iDirect's X7 Remote.

The award, which was given by the VSAT industry’s leading analysts in conjunction with the VSAT 2013 global conference, recognizes critical technology innovations that enhance the delivery of VSAT services to the wider community, while evolving the satellite industry beyond its current limits. The X7 received the innovation award for its design to handle high data throughput rates and enable inter-network roaming for seamless global mobility.

The X7 remote, the first in a family of next-generation remotes, is built on an entirely new multi-core hardware system and is designed to reach high performance throughput levels to support bandwidth-heavy applications and emerging high throughput satellite (HTS) services. The X7 features an embedded second demodulator with a fully independent RF chain, enabling even higher performance rates with future operating software releases and line card technology.

The X7 is also the first remote designed to enable global roaming. By leveraging both demodulators, the X7 can connect across multiple service provider networks. End users can rely on seamless coverage while retaining a single service provider relationship. And roaming enables satellite operators and service providers to expand their network reach without additional capital outlay and gain new revenue by leasing their capacity.

The VSAT Industry Awards were announced at the VSAT 2013 conference in Amsterdam. The Technology Innovation of the Year award spotlights a major new innovation that enables satellite operators and service providers to achieve significant gains in business efficiency, customer service, cost effectiveness and reliability. The judging panel included Christopher Baugh, President, Northern Sky Research; Martin Coleman, Executive Director, Satellite Interference Reduction Group (sIRG); David Hartshorn, Secretary General, Global VSAT Forum; and Dimitris Mavrakis, Principal Analyst, Informa Telecoms & Media.