SkyTower Tests Aircraft That Will Supplement Satellite TV Services

Communications Today, July 23, 2002

SkyTower, in collaboration with the Japan Ministry of Telecommunications (CRL/TAO) and the U.S. National Aeronautics and Space Administration, has completed a series of commercial telecommunications tests from an unmanned solar-electric aircraft developed by SkyTower's parent AeroVironment.

The solar-electric powered aircraft, called the Pathfinder-Plus, took off from a U.S. naval base in Hawaii and transmitted several hours of mobile voice, data, and video services to multiple handheld user devices on the ground.

Because of its higher look angle, SkyTower platforms can fill in "urban canyons" - coverage areas missed by terrestrial and satellite broadcast transmissions due to tall buildings and terrain - at a fraction of the power, the company said. SkyTower's local footprint can also help satellite broadcasters overcome capacity challenges that limit their ability to provide local channels within each market, the company added.