One year after announcing the launch of the Plane Simple™ Satcom Antenna Systems, Satcom Direct, the aviation solutions provider, has begun rigorous airborne testing of its advanced technology, purpose-built Ku-band tail-mounted antenna system.
The transition from development to ground assessment to the aerial testing phase aims to validate the full performance capabilities of the Ku-band terminal.
Empirical feedback
The antenna, which is equipped on SD’s Gulfstream aircraft, will be stretched to the limits
Inflight trials will also confirm the system’s integration with the SD ecosystem of hardware, software, and supporting ground infrastructure.
The antenna, which is equipped on SD’s Gulfstream aircraft, will be stretched to the limits of its capabilities, while providing empirical feedback about its functionality in an aerial environment.
End-to-end connectivity solutions
"It is our company philosophy to always bring products to market that we have validated internally, and we are in a unique position to have the ability to undertake system testing on our aircraft, which gives us direct performance feedback," says Satcom Direct Founder and CEO, Jim Jensen.
He adds, "The aerial validation is the next step in becoming a single source provider of end-to-end connectivity solutions for business and government operators worldwide, which will streamline the connectivity ownership experience and customer support services."
Plane Simple tail-mounted antenna system
SD’s investment in the hardware series is satisfying the broadening segment of the business aviation sector
The aerial testing follows the successful completion of intense drive testing in Melbourne, Florida using a customised mobile platform. SD’s investment in the hardware series is satisfying the broadening segment of the business aviation sector’s appetite for flexible, reliable, cost-effective connectivity solutions.
The Plane Simple tail-mounted antenna system will support super-mid to large-size jets and is being developed in partnership with Germany-based QEST, Quantenelektronische Systeme GmbH, a worldwide market leader in innovative aeronautical antennas.
Data management and analytics
Jim Jensen continues, "Aviation is moving toward a digital industry, and data is the foundation for informed decision-making by operations, finance, and maintenance departments."
"It is essential that we can offer powerful connectivity solutions to a much broader business aviation audience, which also support enhanced data management and analytics. The start of our inflight testing within a year of announcing the hardware expansion highlights just how committed we are to meeting these market needs," concludes Jim Jensen.
High-speed connectivity
The Plane Simple Ku-band antenna is the first in a series of antenna systems being developed by SD. As a Value-Added Manufacturer (VAM) and service provider (SP) for Iridium Certus, SD is also designing and manufacturing a Plane Simple antenna system for compatibility with the new network offering from Iridium, while also providing the service directly to the business aviation community.
The company is aiming to launch a Ka-band variant tail-mount antenna in 2022, followed by an electronically steered, fuselage-mounted phased-array antenna which will deliver high-speed connectivity via upcoming LEO constellations.