This page is for news, media, and project write up the relate to STEP Electronics.

ViaLite

ViaLite: RFoF Equipment Achieves a Trifecta in Space; Supporting Multiple Applications Simultaneously

Isotropic Systems: Partners with Teledyne to Deliver Fully Integrated Terminal for Secure Communications

STEP and Norsat

STEP Electronics and Norsat Renew Partnership

STEP Electronics is excited to announce its renewed partnership with Norsat  International Inc., a satellite communications company based in British Columbia, Canada. The company, founded in 1977, develops and produces communications solutions for the transmission of data, audio and video in challenging applications and environments. Norsat’s products and services include customisable satellite components, portable satellite terminals, maritime solutions and satellite networks.

This new partnership will see STEP Electronics become an authorised Distributor of Norsat products in Australia, New Zealand and South Pacific. This exciting development means that our customers now have greater access to some of the most advanced satellite communication technologies available on the market today. With over 40 years of experience in the industry, Norsat has proven itself as a world-leading provider of satellite communications solutions, and we are proud to be associated with them.

To learn more about Norsat’s products, please visit our website: stepelectronics.com.au.

Adam Benecke, STEP Electronics Head of Sales, said: “We look forward to bringing these innovative solutions to our customers in the region and helping them stay ahead of the curve in today’s competitive telecommunications market.”

Apposite: World’s Leading Independent Test Lab Reviews Netropy Traffic Generation

Isotropic Systems: Joins UK Government and European Space Agency consortium led by CGI to develop hybrid satellite communications for trains

Isotropic Systems: Redefines Global Satellite Services with First-Ever Multi-Orbit Field Tests

CPI Sat

CPI Acquires General Dynamics’ Satellite Antenna Business GD Satcom

On 5 June 2020, CPI announced it has completed the purchase of SATCOM Technologies, the antenna systems business of General Dynamics Mission Systems (GD Satcom), which has approximately 1,000 employees and facilities in the United States, Europe and India. It will be called CPI Satcom & Antenna Technologies Inc.

California-based CPI, short for Communications & Power Industries, announced in August 2019 its intent to purchase SATCOM Technologies, the antenna systems business of General Dynamics Mission Systems.

SATCOM Technologies designs, manufactures and installs satellite communications antenna systems used in commercial, defense and scientific applications. CPI said this acquisition would complement CPI’s existing portfolio of government, military and commercial products.

The former GD SATCOM Technologies business, and the CPI Malibu and Orbital Systems business entities have been integrated to create CPI Satcom & Antenna Technologies Division (CPI SAT), the world’s leading end-to-end provider of ground-based satellite communications products; auto-tracking data link antennas for land, sea and air; high precision scientific and satellite terminals; and services.

Leading Innovation
CPI SAT has a heritage of more than 50 years of designing and manufacturing some of the world’s most advanced systems and structures for the defense, scientific community, and commercial industry. Whether it is a small satellite antenna streaming television to your home or a large radio telescope high in the Atacama Desert of northern Chile aiding scientists with deep space exploration, CPI SAT connects customers around the world.

STEP Electronics is the official distributor for CPI Satcom & Antenna Technologies Division (CPI SAT) products in the Australia, New Zealand, and Asia Pacific region. STEP Electronics team of technical personnel will assist you through the design, construction, and commissions of your antenna requirement.

For additional questions, please contact Garry Dawson, STEP Electronics Satellite Systems Manager.

 

Sources: https://spacenews.com/doj-blocks-cpis-acquisition-of-general-dynamics-satellite-antenna-business/

https://www.cpii.com/division.cfm/15

STEP Electronics chosen as Select Partner with Kymeta

Model S Kymeta U8

MEDIA RELEASE
Sydney Australia, 25 September 2020

STEP Electronics chosen as Select Partner with Kymeta in Beta Trial Program for Revolutionary Mobile Connectivity Solution

STEP Electronics has been chosen as a select global partner by Kymeta in the beta trial program for their next generation Kymeta™ u8 flat panel antenna across Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific allowing our customers the opportunity to explore and test the features of this remarkable communications on the move solution that combines satellite and cellular network technologies.

The Kymeta u8 is the second generation electronically steered flat panel antenna, which has been redesigned for usability and improved performance. The u8 offers a low-profile form factor with native DC power input for easy integration into mobile platforms, and it supports global land mobility, covering the full Ku-band with improved efficiency.

The u8 antenna platform provides options for configurations to meet any industry’s communication needs. The u8 GEO terminal offers integrated satellite and cellular modems for a multi-WAN configuration for a unique seamless hybrid satellite/cellular connectivity, while the u8 Outdoor Unit (ODU) allows Av-Comm to design a comms-on-the-move connectivity solution that fits directly into your existing satellite networks.

During prototype field trials, the Kymeta u8 GEO terminal achieved 100% connectivity in vehicles on the move, with either satellite or cellular connection, further validating the offered hybrid solution for continuous and seamless connectivity.

“We are particularly pleased to be able to offer a mobile connectivity solution to meet the needs within emergency services, Defence, and mining oil and gas. Having the u8 antenna installed on the outside of any vehicle and the ability to receive signal from anywhere, really is revolutionary technology for mission critical connectivity services. We are excited to see such great results in the initial trials and look forward further developing our technical understanding and demonstrating this flexible technology to our customers across Australia, New Zealand, and the Pacific,” said Michael Cratt, Managing Director STEP Electronics

“As the manager of the Kymeta u8 Beta program, I am excited to have STEP Electronics as a Beta partner to test the u8 ODU in the varied and demanding environments of Australia, New Zealand, and the Pacific.  STEP Electronics’ expertise with satellite communications customers in numerous industries allows for evaluation of the u8 in the locations and under the conditions most relevant to users – their own,” said Dr. Mikala Johnson, Product Manager Kymeta corporation.

Commercial availability of the Kymeta u8 mobile antenna platform is scheduled for Q4 2020; however, the beta testing unit arrived this week and is available now. If you would like to book a demonstration or would like further information, please contact us at sales@stepelectronics.com.au

About STEP Electronics

STEP Electronics is an Australian-based satellite communications infrastructure and services provider.  Known for our excellent reputation in technical skills, knowledge, and experience spanning 25 years of operations in the satellite communication industry.

Step Electronics actively serves the broadcast, defence, enterprise, and government satellite communication markets throughout the Asia Pacific region. Learn more here: https://www.stepelectronics.com.au/

About Kymeta

Kymeta is unlocking the potential of broadband satellite connectivity, combined with cellular networks, to satisfy the overwhelming demand for comms on the move and making mobile global. Lepton Global Solutions, a Kymeta company, hosts the company’s satellite connectivity solutions and offers unique, complete, and turnkey bundled solutions to the market based on best in class technologies and tailored customer-centric services that meet and exceed customer mission requirements. These solutions in tandem with the company’s flat-panel satellite antenna, the first of its kind, and Kymeta Connect™ services provide revolutionary mobile connectivity on satellite and hybrid satellite-cellular networks to customers around the world. Backed by U.S. and international patents and licenses, the Kymeta terminal addresses the need for lightweight, slim, and high-throughput communication systems that do not require mechanical components to steer toward a satellite. Kymeta makes connecting easy – for any vehicle, vessel, or fixed platform.

Kymeta is a privately held company based in Redmond, Washington.

 

solar car challenge

STEP Electronics provides world first Satellite On The Move capability for the World Solar Challenge

STEP Electronics were proud to be part of the 2017 and 2019 World Solar Challenge supporting the Winning Solar Car Teams. 

This colossal feat covered a 3000km race using solar powered cars from Darwin through the centre of Australia to Adelaide. With such a huge distance through vast remote areas with no reliable terrestrial mobile reception, it was imperative that the team had internet connectivity throughout the race a capability that could only be achieved with a Satellite On The Move (SOTM)solution. 

The Satellite Solution

The ubiquitous capability afforded by satellites enables connectivity anywhere, even in the most remote locations. Satellite was the only choice for the Vatternfall and Agoria Solar Teams.

Av-Comm and STEP Electronics were chosen to provide a Satellite On The Move system to provide real time internet connectivity for the teams’ command vehicles.  

The STEP Electronics team designed a solution utilising the Thinkom ThinSat 300 antenna system, mounting it to the top of the teams’ command vehicles in Darwin. Av-Comm provided the teleport and internet backhaul via its Sydney earth station, utilising satellite capacity provided by Intelsat’s newest High Throughput Satellite (HTS) Horizons 3e

The Thinkom ThinSat 300 provided an ideal solution leveraging its 40W integrated BUC and innovative “VICTS” phased-array technology that combines the benefits of mechanically steered and electronically scanned arrays do deliver a high efficiency, low latency connection throughout the event. 

Continuous Connectivity

Satellite on the move with COTM Satellite car

 A Winning Solution

The Vattenfall and Agoria Solar Car teams used the continuous connectivity afforded by the ThinSat 300 Satellite On The Move solution to give them a competitive advantage over other teams and for the Agoria team’s victory in 2019.

The teams used the ThinSat 300 Satellite On The Move system to receive weather and data updates of critical sun exposure and cloud formations in real-time while en-route, ensuring the optimal driving strategy could be implemented balancing factors such as vehicle speed, charge times, and driver fatigue.

Real Time Streaming

The Vattenfall Solar Team was able to access live IP streaming every night regardless of location. Amazingly the team were able to live stream video interviews and backhaul action video clips to its thousands of followers – sharing every moment of their journey with their sponsors and their online audience.

As part of the journey, Pacific Live Media also followed the team from Darwin to Adelaide utilising the satellite connectivity for their media coverage of the race,  capturing live video and streaming it across the global stage.

In 2017 Pacific Live Media broadcast the race around the world and, most importantly, the moment the Vattenfall Solar Team crossed the finish line in first place winning the Challenger Class category.

STEP Electronics is proud to have been a part of both teams’ successes in 2017 and 2019, and look forward to supporting them again in the future.