Satellite technology manufacturer Intellian Technologies has completed an over-the-air demonstration of a flat-panel user terminal designed for use with network provider OneWeb’s new satellite constellation.
During the demonstration at Seoul, South Korea-based Intellian’s Advanced Development Center in Maryland, the company was able to use its Electronically Scanned Array user terminal in a commercial network environment operated by OneWeb, achieving the maximum download and upload speeds the network could support. The test validates Intellian’s equipment as it prepares to begin production in the fourth quarter. The company opened a new manufacturing campus in South Korea last year to support that effort.
London-based OneWeb in 2021 signed a $73 million contract with Intellian for terminals to support its low-Earth-orbit (LEO) satellite constellation.
Intellian is also providing terminals for satellite communications provider Telesat’s (TSX: TSAT) forthcoming LEO constellation.
Maritime satcom antennas
Intellian this month also introduced a new set of dual-band, multi-orbit antennas, expanding its offerings to both commercial and military users who need reliable connections at sea.
The company unveiled its XEO series of Ka/Ku-band very small aperture terminals (VSAT) in March 2022 with the X130D and X130D PM. Designed for maritime use cases — including military applications, cruises, shipping and superyachts — the XEO series can connect to satellites across all orbital regimes, enabling users to seamlessly switch to the most accessible satellite constellation available and maintain uninterrupted connectivity.
The VSATs will build on that product line and offer slight differences to meet customer needs. The X100D, which was added this month, is slightly smaller and less powerful than its predecessor. While the X130D can support up to 40W Block Upconverters in Ku-band, the X100D only supports up to 25W.
Details on the X150D, which will launch in the third quarter, are limited.