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IAI won Amos-6 satellite deal, for $195 Millions

Posted on by Techtime
AMOS-5 satellite launch

Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) won the contract for the design, production, preparation for launch and operation of the Amos-6 satellite. The deal’s worth is estimated at some $195 million. The agreement was signed last week.

Amos-6 is intended to significantly expand the variety of communication services provided by Spacecom to the international market from the orbit slot 4° West, and to replace Amos-2 satellite, which is expected to end its service during 2016. Amos 6 will operate in parallel to Amos-3 satellite.

IAI reported that technological enhancements will make Amos-6 one of the world’s most advanced communication satellites. These enhancements include the integration of electric propulsion technology, to gain significant savings in the satellite’s launch weight and costs. With Amos-6, IAI enters to the field of large communication satellites with launch weight of 5,500 kg and payload power of 9,000 Watts.

The communication payload includes 45 transponders in three frequency bands:  Ku, Ka and S. They enable the satellite to provide a variety of communication services, including direct satellite home internet services. Today, IAI also works on the production of the communication satellite Amos-4. According to the agreement, the satellite will be delivered to Spacecom by 1 August 2015. Spacecom’s contract for Amos-5 was won by ISS Reshetnev – a Russian government-backed company. It was launched in December 2011 from Baikonur (Kazakhstan) and is now in orbit.

• Amos-6 payload will include: 39 segments in the Ku-22 frequency band, covering the Middle East, Eastern Europe and Pan Europe, 24 active beams in the Ka-19 frequency band, covering areas in Africa and Europe, and two transponders in the S-4 frequency band.

Spacecom also signed a $20 million agreement with the government of Israel for provision of services via the Amos-6. David Pollack, CEO of Spacecom said: “The  Amos-6 satellite further strengthens the technology might of the company, improves its satellite capabilities and opens new channels and markets around Europe, Africa and the Middle East for many years.”

N-trig and Fujifilm will develop Metal Mesh Sensors for Pen & Touch Input

Metal Mesh Sensors
Posted on by Techtime

Ben-David, CEO, N-trig: “we constantly look for emerging alternative”

N-trig from Kfar-Saba, Israel, has joined forces with the touch technology industry to support the development of metal mesh sensors and other alternative technologies for pen and multi-touch input. The company is the provider of the DuoSense® pen and multi-touch user interface.

Metal Mesh SensorsIn a recent press release the company reported that it is currently working with UniPixel Displays, Mutto Optronics Corporation and Fujifilm on a variety of metal mesh sensor configurations, which will ultimately serve as alternatives to the Indium Tin Oxide (ITO)-based touch screens used in most mobile computing devices today.

“N-trig is an optimal partner for us, as they are committed to pioneering new technologies in the touch space,” said Reed Killion, president & CEO, UniPixel Displays.

Mesh sensors promise many benefits:  Single-layer room temperature printing is significantly less costly and complex than the ITO technique, which requires multiple layers, high temperatures and clean rooms. Because the mesh sensor is fabricated on film instead of glass, it enables curved system designs and allows touch to be wrapped over edges. It meets the market demand for thinner and lighter devices.

It also give better performance due to lower resistance across the surface of the sensor and improved touch response. The result is a stronger and more accurate pen signal for processing, higher hover height and better signal uniformity over the full sensor area.

“While we continue to work with our current ITO sensor partners, we constantly look for emerging alternative to provide enhanced DuoSense® performance and reduced cost for our OEM partners,” said Amichai Ben-David, CEO, N-trig.