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June 2008

iDirect Rolls Out New Evolution DVB-S2/ACM Product Line, Introduces Evolution X3 Router, XLC-10 Line Card And iDX 1.0 Software

Next-generation product line integrates DVB-S2/ACM efficiencies into iDirect’s Intelligent Platform

Herndon, Va., June 17, 2008 — Singapore Technologies Electronics Limited’s (ST Electronics) related US satellite communication company, VT iDirect Inc. (iDirect), today launched the first suite of DVB-S2/ACM products in its Evolution product line – the Evolution X3 router, XLC-10 line card and iDX software. The new products enable service providers to leverage the benefits of DVB-S2 with Adaptive Coding and Modulation (ACM) to lower operating costs and increase their business opportunities. The Evolution offerings complement iDirect’s widely-deployed, award winning iNFINITI product line. iDirect is a world leader in satellite-based IP communications technology.  ST Electronics is the electronics arm of Singapore Technologies Engineering Ltd.

The Evolution X3 is an integrated satellite modem and IP router with Ethernet interface. The X3 maximises bandwidth efficiency, featuring DVB-S2/ACM on the outbound carrier and iDirect’s patented, deterministic TDMA on the inbound channel. It supports a wide range of IP data rates, carrier modulations and FEC codes, including downstream modulations of up to 16APSK and upstream modulations of up to 8PSK. The Evolution product line, which includes the XLC-10, iDX and X3, enables satellite networks to reach data speeds of up to 156 Megabits per second.

Extensive tests show that the Evolution product line can deliver a 30 percent improvement in bandwidth efficiency over DVB-S systems. An additional gain of 50 percent is possible through ACM, an advanced feature of the DVB-S2 standard, which iDirect has built into its Evolution product line.  These dramatic gains open new opportunities for service providers to improve support for a range of IP applications, including virtual private networks (VPN), voice over IP (VoIP), videoconferencing, enterprise networks, point of sale, SCADA, telemetry, multimedia and Internet cafes.

The new Evolution product line fully integrates with the advanced features of the iDirect intelligent platform to help operators amplify the gains of DVB-S2. One of the platform’s key features, Group QoS, enables service providers to combine multiple small networks into a single, larger carrier that is better able to leverage the efficiency of DVB-S2/ACM. In addition, new features have been built into iDirect’s iVantage network management system that allow service providers to track ACM gains in real time and configure their networks to optimize bandwidth efficiency.

With Evolution, service providers can readily upgrade to a DVB-S2/ACM in their existing iDirect chassis. Once in place, feature enhancements and updates can be made instantly with over-the-air software upgrades. 

With Evolution, our customers can take full advantage of the new standard’s efficiencies and better meet the demands of organisations that require constant broadband connectivity for every application and geography. We’ve gone to great lengths to ensure that our system can be quickly implemented and easily expanded.

David BETTINGER
Chief Technology Officer, iDirect

The Evolution X3 router, XLC-10 line card and iDX software are available for order immediately.

iDirect, a subsidiary of VT Systems, is transforming the way the world gets and stays connected. The company’s satellite-based IP communications technology enables constant connectivity for voice, video and data applications in diverse and challenging environments. These include extending private networks to remote offices; supporting mobile connectivity across land, sea and air; providing rural telephony and Internet broadband; and maintaining communications in the wake of disasters and network failures. The iDirect Intelligent Platform™ integrates advanced technology into iDirect’s portfolio of hubs, routers and network management software to address the growing complexity of deploying and managing global IP networks. With more than 13 years of global satellite communications experience, iDirect serves customers in 50 countries through a diverse network of channel partners, including some of the largest satellite providers, operators and carriers in the world and seven of the World Teleport Association’s Global Top Ten. Headquartered in Herndon, Virginia, iDirect has offices in Europe, Asia, Middle East, Africa and Latin America. Please visit www.idirect.net.

ST Electronics, the electronics arm of ST Engineering, delivers innovative system solutions to government, commercial, defence, and industrial customers worldwide.  With presence in more than 18 countries and 28 cities, ST Electronics markets its solutions to more than 70 countries internationally.  It specialises in the design, development and integration of advanced electronics and communications systems, such as broadband radio frequency and satellite communication, e-Government solutions, information communications technologies and IT, rail and traffic management, real-time command & control, training and simulation, intelligent building management, and information security and mobile commerce solutions.   Please visit www.stee.stengg.com.

Media contact:

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