Eutelsat Drives Programme to Raise Performance, Operational
Flexibility and Signal Security on Future Satellites
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 7/8° 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
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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
SOURCE Eutelsat Communications
