Latest News

February 2008

ST Electronics’ US Satcom Company, iDirect,
Validates DVB-S2 Evolution Platform Performance
Using Telesat Satellite

Over-the-air demo at Satellite 2008 Conference and Exhibition to showcase platform capabilities

Singapore, 25 February 2008 — Singapore Technologies Electronics Limited’s (ST Electronics), US satellite communications company, Direct Inc (iDirect), today announced that it has successfully tested the commercial version of its DVB-S2 Evolution platform simulating a live customer environment. The series of tests validated the platform’s feature set, stability and data throughput gains and were conducted over a Telesat satellite. iDirect’s Evolution platform comprises a new line of DVB-S2 remotes and line cards as well as advanced operating and network management software. 

During the tests, the platform’s Adaptive Coding and Modulation (ACM) feature successfully enabled iDirect’s Evolution series remote to maintain optimum coding and modulation schemes, operating at 16-APSK during fair weather conditions and shifting to more robust modulation and coding schemes during a simulation of link fade conditions. iDirect also tested Voice over IP (VoIP), Web browsing, data transfer (FTP) and email applications to validate typical broadband applications and the successful interoperability of iDirect’s Evolution platform features with the DVB-S2 system.

This critical commercial test represents a major milestone as we prepare for the launch of iDirect’s Evolution platform. We are eager to begin working with our partners to transition their satellite networks to the DVB-S2 standard this year.

David BETTINGER
Chief Technology Officer, iDirect

The Evolution platform will be demonstrated at the iDirect booth 535 throughout the Satellite 2008 Conference and Exhibition. Users can trial the platform’s VoIP, Web browsing and other capabilities.

iDirect, designs, develops, and markets satellite-based broadband access solutions targeted at the enterprise, government, carrier and educational sectors that have the need for fast, flexible, and geographically dispersed two-way internet/intranet access. The company has developed technology solutions that combine high performance, worldwide availability, and ease of installation, high reliability, and low cost to end customers. In addition, iDirect solutions offer unprecedented efficiencies, increased revenue opportunities and higher per customer gross margins to satellite network operators. iDirect was awarded the 2005 World Teleport Association Teleport Technology of the Year, the Innovation & Technology of the Year by The ISCe Advisory Board, and named number one in the Deloitte & Touche Virginia Technology Fast 50 list of the fastest-growing U.S. technology companies. iDirect operates its corporate headquarters in Herndon, Virginia and has regional offices in Europe, Asia, and covering Latin America. Additional information is available on the company website at www.idirect.net.

ST Electronics, the electronics arm of ST Engineering, delivers innovative system solutions to government, commercial, defence, and industrial customers worldwide. It specialises in the design, development and integration of advanced electronics systems, such as broadband radio frequency and satellite communication, e-government solutions, information communications technologies, rail and traffic management, realtime command & control, training and simulation, intelligent building management, information security solutions and managed services. Please visit www.stee.stengg.com.

Media contact:

Magdalen Loh
AVP / Head, Corporate Communications
Singapore Technologies Electronics Limited
Tel: (65) 6413 1788 / 9822 3321
Fax: (65) 6484 8840
Email: magloh@stee.stengg.com