EMS-designed "switch in the sky" paves the way for future broadband services
i-Newswire, 2005-03-25 - Telesat, one of the world's leading satellite
operators, today announced that it has completed in-orbit testing of a
next-generation digital broadband on-board signal processor on Anik F2,
one of the largest commercial communications satellites ever launched.
The successful tests of this "broadband switch in the sky" will now
enable Telesat to undertake follow-on applications development work.
The experimental "SpaceMux" on-board processor ( OBP ), designed and
supplied by the Space & Technology/Montreal division of EMS
Technologies, Inc. ( NASDAQ: ELMG ), makes it possible to provide direct
user-to-user broadband connectivity for "spot-beam" systems such as the
one deployed at Ka-band on Telesat's Anik F2 satellite.
"Anik F2's 'broadband switch in the sky' is a major technological
achievement," said Larry Boisvert, Telesat's President and CEO.
"Telesat's partnership with EMS Technologies will help us develop the
advanced broadband services of the future."
Spot beam systems are the way of the future for low-cost broadband
two-way communications via satellite. The SpaceMux OBP has been designed
to permit direct user-to-user communications links for such spot beam
systems. Rather than communicating through gateways on the ground, users
that have a need to communicate directly with other satellite users can
do so through the satellite OBP. The system will now undergo further
testing involving a variety of applications using two Anik F2 Ka-band
beams, one in the Toronto-Ottawa area and the other in the Vancouver area.
The SpaceMux technology demonstration payload of the Anik F2 satellite
was developed as part of a public-private partnership involving the
Canadian Space Agency ( CSA ) and the Communications Research Centre
Canada ( CRC ). "The aim of the partnership is to foster the development
and testing of new technologies addressing the Government of Canada's
commitment to delivering cost-effective, two-way broadband, Internet,
tele-health, tele-learning and e-government services to commercial
clients and Canadians wherever they live," said Gilles Leclerc, Director
General, Space Technologies of the Canadian Space Agency.
"CRC is proud to have been able to provide expert advice and technical
guidance to our partners on this project," said Veena Rawat,
Acting-President of the Communications Research Centre Canada. "The
successful completion of in-orbit testing for this new broadband
technology is an important step forward in the development, testing and
experimentation of new broadband applications between remote locations."
Manufactured by Boeing Satellite Systems, Telesat's Anik F2 was launched
on Arianespace's Ariane 5G rocket from Europe's Spaceport in Kourou,
French Guiana, on July 17, 2004. Anik F2 makes history as the first
satellite to fully commercialize the Ka-frequency band - a breakthrough
satellite communications technology for delivering cost-effective,
two-way broadband services.
Telesat's Anik F2 payload consists of 38 Ka-band transponders, 32
Ku-band transponders and 24 C-band transponders. The satellite,
operating in geostationary orbit from the orbital position at 111.1
degrees West Longitude, will provide service for at least 15 years.
About Telesat ( www.telesat.com )
Telesat is a pioneer and world leader in satellite operations and
systems management. The company made history in 1972 with the launch of
the first domestic commercial communications satellite in geostationary
orbit. Today, Telesat competes with other top international satellite
fleets in providing telecommunications and broadcasting services
throughout the Americas, and is a leading consultant, operator and
partner in satellite ventures around the globe. Telesat is a
wholly-owned subsidiary of BCE Inc., a leading communications company
with shares listed in the United States, Canada and Europe.
About EMS Technologies, Inc. ( www.ems-t.comm )
EMS Technologies, Inc. ( NASDAQ: ELMG ) is a leading innovator in the
design and manufacture of wireless, satellite and defense solutions, and
focuses its unique range of advanced technologies on the needs of
broadband and mobile information users. The company is headquartered in
Atlanta, has almost 1,700 workers worldwide, and operates manufacturing
facilities in Atlanta, Montreal, Ottawa and Brazil.
About the Canadian Space Agency
Established in 1989, and with its headquarters in Longueuil, Quebec, the
Canadian Space Agency is responsible for coordinating all civil,
space-related policies and programs related to science and technology
research, industrial development, and international cooperation on
behalf of the Government of Canada. The Canadian Space Agency directs
its resources and activities through four key thrusts: Earth
Observation, Space Science and Exploration, Satellite Communications,
and Space Awareness and Learning. With the overall responsibility for
advancing Canada's space policy and programs, the Canadian Space Agency
leverages international cooperation to champion world-class scientific
research and industrial development for the benefit of humanity.
About the Communications Research Centre Canada ( CRC )
CRC, an agency of Industry Canada, is the Canadian government's primary
laboratory for research and development ( R&D ) in advanced
telecommunications. R&D is used for public policy purposes and to
strengthen the Canadian economy through technology and knowledge
transfer. Under its four research branches ( Terrestrial Wireless,
Satellite Communications and Radio Propagation Research, Broadband
Network Technologies and Broadcast Technology ), CRC specializes in
taking an interdisciplinary approach to longer-term R&D in wireless
systems, radio fundamentals, communication networks, photonics and
interactive multimedia. More information about CRC is available at:
www.crc.ca.
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