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

  • Towards common standards for cooperative road infrastructures
    July 23, 2012
    Michael Noblett of Connexis discusses international progress towards common standards for cooperative road infrastructures. Will vehicle safety communications standards be able to support ITS on the international level, or will we settle once again for regional interoperability only? The answer lies in the current status of the draft standards themselves, and the requirements users and authorities are placing on the people who draft them.
  • Vaisala: Weather data is vital for connected vehicles
    August 26, 2016
    Vaisala’s Dr Kevin Petty explains why the weather will continue to play a big part in road safety and traffic management in the smart cities of the future. The world is becoming increasingly connected. Thanks to advances in information and communications technology, the cities we live in are becoming ‘smart’, with everything from education to law enforcement managed by integrated tech solutions in a bid to improve quality of life.
  • Nissan, NASA to develop autonomous cars
    January 12, 2015
    Nissan Motor Company, through its North American-based organisation, and NASA have announced the formation of a five-year research and development partnership to advance autonomous vehicle systems and prepare for commercial application of the technology. Researchers from Nissan's US Silicon Valley research centre and NASA's Ames research centre will focus on autonomous drive systems, human-machine interface solutions, network-enabled applications, and software analysis and verification, all involving sop
  • Illinois Tollway looking to test connected vehicles
    February 27, 2015
    The Illinois Tollway Board of Directors is eager to participate in a federal pilot program to test new connected vehicle technology that would allow cars and trucks to share real-time information about traffic congestion and roadway conditions to help reduce crashes. The Tollway has applied to participate in the program which would allow its federal government contractor, CDM Smith Federal, to test the new technology on the Jane Addams Memorial Tollway (I-90), which is being rebuilt at a cost of US$2.5 bill