Photo: Kymeta

[Via Satellite 01-06-2016] Panasonic Avionics Corporation and Kymeta have signed an agreement to provide high-performance antenna technology to several maritime markets. Under terms of the agreement, Panasonic will order a significant volume of Kymeta’s flat-panel antennas and use Kymeta mTenna technology to manufacture and distribute maritime terminals for vessels around the world. The antennas are expected to go through prototype testing this year and be commercially available in 2017.

Unlike traditional maritime antennas, which weigh several hundred kilograms, require weeks of vessel downtime to install, and use mechanical components, Kymeta’s technology enables electronically steered, lightweight, flat panel antennas that can acquire and track any satellite from any moving platform, anywhere in the world, according to the company. By combining Panasonic’s high-throughput satellite network with Kymeta’s lightweight antenna design that can be carried on-board by hand to be easily installed, the companies aim to give maritime vessels anywhere in the world the ability to provide cost-effective, high-speed connectivity to passengers and crew alike.

Panasonic also will purchase and distribute a new technology from Kymeta that enables the combining of multiple apertures into one antenna. The company expects this combining technology will give customers a more powerful antenna that ultimately will provide faster and more efficient connectivity.