GMN Unveils Data Accelerator, Control Router
Satellite data service provider Global Marine Networks (GMN) introduced its WebXaccelerator product for ship-to-shore and remote communications in the commercial fishing, marine transport, cruise ships, offshore oil rigs and first-response communications coordination markets.
The data accelerator and control router aims to gives satellite users control of their satellite data installations, while providing data speeds up to five times faster than uncompressed rates.
MDA Releases Geospatial Urban Change Indicator
Canadian information solutions provider MacDonald, Dettwiler and Associates (MDA) released its National Urban Change Indicator — a geospatial product that provides coverage over the continental United States.
The MDA solution uses satellite imagery to show if and when an area has undergone a human-induced construction change over a 25-year time period. MDA created the product using its Correlated Land Change proprietary process it has developed over the last three years.
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the U.S. Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) already have purchased agency licenses for the product.
NASA Ejects Nanosatellite from FASTSat
NASA ejected the NanoSail-D nanosatellite from its Fast, Affordable, Science and Technology Satellite (FASTSat), the agency’s first deployment of this kind.
Nanosatellites typically are launched and deployed from a mechanism called a Poly-PicoSatellite Orbital Deployer (P-POD) mounted directly on a launch vehicle. NASA said this is the first time the agency has mounted a P-POD on a microsatellite to eject a nanosatellite. FASTSat, equipped with six science and technology demonstration payloads, including NanoSail-D was placed in orbit in November.
Newtec Certifies Pals Solution for MENOS Network
Pals Electronics has achieved Multimedia Exchange Network over Satellite (MENOS) certification of its vehicle-mounted and fly-drive satellite antenna systems for use with Newtec’s ASBU-MENOS OpenDSNG networking solution.
The certification ensures that the proposed solution is fully compliant with the MENOS OpenDSNG standards and can be used in the network operated by the Arab States Broadcasting Union (ASBU) on Arabsat satellite capacity.
The all-IP MENOS network solution aims to exchange multimedia content over satellite, enabling fully automated, cost-effective sharing of video and radio content among scattered sites. Pals’ integrated solution will work either in MENOS or traditional DSNG mode, with software in the Pals system controller allowing the user to select which mode to be used.
Winegard, Uplogix Partner for Antenna Product Interoperability
Uplogix, a provider of network management automation, and mobile satellite and antenna solutions provider Winegard have partnered to develop interoperability between their products to reduce support costs of satellite communications.
Winegard’s auto-acquiring antenna controllers will be compatible with Uplogix remote management appliances. The appliances will work to monitor parameters on the antenna controllers and issue commands to enable, reposition, retarget and stow the antenna. This functionality targets operators in remote or rugged areas, allowing them to control equipment as if onsite.
The Uplogix platform also combines local access to devices such as satellite components and traditional IP networking gear with onboard intelligence and automated management.
