Saab Ericsson Space delivers frequency converters for Hughes’ Spaceway Satellites

Saab Ericsson Space has delivered equipment for Hughes Network Systems’ Spaceway, the next generation broadband system via satellite. The system consists of three satellites made by Boeing Satellite Systems and is the first of its kind for extremely high frequencies (Ka-band). The satellites will provide North America with wireless two-way communication for data, Internet and multimedia.

"Delivering equipment for Ka-band payloads is a major milestone for us. Expertise in this frequency band is an important asset for the future. We are grateful that the world’s largest satellite manufacturer, Boeing, has displayed this confidence in us", says Bengt Mörtberg, President of Saab Ericsson Space.

Hughes Network Systems, the ordering client and operator, has invested USD 1.8 billion in order to offer broadband network connections to Enterprise users. Companies are offered opportunities for video conferencing, telemedical applications and interactive education, to name a few examples. Capacity utilization can be varied through bandwidth-on-demand, with data download of up to 50 Megabits per second (Mbps) while uploading can be done at 16 Mbps.

The Spaceway satellites have a capacity about 8 times higher than today’s satellites, thanks to technology which apart from broadband performance, also entails having a digital ‘switchboard’ onboard and an antenna that can be adapted to the traffic load and geographical customer distribution at any given moment. The first satellite will be launched early next year from the Pacific Ocean. Spaceway has global access to Ka-band’s spectrum, and further expansion of the system is therefore expected if the planned financial success is achieved.

Saab Ericsson Space has delivered Upconverters, which convert signals from the baseband (20-480 MHz) to the satellite’s downlink frequency at 20 GHz (Ka-band).

Saab Ericsson Space is an international, independent supplier of space equipment. The company’s main products are computers, microwave electronics and antennas, control and separation systems, and thermal insulation material for use onboard satellites and launch vehicles. The company has its headquarters in Gothenburg, Sweden, a division located in Linköping, Sweden, and subsidiaries in Austria (Austrian Aerospace) and the USA (Saab Ericsson Space Inc). Saab Ericsson Space has approximately 600 employees, 420 of whom in Gothenburg.

The company is jointly owned by Saab and Ericsson.

For further information please contact:
Lars Nordfeldt, Director Communications & Public Affairs
Tel: +46 (0)31-735 4312, Cellular: +46 (0)703-668 03 12, Fax: +46 (0)31-735 45 00

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