TECHNOLOGY

Ball BEGINS INTEGRATION, TEST OF NPOESS INSTRUMENT

Ball Aerospace & Technologies’ Ozone Mapping and Profiler Suite (OMPS) protoflight model has entered final integration and acceptance testing.

The unit is one of five sensors built for the National Polar-Orbiting Operational Environmental Satellite (NPOESS) Preparatory Project risk reduction mission, which is scheduled to launch in 2010. Initial assembly also has begun on the flight model sensor for the first NPOESS spacecraft, which is slated for launch in 2013.

NPOESS, a joint effort between NASA and the NPOESS Integrated Program Office, will combine separate weather satellite programs operated by the U.S. Departments of Commerce and Defense. Northrop Grumman Corp. is the prime contractor for NPOESS.

Boeing OPENS NEW PULSE LINE FOR SATELLITE ASSEMBLY

Boeing has unveiled a new process for assembling satellites at its facility in El Segundo, Calif., that it hopes will shorten the time needed to build a space vehicle.

The new process will move parts through 13 pulse positions, cutting down manufacturing processes and eliminating rework, the company said. New work cells, tooling, standard work-planning packages and lean manufacturing processes will reduce the total build time per satellite and increase the number of vehicles moving through the line at one time.

The first satellites to be manufactured on the pulse line will be the GPS 2F satellites Boeing is building for the U.S. Air Force.

DataPath UNVEILS HIGH-BANDWIDTH COTM SYSTEM

DataPath has introduced easy-to-deploy communications on-the-move (COTM) solution mobile network-centric warfare and first responder capabilities.

The MobiLink system incorporates standard communications electronics in a compact package that enables integrated UHF/VHF land mobile radio and satellite COTM.

A hub vehicle equipped with MobiLink supports high-bandwidth capability to send and receive video, data and voice communications between many vehicles and users.

ECC INTRODUCES MULTISTREAM TO DVB-S2

Efficient Channel Coding (ECC) introduced a multi-stream extraction feature that enables its ECC3100 Digital Video Broadcast Satellite standard (DVB-S2) receiver chip to extract multiple data streams from a single DVB-S2 input.

ECC claims that embedding multi-stream soft-IP into the receiver FPGA would eliminate the need to use multiple DVB-S2 application specific integrated circuits, reducing circuit board size and cost.

The manufacturer has tested and verified the DVB-S2 multistream receiver chip by extracting multiple MPEG transport streams from a DVB-S2 input waveform.

Globalstar BEGINS TESTING, PRODUCTION OF NEXT-GENERATION CONSTELLATION

Thales Alenia Space has begun production assembly, integration and testing of the first Globalstar second-generation flight model satellites.

The new satellites will be used to provide next-generation mobile satellite voice and data services, providing faster data speeds to support a variety of IP based services as well as commercial and consumer wireless services including push-to-talk, multicasting, duplex SMS, advanced messaging and mobile video applications.

The launch of the first satellites is scheduled for the second half of 2009.

iDirect DEVELOPS HUB FOR U.S. MILITARY

VT iDirect Inc. unveiled an industrialized hub that allows network operators to implement and manage a mobile satellite network in the field.

The Series 12200 universal four-slot hub will operate using iDirect’s enhanced iDS 8.3 software, engineered for use in mobile applications. The software also supports iDirect’s SkyMonitor Spectrum Analyzer, a network management tool that allows satellite operators to troubleshoot and monitor network performance.

The equipment is intended for use by military and relief organizations and is capable of delivering broadband connectivity, including videoconferencing and voice over IP.

Intorel RELEASES VISIONIC 4

Intorel released its new universal monitoring and control platform, Visionic 4, which showcases new features such as service-based system tracking, tags, search engine for devices, alarm levels and correlation among others.

The company is advertising the new product as a Visionic system with augmentations not available on standard off-the-shelf systems.

Visionic 4 also includes VisLogger, a trending and charting manager allowing web-based access to external users for the data associated with their service and/or carrier.

ND SatCom LAUNCHES SKYRAY

ND SatCom unveiled its new VSAT application, the SkyRay Light IPS high definition for mobile video broadcasting.

The all-IP package offers live video streaming based on the latest generation of H.264 AVC codecs.

The package contains three major components: ND SatCom’s SkyRay Light 1200 VSAT antenna, a SkyWan VSAT modem with a full set of IP functionalities and an H.264/MPEG-4 AVC HD/SD and MPEG-2 encoder.

SatService  SIGNS NEW DISTRIBUTOR

SatService Gesellschaft für Kommunikationssysteme (SatService), a German satellite technology vendor, has introduced a new sat-nms LRXD 14 L-band distributor for satellite ground terminals.

The product is designed for satellite ground terminals where a 19-inch rackmount unit is not possible due to space limitations.

The unit provides four L-band output ports as well as tone switching initiated by contact closure interface, which allows the control of the low-noise block converter’s polarization and frequency range.

TransCore LAUNCHES NEW SATELLITE MOBILE TERMINALS

TransCore has rolled out with CabLink satellite mobile terminals.

The next-generation technology is aimed at small to mid-sized carriers and private fleets options for in-cab communications and sensor-enabled tracking and monitoring of mobile assets.

CabLink features a new design from the previous text and track product, integrates multiple components into a smaller unit and expands onboard processing capabilities which aims to increases engine monitoring functionality.

SERVICES

 

BSkyB RAMPS UP HD CHANNELS

BSkyB increased the number of high-definition (HD) channels available to its U.K. subscriber base.

BSkyB will launch seven new HD channels on its Sky+ HD service in October, increasing the total number of HD channels on the Sky platform to 26, compared with nine channels when Sky+ HD made its debut in May 2006.

At the end of June, BSkyB had just under 500,000 HD subscribers.

GeoEye PROVIDES SATELLITE IMAGERY TO VIDEO GAMES

GeoEye Inc. has provided high-resolution images taken from its Ikonos satellite for integration into Tom Clancy’s H.A.W.X video game from UbiSoft.

The H.A.W.X development team is working with GeoEye specialists to integrate realistic satellite images for each of the 16 international locations throughout the game, including Rio de Janeiro, Cape Canaveral and the Middle East.

The game is expected to be released in early 2009.

Hawaii Pacific Teleport LAUNCHES C-BAND SERVICE

Hawaii Pacific Teleport has put a standard A (15.5-meter) C-band antenna into service for SES New Skies.

The antenna will operate on the NSS-5 satellite at 183 degrees East, which is scheduled to replace the NSS-5 satellite.

The addition of the new antenna positions Hawaii Pacific Teleport as a primary satellite gateway between Asia and the United States.

Hughes LAUNCHES SATELLITE BROADBAND INTERNET FOR BUSINESSES

Hughes Network has made HughesNet Business Internet service plans available. The plan aims to provide high-performance broadband access to small and mid-sized businesses.

Customers can choose from seven plans with speeds up to 1 megabit per second (Mbps) on the uplink and up to 5 Mbps on the downlink.

Hughes also is offering a virtual private network solution for secure networking among business locations.

Spot INTEGRATES WEB ABILITIES WITH YAHOO

Spot LLC has integrated its services with Yahoo Fire Eagle, an open platform that allows users to share location information, with other sites and services online while keeping full control over their data and privacy.

The integration enables Spot Satellite Messenger users to publish their location coordinates, also known as geotags, to the Web for online social networking.

Thuraya LAUNCHES NEW LOCATION-BASED SERVICE

Thuraya is launching a new location service, combining with Geonix, a specialist in location services and equipment.

ThurayaLocate allows anyone with any Thuraya handset to view their position on maps, satellite images and aerial photography anywhere in the world. Every satellite phone ever developed for the Thuraya network contains an embedded GPS positioning system, and this is used — when initiated by the user — to report the handset’s position to the ThurayaLocate servers.

CONTRACTS

Avanti WINS ALBANIA DEAL

Avanti Communications has signed wholesale partnership agreement with a satellite telecommunications service provider in Albania, Avanti’s first business in the country.

Under the agreement, Avanti and its partner will pursue contract opportunities for up to 1,000 installed sites with a potential contract value of 1.3 million British pounds ($2.4 million).

DataPath AWARDED CONTRACT TO SUPPORT MILITARY COMMUNICATIONS HUBS

DataPath Inc. has been awarded a contract to continue providing field services for DataPath Deployable Ku-band Earth Terminals (DKET) at a communications hub in Iraq.

The DKET systems were built and installed by DataPath in March 2005 and are used by the U.S. military as satellite communications hubs that deliver high-bandwidth capabilities on the battlefield.

DataPath will continue the support work under a $1.9 million contract from U.S. Central Command.

Eutelsat SIGNS SISLINK DEAL

Eutelsat has signed a new capacity contract with SISLink, a supplier of satellite uplinks.

The deal, for a total of 4,000 hours of capacity, equips SISLink to meet growing requirements from agencies and broadcasting organzsations to provide TV coverage of leading sports and breaking news events. The capacity will be made available on request to SISLink on a real-time basis via a range of Eutelsat satellites providing reach across Europe, the Middle East, North Africa and central Asia. Uplinks in both standard definition and high-definition will be delivered to SISLinks’ teleports in the United Kingdom.

SISLink also has renewed its contract for four Ku-band transponders on the Telecom 2D satellite commercialised by Eutelsat. This new multi-year contract ensures that SISLink continues to access capacity in inclined orbit with strong reach over Western Europe.

GlobeCast  SIGNS VERIZON DEAL

GlobeCast signed a channel distribution deal with Verizon for the launch of 14 international channels on Verizon’s Fios TV.

World TV, a subsidiary of GlobeCast, is providing Verizon with rights, content aggregation, encoding and encryption as well as fiber delivery. Verizon delivers Fios TV over a fiber-optic network straight to customers’ homes and businesses.

World TV has access to multicultural content from five continents, including more than 200 channels offered to direct-to-home viewers in the United States via Intelsat’s Galaxy 25 satellite.

Inmarsat EQUIPS 2,500 CHINESE FISHING VESSELS

A total of 2,500 Chinese fishing vessels will be equipped with Inmarsat Mini C terminals in the first stage of a deal backed by the Chinese government.

The terminals will allow vessels to report their locations and appeal for emergency help, receive navigation maps, and automatic warnings when they cross territorial borders.

The contract is the first to be awarded as part of the Chinese Zhejiang Project, which seeks to equip a total of 16,000 Chinese fishing vessels with satellite-based safety and communication services by the end of 2009.

Inmarsat distribution partner MCN is one of four providers picked to bid for the project offering Inmarsat’s Mini C service and Thrane & Thrane 3026S terminals.

Orbital AWARDED INTELSAT CONTRACT FOR IS-18 SATELLITE

Orbital Sciences Corp. has been selected by Intelsat to manufacture the Intelsat-18 (IS-18) satellite.

The satellite will be based on the Star-2 platform and will carry 24 C-band transponders to cover the Northern and Southern Hemispheres and 12 Ku-band transponders to provide services to the United States, French Polynesia, Australia, New Caledonia and other Pacific Islands.

This will be the eighth Orbital Science satellite in Intelsat’s fleet, replacing Intelsat’s IS-701 spacecraft.

Satamatics SIGNS DEAL TO BOOST ASIA PROSPECTS

Satamatics, a provider of satellite telematics, asset tracking and monitoring solutions, has formed a partnership with Satalliance which could boost opportunities to gain business in Pakistan and South Asia.

Satalliance, a provider of asset management and tracking solutions in Pakistan and South Asia, will assist Satamatics in selling solutions such as Satamatics’ LandTrack. The company said they will leverage their in-country expertise providing local sales, technical support and installations.

Streambox, Thrane & Thrane ANNOUNCE PARTNERSHIP

Streambox Inc. and Thrane & Thrane have forged a partnership aimed at developing enhanced integration between the Streambox ACT-L3 portable video transport solutions and Thrane & Thrane’s Explorer 700 and Explorer 727 terminals.

The Streambox portable video transport solution will enable broadcasters, government agencies and enterprises to deliver live and file-based broadcast video from the field using low-data rate IP connections such as Inmarsat’s Broadband Global Area Network service.

EXECUTIVE MOVES

 

Broadpoint NAMES COO

Broadpoint named Bryan Olivier COO.

Olivier will focus on expanding Broadpoint’s wireless communication solutions, including its digital cellular infrastructure in the Gulf of Mexico.

Olivier has more than 27 years of experience in management, engineering and network operations in the telecommunications and energy industries. He most recently served as COO at CapRock Communications Inc. and also served as chief technology officer of Clearwire, where he was responsible for overseeing operations, engineering and product development.

Freesat APPOINTS NEW DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT

Freesat has appointed James Strickland as its director of product and technology development.

Strickland will be joining Freesat from Cisco, where he was director of IPTV business development for Europe and emerging markets.

Strickland will play a key role in developing, implementing and managing the company’s digital receiver product strategy and will lead the delivery of the organization’s innovation objectives.

GlobeCast America CEO STEPS DOWN

Mary Frost stepped down as CEO of GlobeCast America.

Christian Pinon, chairman and CEO of GlobeCast, will serve as interim CEO of the American group until a new CEO is names. Frost will remain on the board of GlobeCast America until January.

GlobeCast also promoted Philippe Fort to COO of GlobeCast France. He previously served as vice president of operations.

GeoEye NAMES CTO

GeoEye Inc. appointed Brian O’Toole chief technology officer.

O’Toole will develop, manage and expand GeoEye’s location-based technology and products for applications in geospatial intelligence and location-based services. He also will lead the company’s planning efforts to identify and develop new geospatial products, solutions and services for customers.

Before joining GeoEye, O’Toole served as vice president of product management at Overwatch Textron Systems and also served as director of Washington operations for MultiGen-Paradigm and director of infrared/electro-optical simulation systems at Amherst Systems.

Harmonic MAKES EXECUTIVE CHANGES

Harmonic has appointed Ian Graham vice president of sales and support for Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA).

Graham previously worked for the home and networks mobility division at Motorola, where he held senior positions in sales management, including vice president of sales & services for the EMEA region.

Harmonic also appointed Glen Sakata vice president of sales for the Americas. Sakata previously led Harmonic’s EMEA reorganization,

Jim Marino has been named vice president of sales for North America cable, and Raymond Tse’s responsibilities as vice president of sales for Asia Pacific were expanded to encompass China.

ITT Space Systems ADDS VICE PRESIDENT FOR GOVERNMENT, INDUSTRY PARTNERSHIPS

ITT Corp. has named Eric Webster vice president for government and industry partnerships for its Space Systems division.

Webster will provide strategic planning and guidance to help ITT work more closely with federal agencies and industry partners.

Webster previously served as director at the office of legislative affairs for the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). He also served as a senior policy advisor to the NOAA administrator on satellite issues.

AWARDS

 

iDirect WINS TL 9000 CERTIFICATION

VT iDirect Inc. (iDirect) has been awarded the global telecommunications industry’s TL 9000-HV quality management system certification. They are the first Satcom technology provider to receive the award.

The TL 9000 quality management system was created by the Quest Forum, an independent association of telecommunications industry leaders, to establish and maintain universal product quality requirements for the worldwide telecommunications industry that improve on ISO 9001 standards.

A multi-year review of iDirect’s manufacturing and service operations by TL 9000 showed that iDirect consistently achieved outstanding customer satisfaction ratings, had a return rate of 0.6 percent for its iNFINITI product over the last year and maintained a mean time of 12.4 days for product repair and replacement.

SingTel RECEIVES FROST AND SULLIVAN TECHNOLOGY LEADERSHIP AWARD

Singapore Telecommunications Ltd. (SingTel) has received the 2008 Asia Pacific Frost and Sullivan Technology Leadership Award in the field of maritime broadband communications.

SingTel’s office-at-sea suite of maritime applications and its collaboration with the Singapore Maritime Academy (SMA) to establish the Satcom@SMA maritime innovation hub were among several attributes the company was praised for.

Frost & Sullivan’s criteria included the pace of technological innovation, and the impact of the technology on the maritime industry.

Skylogic RECEIVES ENVIRONMENTAL CERTIFICATION

Skylogic, the broadband affiliate of Eutelsat Communications, has been awarded an ISO 14001 environmental management system certification from Bureau Veritas, an accredited certification body of quality, environmental and safety management systems.

ISO 14001 confirms that Skylogic’s offices and teleport in Turin have a certified system in place to monitor, manage and continuously improve its environmental management system.

The site’s environmental management system includes initiatives to reduce energy use and air emissions and to ensure continued strict maintenance of operational controls to prevent spills into soil and water.

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