Thinkom, Comsat and Newtec complete on-air demo tests

hinKom Solutions, Inc. has announced the completion of the live demo tests of its ThinAir Ka2517 antenna with Newtec next-generation satellite modems over Avanti’s HYLAS 4 satellite.

ThinKom has confirmed that the on-air tests achieved data rates of up to 260 Mbps downlink and 50 Mbps uplink error-free at elevation angles from 27 to 57 degrees.

The tests were conducted from May 1-2 at Herndon, Virginia as a collaborative effort by ThinKom, Newtec, COMSAT and Avanti.

ThinKom’s phased-array antenna was integrated with Newtec’s MDM6000 modems operating in SCPC mode to Avanti’s Gateway Earth Station in Cyprus. The communication link was coordinated and overseen by COMSAT using one of Avanti’s high-throughput steerable beams operating off its HYLAS 4 geostationary satellite. COMSAT can offer direct downlink from European and African theatres by way of the Avanti anchor beam to the U.S. East Coast in either commercial or military Ka-band frequencies. 

Commenting on the throughput rates of Avanti’s network, Bill Milroy, Chief Technology Officer, ThinKom Solutions, said: “The combination of our proven compact phased-array design with Newtec’s modems and Avanti’s high-throughput Ka-band satellites provides a capability that significantly outperforms other flat-panel products”.

Commenting on the capability of ThinKom antennas, Andrew Faiola, Newtec’s Head of Mobility, said: “The antennas have proven themselves in a variety of environments and use cases in air, on land and at sea. Combined with Newtec Dialog, throughput performance exceeds all expectations, opening up many exciting new opportunities for reliable high-speed connectivity for aeronautical and land-mobile communications”.

The Ka2517 antennas are available in both military and commercial Ka-band variants and are in production with units in active service aboard several U.S. government aircraft.