18 May 2003
Satcoms
ATCi Signs Agreement to Become Supplier for Teleste
Corporation
Globecomm Systems and Wegener Announce Strategic Marketing
Agreement
Hughes Network Systems to Establish Thuraya Services in Russia
RSCC Selects Gilat for
Russian VSAT Network
SkyFrames Teams With NetWorth to Provide Business Continuity and
Disaster Recovery Solutions
Telecom Haiti Offers Hughes Network Systems' DirecWay
Broadband Services
Tiscali and Eutelsat Partner to Provide Pan-European Broadband
Internet Access
ViaSat Awarded Phase II Contract for Chinese BAIIT
Network
Earth
Observation
Unique NASA Satellite Watches Rainfall from Space
Navigation
Avis Introduces New Satellite Guidance System
Military
Space
Stratos to
Provide Satellite Communications to Australian Defence Force
ViaSat Wins Enhanced Bandwidth
Efficient Modem Program
Technology
Boeing
Tests Critical Components for Advanced Rocket Engine
NASA Selects In-Space
Propulsion Innovations for Research
Launch
Services
Hellas
Sat Signs for Astra Satellite Operations, Ground Control
Orbital Expressways Opens for Business
Launches
Hellas Sat
Launch Schedule
Business
ND SatCom Founds Subsidiary in the US
Products and Services
Analytical Graphics Inc Releases STK 5.0
Fleet-Link
Tracking Device for Managing Tractor Trailers and Other Mobile Assets
International Rectifier Introduces 10 W, Space-Level DC-DC
Converters
KVH
Releases Enhancement to Inmarsat Fleet Service
Tandberg Introduces
Briefcase-Sized Portable Videoconferencing System
Trimble Introduces SiteVision 5.0
for Stakeless Earthworks
ATCi Signs Agreement to Become Supplier for Teleste
Corporation
(13 May
2003) Antenna Technology Communications Inc (ATCi), a Chandler, Arizona based
provider of ground-based commercial satellite communications systems, has
signed an agreement with Teleste Corporation to distribute their broadband
cable networking products to small and mid sized cable operations throughout
the United States. Teleste is currently the leading supplier of network and
head end solutions for cable operators throughout Europe.
The ATCi proprietary Simulsat multibeam provides programming
to over 30 million cable subscribers in the US market. Under the new agreement,
ATCi and Teleste will partner to offer more robust end-to-end solutions
focusing on all parts of the cable network, from content acquisition in the
head end to the last amplifier in the access network.
(source:
ATCi)
Globecomm Systems and Wegener Announce Strategic Marketing
Agreement
(15 May
2003) Wegener Corporation has announced a strategic marketing agreement with
Globecomm Systems Inc. As a result of the agreement, Globecomm has selected
Wegener as a strategic hardware and software vendor for its SkyBorne suite of
services. As outlined in the agreement, the two companies will work together to
cross market each company's products.
The agreement
between the companies enables Globecomm to offer its customers Wegener products
including Compel Network Control, Compel CA encryption, the MediaPlan i/o
ingest system, the iPump Media Server and the Unity family of DVB IRDs, as part
of its turnkey content delivery solutions.
Compel is a suite of
software products that provides a complete system for content creation,
management and distribution. This includes the Compel Network Control,
MediaPlan i/o and Unity IRDs. Compel is the core server and network control
system. Compel CA adds encryption and conditional access. Compel Web provides
for secure operation of the Compel system from a remote web browser. Compel
MediaPlan integrates content and asset management. MediaPlan i/o enables
broadcasters to encode, edit and add metadata to media content.
(source: Wegener Corp)
Hughes Network Systems to Establish Thuraya Services in Russia
(13 May 2003) Hughes
Network Systems Inc (HNS) has entered into a letter of intent (LOI) for the
establishment of satellite-enabled Thuraya mobile telephone service in
Russia.
HNS is joined in the LOI by three firms: (1) the
satellite-based service provider, Thuraya Satellite Telecommunications Company;
(2) TMSat, a privately owned Russian service provider, which holds the sole
rights to distribute and market Thuraya's services and products throughout
Russia; and (3) the Russian Federation's largest satellite operator, Russian
Satellite Communications Company (RSCC).
With a huge satellite
footprint over North and Central Africa, the Middle East, and South Asia,
Thuraya's reach covers more than two billion people. In a little more than one
year of service, Thuraya has won more than 125,000 subscribers, all utilising
the small, cell phone-sized Thuraya handset that combines satellite, GSM
cellular and GPS functionality, developed and manufactured by HNS. Boeing is
the prime contractor for the satellite platform, while HNS supplies the Thuraya
communications gateway and network management system, in addition to
manufacturing Thuraya phones.
Under the terms of the LOI, TMSat has
committed to acquire a Thuraya communications gateway and satellite earth
station from HNS, which will be installed in Dubna, Russia and be operated by
RSCC on TMSat's behalf. Initially, TMSat's service in Russia will operate
through the Thuraya Primary Gateway in Sharjah, United Arab Emirates, provided
by HNS and commissioned in 2002.
(source: Hughes Network
Systems)
RSCC Selects Gilat for Russian VSAT Network
(14 May 2003) Gilat
Satellite Networks Ltd, the Russian Satellite Communications Company (RSCC) and
the gaming company, JackPot, have signed an agreement to deploy a Skystar 360E
hub and VSAT network with sites throughout the Russian Federation. RSCC is
Russia's largest satellite operator, with ownership of all Russian satellites.
The agreement came at the end of competitive process in which Gilat emerged as
the preferred vendor. Delivery of the equipment is expected within 60 days.
The JackPot agreement includes a Skystar 360E hub and 500
remote sites, which will allow for network-wide gambling for JackPot customers
at the gaming sites on-line, as well as an independent network for data
transfer within the JackPot organisation. JackPot customers who play on one
machine can win the entire jackpot, which is collected by thousands of machines
across the network. The rollout of the network is expected to be completed by
the end of this year. A special telecommunications company called 'Stec.com'
was established to implement and manage the project.
Beyond the
JackPot project, RSCC plans on offering a wide variety of broadband and IP
services to its customers throughout Russia. Gilat's Skystar 360E solution will
be an important part of that offering.
The Skystar 360E platform
offers a flexible, two-way, satellite-based solution enabling interactive
broadband IP and multicasting applications. With DVB standards and extensive IP
capabilities, the Skystar 360E supports virtually any data and IP multicast
application.
(source: Gilat Satellite Networks)
SkyFrames Teams With NetWorth to Provide Business Continuity and
Disaster Recovery Solutions
(13 May 2003) SkyFrames Inc has signed an agreement
with NetWorth LLC, Fort Lauderdale, Florida to resell and install SkyFrames'
satellite broadband offerings. NetWorth LLC has a customer base of over 1200
customers and will present this new business offering to all of its clients.
NetWorth will offer a unique solution to resell SkyFrames' systems into the
business continuity and disaster recovery markets for local customers,
multi-national corporations, and governments.
NetWorth
LLC, a value-added integrator in South Florida, will utilise SkyFrames'
broadband offerings to introduce non-terrestrial business continuity offerings
to corporations in Florida that require immediate disaster recovery from
hurricanes and other tropical disturbances.
Business continuity and
disaster recovery are composed of multiple components in order to help reduce
revenue and data loss, these include the protection of mission-critical data by
leveraging SkyFrames' infrastructure, reducing downtime, and increasing
employee productivity, thereby allowing enterprise to resume business and
employee activities more quickly and cost-effectively following a disaster or
other unplanned business interruption.
(source: SkyFrames)
Telecom
Haiti Offers Hughes
Network Systems' DirecWay Broadband Services
(14 May 2003) Telecom Haiti has signed a contract with
Hughes Network Systems (HNS) as a value-added provider offering DirecWay
two-way, high-speed Internet access services to corporations, small businesses,
educational institutions and consumers throughout Haiti.
DirecWay broadband by satellite services are available in either single user or
LAN terminal configurations, with scalable grades of service, allowing
enterprise customers to deploy a network solution tailored to their specific
requirements and readily expandable as their business growth demands.
Telecom Haiti has been providing two-way radio and telecommunications services
with national network coverage in Haiti for over 15 years. In April 2003,
Telecom Haiti began providing a new service, HNS' DirecWay broadband satellite
Internet access. The growing list of customers in Haiti includes NGOs (non-
governmental organisations), corporations, small businesses, educational
centres, Internet cafes and individual consumers.
(source: Hughes
Network Systems)
Tiscali and Eutelsat Partner to Provide Pan-European Broadband
Internet Access
(15
May 2003) Tiscali and Eutelsat have announced a partnership agreement whereby
Tiscali will provide its European subscribers with one-way Satellite Fast
Internet Access through Eutelsat’s OpenSky platform.
Thanks to this
agreement, Tiscali will widen its Satellite product portfolio with the one-way
satellite Internet service catered for a wider audience both in terms of
functionality and pricing. This new offer follows the two-way Satellite
broadband Internet service developed for high-skilled business users, which
Tiscali launched as one of the first operators in Europe.
With this new offer Tiscali aims at reaching residential
subscribers located in areas not covered by broadband ADSL or cable network
through a hybrid technology. In Europe at least 50 per cent of the territory
and 25 per cent of the overall population will remain out of reach of these
terrestrial broadband networks, corresponding to a potential 25 million
homes.
The roll-out of the new Tiscali Satellite Internet offer is
scheduled to take off in the upcoming weeks in all 15 countries of the Tiscali
Network.
The DVB-IP based OpenSky platform is operated by Eutelsat
from its network operation centre in the Paris area that reaches throughout
Europe, North Africa and the near Middle East using Eutelsat’s W3
satellite. The OpenSky platform adds a high-speed satellite downlink to a
regular Tiscali dial-up connection, boosting the performance for Tiscali
Internet subscribers. The OpenSky platform supports superfast web surfing and
downloading at speeds of up to 2 Mb/s. In addition, OpenSky provides multimedia
channels bringing streaming MPEG4 video channels and pre-packaged multimedia
content directly to the PCs of Tiscali subscribers. Both free-to-air and
subscription channels are available in the OpenSky content package.
(source: Eutelsat)
ViaSat
Awarded Phase II
Contract for Chinese BAIIT Network
(15 May 2003) The Beijing Application Institute of
Information Technology (BAIIT), China has awarded a US$ 5.7 million contract to
ViaSat Inc for the Phase II expansion of its private network to over 300 remote
sites.
BAIIT will use StarWire VSAT networking products
to build the network for video, IP data, and telephony services. The network is
the largest VSAT network to take advantage of cost savings and bandwidth
capacity increases provided by Paired Carrier Multiple Access (PCMA), a ViaSat
technique that can increase bandwidth capacity by as much as 100%.
StarWire advanced IP features combined with PCMA allow the BAIIT network to
serve a much larger number of concurrent users than is possible with other VSAT
equipment within the same satellite bandwidth. PCMA is a patented ViaSat
technology that combines both send and receive signals into the same bandwidth.
A terminal equipped with PCMA recognises the signal that it sent and simply
cancels out that information, leaving it with the information received from any
other transmitting location.
BAIIT is building networks, integrated
with terrestrial circuits, using fixed-beam, high-powered Ku-band satellite
transponders to provide three different services:
BAIIT, headquartered in Beijing and with
branches in most major cities in China, is a leading IT service provider, that
operates and manages The Private Satellite Communication Network of BAIIT, an
integrated communication platform that focuses on multimedia applications
including video, data, and voice. The company also provides telecommunication,
computer networking, and video transmission service to China government
agencies.
(source: ViaSat)
Unique
NASA Satellite Watches
Rainfall from Space
(12 May 2003) Data from NASA's Tropical Rainfall
Measuring Mission (TRMM) satellite, along with information from other
satellites, allows researchers to see how much rain is falling over most of the
world every three hours. This capability enables scientists to daily map areas
of potential flooding.
These maps, available to the
public on the Internet, will help water resource managers and scientists around
the world by providing near-real time data of rainfall and flood potential.
TRMM is considered a unique "rain gauge in the sky," because its instruments
can look into clouds to determine rainfall, while other satellites can only see
flooded areas after floods have occurred.
Because of its extraordinary
capability, TRMM is used to calibrate and fine-tune measurements of rainfall
taken by other satellites, leading to current updated records on a global
scale. Once baselines are established, researchers use the higher quality TRMM
data wherever possible and fill in the gaps with data from other satellites to
get a more complete picture of rainfall around the world.
Maps that
show areas of potential floods use precipitation radar data and high-resolution
measurements of water content of clouds made by microwave radiometers. The maps
span the Earth from 50 degrees north latitude to 50 degrees south latitude (an
area just north of the US-Canadian border and south to the tip of
Argentina).
There are three variations of the rainfall accumulation
maps, including 24-hour maps showing areas where more than 35 mm of rain has
accumulated; maps with three-day accumulations of more than 100 mm; and maps
depicting areas with weeklong accumulations of more than 200 mm.
Another map product, updated every three hours, shows a global snapshot of
rainfall. A seven-day "movie loop" of the images allows users to track storms
as they travel over land and oceans around the globe. Researchers use these
near-global rainfall maps to monitor formation and dissipation of El
Nino/Southern Oscillation conditions, soil moisture, and ocean salinity. These
maps also are useful to water resource managers and farmers around the
world.
The maps merge data from the TRMM Microwave Imager
Precipitation Radar with information from other microwave satellites and
geosynchronous weather satellite infrared data. Exploiting the strengths of
multiple data sources increases the accuracy of the maps.
TRMM is a
joint US-Japanese mission and part of NASA's Earth Science Enterprise, a
long-term research program designed to study the Earth's land, oceans, air, ice
and life as a total system. The TRMM satellite was launched on November 27,
1997.
(source: NASA Goddard Space Flight Center)
Avis Introduces New Satellite Guidance System
(12 May 2003) Avis Rent
A Car System Inc will be testing the introduction of the Avis Satellite
Guidance System in 3,000 full-size vehicles in Florida, California and Nevada.
If successful, Avis has plans to roll out this new technology to additional
vehicles and locations by the end of the year.
With the
addition of the pre-installed Satellite Guidance to the Avis fleet, customers
now have a faster and easier way to get to their final destination. Developed
through a partnership with Audiovox and Siemens VDO Automotive, the Avis
Satellite Guidance system uses Global Positioning Satellite (GPS) and Vehicle
Speed Sensor (VSS) technology to accurately provide point-to-point driving
directions to renters. Avis is the only rental car company that features the
VSS technology allowing for accurate calculation of the vehicle's location,
even if the GPS signal is temporarily lost. Other highlights of the system
include:
Avis also features the OnStar emergency
assistance/navigation system and recently launched Avis Assist, a GPS Guidance
System delivered through a Motorola cell phone.
Vehicles equipped with
the Avis Satellite Guidance System may be rented for an additional cost of US$
7.95 per day.
(source: Avis Rent A Car System Inc)
Stratos to Provide Satellite Communications to Australian Defence
Force
(14 May 2003)
Stratos has won a competitive contract with the Australian Defence Force (ADF)
to provide Inmarsat-B voice and data leased services. These services will be
used by the ADF for strategic, tactical, and logistic communications among a
number of its naval and land-based units.
The contract
provides for 4 Inmarsat-B leased circuits for up to 5 years. ADF will benefit
with the Stratos leased solution by reducing their costs related to data usage.
More efficient use of space segment will allow the ADF to utilise dedicated
high speed data links to their maritime fleet.
(source: Stratos
Global Corporation)
ViaSat Wins Enhanced Bandwidth Efficient Modem Program
(14 May 2003) ViaSat
Inc has been awarded an eight-year, delivery order contract by the US Army
Communications Electronics Command (CECOM) to design and produce the Enhanced
Bandwidth Efficient Modem (EBEM), a new military standard for high-speed
satellite communications. The firm-fixed-price Indefinite Delivery Indefinite
Quantity (IDIQ) contract begins with a purchase of strategic (fixed) and
tactical (shipboard) units valued at US$ 7.8 million.
CECOM's objectives for the EBEM program are to advance to a commercial,
state-of-the-art modem that can support the communications, command and control
requirements of today's highly mobile, joint US forces. EBEM will interface to
a variety of legacy military communications equipment, but use advanced
technologies, such as turbo coding and higher order modulation techniques, to
increase efficiency and throughput. The new modems are designed to send and
receive data at speeds from 64 kb/s to 155 Mb/s.
(source:
ViaSat)
Boeing
Tests Critical
Components for Advanced Rocket Engine
(15 May 2003) Boeing has successfully tested a
state-of-the-art liquid oxygen turbopump, marking a significant step forward in
the development of next-generation rocket engine technology.
A team comprised of Boeing Rocketdyne Propulsion and Power,
US Air Force, and NASA personnel conducted the hot-fire testing at NASA's John
C Stennis Space Center. Boeing Rocketdyne designs, develops and manufactures
rocket propulsion and space power systems including the Space Shuttle Main
Engine and the RS-68 and RS-27A engines for the Boeing Delta family of launch
vehicles.
The test, one of nine planned, followed a related series of
hot-fire tests in which a Boeing Rocketdyne-built pre-burner that provides
oxygen-rich gasses to the oxidiser turbopump turbine drive went "six for six"
in the series. The Rocketdyne pre-burner was subsequently attached to the new
oxidiser turbopump for testing. Both test series were conducted for the Air
Force Research Laboratory's Integrated Powerhead Demonstration (IPD).
Upon completion of the hot-fire test series, the oxidiser turbopump will become
part of the IPD engine system and help to provide advancement of key
technologies that could find application in future Air Force rocket
applications or NASA's Next Generation Launch Technology program.
The
IHPRPT program is a co-ordinated effort between the Department of Defense, NASA
and industry to develop revolutionary and innovative technologies by the year
2010 that will generate significant enhancements of rocket propulsion
capabilities over current state-of-the-art technologies.
(source:
Boeing)
NASA
Selects In-Space
Propulsion Innovations for Research
(16 May 2003) NASA has selected 15 industry,
government and academic organisations to pursue 22 innovative propulsion
technology research proposals that could revolutionise exploration and
scientific study of the solar system.
Total value of the
work to be done over a three-year period is approximately US$ 20 million, with
US$ 9.6 million in fiscal year 2003; US$ 10.2 million in fiscal year 2004; and
US$ 0.6 million in fiscal year 2005. The research will be conducted in five,
in-space propulsion technology areas: aerocapture; advanced chemical
propulsion; solar electric propulsion; space-based tether propulsion; and solar
sail technologies.
Each technology identified for development is part
of the In-Space Propulsion (ISP) Program, managed in the Office of Space
Sciences, NASA Headquarters. The awards are being made as part of the In-Space
Propulsion Technologies "Cycle 2" amendment to NASA Research Announcement
02-OSS-01.
Contract awards:
The ISP Program is managed by the Office of
Space Science, NASA Headquarters, and is implemented by MSFC.
(source:
NASA)
Hellas
Sat Signs for Astra
Satellite Operations, Ground Control
(14 May 2003) SES Astra, Hellas Sat Consortium Ltd and
Hellas Sat SA have signed two contracts for Astra TechCom services covering the
Hellas Sat satellite which was successfully launched on May 13th, onboard an
Atlas V launch vehicle from Cape Canaveral, Florida.
Astra has been contracted to provide TT&C services (Telemetry, Tracking
& Command) for the new Eurostar 2000+ type satellite, manufactured by
Astrium of France. For a period of 12 months, Astra will ensure full control of
the satellite from its headquarters in Betzdorf, Luxembourg, and Thermopylae
Earth Station, Greece, which is owned and operated by OTE. During this period,
Astra will be in charge of the continuous operation of the satellite in orbit,
including spacecraft bus, payload and orbital control management.
Astra has also signed a contract to provide, install, and integrate two ground
control stations for Hellas Sat, located in Greece and Cyprus respectively.
After completion of the two stations, the in-orbit control of the satellite
will be transferred from Astra to Hellas Sat.
Hellas Sat, with
headquarters in Nicosia and Athens, plans to offer new commercial satellite
services, exploiting the frequency spectrum available to Greece and Cyprus. The
Hellas Sat satellite is notably intended to cover the summer Olympics in Athens
in 2004.
(source: SES Astra)
Orbital Expressways Opens for Business
(13 May 2003) Low-cost space access provider
Orbital Expressways has announced that it is now offering commercial launches
and has announced details of its first two missions.
Orbital Expressways has been contracted for two launches in 2003 by Paragon
Astronautics:
The company will begin its 2003 operations
in Black Rock Desert, Nevada, and is currently working on additional launch
sites and facilities located in Nevada and in other areas of the continental
US.
(source: Orbital Expressways)
Hellas
Sat
Launched: 13 May 2003
Site: Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida
Launcher: Atlas 5
Orbit: GEO
International Number: 2003-020A
Name: Hellas Sat
Owner:
Hellas-Sat Consortium Ltd
Contractor: Astrium
Hellas Sat is a
commercial communications satellite owned and operated by Hellas-Sat Consortium
Ltd. Hellas Sat is based on Astrium's Eurostar 2000+ platform. It carries 30 Ku
band transponders and weighed 3,250 kg at lift off. It has a design life of 15
years.
ND
SatCom Founds
Subsidiary in the US
(14 May 2003) ND SatCom AG of Germany, a leading
global supplier of satellite based broadband VSAT, broadcast and military
communication network solutions, has founded ND SatCom Inc as a U.S.
subsidiary.
In response to the increasing global demand
for satellite communication solutions in the Americas, the subsidiary will be
ready for operation by the end of May to cover ND SatCom AGs' activities in
region. The facility in Dallas, Texas will house sales, operations, engineering
and customer support staff.
ND SatCom AG has appointed Christopher
Morris as President and CEO of its American subsidiary. Christopher Morris
brings over 23 years experience in the satellite communications industry with
major corporations in leadership positions, most recently as General Manager of
the IDB Systems division of WorldCom.
Robert E Scott will be filling
the position as Vice President Sales of ND SatCom Inc Robert E Scott has over
25 years experience in the satellite communications industry, in 18 of which
was directly involved in the sales and marketing fields. Since 1979 he has held
several positions within Vertex Communications, most recently as Vice President
Marketing and Sales.
(source: ND Satcom)
Analytical Graphics Inc Releases STK 5.0
(12 May 2003) Analytical Graphics Inc (AGI)
has released the next generation of its Satellite Tool Kit (STK) analysis and
visualisation software, STK 5.0.
This version of AGI's
commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) product provides a new graphical user interface
(GUI) based on familiar Microsoft Windows standards, which gives the software
an intuitive look and feel. It also features an HTML interface that enables
users to tailor their workspace to address specific tasks of interest, and is
based on a more open architecture that supports customisation and integration
with other software packages. STK's underlying verified algorithms and complex
geometry engine have been expanded to provide more powerful analysis than ever
before. This software release is available for Windows NT, 2000, and XP.
In addition to the user-experience enhancements included in STK 5.0, AGI
has upgraded many of the other modules in the STK software suite.
STK
Standard is available free of charge to all aerospace and defence
professionals. To obtain a free STK CD-ROM, call +1 800 220 4785 or +1 610 578
1000, e-mail [email protected], or go to AGI's website at www.stk.com.
(source: Analytical Graphics)
Fleet-Link Tracking Device for Managing Tractor Trailers and Other
Mobile Assets
(13
May 2003) CSI Wireless Inc, a designer and manufacturer of advanced GPS and
wireless products, has introduced Fleet- Link, a tracking and reporting device
for remotely managing tractor trailers and other mobile assets and cargo.
An extension of CSI Wireless' Asset-Link family of
innovative and cost-effective fleet-tracking and telematics products, the GPS-
and cellular-equipped Fleet-Link can function using the truck's power system or
using solar power - enabling untethered or unpowered trailers to continue
reporting their status for up to 60 days without any external electrical
source. Fleet-Link combines accurate positioning and real-time communication to
give operators around-the-clock location and status information.
Fleet-Link's state-of-the-art Global Position System (GPS) technology can
pinpoint the location of a tracked asset to within 15 metres with minimal power
consumption. Its cellular radio, using MicroBurst Control Channel technology or
Circuit Switched data, delivers immediate reports throughout North America plus
parts of Central and South America. Fleet-Link's environmentally sealed
enclosure can be discreetly and securely mounted almost anywhere on or in a
tractor trailer or other mobile asset.
Trucking companies, heavy
equipment operators, vehicle rental companies, perishable goods shippers and
other companies need to know where their assets are, and what condition they
are in, around the clock. The rugged Fleet-Link tracker/monitor, with seven
input/output ports, is easily customised to give managers and operators the
information they need to keep their assets rolling and their equipment
safe.
The customer determines what combination of alerts and notices
are needed for each application. Examples of the many events and conditions
that can be monitored and reported include:
Fleet-Link, which will be available by late
summer, can be programmed with any combination of 65 different exceptions,
meters, actions, events, engine controls, notifications and inclusions - giving
service providers the flexibility to configure the product to his or her
specific needs.
The standard Fleet-Link unit contains the GPS
receiver, communications link, rechargeable batteries, back-up power port and
antennas. A solar-powered version that is also available can charge internal or
external batteries. It is encased in a rugged outer housing and a separate,
equally rugged solar panel with embedded antennas for satellite signal
reception and cellular communication. Both versions can be installed in only a
few minutes.
When equipped with its 4.5-watt solar panel, Fleet-Link
will transmit position reports every hour for years without interruption -
matching the useable life-span of nearly every asset the customer deploys.
CSI Wireless is also developing a Fleet-Link product for marine
applications, and plans to introduce it in late 2003 or early 2004.
(source: CSI Wireless)
International Rectifier Introduces 10 W, Space-Level DC-DC Converters
(13 May 2003)
International Rectifier (IR) has introduced a new line of 10 watt,
radiation-hardened, off-the-shelf DC-DC converters. The new devices are
available either unscreened or screened to Class K per MIL-PRF-38534,
simplifying qualification processes and enabling faster project completion
compared to custom-designed converters.
Small and light,
the new S-series converters are an ideal choice for low power circuits such as
analogue and digital control power systems, as well as signal amplifiers and
sensors in geo-synchronous (GEO) and low earth orbit (LEO) satellite
applications.
The new converters feature 28 VDC input, with single or
dual output configurations, and operate up to 81% efficiency. The new S Series
converter line includes various functional and protection features such as
under-voltage lockout, output over-voltage limiter, on/off inhibit,
short-circuit and overload protection. Other features include magnetically
coupled feedback, with radiation hardness of 100krads total ionising dose
(TID).
The new converters address the requirements of neutron fluence
and prompt dose requirements that may be the key design considerations in many
applications.
Feature Summary
The new S-series converters are available
immediately. The new devices are available either unscreened or screened to
Class K per MIL-PRF-38534. This product is subject to US export control laws
and regulations.
(source: International Rectifier)
KVH Releases Enhancement to Inmarsat Fleet Service
(12 May 2003) KVH has
unveiled its new Velocity Acceleration data rate upgrade, which provides a
300-500% increase in data speed for Inmarsat Fleet. The Velocity Acceleration
data rate upgrade boosts the Fleet service's mobile Integrated Services Digital
Network (ISDN) and mobile packet data service (MPDS) data rates from high-speed
64 kb/s to broadband-level 200-300 kb/s throughout Fleet's global coverage
area. Optimised for use over satellite connections and fully compatible with
KVH's Tracphone F77 and new Tracphone F55 products, Velocity Acceleration is a
free upgrade for any Inmarsat equipment owner who activates their Fleet service
through the "Inmarsat Airtime by KVH" program.
The
increased data rates are made possible using the same Velocity Acceleration
data enhancement technology employed by KVH in its TracNet Mobile High-speed
Internet System as well as with Inmarsat mini-M voice, fax, and data service.
The Fleet Velocity Acceleration data rate upgrade is compatible with PC-based
computers and has been optimised for use with Inmarsat services.
The
Fleet Velocity Acceleration data rate upgrade enhances both the MPDS and ISDN
channels within the Fleet service, with data rates reaching speeds as fast as
200-300 kb/s. Designed for short-burst data transmissions, Fleet's MPDS is
perfect for receiving e-mail, logging onto and working within a company
intranet, or browsing the web. And with its "pay per bit" pricing, users are
charged only for the amount of the data sent and received, not by connection
time. Using MPDS, a vessel can remain connected via e-mail or the Internet 24
hours a day, 7 days a week at no additional cost, making maritime Internet
access a far more relaxing experience. Adding a new level of affordability to
the system, the Fleet Velocity Acceleration data rate upgrade can substantially
reduce the number of bits transmitted and received while using MPDS. Fleet also
offers a high-capacity mobile ISDN channel, which provides a constant data
stream, making it ideal for phone and fax service, video conferencing, and
transmitting large files and images. ISDN usage is charged on a per-minute
basis.
(source: KVH Industries)
Tandberg Introduces Briefcase-Sized Portable Videoconferencing
System
(13 May
2003) Tandberg has introduced the Tandberg Tactical line of portable,
briefcase-sized integrated videoconferencing systems designed for demanding
in-field applications. Compatible with US Department of Defense (DoD) secure
networks, Tandberg Tactical videoconferencing systems are ideal for both
civilian and military use where highly mobile personnel require secure,
reliable visual communication with their organisations.
Housed in a sleek, heavy-duty aluminium case, the self-contained Tandberg
Tactical units measure 46 x 53 x 20 cm. The interoperability of the units -
built upon Tandberg's standards-based architecture - adds to the Tactical's
appeal for organisations that already have videoconferencing tools in place,
for example:
The Tandberg Tactical 6000 and Tactical 2500 videoconferencing systems integrate a 15" screen, headset, camera, microphone, speakers and encryption. The Tandberg Tactical 6000 and 2500 offer the same standards-based, feature-rich performance as Tandberg's corporate systems, including:
Developed in direct response to the needs of
its government customers, the Tactical family embodies the Company's commitment
to performance and open-systems architecture. By maintaining compatibility with
industry standards, Tandberg Tactical videoconferencing systems are the
benchmark in field video conferencing. The Tactical is compatible with numerous
standards, including IP, H.261, H.263x, H.320, H.323, ISDN, LAN/Ethernet,
TCP/IP, FTP and SNMP. It also supports DoD and NATO standards for secure
communication. Tandberg Tactical units are offered for sale only in North
America and select countries.
(source: Tandberg)
Trimble Introduces SiteVision 5.0 for Stakeless Earthworks
(13 May 2003) Trimble
has introduced version 5.0 of its groundbreaking SiteVision System - a 3D
machine guidance and control system for use on dozers, scrapers, motor graders,
compactors and excavators. Based on ongoing customer feedback, version 5 offers
a variety of new features designed to further increase the productivity of
earthworks operations. The many benefits of using SiteVision 5.0 include faster
job cycles, lower labour costs, lower machine hours, less staking and less
rework.
Precise to 30 mm, the SiteVision System utilises
Global Positioning System (GPS) technology. A GPS receiver installed on the
dozer or grader continually computes the exact position of GPS antennas
installed on each end of the blade of the machine. An on-board computer
determines the exact position of each tip of the blade and compares these
positions to design elevation. It then computes the cut or fill to grade. This
information is displayed on the in-cab screen, and the cut/fill data is passed
to the SiteVision lightbars, which guide the operator up or down for grade and
right or left of a defined alignment. The cut/fill data is also used to drive
the valves for automatic blade control.
SiteVision version 5.0 is
available in eight European languages. To enhance usability and improve
productivity for both the machine operation and contractor, Trimble has added a
number of specific features, which include:
SiteVision version 5.0 is expected to be
available in the second quarter through Trimble's Geomatics and Engineering
Division dealer network.
(source: Trimble)
