First ever transmit using metamaterial antenna

Kymeta Corporation, partener of E3 Systems, and the company commercialising innovative metamaterial-based, flat-panel antennas for satellite communications, has recently announced that it has successfully demonstrated bi-directional high-speed Internet connectivity with a Ka broadband satellite.

This is the first time a metamaterials-based antenna has established an Internet connection over a satellite link and confirms that Kymeta is ready to move into commercial product development and production.

Dr. Nathan Kundtz, founder and CTO of Kymeta said, “Seeing our research and development efforts culminate in this successful bi-directional satellite connection is like a dream come true. Our engineering team has worked many late hours to accomplish today’s demonstration, and it is a testament not only to our technology but also to our team of talented individuals working at Kymeta.”

The demonstration was held on December 10, 2013 at Telesat’s teleport in Vancouver, B.C., using Ka-band capacity on Telesat’s Anik F2 satellite. The completion of the demonstration required obtaining regulatory certifications for Ka-band transmissions, made possible through collaboration with Telesat. iDirect provided the modem technologies used in the demonstration. After initial tests of bi-directional Internet connectivity and video streaming via the Kymeta transceiver equipment, the team also launched a bi-directional Skype video call from a laptop at the demonstration site to Kymeta’s corporate headquarters in Redmond, Washington, where a team celebration was held.

Vern Fotheringham, chairman and CEO of Kymeta said, “This is a tremendous milestone for our company. This successful demonstration proves that our technology is ready for commercial production, and we’re excited to move full steam ahead to develop transformative products and solutions for fixed, portable and mobile applications.”

Kymeta is expected to have prototype units ready for field trials in 2014 with initial availability of commercial products in early 2015.

For more information, visit Kymeta Corporation.