[SatNews] "…its almost phase-shift independent insertion loss, which will pave the way for a fully passive phased-array technology—the Holy Grail of the intelligent antenna community…"
C-COM Satellite Systems Inc. (TSX VENTURE:CMI), a global provider of mobile, auto-deploying satellite antenna systems, announced today that it has developed a patent pending technology to be used with its next generation ofin-motion phased array antennas.
This technology has been developed in partnership with the University of Waterloo as part of an engineering graduate research project under the guidance of Dr. Safieddin (Ali) Safavi-Naeini, director of the Center for Intelligent Antenna and Radio Systems. The low cost phase shifter is fully compatible with commercial planar technologies currently under consideration for low-profile 2-way phased-array systems for land-mobile satellite communication.
"The phased-array under development uses a unique phase shifter technology based on an electrically controlled material that changes the propagation characteristics and phase in a fast and smooth manner," said Dr. Safieddin Safavi-Naeini, a professor at the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at the University of Waterloo. "No appreciable loss is observable in a very small foot print over the entire Ka-band range. The new concept is fully compatible with low-cost integrated passive technologies for large arrays. Another unique characteristic of this technology is its almost phase-shift independent insertion loss, which will pave the way for a fully passive phased-array technology—the Holy Grail of the intelligent antenna community," continued Dr. Safavi-Naeini.
"A phased-array antenna system where the radiation beam is controlled and rotated electronically is the most promising solution for broadband, in-motion antennas," said Bilal Awada, Chief Technology Officer of C-COM. "This innovative phase shifter technology is an essential move towards achieving this goal," Awada continued.
"The Ontario Centers of Excellence has provided financial and logistical support to this joint project," said Dr. Boris Elenkrig, Business Development Manager, Ontario Centers for Excellence. "We support ground breaking research activities such as this project, which is expected to deliver new technologies to the Telecom Industry."
"We look forward to continuing our collaboration with the University, as well as with the Ontario Centers of Excellence, on this unique Ka-band in motion antenna system," said Leslie Klein, President and CEO of C-COM Satellite Systems Inc.
C-COM Satellite Systems Inc. is a developer and deployer of commercial grade mobile satellite-based technology for the delivery of two-way high-speed Internet, VoIP and Video services into vehicles. C-COM has developed a proprietary Mobile auto-deploying (iNetVu®) antenna that allows the delivery of high-speed satellite based Internet services into vehicles while stationary virtually anywhere that one drives. The iNetVu® Mobile antennas have also been adapted to be airline checkable and easily transportable. The company's satellite-based products and services deliver solutions for both fixed and mobile applications throughout the world. More information is available here.
iNetVu® is a registered trademark of C-COM Satellite Systems Inc.
