. 24/7 Space News .
Boeing Picks Melco For Next-Gen Internet Antenna

Connexion One, the flying laboratory for the Connexion by BoeingSM airborne communications service, is shown during flight over Mount Rainier in Washington State. The specially equipped Boeing 737 is being used to demonstrate overall system capability and to certify portions of the on-board hardware, systems and procedures that will enable commercial airlines to begin offering passengers real-time high-speed Internet and intranet access, television and full-featured e-mail capability.
Tokyo - Jun 25, 2002
Connexion by Boeing today announced the selection of Mitsubishi Electric Corporation to design and produce the next-generation antenna for the Boeing business unit's high- speed data and Internet service.

Once completed, the antenna will be optimized to provide commercial airlines and business jet operators with high- speed access to data, the Internet and streaming entertainment content during flight.

Under the terms of the agreement, Connexion by Boeing and Mitsubishi Electric will work together to design the antenna and supporting subsystem, and to ensure its suitability for retrofit and in-line installation on Boeing aircraft, as well as other industry models.

Mitsubishi Electric also will assist Connexion by Boeing to ensure the first antenna production unit is installation-ready when it rolls off the assembly line in late 2003.

"Our team conducted a rigorous review of key industry suppliers' antenna capabilities, and Mitsubishi Electric met the airline industry requirements, as well as our criteria for next-generation performance and cost," said Connexion by Boeing President Scott Carson.

"Having the right antenna solution supports our objective of delivering to the airlines a connectivity service that adds value, but not complexity, and one that will be service ready from Day One."

Mitsubishi Electric representatives actively participated in the Connexion Working Together meetings with representatives from 15 leading global airlines.

At those sessions, designed to ensure the Connexion by Boeing service meets the requirements from those who know air travel best, Mitsubishi Electric received direct industry inputs on performance, weight and power requirements necessary for the next-generation antenna to meet both passenger and airline operational connectivity objectives.

The decision to move forward with the next-generation antenna design was mutually agreed upon between Connexion by Boeing and the airlines after conducting an extensive trade study of the necessary performance and communication requirements.

"We are honored to be a key part of Connexion by Boeing by providing an enhanced solution for the next-generation antenna. Connexion by Boeing's decision also ensures our leading position in the mobile satellite communications market," said Tamotsu Nomakuchi, President & CEO of Mitsubishi Electric.

"We appreciate Connexion by Boeing's spirit of 'working together' that has led us to this historic point since the early days when we became involved in the project. Through a spirit of partnership, Mitsubishi Electric will continue to provide the best technical solutions for Connexion by Boeing and its worldwide customers."

Connexion by Boeing will use the Boeing phased array antenna for the commencement of commercial airline service demonstrations and migrate to the enhanced next-generation antenna once production, testing and certification are complete.

The next-generation antenna will incorporate a single aperture design that will provide enhanced satellite-to-aircraft scan angles and also use leading-edge beam pointing technology with enhanced electronics capabilities to precisely detect and track satellites from the aircraft during flight.

"We are very pleased that Mitsubishi Electric continues to be an integral, strategic member of the Connexion by Boeing team," Carson added, "and their capabilities in the area of antenna technology will further strengthen a relationship between Boeing and Japan-based companies that spans 50 years."

The Connexion by Boeing service is currently available to the executive services market in the U.S., which includes operators of private and government aircraft. The Federal Communications Commission authorized services over U.S. territory on December 21, 2001. Connexion by Boeing also remains on track with leading European carrier Lufthansa to begin service trial in early 2003 and recently announced a service trial with British Airways that also will commence in early 2003.

Related Links
Mitsubishi Electric
Connexion by Boeing
SpaceDaily
Search SpaceDaily
Subscribe To SpaceDaily Express

Gilat Dominating Indian VSAT Market
Petah Tikva - June 18, 2002
Gilat Satellite Networks Ltd. has expanded its business operations in India to the point of being India's leading VSAT provider. According to the May 2002 issue of India's Voice & Data magazine, Gilat captured nearly 70 percent of the market for Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA) VSATs for the period April 2001 through March 2002.



Thanks for being here;
We need your help. The SpaceDaily news network continues to grow but revenues have never been harder to maintain.

With the rise of Ad Blockers, and Facebook - our traditional revenue sources via quality network advertising continues to decline. And unlike so many other news sites, we don't have a paywall - with those annoying usernames and passwords.

Our news coverage takes time and effort to publish 365 days a year.

If you find our news sites informative and useful then please consider becoming a regular supporter or for now make a one off contribution.
SpaceDaily Contributor
$5 Billed Once


credit card or paypal
SpaceDaily Monthly Supporter
$5 Billed Monthly


paypal only














The content herein, unless otherwise known to be public domain, are Copyright 1995-2016 - Space Media Network. All websites are published in Australia and are solely subject to Australian law and governed by Fair Use principals for news reporting and research purposes. AFP, UPI and IANS news wire stories are copyright Agence France-Presse, United Press International and Indo-Asia News Service. ESA news reports are copyright European Space Agency. All NASA sourced material is public domain. Additional copyrights may apply in whole or part to other bona fide parties. Advertising does not imply endorsement, agreement or approval of any opinions, statements or information provided by Space Media Network on any Web page published or hosted by Space Media Network. Privacy Statement All images and articles appearing on Space Media Network have been edited or digitally altered in some way. Any requests to remove copyright material will be acted upon in a timely and appropriate manner. Any attempt to extort money from Space Media Network will be ignored and reported to Australian Law Enforcement Agencies as a potential case of financial fraud involving the use of a telephonic carriage device or postal service.