Future Antenna Design

The following ariticle was published in Satellite Evolution Asia, excerpted below.

ThinKom: thinking ahead of the curve

ThinKom specialises in the development and manufacture of highly-affordable compact broadband antenna and product solutions for aeronautical, on-the-move, and manportable applications. Its primary products uniquely enable near-term worldwide availability of affordable high data rate connectivity in the X, Ku, Ka, and Q-band frequency bands for the consumer, enterprise, first-responder, civil, military, and intelligence communities.

ThinKom's ThinSAT300 is a satellite communications antenna that operates on-the-move. It is an ultra low-profile, affordable solution for Ku-band COTM capabilities. It measures 4.5 inches high by 60 inches long, and provides data rates up to 8Mbps.

Additionally, it supports broadband data, voice and video connectivity for ground vehicles used in news media and broadcasters, disaster recovery, homeland security, surveillance and security, trains and public transit industries.

Based on the unique VICTS Phased Array Antenna technology, this Ku-band satellite terminal is four inches thick, yet allows for high data rates with efficient bandwidth usage, and is FCC licensed. Capable for transmission speeds over 8Mbps, it is ideal for TV newscasters, government response, and other high-speed bandwidth uses.

The system has been qualified to be interoperable with iDirect's OpenAMIP protocol. Complying with iDirect's OpenAMIP enables ThinKom to grow its operations to deliver two-way data, streaming video and VoIP applications for mobile ground units within the government, first responders, transportation and enterprise/commercial markets. iDirect is a world leader in satellite-based IP communications technology. OpenAMIP is an IP-based protocol that facilitates the exchange of information between an Antenna Controller Unit and a satellite router, allowing the router to command the antenna and enabling the use of Automated Beam Selection (ABS), which transfers connectivity from one satellite beam to the next as the mobile platform passes through multiple footprints.

Mark Silk, CEO of ThinKom said: "We have been working very closely with iDirect to certify the OpenAMIP standard with our ultra-low-profile COTM system. This integration effort was a key step to offering a fully-global solution; providing our customers a discrete, light-weight and efficient satellite communication system to meet their mobility needs."