Skip to main content

Kymeta tests antenna for satellite-based internet connectivity to support autonomous driving

Global connectivity specialist Kymeta has successfully connected its 20 cm mTenna satellite antenna subsystem module (ASM) for the consumer connected car industry to the Intelsat satellite constellation. This test continues Kymeta's progress toward bringing high throughput, secure mobile connectivity to the automotive industry and follows the partnership announced with Toyota Motor Corporation in 2016. The test showcased that Kymeta mTenna technology for consumer vehicles could successfully connect to In
February 24, 2017 Read time: 2 mins
Global connectivity specialist Kymeta has successfully connected its 20 cm mTenna satellite antenna subsystem module (ASM) for the consumer connected car industry to the Intelsat satellite constellation. This test continues Kymeta's progress toward bringing high throughput, secure mobile connectivity to the automotive industry and follows the partnership announced with Toyota Motor Corporation in 2016.

The test showcased that Kymeta mTenna technology for consumer vehicles could successfully connect to Intelsat's Epic satellite network. The test also demonstrated that Kymeta mTenna technology can transmit and receive data with a single aperture, connect to the internet and access YouTube videos and conduct a Skype call, all within its first attempt.

Currently, the only way to take advantage of high throughput satellites (HTS) is with a large, traditional satellite dish with moving parts. The Kymeta satellite solution aims to eliminate the need for a gimballed dish and provide terabyte level capacity to cars allowing broadband level connectivity even in areas that have no terrestrial coverage.

The test is the first step in making a connected car it’s most secure and connected at a global scale. This successful testing was conducted with Intelsat, the world's leading provider of satellite services, which has a partnership agreement with Kymeta to enable satellite connectivity for the auto industry.

Related Content

  • Transportation infrastructure technology continues its advance
    July 17, 2012
    It is now 20 years since publication of the Strategic Plan for Intelligent Vehicle Highway Systems. A select group of luminary figures of the ITS industry give their assessment of progress to date This year the IVHS Strategic Plan turns 20, signaling the graduation of the field of Intelligent Transportation Systems from its tumultuous teens to young adulthood. After two decades tethered by the cords of youth and protected by the strict control of adult institutions, ITS has reached a turning point. Its y
  • Reporting on the direction of the US's ITS research effort
    January 19, 2012
    The US ITS Joint Program Office has been working with industry stakeholders to help define the form of future research projects. Here, the Office's James Pol discusses progress and future goals
  • Heavy weather: how ITS can mitigate climate change effects
    August 22, 2023
    Countries, regions and cities all over the world are seeing unprecedented extreme weather events causing destruction in different ways: from heat and wildfires to snow and floods and much else in between. Jon Tarleton of Baron Weather explains how the ITS industry can help the transportation network to remain efficient as the climate changes
  • 'Conservatism hampering ITS technical evolution'
    November 13, 2012
    Nick Lanigan, managing director of Clearview Traffic, considers the current outlook in the ITS sector from an SME's perspective. Interview with Jason Barnes. When times are hard, businesses can invest or cut. Either way, they need guidance from customers – governments – on where best to concentrate their efforts. Prolonged economic slowdown is currently an issue. A short recession, however sharp, would have left many industry players able to ride the bow-wave of governments’ multi-year spending on strategic