People

ORBITAL SCIENCES CORP. Names Key Executives

Orbital Sciences Corp. appointed Brent Collins senior vice president and deputy general manager for operations in the Launch Systems Group. In this position, Collins will help lead Orbital’s efforts in providing launch vehicles for missile defense-related target programs and space launch systems for the national security, civil and commercial markets.

Prior to joining Orbital, Collins worked for The Boeing Co. as chief engineer for the Ground-Based Midcourse Defense System Interceptor program and as chief technologist for Boeing’s Missile Defense Systems unit.

Orbital also named David Anhalt as senior director of special programs in its Advanced Programs Group. In his position, he will lead Orbital’s efforts in providing space systems for the national security and military space market.

Most recently Anhalt served as chief of the Space Control and Advanced Technologies Division for the Undersecretary of the Air Force.

QUINTECH Appoints Sales And Mktg. Staff

Quintech Electronics and Communications Inc. promoted Shyam Madupulu to international account executive and Maria Constantinou to marketing coordinator.

Madupulu started at Quintech as a marketing intern in 2002. In January 2003, he was hired as a marketing coordinator. Constantinou came onboard in August 2003 as a marketing assistant.

TANDBERG TELEVISION Fills New Posts

Tandberg Television appointed Matthew Goldman director of technology. Goldman will play a major role in developing system solutions for customers throughout the Americas as the company expands its presence from Canada to Argentina.

Most recently a technology consultant, he respectively held principal engineer and director of engineering positions with World Wide Packets and Divicom.

Tandberg also appointed Sandra Giorgini as western regional sales manager, where she will be responsible for continuing the western region’s sales growth. Gene Price joins the company as broadband account manager, eastern region. Meanwhile, Terry Allison was promoted to regional sales manager for Canada.

Most recently, Giorgini served as director of North American sales, broadcast and cable markets for Scopus. Price was most recently sales director for Next Level Communications and an account manager for Marconi Communications. Allison previously held two titles with Tandberg Television. He joined the company as application engineer, a position he held for two years before his promotion to account manager.

Services

GILAT Cooperates with elbit systems

Gilat Satellite Networks Ltd. and Elbit Systems Ltd. signed a teaming agreement to cooperate in the area of satellite communications for the defense and homeland security markets. The agreement leverages Gilat`s commercial satellite-based Very Small Aperture Terminal (VSAT) technology by integrating it with Elbit Systems’ defense technologies for military and homeland defense applications.

The joint effort resulted in the introduction of a new product as well as additional defense and security applications. The new product, Globalight (left), is a man-pack, military standard, portable VSAT terminal for broadband data, voice and video, providing a means of communication for disaster and emergency command and support teams, as well as for remote infantry and border patrols. Another example of this joint effort is a family of military transportable VSAT terminals with Demand Assigned Multiple Access networks using the latest mesh and multicast topologies, making it suitable for defense and homeland security communication infrastructures.

HUGHES NETWORK SYSTEMS Introduces Hot Spot Solution

Hughes Network Systems Inc. (HNS) introduced Direcway Wi-Fi Access, its hot spot solution for the enterprise market including restaurants, coffee shops, gas stations, convenience stores, hotels, auto dealerships, truck stops, RV parks and marinas.

The continent-wide reach of Direcway Wi-Fi Access means retailers can offer hot spot service to any or all franchisee or company-owned locations. HNS provides a complete managed solution, including all equipment, installation and back-end support services, including customer billing and network management.

INTELSAT Launches Video Delivery Network

Intelsat launched its North American video fiber network, enabled by Level 3 Communications Inc.

The network, called Intelsat’s Terrestrial Media Transport, is the North American extension of Intelsat’s Globalconnex suite of services. This service provides a worldwide hybrid terrestrial and satellite infrastructure. The extended network is designed to support both standard and high-definition digital video transmissions for news and sports distribution, contribution and syndication. Additionally, the network is capable of providing a scalable service using MPEG-2 and other formats of compression encoding.

TELENOR Launches New Programs

Telenor Satellite Services is launching two new programs making wireless packet data satellite service readily available for users throughout Africa and the Middle East.

Program one offers Telenor service providers a free regional BGAN satellite modem with every 12-month service contract at a minimum of 25 Mbs of service per month billed at the existing service provider and agent rates. This program is available through June 30, 2004, or while supply of satellite modems last.

Program two offers fully licensed and activated regional BGAN satellite modems available in Iraq to meet the communications requirements of organizations assisting in reconstruction and humanitarian efforts.

Contracts

ALL MOBILE VIDEO Seals Deal With Grand Ole Opry

The Grand Ole Opry Entertainment Complex, comprised of the Grand Ole Opry House, Studio A and the BellSouth Acuff Theatre, signed a partnership with All Mobile Video (AMV). The partnership will bring the mobile television company together with the Opry’s theater and studio facilities.

The Opry Complex brings to the partnership space in its venues while AMV supplies production, on-site editing, multitrack recording and transmission in multiple formats including analog, standard definition and high definition.

The partnership will include a significant upgrade to Studio A, including installation of full fiber connectivity and satellite capabilities.

BT BROADCAST SERVICES Strikes Up Partnership With MLB

Major League Baseball (MLB) Advanced Media LP selected BT Broadcast Services (BTBS) to acquire and encode live audio and video of all MLB games, including regular and post- season play online.

As part of the four-year agreement, BTBS will acquire audio and video of MLB’s games–approximately 45,000 feeds–through its global broadcast satellite and fiber infrastructure. Using its BT Mediastream solution, BTBS will also encode the baseball game signal–on average, video from 15 games and audio from 45 commentary feeds coming in simultaneously from TV and radio stations across the country.

DNF CONTROLS Scores With Sure Shot

Sure Shot Transmissions is integrating DNF Controls’ ST300 slow motion controller, DMAT-O Sports Controller and the Tally Interface Box into the "Kelsey Marie," a new 40-foot mobile truck designed to bring high-quality, industry-standard production and uplink equipment to mid-market sports broadcasts.

Sure Shot’s new production/uplink truck is an eight-camera digital production truck with a complement of four Sony DigiBeta VTRs controlled by DNF Controls’ ST300 systems and two Doremi MCS two-channel video servers controlled by the DMAT-O. DNF’s Tally Interface Box will serve as a tally matrix for all of the tallies in the truck.

EUTELSAT Teams Up With EBU

Eutelsat and the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) signed a contract for four wideband transponders that the EBU will use for television coverage of the upcoming Athens 2004 Olympic Games.

The contract is for the equivalent of 306 MHz of Ku-band capacity on three Eutelsat satellites: Atlantic Bird 3, e-Bird and W3A. For the duration of the Games, this agreement will double the EBU’s capacity leased on a full-time basis by Eutelsat.

The additional satellite capacity will allow the EBU to provide private, direct point-to-point circuits between Athens and the broadcasters’ headquarters that will have their own TV crews and content aggregation facilities in Athens, Greece.

GLOBECAST Partners With Embratel

Globecast partnered with Brazilian telecommunications group, Embratel, to provide contribution broadcast services, Internet and telephony for Brazilian terrestrial broadcaster, TV Globo, for the Athens 2004 Olympic Games.

TV Globo will provide Brazil with national terrestrial coverage of the Games and will be using Globecast and partner Embratel to manage its contribution delivery, via Intelsat satellites, from the Official International Broadcasting Center. Globecast will be supplying a complete suite of transmission services, including multiple two-way satellite and fiber paths from Athens, Greece, and two dedicated SNG vehicles.

INTOREL Teams Up With Avitel Mexico

Intorel and Avitel Mexico teamed up to release their conditional access management software for broadcast organizations.

The software is based on Intorel’s Visionic system and allows operators to manage, identify and control conditional access of equipment (encoders and receivers) from a centralized console or apart from the broadcast center. The software is able to control standard equipment, including Radyne/Tiernan, Tandberg and Scopus, among others.

NEW SKIES Selects Microspace Communications

New Skies Satellites NV signed a new agreement with Microspace Communications to broadcast video, audio and data content throughout Latin America over the NSS 806 satellite.

The agreement also includes customer equipment co-location and other value-added teleport services via New Skies’ Washington, DC, mediaport.

PANAMSAT Distributes Caracol TV

Caracol Television S.A., a broadcaster in Colombia, chose Panamsat Corp.’s PAS 9 Atlantic Ocean Region satellite to distribute its global programming under the brand name Caracol TV Internacional throughout South America and Europe as well as Galaxy 13, the company’s newest satellite for delivery to North America.

QUINTECH Equips CBS Broadcast Center

CBS purchased an SRM 2150/32×64 modular, expandable, full fan-out (splitting) L-band matrix routing switch from Quintech Electronics and Communications Inc. for its Viacom broadcast center in New York, NY.

Quintech’s MRF series of RF matrix routing systems, when fully integrated, are configured to route any of two to 12 inputs carrying RF signals to any number of two- to-four outputs.

SPACENET Provides VSAT Network To AMP-Ohio

American Municipal Power Ohio (AMP-Ohio) chose Spacenet Inc. to provide a high-speed VSAT data network. The Spacenet Connexstar service will provide remote control for more than 100 transmission substations and carry vital data to AMP-Ohio’s Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition network.

SCOPUS To Transmit Athens 2004 Olympic Games

NBC Olympics will use digital video transmission equipment manufactured by Scopus Network Technologies to transport its coverage of the Athens 2004 Olympic Games.

Scopus E-1100 MPEG-2 DVB encoders, installed at the IBC, will transmit round-the-clock coverage of the Games on six channels via satellite and fiber to Scopus’ IRD-2800 integrated receiver decoders at NBC’s U.S. headquarters in New York City and facilities around the country.

Scopus also will equip two digital satellite newsgathering units with MPEG-2 encoders.

Technology

AAE SYSTEMS Introduces eclipse DMM-6

AAE Systems expanded its Eclipse MF-TDMA product line with the DMM-6, a fully integrated, multiple modem chassis designed for use in bandwidth efficient DAMA-based VSAT networks. The DMM-6 is primarily used in TDMA network hub terminals.

It has a number of special features designed to increase systems availability, including rain fade compensation and automatic power control. (AAE Systems Inc., 642 N. Pastoria Ave., Sunnyvale, CA 94085; Tel: 408/732-1710; Fax: 408/732-3095; Web:

http://www.aaesys.com)

CPI MPP Unveils Latest TWT Offering

Communications and Power Industries’ Microwave Power Products Division

(CPI MPP) introduced its latest product offering, the VTU-6210T1 series.

This family of helix TWTs is currently available in two versions: VTU-6210T1A, 12.75-14.50 or VTU-6210T1B, 13.75-14.50–both producing minimum output power of 200-watts CW, periodic-permanent magnet focused, dual stage depressed collector, SMA input, waveguide output, and conduction cooled. Custom configurations are also available. These variations in the performance and configuration include: mechanical configuration, electrical and RF connections. (CPI MPP, P.O. Box 51110, Palo Alto, CA 94303-1110; Tel: 650/846-3900; Fax: 650/494-8779; Web: http://www.cpii.com/mpp)

HELIUS Delivers An Integrated Platform

Helius Inc. introduced the OneTouch Classroom Site Controller system into the Helius MediaGate Router platform. Helius will deliver an integrated platform with OneTouch technology inside for distributing content and managing interaction for distance learning initiatives.

The Helius product acts as a receiver, router and server where customers can develop and deliver additional network or application services. (Helius Inc., 333 S. 520 West, Suite 330, Lindon, UT 84042; Tel: 801/764-9020; Fax: 801/764-9022; Web: http://www.helius.com)

IDL CORP. Offers Two Channel MXU

IDL Corp. introduced a two-channel Multi Exchange Unit (MXU), with all the features of the original four-channel MXU.

The MXU2000R is a satellite communications system designed to connect Private Branch Exchanges, public switched telephone networks, IP telephony systems, radio telephone switches and telephones to the Iridium Network. The MXU is useful for companies and organizations that need emergency communications services to communicate with remote locations, or want to set up their own private communications network. (IDL Corp., 13111 N. Central Expwy., Suite 440, Dallas, TX 75243; Tel: 214/575-7600; Fax: 214/575-7936; Web: http://www.idl-corp.com)

ILC Expands Its Maxview Suite

ILC released the Maxview Chorus trouble ticketing system to help service providers drive down service repair times.

Maxview Chorus is the latest addition to the Maxview line of network control products, which are designed to improve network operations of hybrid communications networks. The Chorus empowers network operators with capabilities, including: automatic alerts, fault categorization, customer access, performance management, service reports and real-time ticket status. (ILC, One Capital City Plaza, Suite 1000, 3350 Peachtree Rd., Atlanta, GA 30326; Tel: 404/504-7400; Fax: 404/504-7401; Web: http://www.ilc.com)

KWILL Launches New Line of Products

KWILL Corp. introduced a line of video monitoring and measurement systems for use by broadcasters, production studios, cable and satellite service providers, telecommunications carriers and professional video equipment manufacturers.

The products utilize KWILL’s new, patented technology called "Video DNA." The systems use proprietary algorithms to monitor and measure digital video and audio. Results are reported in real-time and monitoring can be done remotely.

KWILL’s products not only check signal protocol and format, but also perform quality error detection and measurement of video and audio. (KWILL Corp., 2321 Rosecrans Ave., Suite 3210, El Segundo, CA 90245; Tel: 310/297-9205; Fax: 310/297-9113; Web: http://www.kwillcorporation.com)

RAYTHEON JPS Enhances ACU-1000

Raytheon JPS Communications introduced new enhanced features to its ACU-1000 Interoperability solution.

The ACU-1000 module upgrade provides key enhancement features including: easier setup and configuration, expansion capabilities via network connectivity and a more powerful operating system, according to Raytheon.

It can now seamlessly link radios, satcom, cellular, Wi-Fi and landline phones directly and over IP networks, providing local, regional, state and wide-area interoperability. (Raytheon JPS, 5800 Departure Dr., Raleigh, NC 27616; Tel: 919/790-1011; Fax: 919/790-1456; Web: http://www.jps.com)

TAMPA MICROWAVE Grows Product Family

Tampa Microwave released a VME X-band block upconverter and downconverter to its growing product line. According to the company, this streamlined product provides a compact and lightweight solution where frequency translation is needed between L-band frequencies of 1100-1600 MHz and X-band frequencies of 7.25-7.75 GHz.

In addition, this new product offers system operators and designers a solution with low noise characteristics and high performance reliability. (Tampa Microwave, 12160 Racetrack Rd., Tampa, FL 33626-3111; Tel: 813/855-2251; Fax: 813/855-7741; Web: http://www.tampamicrowave.com)

TRIPOINT GLOBAL Debuts Antennas For Public Safety Band

Tripoint Global Communications introduced a new line of terrestrial microwave antennas for use in the public safety band (4940-4990 MHz). The new antennas will be part of the Gabriel Terrestrial Microwave Antenna Product Line and will feature Gabriel’s QuickFire feed technology.

The public safety spectrum is available for use by both government agencies and private organizations to protect the safety of life, health or property. This band may be used for broadband mobile communications, fixed "hot spot" usage and fixed point-to-point operations.

The Gabriel antennas are available in sizes ranging from two to eight feet in diameter. (Tripoint Global, P.O. Box 850, 1500 Prodelin Dr., Newton, NC 28658; Tel: 828/464-4141; Fax: 828/464-4147; Web: http://www.tripointglobal.com)

WORLD COMMUNICATIONS CENTER Launches MariTrack

World Communications Center (WCC) launched MariTrack. This end-to-end maritime security and communications solution leverages the global coverage and advanced encryption of Iridium technology to meet and exceed the International Maritime Organization requirements for ship security alert system and vessel monitoring services. In addition, MariTrack addresses future maritime communications requirements for automatic identification capabilities.

MariTrack offers a suite of advanced software features consisting of GPS fleet tracking functionality, Web-based crew calling including unique caller ID codes and call history access; alarm/alert notification via e-mail, fax and pager; and capacity for simultaneous emergency alert while the phone is in use. (World Communications Center, 1347 N. Alma School Rd., Suite 150, Chandler, AZ 85224; Tel: 480/857-6656; Fax: 480/857-6898; Web: http://www.wcclp.com)