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transmit and back haul operations between affiliates
and Educational Media Foundation’s central operation
hub. The not-for-profit company is switching its
entire satellite network to DVB-S2 modulation as
part of that VSAT launch, and expects to achieve
approximately 20-30 percent in operational cost
savings. DVB-S2 modulation is a newer, standards-based,
satellite modulation scheme offering
significant performance gains over DVB-S
modulation, according to Wegener’s sources.
VIASAT GETS US$ 7 MILLION
ORDER FROM SPAWAR
ViaSat has been awarded an additional order
valued at approximately US$ 7 million for Multifunctional
Information Distribution System or MIDS
terminals by the Space and Naval Warfare Systems
Command (SPAWAR). The order enhances the
US$ 52 million Lot 9 delivery order received by
ViaSat as part of the MIDS annual Lot procurements.
According to the company, the Lot 9 add-on
comprises primarily of Low Volume Terminals or
LVT(2)/LVT(11) ground-based terminals, along
with LVT(1) airborne terminals. LVT is part of
a tactical radio system used for data collection
from various sources and displays an electronic
overview of the battlefield using secure, high
capacity, jam resistant, digital data and voice.
CAPROCK LAUNCHES MAP-
BASED TRACKING SERVICE
CapRock Communications has launched the
AssetTrax, its new map-based tracking service
that monitors the position and movement of critical
assets around the world. As a provider of satellite
communications to remote and harsh environments,
AssetTrax is the latest value-added solution clients
can integrate seamlessly into their operations
using CapRock’s VSAT services. AssetTrax is ideal
for rig managers and fleet operators needing the
capability to view real-time locations and historical
paths of critical assets, such as drilling rigs and
maritime vessels, including supply boats, tankers,
cargo ships and construction and repair vessels.
WAVESTREAM ORDERS MATCHBOX
AMPLIFIERS FROM TCS
Wavestream Corporation, a manufacturer of
compact, highly efficient solid-state power amplifiers,
has received initial orders for its Ku-band and
Ka-band Matchbox Block Upconverters (BUCs)
from TeleCommunication Systems, Inc.(TCS).
Wavestream’s Matchbox BUCs will be integrated
into TCS’ SwiftLink product line for its U.S. Army
Program, and include 40W Ku-band and 12W
Ka-band Matchbox solid-state power amplifiers,
which lead the industry in compactness
and efficiency. TCS’ SwiftLink VSAT will provide
multimedia communications capabilities to convey
encrypted voice, video and imagery data. The
U.S. Army is acquiring TCS’ VSATs through the
$5 billion World-Wide Satellite Systems (WWSS)
contract vehicle, which is available to support
all federal communications missions, including
disaster relief and homeland security efforts.
TCS GETS US$ 23.4 MILLION OF SATELLITE
SOLUTIONS UNDER SNAP PROGRAM
Wireless communications provider TCS received
a US$ 23.4 million follow-on order for deployable
satellite solutions under its Secure Internet
Protocol Router (SIPR) and Non-secure Internet
Protocol Router (NIPR) Access Point (SNAP)
VSAT Satellite Systems Program. This U.S. Army
Communications-Electronics Life Cycle Management
Command (CECOM LCMC) Program has
a potential value of US$ 246 million over the next
39 months if fully funded. Following the July 2008
US$ 2.6 million order for initial shipments, the U.S.
Army CECOM LCMC has now procured with this
US$ 23.4 million order, an additional 122 satellite
systems from TCS’ highly reliable SwiftLink
deployable communications product line.
VIASAT RECEIVES APPROVAL
FOR TERMINAL
ViaSat received Inmarsat Case Approval for the
ViaSat VRT-100 Broadband Global Area Network
(BGAN) terminal, which can be invaluable to first
responders of civil emergencies such as fire, police
homeland security, relief agencies, and news
media personnel. The ViaSat VRT-100 enables
one to quickly set up reliable communications
even in the midst of extreme weather conditions.
With Case Approval, the VRT-100 can be used
throughout the Inmarsat BGAN network. The
VRT-100 part of the family of Inmarsat terminals
is a ruggedized BGAN terminal for operation,
deployment, and transport in extreme conditions.
SPACENET TEAMS UP WITH GLOBECOMM
FOR SATELLITE SERVICES
Satellite networking services provider Spacenet
has teamed with Globecomm Services to support
its expansion of services to Europe, the Middle
East, and Africa. Spacenet will offer both custom
and pre-packaged satellite solutions for voice,
video, and data communications exclusively for
US based enterprise and government organizations
with overseas operations. Globecomm
will provide high security co-location facilities
and international logistics including installation
and field maintenance. Spacenet will design
and manage the international services network,
as well as provide 24 x 7 customer support.
The new international satellite services, provided
by Spacenet and Globecomm, help to solve not
www.TELE-satellite.com — 12-01/2009 — TELE-satellite & Broadband 105