Airbus and VDL Group are working together to make communication terminals much faster than ever.
The aerospace firm and the Dutch supplier are teaming up to create a laser communication terminal for aircraft, aptly named UltraAir.
Airbus and VDL Group are Working to Make Communication Terminals Faster
Interesting Engineering notes in its recent report that the two firms are working on its prototype and are preparing for its much-awaited demo in 2024.
By next year, Airbus and VDL are also looking to have it ready for its first-ever flight test.
The new laser communication terminal that the two firms are working on seeks to remarkably speed up the exchange of data among ground terminals, satellites, and aircraft.
The two companies unveiled their plans for UltraAir in a press release on Tuesday. It explains how the new technology seeks to accelerate communication terminals.
The statement notes that "UltraAir will enable the exchange of large amounts of data using laser beams in a network of ground stations and satellites in geostationary orbit at 36,000 km above the Earth."
The two firms highlighted that the laser beams would help speed up the transfer of massive data from ground stations to satellites in orbit. They touted that the all-new technology could support several gigabits-per-second (GBPS), which for typical internet users is way too fast.
VDL and Airbus noted that "this laser terminal will pave the way for data transmission rates that could reach several gigabits-per-second while providing anti-jamming and low probability of interception."
It is thanks to the "unparalleled technology," which includes "a highly stable and precise optical mechatronic system."
Military Aircraft and UAV Connection
A recent tweet by the official Twitter account of Airbus Newsroom expounded on the possibilities that the UltraAir brings once it rolls out.
Airbus Newsroom states that "UltraAir will allow military aircraft and UAVs (Unmanned Aerial Vehicles) to connect within a multi-domain combat cloud thanks to laser-based satellite constellations."
The technology that Airbus and VDL Group are working on could greatly support military aircraft. It could potentially let them connect to a multi-domain combat cloud. Not to mention that it also works with UAVs.
1000x More Data?
Besides supporting these two, advanced laser communication also seeks to offer a better alternative than the current technology. The Satcom radio-frequency bands are seeing some bottlenecks these days, no thanks to the massive demand.
The upcoming laser technology reportedly handles roughly 1,000 times more data than the traditional network nowadays.
On top of that, Airbus adds that laser communication is supposedly better at ditching interference. And it is less susceptible to being detected than traditional radio frequencies.
