TECHNOLOGY

Navsync Introduces New Fully Integrated GPS Module

Navsync launched its new CW46 GPS sensor. The unit offers low signal tracking capabilities, which means it can continue to provide synchronization in very weak signal areas, including inside buildings, reducing installations costs.
    The CW46 is a fully integrated module that includes Navsync’s CW25-TIM receiver, DC/DC converter, active GPS antenna and RS232, RS422 or USB communication options housed in a single unit..
    The sensor can be used for timing or synchronization applications and offers output GPS disciplined frequency up to 10 megahertz in good signal areas.

Quintech Offers RF Matrix Switch

Quintech Electronics and Communications Inc. introduced a new RF Matrix Switch, the company announced April 9.
    The QE3 features a 64×64 RF matrix in six rack units, a frequency range that covers IF50 to 200 megahertz (MHz) and 950 to 2500 MHz. The switcher can be expanded to 1024×1024.

SERVICES

Arqiva To Launch New Platform For Occasional Use Broadcasting

Arqiva will roll out a new international high-definition (HD) platform for occasional use broadcasting, the company announced April 16.
    Arqiva’s Washington teleport will take feeds in any format and uplink to any of the company’s 10 international teleports. The service also includes connectivity to Arqiva’s global terrestrial fiber network. The combination of either MPEG-4 or MPEG-2 compression with DVB-S2 modulation will maximize bandwidth utilization. The platform will allow standard definition broadcasters to begin a progressive transition to HD satellite delivery.
    The platform infrastructure and service offering will launch in July.

Arqiva, SAT-GE Partner For Asian HD Service

Arqiva’s Satellite Media Solutions division is partnering with GE subsidiary SAT-GE to provide an Asia-Pacific satellite-based high-definition (HD) video platform, Arqiva announced.
    The new platform will enable broadcasters to distribute and contribute HD and standard-definition channels to Asian-Pacific broadcasters and cable headends. The new platform will be uplinked onto GE 23 at 172° East, which is positioned to provide a broad satellite footprint for coverage from the United States into Singapore, Hong Kong, China, Japan, Thailand, South Korea, Indonesia, the Philippines, Australia and New Zealand.

Dish Builds Digital Signage Service

Dish Network Corp. is forming Dish Digital Media Services, which will provide digital signage platforms for retail customers, Dish announced.
    The new service will combine Dish Network’s fleet of satellites with its national installation network, uplink centers and teleport fiber points of presence to provide commercial and private business with live and stored digital communications content.

Gilat To Provide VSAT Network In Latin America

Gilat Satellite Networks Ltd. has begun deployment of a 1,500-site satellite network for Latin American satellite provider Axesat, Gilat announced.
    Axesat will use the Gilat SkyEdge 2 VSAT to provide enterprises in Latin America with private networking services, including interactive data, broadband Internet access and Voice Over Internet Protocol. Axesat has deployed Gilat 360e and SkyEdge networks in the past.

Hughes To Provide Satellite For Broadband In Australia

Hughes Network Systems LLC will provide a satellite system for Orion Satellite Systems of Australia to provide broadband Internet access service to remote areas in Australia.
    Financial details of the contract were not released.

iDirect, Ericsson Partner For GSM Backhaul Solution

iDirect Inc.’s IP communications platform has been certified to be interoperable with Ericsson’s Abis-over-IP GSM satellite backhaul solution, iDirect announced.
    The joint capabilities enables operators to reduce the cost of transporting cellular traffic over satellite by replacing single channel per carrier links with a shared IP time division multiple access network.
    iDirect and Ericsson-Oman also have signed their first joint customer, Nawras, a cellular operator in the Middle East based in  Oman. In an effort to extend its GSM service to Oman’s entire population, Nawras will install an iDirect Series 15000 universal hub at its headquarters along with 20 iDirect iNFINITI 5000 Series satellite routers. The operator also plans to leverage the satellite network to provide broadband connectivity to commercial enterprises and government organizations in Oman.

Intelsat To Distribute IPTV To Cruise Ships

Intelsat Ltd.’s IPTV platform has been chosen as a distribution platform for programming to cruise ships in the Americas, Intelsat announced.
    SeaMobile Enterprises subsidiary Wave Entertainment Network will provide content via Intelsat’s platform to the vessels.

Telenor Launches New DTH Platform In Eastern Europe

Telenor Satellite Broadcasting has helped launch a new direct-to-home (DTH) platform in Eastern Europe, Telenor announced.
    Telenor is supplying capacity and services for Focus-Sat SRL, Moldova’s first DTH operator, which initially is broadcasting seven channels that include a mix of local and Russian content.

Viasat Launches DTH Services In Ukraine

Viasat will launch direct-to-home (DTH) services in Ukraine, parent company Modern Times Group (MTG) announced.
    Viasat Ukraine is the first licensed digital premium satellite operator in Ukraine, and the initial offering will consist of three pay-TV packages — Viasat Family, Viasat Popular and Viasat Prestige, offering up to 60 Ukrainian, Russian and international channels.
    The Viasat Ukraine service is being launched by Vision TV following the joint venture partnership established between MTG and Strong Media Group in September.

CONTRACTS

Arqiva Extends Relationship With CNR

Arqiva Satellite Media Solutions has extended its relationship with Canadian Natural Resources Ltd. (CNR) to provide satellite-based connectivity to support CNR’s operations in Africa, Arqiva announced.     Arqiva already supplies satellite-based connectivity and turnkey communications solutions to CNR, an independent oil and natural gas exploration, development and production company. The latest contract will see Arqiva provide CNR with satellite connectivity to an offshore platform near the Ivory Coast.

Comtech Receives Cellular Backhaul Order

Comtech EF Data Corp. received an order for satellite modems to support cellular backhaul networks in Africa and the Middle East, the company announced.
    The $1.3 million order includes CDM-QxL multi-channel satellite modems and the CDM-570L modems with IP modules.

DataPath Receives ITT Contract For Army’s Communications Program

DataPath Inc. will supply its MaxView network management system to ITT Corp. for use on a U.S. Army communications system, DataPath announced.
    Under the contract, DataPath’s MaxView network management system will provide management and automation services for the 9-meter AN/GSC-70(V)1 Ka-Band Satellite Transmit and Receive Systems (Ka-STARS). The system will operate over the Wideband Global Satellite system to provide high-bandwidth communication capability around the globe.

DigitalGlobe Partners For Imagery Portal

DigitalGlobe has joined Autodesk’s data initiative, making DigitalGlobe’s images accessible to Autodesk customers, DigitalGlobe announced.
    Autodesk’s data initiative portal offers customers access to the online library of world imagery directly with AutoCAD Map 3-D software.

General Dynamics Receives NASA Contract For Landsat Satellite

NASA has awarded General Dynamics Advanced Information Systems Inc. a $116.3 million contract to build the Landsat Data Continuity Mission (LDCM) spacecraft, NASA announced April 22.
    General Dynamics Advanced Information Systems will be responsible for the design and fabrication of the LDCM platform, integration of the government furnished instruments, satellite-level testing, on-orbit check-out and engineering support.
    The satellite will continue the series of measurements begun with the Landsat-1 mission, providing data and imagery for use in agriculture, education, business, science and government.
    The mission is a joint program conducted with NASA and the U.S. Geological Survey.

Globecomm To Continue JIPM Production For Army

The U.S. Army exercised a $5.5 million contract option for continued production of the Joint IP Modem (JIPM), Globecomm Systems Inc. announced.
    In November, the Army awarded Globecomm a contract to develop the modem, which is intended to serve as a standard network IP modem for use on military and commercial satellites. Subcontractor ViaSat Inc. is responsible for JIPM development and production.
    The goal of the effort is to leverage commercial technology while providing an open standard based approach, which can form the basis of interoperability for military users. The U.S. Defense Information Systems Agency manages the JIPM initiative and plans to field the modem in the U.S. Department of Defense Teleport Generation 2 rollout.
    The initial contract was valued at $9.9 million, and the new option brings the total value of the contract to $15.4 million to date. If all contract options are exercised, the program will be valued at up to $87 million for Globecomm and ViaSat.

ICO, Delphi Partner For Terminals

Delphi Corp. will develop advanced DVB-SH (digital video broadcasting–satellite services to handhelds) user terminals for ICO Global Communications (Holdings) Ltd., ICO announced.
    The terminals, which will be used for ICO’s mim (mobile interactive media) service, are expected to be delivered in December.
    Under the agreement, ICO has exclusive rights to all DVB-SH devices developed by Delphi for use in the mobile satellite services spectrum band in North America for the next three years.

Integral To Provide Ground Control For ProtoStar 2

Integral Systems Inc. won a contract to provide a second ground control system for ProtoStar Ltd., Integral announced.
    Integral will provide a integrated ground control system for ProtoStar 2, which is scheduled to be launched in early 2009. The contract includes primary and backup satellite control; network and payload operations; communications spectrum monitoring; and telemetry, tracking and control hardware and software systems.   

NASA, M2MI Partner For Nanosatellite Development

NASA’s Ames Research Center signed a cooperative research and development agreement with M2MI to develop nanosatellites for the commercialization of space, NASA announced.
    Under the contract, the two organizations intend to develop a constellation of nanosatellites, spacecraft weighing between 5 and 45 kilograms, that will be placed in low-Earth orbit to provide a telecommunications and networking system.
    The cooperative effort will combine NASA’s expertise in nanosensors, wireless networks and nanosatellite technologies with M2MI’s capabilities in software technology, sensors, global system awareness, adaptive control and commercialization capabilities.

Ondas Media Signs Satellite Deal With Netherlands

Ondas Media has signed an agreement with the Radio Communications Agency in the Netherlands that gives the European satellite radio company exclusive rights to construct, launch and locate up to two geostationary satellites, Ondas announced.
    Ondas plans to provide satellite radio services throughout Europe, a market it estimates at 240 million vehicles and up to 600 million people.

Raytheon Wins GPS Receivers Contract

Raytheon Co. has won a $61 million contract to complete the development and certification of next-generation GPS receivers for the U.S. Air Force, Raytheon announced.
    Under the Modernized User Equipment program, the circuit card technology will connect military users with new GPS navigation signals compatible with enhanced satellites. The receivers, which will employ the new M-code military signal, also will work with legacy signal systems.

SES Americom Renews SUNY Contract

The State University of New York (SUNY) has renewed its multi-year contract with SES Americom, the satellite operator announced.
    SUNY has been using SES Americom’s AMC-5 satellite to provide its SUNYSat network, which is used to deliver the university’s New York Network and distance learning applications to campuses throughout the state as well as to state and government agencies and the media throughout the nation. SUNYSat has connected SUNY’s 64 campuses since 1988 and today reaches more than 300 dedicated receive sites throughout New York.

EXECUTIVE MOVES

ABS Appoints CTO

Asia Broadcast Satellite (ABS) appointed Khodadad (Ken) Betaharon CTO, a newly created position, the company said.
    Betaharon, who previously served as CTO at Intelsat, will be responsible for the ABS-2 program, including spacecraft development and planning as well as payload operations, regulatory and strategic development.
    ABS-2, the company’s second satellite, is scheduled to be placed in orbit in 2010.

ManSat Names Chairman

Christopher Stott, president and CEO of ManSat Ltd., has been appointed the company’s chairman, ManSat announced.
    Stott, who co-founded ManSat, will take over as chairman from his father, Bryan Stott, who will continue as chairman of the ManSat advisory board.

Thales Undergoes Management Restructuring

    Pascale Sourisse, formerly the senior vice president of the space division, has been appointed senior vice president for the land and joint systems division.
    She will be succeeded by Reynald Seznec, who previously served as senior vice president of operations.

TerreStar CEO Resigns

TerreStar Networks Inc. CEO and President Robert Brumley resigned in April, the company announced. Jeffrey Epstein, the company’s general counsel and secretary, will assume the role of president.
    Additionally, COO Michael Reedy, Chief Marketing Officer Doug Sobieski and Executive Vice President of Finance and Corporate Development Robert Siegel also resigned.