Russian Developers Unveil Satellite Antenna for In-Flight Internet
A Moscow-based research institute has tested a broadband satellite antenna designed for aircraft, with potential applications in shipping and rail transport.
The Moscow Research Institute of Radio Communications has developed and tested a satellite antenna called Efir-600, designed to provide broadband satellite communications and internet access on aircraft, the institute said.
The system can be installed on long-haul passenger aircraft of both Russian and foreign manufacture. Efir-600 will provide crews with voice communication and data exchange with the ground via ACARS and CPDLC systems, including on routes where other communication channels are limited.
According to the institute, the antenna can lock onto a satellite, establish a communication link, maintain the connection, and transmit data in real time regardless of the aircraft’s speed or altitude.
Tested in Real Conditions
During tests at the institute’s test range, the antenna connected to a satellite in real time. The device established a link with the Express-AM7 spacecraft. The system demonstrated stable operation under real-world conditions, including extreme temperatures and simulated flight modes.
According to Sergei Grachev, a deputy general director at the institute, the system and its components are manufactured in Russia, and the antenna runs on domestically developed software.
The developers say the technology could be used not only in aviation but also in maritime transport, including icebreaker fleets, as well as on railways.
