Let The Wireless Internet Wars Begin Anew!
Those who recall our
coverage of last year's National Business Aviation Association
conference know how much the ANN staff enjoyed learning about the
wide range of wireless internet systems available for bizav
operators. Well, this year looks to be no exception... as one
manfacturer plans to introduce what it calls the world's fastest
wireless broadband antenna systems at NBAA 2006.
Based in Israel, Starling Advanced Communication Ltd. already
provides a range of low profile, two-way Ku band antenna systems
for aircraft. The company told ANN it plans to expand into wireless
broadband in a big way... with two distinct offerings for a variety
of aircraft commonly used in bizav applications.
Starling tells ANN the family is comprised of two ultra-small
bidirectional antenna systems. The first, MIJET (diameter 30"
– 75 cm, height 6" – 15 cm) is an antenna for large
size, long-range business aircraft, as well as any wide or narrow
body commercial aircraft. Starling says the MIJET recently passed
its airworthiness test.
The second is MiniMIJET (diameter 16" – 40 cm, height 4"
– 10 cm), an antenna system for medium and small size
business aircraft.
Starling reports its new antennas will open new horizons for
business travelers... enabling broadband in-flight applications,
such as the Internet, Intranet, VPN, PDA, VoIP, e-mail, mobile
phones, video conferencing, instant messaging and various
entertainment applications such as video-on-demand, live TV, online
gaming and multimedia applications.
In addition to their compact size, Starling says both antennas
also set the highest level of performance and bit rate, with MIJET
offering a transmission bit rate of up to 1.25 Mbps and reception
bit rate from 10-15 Mbps. The smaller MiniMIJET is close, with
transmission bit rates of up to 384 Kbps and reception bit rate
from 3-5 Mbps.
Both antenna systems are easy to install and require only one
cable connection into the aircraft. All electronic and RF units are
housed inside the antenna for optimal ease of installation and
maintenance.
"Both antenna systems create new opportunities for business
aircraft owners," said Jacob Keret, VP Marketing and Sales of
Starling. "The innovative antennas enable high-performance
broadband services in all flight conditions, at the same service
level as on the ground. Starling is committed to providing the
industry's most advanced capabilities at an affordable cost."
Starling says the antennas have already attracted the interest
of many aircraft owners, and first customers will be announced by
the end of this year. MIJET's commercial version will be available
in the first quarter of 2007, and MiniMIJET's commercial version in
the third quarter of 2007.
MIJET and MiniMIJET are
based on Starling’s patent-pending CoMPA (Coherent
Multi-Panel Antenna) technology which enables data transmission and
reception at true broadband bit rates via an extremely low profile
antenna. CoMPA combines transmission/reception capabilities with
advanced signal processing, making it possible to build
exceptionally small, low profile antennas that are suitable for the
full range of mobile platforms. All electronic units are housed
inside the antenna.
CoMPA supports varied elevation angles -– enabling
consistent global coverage, including over transatlantic and
equatorial routes.
Founded in 2003, Starling develops small, low profile antennas
that enable full-featured broadband connectivity on any mobile
platform. Starling's first product is the MIJET family of low
profile two-way Ku band antenna systems for aircraft, enabling
unprecedented in-flight entertainment and personal communication
services.