-sale, ATM and other light- to-medium duty cycle retail transactions.
The other is Connexstar CX-1000, an ultra high-bandwidth option engineered to handle requirements for fast video, retail data and Internet connectivity.
TELENOR: Launches New Maritime Service
Telenor Satellite Services launched Telenor Fleet F55, a high-speed data solution available for coastal and regional vessels and large yachts.
Telenor Fleet F55 service offers mari-time customers high-speed data communications, at up to 64 kbs, in smaller equipment suitable for smaller vessels. It delivers e-mail, Internet and Intranet access, image and video communications, along with "always on" connectivity.
Contracts
ATCI: Chosen By CNBC
Broadcaster CNBC selected Antenna Technology Communications Inc.’s Simulsat C/Ku Multibeam antenna solution to outfit its new global headquarters.
CNBC chose Simulsat C/Ku because of the antenna’s ability to receive programming from up to 35 satellites simultaneously. With a 70 degrees longitude satellite view arc, Simulsat C/Ku can receive a variety of C- and Ku-band satellite programming data.
EUROPE*STAR: Helps Provide Rural Broadband
Europe*Star and Ireland’s South West Regional Authority are participating in a program to address a growing issue faced by geographically disadvantaged regions within the European Community.
The South West Broadband initiative, co-funded by the European Space Agency, is evaluating the use of satellite to deliver high-speed Internet access to rural communities.
The Europe*Star 1 satellite allows broadband data rates in both directions using VSATs and covers the extremities of Ireland. The satellite service uses equipment supplied by iDirect and is being operated by Netdish of Italy.
HARMONIC: Chosen By Sky Perfect
Harmonic Inc. was chosen by Sky Perfect Communications Inc., one of Japan’s leading digital multi-channel satellite broadcasting companies, to upgrade its video infrastructure. Harmonic’s DiviCom MPEG-2 encoders and DiviTrackXE statistical multiplexer are expected to double the capacity of Sky Perfect’s existing satellites while improving picture quality, according to Harmonic.
Sky Perfect will also use Harmonic’s NMX Digital Service Manager to maximize service availability and simplify the operation of its geographically distributed video infrastructure.
INTELSAT: Signs Agreement With Level 3
Intelsat and Level 3 Communications Inc. signed an agreement to launch a new video delivery network to serve North American broadcast customers. The new Intelsat-operated network, scheduled for launch in the beginning of 2004, will be deployed using Level 3’s fiber optic network and collocation facilities.
It will be specially optimized for broadcaster customers to transmit any type of digital video feed, from standard definition to high definition television for sports and news contribution and syndication.
IRDETO ACCESS: Selected by Taiyuan Network
Irdeto Access reported that Taiyuan Cable Network Centre selected the Irdeto M-Crypt conditional access system for its digital pay-TV operation in Taiyuan City, the capital of Shanxi province in China.
With the launch of its digital TV operation, Taiyuan Cable will offer digital services, including near video on demand and IP broadcasting. Irdeto M-crypt will be deployed to secure the digital video broadcasting transmission.
MARLINK: Signs Deal With Kyma Ship Mgmt.
Marlink signed a five-year agreement with the owners of the MV Mona Lisa, represented by Kyma Ship Management Inc. of Miami, FL, to provide satellite communications onboard the vessel.
Operating at speeds up to 2 Mbs, the Sealink solution provides passengers and crew with direct Internet access. In addition, the system permits simultaneous transmission of large amounts of data, voice calls, facsimile, and e-mail messages, and has the potential for videoconferencing.
NORSAT: To Supply SecureLink Terminal
The Center for Health and Technology of the University of California, Davis Health System, chose Norsat International Inc. to supply a Norsat SecureLink terminal, as well as a fixed earth station. This equipment will be used in support of its latest telehealth initiative.
The Norsat SecureLink is a portable satellite data terminal that integrates everything required for broadband (up to 6 Mbs) satellite transmission in three suit cases.
RADYNE COMSTREAM: Lands Modem Contract
Phoenix-based Radyne Comstream won a $1.2 million contract to supply its DMD 20 satellite modem to an unidentified Chinese company. This is the largest contract to date for Radyne Comstream’s DMD20 new modem system in China. Likewise, this is the fourth modem contract awarded to the company by this customer’s end user.
According to Radyne, such a contract award shows the large potential for future business in the growing Asian satellite markets.
SCOPUS: Equips Headends In India
Scopus Network Technologies reported that Doordarshan, one of India’s leading television broadcasters, ordered additional digital video broadcasting platforms from Scopus for satellite TV broadcast head-ends throughout India.
Scopus is equipping Doordarshan with digital broadcast headend systems and project integration with its strategic partner in India, Bharat Electronics Ltd. (BEL) in Mumbai, as well as at sites in Northeast India. These systems are being deployed to enhance Doordarshan’s abilities to further diversify its programming while at the same time improving network usability and control.
Technology
AGI: Launches Software Solution
Analytical Graphics Inc. debuted a commercial off-the-shelf software solution that supports orbit determination for tracking systems–ATK/Orbit Determination (STK/OD). The tool is the newest addition to AGI’s STK aerospace analysis and visualization software suite.
STK/OD’s analytical engine combines three programs to provide the required solutions: a tracking simulator, optimal sequential filter and matched optimal sequential smoother. (Analytical Graphics Inc., 40 General Warren Blvd., Malvern, PA 19355-1245; Tel: 610/578-1000; Fax: 610/578-1001; Web: http://www.stk.com)
HELIUS: Introduces MediaStream Encoder
Helius Inc. introduced the Helius MediaStream Encoder, which enables the multicast distribution of live or pre-recorded source video.
The MediaStream Encoder provides a mid-market MPEG solution for businesses, schools and other organizations who want to incorporate multicasting services on their network. It converts audio and video sources such as DVD players, VCRs and video cameras into MPEG format. Data is then distributed via local area network to the desktop where it can be viewed. (Helius Inc., 333 South 520 West, Suite 330, Lindon, UT 84042; Tel: 801/764-9020; Fax: 801/764-9022; Web: www.helius.com)
