A new, state-of-the-art 1.2 meter EXPLORER 8120 VSAT is being showcased at Satellite 2017 by Cobham.
This antenna system with unique stabilization technology is being presented at booth #1701 and features Auto-Acquire. The 8210 VSAT Drive-Away Antenna System provides ‘Comms-On-The-Pause’ operation with high-speed connectivity and link stability for professional users from a wide range of industries including news and broadcasting, oil & gas and utilities management.
The EXPLORER 8120 combines a larger antenna reflector with the unique Dynamic Pointing Correction system introduced on the EXPLORER 8100, giving users the opportunity to enjoy even higher bandwidth and availability of service anywhere within the coverage area. The EXPLORER 8120 retains the unique ability to maintain a strong link to the satellite should the vehicle move on its suspension due to people getting in and out, high winds, earth tremors, and percussive shock events such as the local use of heavy military ordinance, for example.
While standard vehicle mounted VSAT antennas can lose connection to the satellite with even the slightest movement of the vehicle on its suspension, EXPLORER 8120 and 8100 can keep a strong link to the satellite, ensuring optimal connection at all times. Using unique Dynamic Pointing Correction technology inspired by Cobham’s maritime stabilized VSAT antennas, EXPLORER 8120 offers the most reliable connectivity available in its class. The system works with most major satellite networks and is available in 3 Ku-band configurations; no BUC, 8W BUC and 20W BUC variants.
In addition to its unique stabilization technology, the EXPLORER 8120’s new, larger reflector dish provides for greater service availability and higher throughput across more of the satellite footprint, ensuring high reliability for fast connectivity and live HD video transmission from almost anywhere in the world. With 1 & 1.2 meter antenna systems now available with Dynamic Pointing Correction, Cobham SATCOM’s diverse customer base can choose the antenna size most suited to the size and type of their vehicles.
The EXPLORER 8000 family has expanded further with the new ‘High Power’ 20W BUC option as well as a no BUC option for both the 1 and 1.2 meter antenna systems, both supplied by a 1000W ACU that caters up to 55W BUCs. This new Cobham designed solution integrates perfectly with EXPLORER VSAT technology to deliver seamless, reliable and high speed connectivity.
Additionally, Cobham announced during this trade event that a Ku-band version of its award-winning SAILOR 60 cm antenna technology platform will be available this summer.
As one of the lightest, most compact and high-performing Ku-band antennas ever developed, SAILOR 600 VSAT Ku is designed to enable more vessels to enjoy the benefits of faster, flexible and predictable pay-monthly Ku-band VSAT services. SAILOR 600 VSAT Ku offers a perfect balance between form factor and performance, enabling maritime SATCOM service providers to extend their portfolio and reach more end-users with a compact, hard-wearing solution that provides the reliability, stability and high throughput normally only possible with 1 meter class antennas.
SAILOR 600 VSAT Ku features the capability to roam between Ku-band wide beams and spot beams, providing additional flexibility for service providers to offer global service availability despite the small antenna size. While providing unmatched performance on traditional Ku-band wide beam satellites, SAILOR 600 VSAT Ku leverages the power of forthcoming Ku-band HTS constellations using spot beams, such as Intelsat’s EpicNG.
Based on a cutting-edge lightweight carbon fiber composites/aluminum design, SAILOR 600 VSAT Ku is incredibly easy to handle and can be installed without the need for a crane in port. As one of the lightest Ku-band 60cm antennas, it introduces the potential for fast and cost-effective installation while retaining the performance and reliability of larger SAILOR VSAT antennas, which are already recognised as the leading technology for enabling maritime broadband on board.
Cobham SATCOM’s newest VSAT antenna is based on the cutting-edge, software defined SAILOR VSAT technology platform and offers several key differences to standard VSAT antennas, including the ability to configure dual antenna installations without the need for additional hardware. This can reduce costs significantly for some vessels, where two antennas may be required to ensure a link to the satellite should one be ‘blocked’ by the vessel’s superstructure or nearby structures such as oil platforms.
The SAILOR VSAT technology platform also provides unique diagnostics and automatic event reporting helping service providers to increase service reliability. The use of SNMP Traps, which improve the reporting of antenna events to shore and the introduction of real-time event reporting support service providers to meet SLAs and end-users to enjoy uninterrupted connectivity. The latest software features are included with SAILOR 600 VSAT Ku, including Shock and Vibration Monitoring, which provides valuable data on the stresses the antenna system is under, helping with planned maintenance and ultimately availability of service.
