Connexion by Boeing today announced the selection of Mitsubishi Electric Corporation (Mitsubishi Electric) to
design and produce the next-generation antenna for the Boeing business unit's high-speed data and Internet service.
Once completed, the antenna will be optimized to provide commercial
airlines and business jet operators with high-speed access to data,
the Internet and streaming entertainment content during flight.
Under the terms of the agreement, Connexion by Boeing and Mitsubishi
Electric will work together to design the antenna and supporting
subsystem, and to ensure its suitability for retrofit and in-line
installation on Boeing aircraft, as well as other industry models.
Mitsubishi Electric also will assist Connexion by Boeing to ensure
the first antenna production unit is installation-ready when it
rolls off the assembly line in late 2003.
"Our team conducted a rigorous review of key industry suppliers'
antenna capabilities, and Mitsubishi Electric met the airline industry requirements, as well
as our criteria for next-generation performance and cost," said Connexion by
Boeing President Scott Carson. "Having the right antenna solution supports our
objective of delivering to the airlines a connectivity service that adds value,
but not complexity, and one that will be service ready from Day
One."
Mitsubishi Electric representatives actively participated in the
Connexion Working Together meetings with representatives from 15
leading global airlines. At those sessions, designed to ensure the
Connexion by Boeing service meets the requirements from those who
know air travel best, Mitsubishi Electric received direct industry
inputs on performance, weight and power requirements necessary
for the next-generation antenna to meet both passenger and airline
operational connectivity objectives. The decision to move forward
with the next-generation antenna design was mutually agreed upon
between Connexion by Boeing and the airlines after conducting an
extensive trade study of the necessary performance and communication
requirements.
"We are honored to be a key part of Connexion by Boeing by providing
an enhanced solution for the next-generation antenna. Connexion by
Boeing's decision also ensures our leading position in the mobile
satellite communications market," said Tamotsu Nomakuchi, President &
CEO of Mitsubishi Electric. "We appreciate Connexion by Boeing's
spirit of 'working together' that has led us to this historic point
since the early days when we became involved in the project. Through
a spirit of partnership, Mitsubishi Electric will continue to provide
the best technical solutions for Connexion by Boeing and its worldwide customers."
Connexion by Boeing will use the Boeing phased array antenna for the
commencement of commercial airline service demonstrations and migrate
to the enhanced next-generation antenna once production, testing and
certification are complete. The next-generation antenna will incorporate a single aperture design
that will provide enhanced satellite-to-aircraft scan angles and also use
leading-edge beam pointing technology with enhanced electronics capabilities to
precisely detect and track satellites from the aircraft during
flight.
"We are very pleased that Mitsubishi Electric continues to be an
integral, strategic member of the Connexion by Boeing team," Carson
added, "and their capabilities in the area of antenna technology will
further strengthen a relationship between Boeing and Japan-based
companies that spans 50 years." |