CMC satcom antenna used in Inmarsat Swift64 trials

A new Inmarsat high-speed airborne data service called Swift64 that offers transmission of data at 64 kbps per second will allow aircraft passengers to access the Web, send e-mail and participate in video-conferencing sessions while in flight almost anywhere in the world. The service will increase the speed at which airline operations data is transmitted to and from the aircraft while in flight.

Trials were conducted recently using Tenzing's connectivity service and CMC's phased array antenna with an integrated Honeywell/Thales satellite communications (Satcom) system aboard Honeywell's Citation Vtechnology demonstrator aircraft. The flight demonstrations showed that the new high-speed service worked well.

CMC Electronics manufactures both high gain and intermediate gain Satcom antennas that provide voice and data communications for crewmembers and passengers. The company has sold more than 1,400 of its CMA-2102 Satcom high gain antenna system to over 60 airline customers and several corporate/VIP and military installations, making it the market leader, with more than 75% of all Aero H/H+ airline installations.

Bruce Bailey, CMC Electronics Vice President, Commercial Aviation, explains: "Our CMA-2102 Satcom high gain antenna system fully supports Inmarsat's new Swift64 high-speed data service without modification."

The new Inmarsat service has been designed to meet the needs of aircraft passengers, corporate users and the flight deck, while making use of existing AeroH/H+ Satcom components already found on a large number of airline and corporate jet aircraft.Swift64 delivers fast e-mail, image transfer, ISDN access and video communications, providing users with a truly mobile office in the air.

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