Iridium
NEXT is expected to begin launching in 2015 and to be fully operational in
2017. Leading technology design and
development firm Cambridge Consultants has been selected by Iridium
Communications Inc. to play a key role in the deployment of Iridium NEXT, the
company's second-generation satellite constellation and the world's most
significant commercial space programme, which is expected to begin launching in
early 2015.
Cambridge
Consultants will spearhead subscriber equipment technology development for the
constellation, which will cover the entire globe. It will also provide input
into the broader satellite and ground infrastructure system design upon which
Iridium NEXT is being built.
The
Iridium network is the world's largest commercial satellite constellation.
Covering the 90% of the Earth that cellular and terrestrial networks don't
cover, Iridium is extending connectivity in places and ways never before
imagined - from aircraft tracking in Alaska to the rescue of a trapped
mountaineer in Antarctica.
Iridium
enables two-way, real-time, low-latency voice and data communications services
through small, reliable devices and applications that change the way
organisations and people are able to operate and live. Building on a decade of
innovative design and technology collaboration, Cambridge Consultants is
contributing to the Iridium NEXT technology roadmap through its unique
knowledge of the current system, as well as its experience in leading-edge mainstream
wireless technologies.
The
roadmap will provide Iridium customers with a new generation of feature
enhancements and other product benefits as the Iridium NEXT project moves
toward completion and beyond."The Iridium NEXT system will enable unmatched
wireless connectivity for people in every corner of the globe and with such a
significant undertaking comes a myriad of technology challenges," said
Scott Smith, executive vice-president, Technology Development and Satellite
Operations, at Iridium.
"It
is uncommon in this industry to find such an effective long-term design
partnership as the one we have with Cambridge Consultants, and we are pleased
to have them as a part of the Iridium NEXT Mission Team that is collaborating
to move this ambitious project from the design phase into reality."
With
the preliminary design phase of Iridium NEXT satellites completed earlier this
year, Cambridge Consultants is now embarking on the construction of prototype
communications equipment that will be used to verify the design and performance
of the Iridium NEXT system prior to the anticipated start of full construction
in 2013. Iridium NEXT is expected to begin launching in 2015 and to be fully
operational in 2017.
"We're
proud of our long history with Iridium, and our input to the Iridium NEXT
programme will help the company scale its business by maximising its return on
investment in this next-generation satellite network," said Richard
Traherne, head of the Wireless division at Cambridge Consultants.
"By
applying knowledge acquired through our years of work with Iridium, we will
ensure not only that the ground terminals and infrastructure for Iridium NEXT
are effective, but that performance and user experience take a significant step
forward and that flexibility is built in to enable exciting new features for
future users."
With
one of the largest independent wireless development teams in the world,
Cambridge Consultants has a proven track record in implementing professional
wireless systems based on standardised radio protocols such as GSM, WCDMA, LTE,
TETRA, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and DECT, as well as proprietary protocols developed
for custom applications.
For
further information visit: http://www.spacemart.com/reports/Countdown_begins_to_the_next_generation_of_satellites_999.html
No comments:
Post a Comment