Cobham SATCOM has developed a new version of their market-leading SAILOR 900 Very Small Aperture Terminal (VSAT) Ku-band antenna, featuring a new integrated Block Up Converter (BUC). It is an easy and quick to deploy advanced maritime stabilised Ku-band antenna system. This antenna, makes it easier and less costly to ensure high availability of service as there is no need for additional hardware. It also enables satcom service providers to deliver higher uplink bandwidths. The innovative 20W BUC in the SAILOR 900 VSAT High Power antenna ensures reliable operation in warm, humid climates without the need for air conditioning/cooling systems, even with a radiated power level of 20 Watts.
The ever increasing demand for higher data throughput on the uplink to satellites ('sending' from the vessel) has triggered demand for antenna systems with higher power RF performance. Because the new 20 Watt BUC is designed in-house for perfect integration with the SAILOR 900 VSAT, Cobham has ensured high quality control, resulting in reliable, high performance operation in all environments.
This new antenna offers satcom service providers a new alternative to the standard SAILOR 900 VSAT to meet requirements from shipping companies for high Service Level Agreements (SLA), especially when a dual antenna configuration is required due to obstructions that cannot be overcome by setting up blocking zones.
It retains the same installation benefits that established it as a leading choice for maritime satcom service providers when it was first released in 2011. Every antenna system comes factory-tested, balanced and ready-to-go with standardised top quality RF and the requirement for only one cable between antenna and below-deck. This time and cost saving approach combined with high operational reliability has positioned it as the most cost effective Ku-band antenna on the market to deploy.
All SAILOR Ku-Band VSAT antennas have been tested to work on HTS services, including Intelsat's EpicNG. Additionally, even with their unique higher power BUC, it is prepared for conversion from Ku to Ka-band operation on services like Inmarsat Fleet Xpress® or Maritime Ka-Band on THOR 7 from Telenor Satellite, should the end-user request it. Updated electronics, a precision reflector dish and radome tuned for optimum performance on both Ku and Ka-band frequencies ensure that it is an incredibly flexible solution.
Customers can move from the SAILOR 900 VSAT to SAILOR 900 VSAT High Power and additionally from SAILOR 900 VSAT High Power to SAILOR 100 GX. This provides high levels of flexibility for service providers, enabling them to offer a cost-effective migration path to alternative satellite services in order to meet their customers' changing requirements.
