Cable in your car: new technology promises to turn your SUV or minivan into a second family room

Automotive Industries, July, 2004 by John Peter

Watson says that KVH is currently working on a demonstration vehicle with an antenna designed to mount between the roof and the headliner. They hope to attract some interest from OEMs.

"We are most definitely looking at options for factory installations," says Watson.

Motia, a manufacturer of semiconductors for smart antennas has teamed up with Delphi in the development of a satellite TV system.

Motia spokesperson Robert Warner says that an aftermarket version, marketed under the name Cross Country, could be offered as early as the end of this year at an estimated cost in the mid-$2,000 range. The Cross Country production prototype uses the third generation of Motia's smart antenna.

"The first version of our technology was the two-dimensional mechanical system, much like KVH has today," Warner says, "where you track the satellite mechanically both in elevation and azimuth".

Cross Country uses a small side-mounted pancake motor to rotate the disc while tracking the satellite on fiat surfaces.

"We actually use the signal power coming from the satellite to judge where our antenna should be focused," Warner says.

During elevation changes, the antenna forms an electronic beam that keeps the antenna locked on the satellite. Electronics eliminate the need for extra electric motors and mechanical systems which add cost and weight.

Warner says that both Delphi and Motia realized that if they were going to make a product that OEMs would embrace, it would have to be flat and lighter weight.

Cross Country is only about an inch and three-quarters thick (add an inch for the protective plastic cover) and Warner says that the target weight for the final product will be less than 20 pounds.

While the aftermarket version mounts to the roof of the vehicle, Delphi is working on a factory-installed version that can be installed between the roof and the headliner.

"Some companies that we've talked to," Warner says, "have discussed actually putting it in as part of the headliner."

Warner says that Delphi will manufacture this system using Motia components.

"They actually use their own tracking system and their own mechanical platform," Warner says. "We make one too, but they chose to use their own."

The target cost for the factory-installed version would be under $1,000.

"The beauty of our technology is that it's all electronic," Warner says. "Just like DVD and VCR they're all driven by chips and as those chips have become less expensive, so have the players."

Warner admits that Motia has had serious discussions with other suppliers and OEMs interested in the technology.

"The aftermarket OEM entertainment systems are really taking off," Warner says, "especially in minivans and SUVs. It adds a whole new dimension."

Warner says that the in-car video market will see a surge on growth with the widespread availability of Ka-band satellites in the next few years.

Ka-band uses multiple spot-beams along with a much higher frequency to enable two-way transmission and allow companies like Motia to develop smaller antennas.