Cobham SATCOM has introduced its new Sea Tel 2400 multiband connectivity platform, a 2.4 m antenna capable of supporting C-, Ku-, or Ka-band networks operating in any orbit.
The new antenna has been developed with automated electronic switching and includes the largest RF amplifier payload capability of any system on the market, Cobham says.
Existing Sea Tel 97-Series antennas currently support approximately 2kw of amplifier power in both C and Ku, with the Sea Tel 2400 building on these capabilities by adding amplifiers of up to 160W in Ka-band.
“Connectivity at sea has transformed in recent years. It’s no longer just a means of enabling passengers to email, post photos and make phone calls – it’s so much more than that,” said Matt Galston, Sr. Director Global Market Strategy & Development, Cobham SATCOM.
“It’s about distinguishing an experience through insights gained from IoT sensors and real-time analytics. In other words, it’s about maximising the value of your offering through greater data-driven customer understanding. This is a trend happening throughout nearly every industry today.”
“The Sea Tel 2400 system is designed specifically to deliver that transformational capability to businesses operating anywhere on the planet, enabling them to continue to effectively harness connectivity for business gains.”
The new antenna system will be launched in two phases. The first phase, available now, will see Cobham SATCOM deliver a dual band version of the antenna, including a new Ka surface accurate reflector and Non-Geostationary Orbit (NGSO) tracking upgrades.
Phase II of the launch, due in Q1 2020, will see full production availability of complete tri-band systems operating on multiple Ka-band networks. Upgrade kits for Phase I systems will be made available at that time.
In addition to the multi band functionality, Cobham says it is also developing a dual data centre system as part of the Phase II launch. This will consist of a ‘smart arbitrator’ providing control of multiple antennas and simultaneous arbitration between single, dual and multi band antennas.
