Global Eagle Entertainment has unveiled a new broadband antenna for in-flight connectivity which it bills as the first on the market to offer truly global Ku-band satellite coverage at all latitudes.
The antenna is mechanically steered with patented three-axis technology, enabling it to provide more reliable global coverage than competing two-axis, flat-panel products, says Global Eagle chief executive David Davis.
"Our competitors in the Ku space use mechanically steered antennas but they're only steerable on two axes, so they have a hard time locking on to satellites because they can't point precisely," says Davis.
"This is a revolutionary product that has clear advantages over competing systems, both that are in place today and that have been announced and are not yet flying."
Global Eagle has co-developed the antenna with QEST, which Davis says "came up with a lightweight version of the aperture" to make it lighter than other flat-panel products on the market.
While he admits the antenna is "a bit taller" than competing ones and has "a little more drag", Davis says the fuel-burn penalty is "substantially less" because of its lighter weight. It can fit into existing radomes, is available as a line-fit option "from day one" and offers speeds of over 100MB per second, says Global Eagle technology chief Aditya Chatterjee.
Total installation time is three days and a retrofit "would be a fraction of that time", says Davis.The antenna is set to be ready for delivery in mid-2016 but no launch customer has been announced.
Source: Flight Daily News
