Eutelsat Drives Programme to Raise Performance, Operational Flexibility and Signal Security on Future Satellites
Poster: SySAdmin
Posted on January 15, 2013 at 6:42:01 AM
Eutelsat Drives Programme to Raise Performance, Operational Flexibility and Signal Security on Future Satellites
EUTELSAT 8 West B first satellite selected to host advanced functions
PARIS, January 15, 2013 /PRNewswire/ --
Eutelsat Communications (Euronext Paris: ETL) today announced the deployment on a
future satellite of a new generation of advanced functions designed by European industry
to further raise the bar of performance, flexibility and signal security. The enhancements
will fly for the first time on the EUTELSAT 8 West B satellite which is due to be launched
in 2015.
The new functions developed by the satellite's prime contractor, Thales Alenia Space,
with the support of the European Space Agency (ESA) and CNES are focused on delivering
three key benefits:
- Mitigating the effects of interference by increasing control over uplink
frequencies to a satellite;
- Increasing the number of active channels by optimising a satellite payload's
use of the electrical power generated by its solar panels;
- Expanding options for repositioning satellites with frequency agile command
receivers.
Following development within the framework of ESA's ARTES and the CNES FLIP[1]
programmes, these features are now entering the final qualification phase as part of the
Atlas programme which was launched by ESA in November 2012 to stimulate the acquisition of
flight heritage of innovative equipment. They will fly for the first time as
first-generation components on the high-power EUTELSAT 8 West B satellite designed to
support the digital broadcasting market in the Middle East and North Africa. The satellite
will be located at the 7/8degree(s) West video neighbourhood, one of the most dynamic in
the global satellite TV market, already reaching into over 30 million homes.
Mitigating interference
This function involves embarking new-generation frequency converters behind the
satellite's receive antennas. This will put Eutelsat in the unique position to be able to
change the frequency of an uplink signal without any impact on the downlink frequency
received by user terminals, marking a major breakthrough in the bid for continuity of
service for broadcast signals jammed by rogue uplink signals.
Optimising distribution of electrical power
--------------------------------------------------
1. Flexible Payloads
This technology involves embarking a new generation of equipment in the payload's high
power amplification system so that the electrical power used by a channel can be set
according to its actual requirement at a given frequency. As the number of channels that
can be operated simultaneously is directly linked to the amount of energy produced by
solar panels, this innovation brings with it the potential to increase active channels.
More flexible fleet deployment options
This innovation uses a new generation of command receivers that can be set to multiple
options, giving enhanced operational flexibility for relocating a satellite from the
original position for which it was designed to a new position. It will also improve
coordination with other operators when a satellite moves from one position to another.
About Eutelsat Communications
Eutelsat Communications (Euronext Paris: ETL, ISIN code: FR0010221234) is the holding
company of Eutelsat S.A. With capacity commercialised on 30 satellites that provide
coverage across Europe, as well as the Middle East, Africa and significant parts of Asia
and the Americas, Eutelsat is one of the world's three leading satellite operators. As of
30 September 2012 Eutelsat's satellites were broadcasting more than 4,400 television
channels to over 200 million cable and satellite homes in Europe, the Middle East and
Africa. The Group's satellites also provide a wide range of services for TV contribution,
corporate networks and fixed and mobile broadband markets. Eutelsat's Headquartered in
Paris, Eutelsat and its subsidiaries employ just over 750 commercial, technical and
operational professionals. This culturally diverse staff comprises employees from 30
countries. http://www.eutelsat.com
Eutelsat Communications
CONTACT: Press: Vanessa O'Connor, +-33-1-53-98-37-91, voconnor@eutelsat.fr; Frédérique Gautier, +-33-1-53-98-37-91, fgautier@eutelsat.fr; Marie-Sophie Ecuer +-33-1-53-98-37-91 mecuer@eutelsat.fr; Investors and analysts: Lisa Finas, +33-1-53-98-35-30, investors@eutelsat-communications.com; Leonard Wapler, +33-1-53-98-31-07, investors@eutelsat-communications.com
EUTELSAT 8 West B first satellite selected to host advanced functions
PARIS, January 15, 2013 /PRNewswire/ --
Eutelsat Communications (Euronext Paris: ETL) today announced the deployment on a
future satellite of a new generation of advanced functions designed by European industry
to further raise the bar of performance, flexibility and signal security. The enhancements
will fly for the first time on the EUTELSAT 8 West B satellite which is due to be launched
in 2015.
The new functions developed by the satellite's prime contractor, Thales Alenia Space,
with the support of the European Space Agency (ESA) and CNES are focused on delivering
three key benefits:
- Mitigating the effects of interference by increasing control over uplink
frequencies to a satellite;
- Increasing the number of active channels by optimising a satellite payload's
use of the electrical power generated by its solar panels;
- Expanding options for repositioning satellites with frequency agile command
receivers.
Following development within the framework of ESA's ARTES and the CNES FLIP[1]
programmes, these features are now entering the final qualification phase as part of the
Atlas programme which was launched by ESA in November 2012 to stimulate the acquisition of
flight heritage of innovative equipment. They will fly for the first time as
first-generation components on the high-power EUTELSAT 8 West B satellite designed to
support the digital broadcasting market in the Middle East and North Africa. The satellite
will be located at the 7/8degree(s) West video neighbourhood, one of the most dynamic in
the global satellite TV market, already reaching into over 30 million homes.
Mitigating interference
This function involves embarking new-generation frequency converters behind the
satellite's receive antennas. This will put Eutelsat in the unique position to be able to
change the frequency of an uplink signal without any impact on the downlink frequency
received by user terminals, marking a major breakthrough in the bid for continuity of
service for broadcast signals jammed by rogue uplink signals.
Optimising distribution of electrical power
--------------------------------------------------
1. Flexible Payloads
This technology involves embarking a new generation of equipment in the payload's high
power amplification system so that the electrical power used by a channel can be set
according to its actual requirement at a given frequency. As the number of channels that
can be operated simultaneously is directly linked to the amount of energy produced by
solar panels, this innovation brings with it the potential to increase active channels.
More flexible fleet deployment options
This innovation uses a new generation of command receivers that can be set to multiple
options, giving enhanced operational flexibility for relocating a satellite from the
original position for which it was designed to a new position. It will also improve
coordination with other operators when a satellite moves from one position to another.
About Eutelsat Communications
Eutelsat Communications (Euronext Paris: ETL, ISIN code: FR0010221234) is the holding
company of Eutelsat S.A. With capacity commercialised on 30 satellites that provide
coverage across Europe, as well as the Middle East, Africa and significant parts of Asia
and the Americas, Eutelsat is one of the world's three leading satellite operators. As of
30 September 2012 Eutelsat's satellites were broadcasting more than 4,400 television
channels to over 200 million cable and satellite homes in Europe, the Middle East and
Africa. The Group's satellites also provide a wide range of services for TV contribution,
corporate networks and fixed and mobile broadband markets. Eutelsat's Headquartered in
Paris, Eutelsat and its subsidiaries employ just over 750 commercial, technical and
operational professionals. This culturally diverse staff comprises employees from 30
countries. http://www.eutelsat.com
Eutelsat Communications
CONTACT: Press: Vanessa O'Connor, +-33-1-53-98-37-91, voconnor@eutelsat.fr; Frédérique Gautier, +-33-1-53-98-37-91, fgautier@eutelsat.fr; Marie-Sophie Ecuer +-33-1-53-98-37-91 mecuer@eutelsat.fr; Investors and analysts: Lisa Finas, +33-1-53-98-35-30, investors@eutelsat-communications.com; Leonard Wapler, +33-1-53-98-31-07, investors@eutelsat-communications.com