Nov 22, 2011

Comtech EF Data Corporation and Thrane & Thrane announced the successful completion of interoperability testing of the SAILOR 900 VSAT marine stabilized antenna systems and the ROSS Open Antenna Management (ROAM) protocol. The interoperability will enable the SAILOR 900 VSAT antenna systems on maritime vessels to globally roam across multiple satellite beams, maintaining connectivity moving through different satellite footprints and enhancing communication capabilities at sea.

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 the ROAM protocol and ROSS automation with the SAILOR 900 VSAT will provide maximum bandwidth efficiencies and roaming capabilities for maritime operators' satellite-based communications," said Daniel Enns, Senior Vice President Strategic Marketing and Business Development for Comtech EF Data.

The SAILOR 900 VSAT is an advanced maritime stabilized Ku-band antenna system built with the same high quality and performance that has made SAILOR the leading name in professional maritime communication equipment. Prior to starting the actual design process, Thrane & Thrane collected extensive ship motion data over a sustained period. This data was used in the industry's first and only custom Vessel Dynamics Simulator, which enabled the simulation of ship forces and significantly increased life time testing.

"The SAILOR 900 VSAT is a paradigm shift for maritime VSAT antenna systems," commented Casper Jensen, VP Maritime Business Unit, for Thrane & Thrane. "When combined with Comtech's market-leading technologies, our maritime customers can significantly enhance their communications at sea."