World of Satellite-News Updates

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New FURUNO ELECTRIC multi-GNSS receiver chips to be available by August
March 29, 2013
FURUNO ELECTRIC has announced the launch date for its new multi-GNSS receiver chips eRideOPUS 6 and eRideOPUS 7. The receiver chips will be available to the market from August 2013 onward.

The eRideOPUS 6 and eRideOPUS 7 are multi-GNSS compliant single-chip LSIs, capable of concurrently receiving signals from multiple satellites in GNSS systems, such as GPS, GLONASS, and Galileo, and satellite-based augmentation systems as well as Japan's Quasi-Zenith Satellite System.

The ability of concurrently receiving GNSS/GNSS augmentation signals from multiple satellites from different satellite services means the receivers have more probability of acquiring a greater number of satellites at any single point of time. Position stability as well as accuracy will be improved, minimizing the chance of a position lost. Also, the receiver chips incorporate an enhanced level of noise rejection capability, implementing the anti-jamming function as well as the improvement of multi-path mitigation.

Moreover, the position update rate of the new receiver chips can achieve a 10 Hz update every 0.1 second, which is twice as fast as the capability achieved by eRideOPUS 5, their predecessor. The new receiver chips are capable of dead reckoning navigation, using a gyro sensor and vehicle speed pulse signals, a gyro sensor and an acceleration sensor, and wheel tick data taken from a CAN-Bus network, achieving high positioning accuracy even in locations where satellite signal reception is not available, such as inside tunnels.

FURUNO is planning to start the delivery of evaluation kits in May so that third-party manufacturers can evaluate the feasibility of incorporating the receiver chips into their products. And, in August, the new compact GNSS receiver module GN-86/GN-87 as well as dead-reckoning-capable GV-86/GV-87, using these new receiver chips, will be made available for automotive navigation systems as well as eCall systems.

 

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Boston University Introduces Plug-And-Play Interface to Satellite Design
March 29, 2013

A team of scientists from Boston University is attempting to introduce the “plug and play” interface – ubiquitous in personal computing – to the satellite design arena. Simply put, plug and play refers to any software program that can recognize many different hardware devices, and interface with them easily.

Based in the Center for Space Physics at the university’s College of Arts and Sciences, the team is formed by astronomers, physicists, engineers, and computer scientists, both students and faculty members. They have been working for the past two years in developing a versatile and affordable satellite prototype under the Boston University Student Satellite for Applications and Training (BUSAT) program.

The satellite, a 30-centimeter-wide cube, is made of 27 smaller cubes latched together using wedge locks and powered by solar panels. It can accommodate scientific tools in its component cubes and using plug-and-play technology the satellite's Command & Data Handling software is able to read and interface with experiments and instruments that are plugged into the smaller cubes.

Because of its modular design and plug-and-play interface, it can be quickly modified to meet unforeseen needs. Thus, it could be configured only days or weeks before being launched.

The prototype was funded by the U.S. Air Force and unveiled at the Air Force Research Laboratories (AFRL) last January. It captured the attention of the AFRL administrators, which agreed to fund an additional two years of development for BUSAT. At the end of this period, the Air Force will decide whether to launch the satellite into orbit.

 

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China Announces Launch of First High-Resolution Earth Observation Satellite
March 29, 2013

China has announced it will launch the first satellite of its high-resolution Earth observation system in April. The satellite data will be mainly used to reduce disasters, protect resources and for national security. It will also support geographic and oceanic surveys and urban transportation management, according to the country’s State Administration of Science, Technology and Industry for National Defense (SATIND).

Testing of the satellite and the Long March 2D vehicle, which will take the spacecraft into space, have been completed and the satellite has not entered the launch stage, according to SATIND. China plans to launch five to six satellites before the end of 2015 in order to build a spatial, temporal and spectral high-resolution Earth observation system.

 

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Norsat Receives $13.3 Million (CAD) for Research and Development Program
April 1, 2013
Canada’s Strategic Aerospace and Defense Initiative (SADI) has awarded a CA$13.3 million (CAD) repayable contribution to Norsat International. The company will use the contribution to enhance its strategic research and development program.

Norsat’s R&D program is focused on communications technologies that provide militaries, governments, and commercial customers around the world with temporary, extended or permanent connectivity in locations or applications in which infrastructure is unreliable, damaged, insufficient or non-existent.

Overall the contribution will allow the company to develop new communications technologies, expand existing lines of microwave products, satellite terminals, communications-on-the-Move (COTM) technologies, wireless communications technologies for Land Mobile Radio (LMR), and antennas and filters.

The contribution also provides spin-off benefits with opportunities for Norsat to work collaboratively with university researchers and develop stronger channel relationships with the local suppliers of components used in new technologies.

 

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MITEQ Introduces New Multiple Input Wideband Ku and Ka Up- and Downconverters
April 1, 2013
MITEQ has announced the release of its new Multiple Input Ku- and Ka-bands series of block up- and downconverters. The products are designed to simplify outdoor hub antenna RF converters layout and improve system performance. One multiple input converter combines either two or three independent outdoor converters into one antenna mount package.

This new series of outdoor up- and downconverters can combine either two or three independent IF inputs and up converts into one wideband RF output or the case of the downconverter series either one wideband Ku-band or Ka-band RF input down converted into either two or three independent IF outputs, all in one outdoor antenna mount package.

 

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ATK Successfully Tests New CASTOR 30XL Upper Stage Solid Rocket Motor
April 1, 2013

ATK has successfully tested its newly developed CASTOR 30XL upper stage solid rocket motor at the U.S. Air Force's Arnold Engineering Development Complex (AEDC) in Tennessee on Mar. 28. The test was the final qualification for the commercial motor, which was jointly developed by ATK and Orbital Sciences Corporation in 20 months from concept to completion.

Since the CASTOR 30XL is designed to ignite at more than 100,000 feet of altitude, the static fire was conducted at AEDC using a vacuum chamber specially designed to simulate upper atmospheric conditions. Initial data indicate the motor performed as designed, and ATK is now analyziing the results against its performance models.

The CASTOR 30XL motor is intended for use by Orbital as an enhanced second stage of the Antares launch vehicle, which is slated to perform commercial cargo resupply missions to the International Space Station (ISS) for NASA.

A basic version of the CASTOR 30 motor was tested at AEDC in December 2009 and will fly the initial Antares missions. The CASTOR 30XL is an upgraded version that will fly later operational missions requiring greater payload capacity.

A key partner through development and production of the new motor is Moog in East Aurora, N.Y., which produced the Thrust Vector Control (VTC) System. This system was developed by the C30 program to have common hardware for future use on other ATK motors.

"I am very pleased with our successful CASTOR 30XL test," said Scott Lehr, ATK vice president and general manager of Defense and Commercial Systems. "We look forward to seeing this stage become part of the Antares launch vehicle, supporting ISS cargo resupply missions for NASA."

 

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Satmex 8 Successfully Performs Post-Launch Maneuvers
April 1, 2013
The Satmex 8 satellite, designed and built by Space Systems Loral (SSL) for Satélites Mexicanos (Satmex), has successfully performed post-launch maneuvers according to SSL’s plan. The satellite deployed its solar arrays on schedule following its launch aboard International Launch Services’ (ILS) Proton Breeze M launch vehicle. Satmex 8 has started firing its main thruster to maneuver into geosynchronous orbit.

“We are pleased to see Satmex 8 performing on orbit where it joins Satmex 6, also built by SSL, which continues to provide reliable service over the Americas,” said John Celli, president of SSL.

Satmex 8 is a Fixed Satellite Services (FSS) spacecraft that will provide video content and distribution, broadband services, and cellular backhaul in North, South and Central America. It will also provide connectivity for telemedicine, distance learning, and emergency communications for people in remote areas of these regions. When the satellite completes in-orbit testing, it will replace Satmex 5 at 116.8 degrees west longitude.

 

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Viasat Broadcasting CTO Outlines Technology Challenges
April 1, 2013
Modern Times Group (MTG) is one of the largest media groups in Europe. Viasat Broadcasting, an MTG subsidiary, responsible for pay-TV operations, has been working hard to diversify its content offers to customers. The company launched its ViaPlay online video streaming service back in 2007, and has been one of the pioneers in Europe in expanding from just offering DTH services. ViaSat has launched the Viaplay App on the Apple iOS and Google Android platforms and it is now available on the Sony PlayStation 3 and Microsoft Xbox 360 games consoles.

Bartek Gudowski, CTO, Viasat Broadcasting, says a service like ViaPlay acts as more of a complement to satellite. “Viaplay complements our premium satellite pay-TV platform and channels. It is also showing up as an on-demand service on our DTH boxes. It is really tied into all services. It helps to give multi-screen access for pay-TV subscribers. They are really supporting each other to create more growth for the company. We really started with OTT in 2007. It is more about strengthening the DTH offerings rather than replacing it. The offers are also helping us reach new audiences which are outside of the satellite footprint,” he says.

The company is not resting on its laurels to bring more services to customers, and has recently launched ViaGame, a new gaming service, in Sweden, Denmark, Norway and Finland. Gudowski believes this will be “a vitally important” service for the company. “Gaming is an exciting area, and you can also work closely with the TV production side on this also. We have also recently launched a second screen app called Like.tv, which is basically aggregate the social media experience on your second screen. We believe that kind of experience is going to come more important to users,” he says.

Viasat ended the year with just fewer than 600,000 satellite pay-TV subscribers. It has around 430,000 subscribers through third party networks, where its offers are available. In terms of its demands for satellite capacity going forward, Gudowski says, “if we look at our demands for satellite capacity, you have to realize that we are one of the biggest distributors of HD channels in our territory now. We are seeing more and more channels upgrading from SD to HD. So, I think there will be natural demand for increased HD capacity because of the requirements of end users. You also have the potential 4K distribution. It is not yet decided whether this will come from satellite. We are not sure what the bandwidth requirements will be for this going forward. We believe it will be more about having higher quality on existing channels. In general, we believe our demands for satellite capacity will grow over time.”

Viasat Broadcasting has around 40 HD channels on its platform. It launched a further 11 HD channels in the fourth quarter last year, so and has increased its HD offer by around 33 percent. In terms of when it might bring 4K broadcasts to its customer base, Gudowksi says “it is more driven by chipsets at this stage. It is probably going to take at least thee to four years before 4K will reach any market proliferation. The screens are there, they are a very prosumer level. (…) The TV manufacturers are really pushing this. The screen sizes are getting bigger. However, I think it will be a much higher threshold going to 4K than it was to go to HD. I think if you look at normal sized apartments and households, there is unlikely to be such a strong demand for increased screen sizes.”

Like a number of DTH operators, the company is diversifying at a fast rate, so it is better able to serve customers going forward. Gudowski says nowadays, the challenge for the company is all about creating a “common ecosystem” and leveraging the benefits of that. “We have done a lot of things in different domains, OTT, gaming. So, the key challenge is bridging all these services across different devices. That will be one challenge. We have a very good content line-up, from sports rights to general entertainment. All of these things will help us in terms of content bridging and creating this eco-system,” he says.

 

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Asia Broadcast Satellite Creates New Managing Director of Africa Position
April 1, 2013
Asia Broadcast Satellite (ABS) has announced the appointment of Felix Damiba as the managing director of Africa. In this newly created position, Damiba, who was previously sales director at Comtech EF Data, will be responsible for business development, and managing sales and operations for the African market.

“Felix brings more than 30 years of experience in the industry and will demonstrate strong leadership skills in various disciplines to bring ABS’s presence in Africa to another level. He will be responsible for business development, sales, and project and service management. We are confident that Felix’s experience in sales and customer relations as well as his high standard of service delivery will help our future expansion for this growing region,” Tom Choi, CEO of ABS and Via Satellite’s 2012 Satellite Executive of the Year winner said on a statement.

 

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Hughes, African Development Bank Sign Managed Network Services Expansion Contract
April 2, 2013
The African Development Bank (AfDB) has signed a contract with Hughes Network Systems to expand managed satellite services for the bank and to provide MPLS connectivity in the region. The AfDB has been a Hughes managed services customer since 2008. It employs a primary communications network of broadband satellite terminals installed in 32 AfDB field offices throughout Africa.

Under the expansion contract, Hughes will provide MPLS circuits at four AfDB sites, with backhaul (STM1) services to its Temporary Relocation Agency in Tunis, Tunisia from a teleport in Germany. Major applications include SAP, VoIP, video conferencing and high-speed Internet access.

AfDB selected Hughes for its capability to meet the bank’s requirements for network such as: high availability; uniform SLA and QoS offerings; a single vendor to provide full turnkey managed services and ongoing system engineering, installation and field maintenance; monthly reporting, statistics and quarterly reviews on usage and performance; and 24/7 multi-lingual help desk.