Press Release

Issued by Eclipse Global Connectivity.

February 11, 2015

Eclipse, the French communications integrator, is pleased to announce the successful installation of a complete satcom system for an Eastern European presidential fleet of aircraft, adding to Eclipse's existing portfolio of military and government customers.

Eclipse engineers were involved from the outset of the project, and made several recommendations for the system design, before the final selection was made. Naturally, the design had to ensure high quality telephony with the ability to provide cryptographic devices for secure communications, as well data rates that would support internet access and video-conferencing. Eclipse's history of provisioning secure communications to military and government customers was key to the implementation of this project.

The Eclipse delivered hardware included the following Honeywell avionics – AMT-3800 High Gain Antenna, HSD-400 dual-channel Swift Broadband transceiver and CNX-200 Network Router.

The technical design of the system also provided two different Wi-Fi networks, operating each over one of the two Swift Broadband channels available in the Honeywell HSD-400. This ensured that the vip connection was separate from the passenger and crew devices to provide an additional security component.

The installation of the system was certified by one of Eclipse's partners – an EASA approved design and modification company, and following the successful installation, Eclipse engineers verified the system and provided technical support in resolving any issues.

The Eclipse engineers ensured that all aspects of the network, including the telephony devices, were configured to the precise requirements of the end customer, particularly the two separate Wi-Fi environments.

A key requirement of the end customer was being able to make multiple calls from the aircraft, as traditionally a Swift Broadband system only provides one or two voice channels. The Eclipse Aero+ Clarity service is the solution here, providing exceptionally high quality telephony via a managed VoIP link. Dedicated hardware installed within the Eclipse ground infrastructure ensures that the when the VoIP calls “land” at the ground, they connect directly into the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN), completely avoiding the internet. The result means that as many as four simultaneous calls can be made from or to the aircraft, connecting from either the aircraft handsets or using the VIP/passengers' own devices.

Completing the project, the Eclipse engineers performed an extensive test programme to ensure that all aspects of the SATCOM system were performing as required. This included multiple simultaneous calls, internet browsing and video-conference calling. Whilst the end customers' personnel were present for all the testing, Eclipse provided dedicated user training to the maintenance and operational staff, and created Quick Reference Guides for the major aspects of the system.

This project has once again allowed Eclipse to demonstrate the importance of intimately knowing the hardware and having a full understanding of the terrestrial routing. Without a thorough appreciation of both of these aspects, the project would not have been as successful. Eclipse's engineering expertise and unique Aero+ applications provide Head of State and VVIP customers with the assurance of the highest quality of service and security that their aircraft operations demand.