Press release -
Cobham SATCOM: EXPLORER VSAT joins royal wedding on new Timeline TV truck
Timeline TV deploys Cobham SATCOM’s EXPLORER 8100 Stabilised, Auto-Acquire, Drive-Away Antenna System on its brand-new 4K-uplink RF2 broadcast truck
Copenhagen, Denmark – Cobham SATCOM’s ultra-reliable EXPLORER 8100 Auto-Acquire, Drive-Away Antenna System, with its unique Dynamic Pointing Correction technology, has been installed on the UK’s leading-edge broadcast solutions provider Timeline TV’s new 4K-uplink RF2 broadcast truck. The new vehicle, which entered operations recently, is the latest addition to Timeline TV’s sophisticated fleet and was developed to augment its outside broadcast capabilities and improve efficiency by enabling more focus on IP based workflows.
Operational from 7 May 2018, RF2’s first major project will be the royal wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle on Saturday, 19 May 2018 at St George’s Chapel, Windsor Castle. Timeline TV’s crews will use the system for operational communication over a high bandwidth, always-on Ka-band VSAT link, supporting the high quality broadcast of what is set to be the UK’s most watched event in years. Afterwards, RF2 will be making a trip to the NSC Olimpiyskiy Stadium in Kiev on Saturday, 26 May 2018 for the UEFA Champions League Final.
The 1 metre EXPLORER 8100 antenna’s Dynamic Pointing Correction is key to Timeline TV’s ability to leverage high bandwidth connectivity on new Ka-band VSAT networks. Unique Dynamic Pointing Correction technology can adjust in milliseconds to compensate for any rocking from the truck’s suspension caused by wind or people getting in and out. Without this stabilisation technology, any movement of the vehicle can degrade the signal or cause a complete loss of connection, but EXPLORER 8100 ensures a strong link at all times.
On Timeline TV’s decision to use the EXPLORER 8100 antenna system, Senior Broadcast Engineer Lee Wright observes: “The continuous active tracking and speed of the acquisition were the major drivers behind our selection. I also like the way that it mounts, meaning that if we so decided, we could remove it and remotely site it with ease.”
Wright continues: “Reliability is a main requirement for us. As we regularly find ourselves working many miles from logistical support, we need to have the utmost confidence that when we ask a piece of equipment to do something, it will do it every time. Cobham has a great track record: you can tell from just looking at the EXPLORER 8100 antenna that it is a well-engineered, quality product.”
The tie-up between Cobham SATCOM and Timeline TV was enabled by Broadcast Wireless Systems, a specialist broadcast hardware and services provider which has worked with Cobham for five years and has provided Timeline with IP connectivity over satellite services for its flyaway systems and vehicle builds during a long-standing association with the firm.
“The EXPLORER 8100 will play a vital role in ensuring that RF2 is a flexible and reliable solution for the most critical requirements, and I am confident it will perform well during its first high profile job at the Royal Wedding,”comments Helen Brown, Director of Broadcast Wireless Systems. “The antenna not only auto-points in minutes, but the incorporated technology ensures that it stays on the satellite, even in the harshest conditions, giving Timeline TV the confidence that they will always be connected to their operational networks.”
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Contacts:
Cobham SATCOM
Katrine Søs Jensen
Junior Brand Manager, Land
T: +45 3955 8220
Email: katrine.jensen@cobham.com
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About Cobham SATCOM
Providing dependable communications and internet access anywhere under the most demanding conditions.
Our satellite and radio communication terminals perform in the most challenging and remote environments on land, at sea and in the air.
We design and manufacture these high performance products under the AVIATOR, EXPLORER, SAILOR and Sea Tel brands providing customers with outstanding performance, value and support through our global sales and service network.
About Cobham
Cobham offers an innovative range of technologies and services to solve challenging problems in commercial, defence and security markets, from deep space to the depths of the ocean.
We employ around 10,000 people primarily in the USA, UK, Europe and Australia, and have customers and partners in over 100 countries, with market leading positions in: wireless, audio, video and data communications, including satellite communications; defence electronics; air-to-air refuelling; aviation services; life support and mission equipment.
The challenging and rewarding roles we offer, across a wide range of disciplines, are what make Cobham a true global technology and services leader. To view our current roles, visit www.cobham.com/careers.
