Comtech EF Data Completes Interoperability Testing with Cobham SATCOM to Enhance Maritime Connectivity
Tempe, Arizona, October 2, 2013 – Comtech EF Data Corporation announced today that it has completed interoperability testing with a selection of Cobham SATCOM Maritime VSAT stabilized antenna systems and the ROSS Open Antenna Management (ROAM) protocol. The interoperability enables the Cobham SATCOM Sea Tel XX12 series Maritime VSAT antenna systems equipped with IMA electronics, including the 4012GX, 4009 MK3, 5012 and 6012, to globally roam across multiple satellite beams, maintaining connectivity moving through different satellite footprints.
Interoperability with the Cobham SATCOM Sea Tel XX12 supplements the Sea Tel USAT series, Sea TEL 3011, Sea Tel XX06, Sea Tel XX09, Sea Tel XX10, Sea Tel XX07 and Sea Tel XX97 antenna systems utilizing a DAC-2202 antenna controller first implemented in November 2012, thus providing a broad range of Cobham SATCOM Maritime VSAT systems capable of interoperability with the ROAM protocol.
The ROAM protocol offers a common management interface for Comtech EF Data’s Roaming Oceanic Satellite Server (ROSS) and third-party Antenna Control Units (ACUs) by providing a generic set of commands, information, interfaces and status queries. ROSS is an integrated location server that works in conjunction with Comtech EF Data’s Vipersat Management System to facilitate on-the-move satellite communications for oceanic vessels. ROSS enables remote modems to interface with stabilized, auto-tracking antennae, maintaining connectivity as vessels move through footprints of different satellites. Vessel position data, satellite signal and management status are constantly monitored to determine when satellite handoff is necessary.
As ROSS can support many types of ACUs, the ROAM protocol reduces the complexity and the variations by providing basic parameters required to globally roam across multiple satellite beams. The ROAM protocol provides uniformity in implementation of third-party antenna manufacturers’ interfaces, while enabling the unique characteristics and proprietary techniques of different manufacturers.
“The interoperability of ROAM and ROSS with Cobham SATCOM’s Sea Tel VSAT antenna systems will provide maximum bandwidth efficiencies and seamless global connectivity for oceanic vessels,” said Daniel Enns, Senior Vice President Marketing and Business Development for Comtech EF Data.
Vessel operational improvements enabled by the ROAM protocol join a wealth of advanced features offered by the Sea Tel XX12 series antennas, which are based on IMA (Integrated Maritime Antenna) electronics; a fundamentally redesigned electronics architecture. Developed over several years of collaboration with many of the world’s largest maritime VSAT dealers, IMA sets the standard for new Sea Tel systems. It incorporates a fully IP-compatible Web-based interface, used to access a new below-decks system called the MXP (Media Xchange Point), which replaces the well-established Sea Tel DAC system.
“The addition of ROAM and seamless satellite switching to our Sea Tel XX12 series ensures that users experience high service availability on a global basis,” adds Casper Jensen, Vice President Maritime for Cobham SATCOM. “Combined with IMA, which features an extended user interface, simple software updating, new remote management capabilities and enhanced network integration, the Sea Tel XX12 series provides significant installation, servicing and operational efficiencies for global users.”
About Cobham
Cobham protects lives and livelihoods with its differentiated technology and know-how, operating with a deep insight to customer needs and agility. The Group offers an innovative range of technologies and services to solve challenging problems across commercial, defence and security markets, from deep space to the depths of the ocean. It has market leading positions in air-to-air refuelling; aviation services; audio, video and data communications, including satellite communications; defence electronics; life support and mission equipment. The most important thing Cobham builds is trust.
About Cobham SATCOM
Cobham SATCOM develops, manufactures, sells and supports satellite and radio communication terminals and earth stations for land, marine and airborne applications. With the ever increasing demand for communication, the products and services are used to satisfy the needs of a wide variety of commercial, governmental and recreational applications.
Cobham SATCOM uses state-of-the-art technologies to design affordable, highly reliable high performance systems that have decreased over time in terms of size, weight and power consumption. The products enable people to stay in touch under the most challenging and demanding conditions. When traditional communication technologies fail, Cobham SATCOM’s products will keep providing its customers with high quality voice, data, and multimedia communications.
The product designs have evolved tremendously during their decades in service in use around the world in a variety of domains and environments. It markets under the AVIATOR, EXPLORER, SAILOR® and Sea Tel brands. Please refer to its websites for its list of global distributors and partners. Cobham SATCOM has design, development and manufacturing facilities in Denmark, Norway, South Africa and the USA. www.cobham.com
About Comtech EF Data
Comtech EF Data Corporation, a subsidiary of Comtech Telecommunications Corporation (NASDAQ: CMTL), is the recognized global leader in satellite bandwidth efficiency and link optimization. The advanced communication solutions encompass the Advanced VSAT Solutions, Satellite Modems, RAN & WAN Optimization, Network & Bandwidth Management and RF products. The Company is recognized as a technology innovator, and has a reputation for exceptional product quality and reliability. The solutions enable commercial and government users to reduce OPEX/CAPEX and to increase throughput for fixed and mobile/transportable satellite-based applications. For more information, visit comtechefdata.wpengine.com.
Certain information in this press release contains statements that are forward-looking in nature and involve certain significant risks and uncertainties. Actual results could differ materially from such forward-looking information. The Company’s Securities and Exchange Commission filings identify many such risks and uncertainties. Any forward-looking information in this press release is qualified in its entirety by the risks and uncertainties described in such Securities and Exchange Commission filings.
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Media Contact:
Sue Lassandro
Comtech EF Data
2114 West 7th Street
Tempe, Arizona 85281 USA
Web comtechefdata.wpengine.com
Telephone +1.480.333.2200
Email slassandro@comtechefdata.com