Telecom applications tested from 20 km high stratospheric platform

14 August 2002 Telecoms, Datacoms, Wireless, IoT

In a world-first, an unmanned aircraft has successfully completed a series of commercial telecommunications tests from more than 65 000 Feet (19812 m) in the stratosphere. The solar-electric aircraft, called Pathfinder-Plus, was developed by AeroVironment, the parent company of SkyTower. Both companies are based in Monrovia, California.

In collaboration with the Japan Ministry of Telecommunications (CRL/TAO) and NASA, the SkyTower tests took place over the scenic Hawaii island of Kauai, and involved the transmission of several hours of next-generation mobile voice, data, and video services to multiple handheld user devices on the ground.

"These tests demonstrate the viability of the SkyTower stratospheric telecommunications platform as an excellent complement, and in some cases alternative, to satellite and terrestrial systems for a broad range of applications," said Stuart Hindle, vice president of strategy and business development, SkyTower. "The airborne platform, operating above the weather and commercial air traffic, is equivalent to a 12-mile-tall tower, which means significant advantages to telecom service providers and broadcasters."

For more information: SkyTower, www.skytowerglobal.com

Further reading:

Macom targets broadband radar with time delay MMIC
RFiber Solutions Telecoms, Datacoms, Wireless, IoT
Macom’s MADU FR1012 is a GaAs MMIC 1-bit true time delay device covering 4 GHz to 12 GHz, designed for broadband microwave systems where beam accuracy and signal integrity are critical.

Read more...

---

Compact analogue phase shifter
RF Design Telecoms, Datacoms, Wireless, IoT
The Mini-Circuits JSPHS-150+ is a compact analogue voltage-controlled phase shifter designed for narrowband RF applications between 100 and 150 MHz.

Read more...

---

Wireless connectivity expanded
iCorp Technologies Telecoms, Datacoms, Wireless, IoT
Espressif Systems has introduced two new members of its ESP32 wireless SoC family: the ESP32-E22, the company’s first Wi-Fi 6E connectivity chip, and the ESP32-H21, an ultra-low-power Bluetooth LE microcontroller aimed at coin-cell and battery-powered devices.

Read more...

---

Integrated X-band radar front-end module
RF Design Telecoms, Datacoms, Wireless, IoT
Qorvo has introduced an X-band radar front-end solution that enables defence system designers to achieve higher performance without increasing size, weight or prime power.

Read more...

---

Introducing Aurata
CST Electronics Telecoms, Datacoms, Wireless, IoT
Antenova has launched Aurata SR4L112: a compact, high efficiency embedded 4G/LTE antenna engineered for long, narrow PCB designs.

Read more...

---

Multi-constellation GNSS module in a legacy-compatible footprint
Altron Arrow Telecoms, Datacoms, Wireless, IoT
Telit Cinterion has announced the SE869eK2L, a single-frequency L1 GNSS module designed to help device manufacturers upgrade legacy positioning designs with improved performance and cost efficiency, while preserving design continuity.

Read more...

---

Quectel expands 5G portfolio
iCorp Technologies Telecoms, Datacoms, Wireless, IoT
Quectel expands 5G portfolio with new Qualcomm- and UNISOC-based modules.

Read more...

---

Compact RTK design: More than just the receiver
iCorp Technologies Editor's Choice Telecoms, Datacoms, Wireless, IoT
In practice, engineers building compact RTK products keep discovering the same thing: the hardest component in the system is no longer the receiver. It is the antenna.

Read more...

---

Microchip advances Space-Grade timing performance
ASIC Design Services Telecoms, Datacoms, Wireless, IoT
Microchip Technology has expanded its atomic clock portfolio with the radiation-tolerant Space CSAC-SA65, a Chip Scale Atomic Clock designed to deliver precise timing for space systems.

Read more...

---

Channel emulator for 6 G and Wi-Fi 7/8
Concilium Technologies Telecoms, Datacoms, Wireless, IoT
With 400 MHz instantaneous bandwidth and support for carrier frequencies up to 23,6 GHz, Vertex 6.0 is the industry’s first channel emulator designed for next generation 6 G and Wi-Fi 7/8 testing.

Read more...

---