Intellian - Experts & Thought Leaders

Intellian is pleased to confirm that its newly-launched v45C antenna has been qualified for operation on the Intelsat FlexMaritime network. By combining Intellian’s compact, high-performance antenna with Intelsat’s cutting-edge FlexMaritime High Throughput Satellite (HTS) service, this approval will deliver global connectivity to customers in the smallest package available to date.  Until now, service providers have required antennas of 60cm or larger to deliver high throughput services owing to the higher power demanded by smaller units, but with the advent of HTS technology teamed with innovative antenna design, the use of more compact antennas has become possible. v45C The v45C has been developed to bring VSAT to new markets where there is limited space available  The v45C has been developed to bring VSAT to new markets where there is limited space available for communications equipment, such as workboats, leisure craft, fishing boats, small commercial and government vessels. Intelsat is among the first to take advantage of this capability with the addition of a 45cm category to its FlexMaritime HTS service. VSAT delivery to small antennas has traditionally been restricted to localized regions in order to conserve power, but through the use of spot beam technology, HTS satellites can overcome this limitation. High-power service By providing high-power service to small, tightly-focused areas, frequencies can be reused across the satellite’s coverage area, supporting global service while reducing the cost of delivery. Intelsat takes this principle a step further with FlexMaritime, with multiple satellites able to overlay spots in the same area to boost performance even further. It is this ability to dynamically allocate services as required, teamed with Intellian’s advanced technology, which allows a small antenna to deliver connectivity and performance at reasonable cost to the customer. Intelsat FlexMaritime service Shane Rossbacher, Director of Maritime Products, Intelsat, said: “We’re pleased to welcome Intellian’s new v45C compact antenna to our Intelsat FlexMaritime service.” “This is an exciting time for customers who require a VSAT solution that is both space- and cost-efficient, and we’re delighted that Intellian has developed an innovative product that is ideally suited to take full advantage of our new 45cm service category.” Globally-successful v60E In common with the globally-successful v60E antenna launched last year, the v45C shares technology developed for Intellian’s advanced NX Series antennas. These range in size from 85cm to 150cm, with single-cable, dome-on connection and simple commissioning and diagnostics via the built-in AptusNX antenna management software. Eric Sung, CEO, Intellian Technologies, said: “We’re delighted to gain this qualification from Intelsat.” “The combination of our leading antenna design and Intelsat’s innovative FlexMaritime service will deliver cost-effective VSAT service to customers in need of a compact, global high speed connectivity solution.” “We expect this to open up new markets, and look forward to collaborating with customers to help them gain the best possible results from the combination of HTS connectivity and Intellian products.”   

The team at Intellian explores how the balance between powerful comms, high-quality service, and the smallest possible antennas is vital to delivering essential, aesthetically pleasing communications for superyachts. The André Hoek-designed superyacht Marie epitomises the best-of-both-worlds principle, which underpins modern superyachts. As elegant as she is imposing, her sleek and sculpted lines betray a purposefulness that speaks volumes regarding her capabilities. Hand-in-hand with those dynamic looks, the high-calibre materials that have gone into her construction and lavish interior fittings subtly but firmly emphasise the standard of comfort guests can anticipate, both on charter and the regatta circuit. Satellite communications service providers From the perspective of satellite communications service providers, therein lies the rub. Owners, charterers, and guests on superyachts have now, as a matter of course, come to expect internet access at sea on a par with the service levels they enjoy on land. The guest experience is seriously diminished if the high-speed, high-quality bandwidth required for entertainment, communication, and social media applications is lacking. By the same token, commerce never sleeps; so dependable and stable connectivity, which will support the exchange of time-sensitive business dialogues and enable the real-time oversight required for informed decision-making, is essential for owners, crew, and guests alike. Commercial vessels All of this is, of course, perfectly achievable, as demonstrated by commercial vessels which are routinely equipped with large antennas. Where racing superyachts are concerned, however, the risk of antennas compromising speed or stability and marring the vessel’s aesthetic appearance are primary considerations. “On these high-performance racing yachts with their carbon-fibre spars and Kevlar sails, owners don’t really want anything which could potentially interrupt the vessel’s lines or impair efficiency,” says Ben Hextall, founder of maritime communications specialists OceanWeb. “If you could invent an antenna that was eggcup-sized, that’s what they’d all go for. They’ve spent an enormous amount on their yachts, and they’re racing, so putting any antennas on at all is seen as a compromise. However, they need internet, so that compromise has to be made somewhere.” Single-antenna solution Mounting communications antennas on the mast minimises deck clutter  It was precisely this issue that faced OceanWeb when it came to specifying an antenna system for Marie during the course of a major refit. Mounting communications antennas on the mast minimises deck clutter and extends their effective horizon, but the potential trade-off is a reduction in aerodynamic performance owing to the antennas’ weight, windage and position in the sails’ airflow. Nevertheless, a solution needed to be found. Marie’s captain, Chad Murray, had mentioned his dissatisfaction with the superyacht’s existing VSAT installation to Hextall, observing that the service was particularly poor in the Pacific and that a solution was needed to ensure optimum performance in fringe reception areas. One-metre antennas Mounting two one-metre antennas on the mizzen mast would be ideal Hextall initially suggested that mounting two one-metre antennas on the mizzen mast would be ideal, and mocked up some photographs accordingly which were sent to Murray for discussion with Marie’s owner. However, when the latter expressed concerns about a dual-antenna setup in light of Marie’s status as a performance yacht, all parties agreed to proceed with a single-antenna solution. Hextall opted for an Intellian v100NX antenna with a 25W BUC. “When asked why,” he recalls, “I explained that the high-power BUC would help overcome signal attenuation by the sails and blockage by the mast, improve performance in adverse weather conditions and help acquire a satellite more quickly.” Mounting an antenna “We chose Intellian because we trust them, like their products and have had great service from them in the past,” continues Hextall. “In a previous project – fitting out Black Pearl – the boat had three rotating masts, which obviously creates a tricky scenario in terms of mounting an antenna.” “We arrived at a solution for that within three weeks. Intellian’s programmers in Korea actually wrote a bespoke piece of firmware for us, and we got the system working.” Essential for business Captains’ reliance upon connectivity for carrying out fundamental daily operations over and above catering for the online needs of their guests cannot be underestimated. “Captains can spend almost the entire day exchanging emails to check that the marina and the guests are ready, as well as sorting out hotels, provisioning and so on. In fact, the core of the bandwidth is used for essential tasks and transactions – these yachts are multi-million-pound business concerns, so dependable connectivity is vital,” comments Hextall. Sufficient communications bandwidth VSAT is the only way to guarantee sufficient communications bandwidth at sea Hextall explains that VSAT is the only way to guarantee sufficient communications bandwidth at sea, but notes that some areas in the Pacific are still without coverage, particularly towards the tip of South America and en route to the Galapagos Islands. This situation regularly becomes a deciding factor in clients’ passage planning. “When we show our customers the satellite footprints, they will quite often change their routes, just to maintain high-speed VSAT connectivity.” Always-on connectivity Hextall adds many customers are also opting to use VSAT rather than shore-based services  Hextall adds that many customers are also opting to use VSAT rather than shore-based services when vessels are docked, willing to pay the higher costs in return for always-on connectivity. “All the cellular providers will offer a connection, sometimes up to 20Mbps, but none will guarantee quality of service,” he points out. "So we configure the usage according to priority. We might use VSAT for a vital software update, but stream a movie over 4G.” Looking ahead In conclusion, Hextall points to his choice of the multi-orbit, multi-band Intellian v100NX antenna as a logical strategy with the imminent advent of NGSO networks. “We’re watching networks such as OneWeb and others with interest,” he says. “We hope that LEO networks will allow us to deliver twice the bandwidth to customers requiring large amounts of data for approximately the same cost, and the v100NX permits us to do that without changing hardware.” Investing now in antenna systems that are LEO-ready allows customers to contemplate a time, just around the corner, when the hitherto unthinkable concept of genuinely global, high-quality, and cost-effective VSAT coverage becomes a reality.

Intellian Technologies Inc., a global provider of feature-rich, resilient satellite communication solutions, has announced the expansion of its Singapore office. As Intellian’s APAC Headquarters and Logistics Center, the expansion further supports regional customers and gives Intellian the opportunity to host key partners and conduct training for installation engineers. Relocating to a larger development, the new facility is double the size of the previous office. Array of antennas An array of antennas for land, maritime, and government sectors have been installed  An array of antennas for land, maritime, and government sectors have been installed for regional network testing and hands-on training, giving partners unparalleled access to Intellian’s evolving product range. Onsite facilities and a nearby warehouse allow for fast and cost-effective product delivery to the APAC market, enabling Intellian to offer best-in-class service to partners across all industries. Located close to the Port of Singapore, the new office lends itself to rapid delivery and installation of maritime products, which is a key strategic advantage in the industry. Singapore’s proximity to other countries, including the wider APAC and Australasia region, means that the office is primed to facilitate Intellian’s expanding customer base. International trade The new office utilises Singapore as a global business hub, which is well-connected  The new office utilises Singapore as a global business hub, which is well-connected and attracts international trade. This latest opening represents the next step in Intellian’s development and global expansion. Along with the facility expansion, the Singapore team has also hired engineering and operations specialists to help with the delivery of flat panel and parabolic products in this key market. The opening of the Singapore office follows the Advanced Development Centre (ADC) in the USA, a technical facility built to support Intellian’s advancement of flat panel technologies. Growing business needs Cheng-Yu Tang, VP and GM of APAC, said, “The new Singapore office is testament to Intellian’s presence in the region to support the growing business needs of our APAC partners and customers across all sectors.” “With so many operators and distribution partners based in Singapore, the space itself has been designed with collaboration in mind and will be a site of key strategic innovation going forward. From field engineers to technical support and account management, we’ve got a full service team that’s expanding to deliver customer excellence.”