High-speed Internet satellite – “Kizuna (WINDS)” : DigInfo

DigInfo News

The National Institute of Information and Communication Technology, in conjunction with the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency has developed WINDS, the Wideband InterNetworking engineering test and Demonstration Satellite. WINDS is a research and development project to establish and assess the technology that will be used in future satellite-based networks.

Interview with Naokazu Hamamoto, Research Manager, NICT – “This is the model of the satellite. This satellite was launched by JAXA Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency this February and is currently undergoing the initial checkout and screening process where the devices which are mounted on the satellite are being evaluated. When this assessment is over, we are going to perform a range of feasibility experiments with the other organizations and companies associated with this project. The satellite features a conventional dish antenna which enables high-speed data transmission nationwide in Japan as well as to major cities in countries such as Korea, China and Thailand. However, this is a fixed beam and so the service can only be accessed in certain areas. On the other hand, this is an active phased array antenna which can electronically change the direction of the beam. This antenna enables high-speed transmission in areas covering a third of the Earth that can be seen from the satellite orbit path, including areas of the Pacific Ocean, Japan and China and if you happen to be in the any of these areas, you will be able to access this high-speed transmission service from the satellite. For example, even if you are staying in remote islands in the Pacific Ocean, without any sort of internet infrastructure, you can still use internet services through this satellite service. With this goal in mind, we are in the process of conducting a lot of feasibility experiments in developing this technology and also in the commercialization of this service in the future.”

The satellite can achieve a maximum data transmission and reception rate of 1.2Gbps. The power distribution of the satellite can also be controlled to send more powerful signals to high precipitation areas and low power signals to low precipitation areas, allowing for a more efficient use of power. Basic experiments are planned to begin between July and September 2008.

Wireless Technology Park 2008