Dual band VSAT antenna launched

“Sea Tel 1500 VSAT is effectively a two-in-one antenna designed to ensure full business continuity as a vessel transits between different regions and satcom services,” says Peter Kiær, Senior Vice President, Maritime at Cobham Satcom. “We are delighted to bring this flexibility to our customers looking to combine Ku-band coverage with high power regional Ka-band services, while optimising lifetime costs and simplifying operations. All in a compact footprint.”

Dual-band systems are designed to provide more consistent performance than single band antennas by providing the option to operate on two frequency bands with fast, automatic switching between the two.

Dual-band routers commonly used for smartphones, laptops and tablets operate on the 2.4GHz and 5GHz bands. Dual-band antenna systems for maritime use, meanwhile, feature VSAT configurations such as Ku-band (12-18GHz), or Ku-band and Ka-band (26.5-40GHz).

Cobham’s Sea Tel 1500 is a dual-band, multi-orbit VSAT antenna solution with a 1.5 metre reflector diameter. Cobham claims it is a ‘first-to-market innovation’ and ‘the first 1.5-metre maritime VSAT antenna to provide electronic Ku-Ka band switching without manual intervention’.

Available in single Ku- or Ka-band, or as the ‘two antennas in one’ dual Ku-Ka-band configuration, the Sea Tel 1500 enables vessels to seamlessly switch from Ku- to Ka-band in a simple click, ensuring they benefit from the best available satellite offering to optimise their operational expenses and ensure always-on connectivity.

While the forthcoming Ku band offers worldwide coverage, Ka band’s high-power service serves the southern hemisphere better, but misses some chunks of northern Europe, in particular the North Sea and Baltic regions. Being able to operate across both frequencies, as well as providing greater redundancy and reliability, also promises a degree of future proofing. The antenna also promises to maximise performance for vessels demanding high bandwidth for business-critical applications.

Because Sea Tel 1500 provides Ku-band operation on current GEO services in locations where Ka-band services are not available, it ensures full operational continuity regardless of a vessel’s navigation route.

In a world of communication technology transition marked by the emergence of new satellite constellations, Cobham argues that commercial vessel operators require the flexibility to take advantage of the most reliable, highest performing satellite communication methods the future may bring. As a future-ready multi-orbit satcom solution, Sea Tel 1500 allows vessels to use their antennae within multiple satellite operator networks thanks to its ability to switch to different frequencies and networks on forthcoming non-geosynchronous satellite constellations, such as LEO, MEO and HEO.

First delivery of Sea Tel 1500 Ku-Ka Dual Band VSAT Antennas is expected during Q4 2022.