Patriot Antenna in Albion to close doors in December

Patriot Antenna in Albion to close doors in December; about 70 workers will lose their jobs

Three years after being bought out by an international aerospace firm, employees at Albion-based Patriot Antenna found out this week they will be losing their jobs.

Officials from the U.K.-based Cobham notified the about 70 employees at Patriot Antenna the plant was closing Dec. 31. The work will be sent to one of its facilities in Orlando, Fla. and about a dozen will be offered the chance to move with the company.

Nov. 8 will be the last day for 31 employees, while 21 will remain as the company works to close the plant, the company said in a written statement.

Patriot Antenna was formed in 1992 and several years ago employed 120. Employees there made antennas for a variety of commercial and military applications. Cobham purchased the firm in 2007.

Monica Hallman, spokeswoman for Cobham Corporate North America wrote in a statement that the closure was necessary “to position the company and workforce for future success and growth while providing the best value to our customers.”

“Although the international satellite industry saw unprecedented growth up until about 3 years ago it has taken a significant decline since the world-wide recession hit,” Hallman said. “As we take this unfortunate but necessary step, we are working closely with our employees to facilitate their transition and educate them on the benefits they’re entitled to, including financial compensation, healthcare options and career counseling,” Hallman wrote.

Courtesy: http://www.mlive.com/business/jackson-lansing/index.ssf/2010/09/patriot_antenna_in_albion_to_c.html

Antennas

Transmit/Receive VSAT Systems

- Multiple antenna sizes and frequency bands
- Superior surface accuracy
- Compact packaging

Flyaway VSAT Systems

- Fixed and motorized systems
- C, Ka, Ku, and X bands
- Easy to transport and assemble

Mobile VSAT Systems

- Lightweight for easy transport
- Quick deployment, “Lock-on” satellite
- Durable structure for solid performance

Large Aperture Antennas

- Demonstrate superior surface accuracy
- No on-site panel alignments required
- High-wind and full-motion

Broadcast / Prime Focus Antennas

- Ideal for broadcast and cable industry
- Motorized and fixed configurations
- Full line of options

DBS / DTH / Offset Antennas

- Precision draw reflectors for high surface accuracy
- Ka and Ku-Band applications
- DIRECTV approved antennas

Patriot Antenna- A revolution in the world of satellites

The patriot antenna is a revolutionary antenna system used primarily by the American army’s Surface to Air missile system in the past couple of years. The international satellite industry was definitely happy to see the development of this system, because it has indeed made the lives of a lot of people especially those in the control room, a tad less tedious. The applications of satellites as we know are only becoming more and more extensive and there really is no end to its development. Anything that will aim towards reducing the costs and increasing the reach of the application is definitely welcome, especially in the world of satellite systems.
The best thing about this series of antennae is that the range is increased by at least three times more than the previous versions and has found its way not just among satellite systems; it is also being widely inculcated in radar as well as sonar equipment and also underground submarine systems. The various versions of the Patriot Systems include MIM 104A, MIM 104B (PAC 1), MIM 104C (PAC 2), MIM 104D (PAC 2/ GEM), MIM 104F (PAC 3) and the most recent development includes PDB system consists of software which helps in distinguishing approaching targets. This is indeed a great breakthrough from the military point of view.
Apart from the exemplified range, the measure success rate on an average seems to be anywhere between 70-80% which is a significant improvement and another outstanding feature would be the increased battery capacity which really is a great advantage. There are several more options one can explore by making use of the patriot systems, as it is not just limited for military purposes. Of course, with such wide functionality, the cost is bound to be a major check point.

Patriot Antennas- Facilitating Seamless Transmission for Ages!

The Patriot antenna’s latest modified antennas typify solid performance. These antennas provide patrons with an extra link fringe for hub stations in their VSAT network, video uplink, or SCPC central station. It offers a new 3.8m and 4.8m Deployable Trailer Mount Antennas. The clients can cherish the joint expediency and eminence through these high performance antennas. Patriot’s ground penetrating radar has both government and private sector applications counting land-mine detection and petroleum pipeline explore and scrutiny. The major product of the patriot is the Quick deploy Flyaway antennas and Prime Focus. It has released a new-fangled antenna mount that uses a customized plane to permit a more practical Azimuth Fine Tune adjustment. The antennas can be mounted via a three step process that meets the positioning requirements of VSAT specially VSAT Tx/Rx antenna systems.
Patent no. 5648787 was issued to protect Patriot’s antenna that augments the company’s existing radar by producing extremely short pulses. The technology enhancement allows implementation of faster and more efficient signal processing algorithms. Patriot Scientific Corp. designs, manufactures and markets the high-performance ISDN Basic Rate and Primary Rate products for digital communications. These are also used as radar technology by the Navy for transmitting and receiving radio frequency (RF) signals for potential stealth communications.
This antenna system facilitates the International satellite industry by transfiguring the communication sector to a greater scope. Most of the communication be it through the telephone or the internet, satellites have been elemental in enabling an easy passage of signals to the receiving end. These signals are passed through the antennas kept at every place. It is made possible through the international satellite industry that uses the best patriot antennas for an effectual communication. These antennas are also used in the allied industries like Cable, Broadcast, Military, VSAT and radio telescope.

Cobham Group and Industries to Stop the Production of Patriot Antenna Products

Patriot is a worldwide manufacturer and distributor of antenna systems. These antennas are used in the following industries, Cable, Broadcast, Military, VSAT and radio telescope industries. Quick deploy and Flyaway antennas and Prime Focus are the main product of the Patriot. The Patriot also offers a Broad Range of RF Accessories.

Cobham group and industries has recently announced to discontinue most of products of patriot and this decision of the company has instant effects on the receive-only antennas, large aperture antennas & related RF accessories. The patriot antenna will be delivered solely on the basis of on hand stock in the warehouses. Clients with backorder were informed about possible alternatives by the warehouses because Patriot antennas cannot be delivered to them.

Warehouses will now offer a new range of antennas to their clients and will keep the stock of Patriot products for maintenance purpose.

International Satellite Industry and Its Technology

During the past, the communication sector often faced many changes. This will continue for a very long period of time even in future. The most revolutionized aspects that has changed the communication sector to a great extent is the International Satellite Industry.

Most of the communication that takes place all across the world is mostly due to satellites, whether a person prefers to make personal or business calls using a landline telephone, a VoIP service provider, a mobile phone etc. The satellite industry has revolutionized the whole world. In the past, even to communicate with someone within a state had to make use of other postal services or a telegram. A telegram is a faster version which usually takes about 24 to 48 hours to deliver while postal services take a minimum of 4 to 6 days. Today, it is just a matter of few seconds wherein you just have to dial the other person’s telephone or mobile number. Thanks to the International Satellite Industry.

The Innumerable Uses Of Commercial Antenna

Antennas are used for signal reception. There are different companies that provide various different models of commercial antenna that can help you specifically for your use. Commercial antenna is build for commercial use that can stand different weather condition and still have great signal reception. With these antennas, the focus is to help the common people make use of the best of wireless technologies. There are a lot of different companies that build such antennas for use. If you have a specific demand that needs to be met, there are agencies that deliver tailor made designs of antennas specifically as per your demands, needs and preferences.

Generally, antenna do not require you to be so choosy as all you really need to care about is the fact that they should have a strong signal reception system in place and should be successful in giving you quality picture all throughout the year without any performance drop.

Acoustics First PhaseFOAM

The PhaseFOAM system allows you to configure the sound and room design using the key components contained in these two simple acoustic foam kits. Box A includes 16 pieces of 1′ x 1′ x 2″ thick high density wedge pattern acoustical foam used to absorb sound, prevent phase cancellations, and design visual interest. Box B contains two pair of Triangle Traps. The design of the bass trap allows for various corner configurations and installation direct to a wall or ceiling to provide low frequency sound absorption anywhere in the room.

Acoustics First PhaseFOAM

CSA Calls for DAB+ Standard Throughout France

Paris – Dec 9, 2011 – According to an article in Les Echos, the CSA is promoting the idea of the adoption of DAB+ as the digital radio standard throughout France. The subject was discussed at the CSA in early December and could soon take a turn more formal: An application may be made to the Minister of Industry, which sets the transmission standards. The adoption of this new standard would be an addition to the T-DMB standard chosen for digital TV back in 2008.

CSA Calls for DAB+ Standard Throughout France

Single Axis Antenna Controller

The RC1500 is a single axis inclined orbit satellite tracking antenna controller which is designed to interface to antennas powered by 36 volt DC actuators with built-in limit switches and pulse type position sensors. If the beam width of the antenna is much greater than the width of the pattern of the satellites apparent motion single axis tracking of inclined orbit satellites can be successfully implemented. The RC1500 can either be used in conjunction with a steer-able antenna whose plane of movement is aligned with the long dimension of the narrow figure eight pattern of the satellite’s apparent motion or with fixed antennas which employ a steer-able feed assembly.

- An intuitive user interface based on a 2 by 16 liquid crystal display and a 16 key keypad.
- Interfaces with pulse based position sensors – reed switch, Hall effect, or optical.
- Servo based polarization control. An optional daughter board, designated RC2KPOL, can interface with a 5 to 24 volt DC powered rotating equipped with a potentiometer for position feedback.
- Serial communications via an RS-422 port. The RC1500 uses the industry standard SA Bus protocol.
- Rack Mounting (2 rack units high), 115/230 VAC Switch Selectable Power Input

The RC1500 provides tracking for inclined orbit satellites via Step Track, Search, and Memory Track algorithms. An analog voltage (in the range of 0 to 10 volts) proportional to signal strength is required for peaking the satellite. This voltage is usually provided by a receiver or modem AGC output but can also be generated by a beacon receiver.

Setup of the tracking system is straight forward. From the controller’s CONFIG mode the user enters the following information:

- Antenna Size
- Antenna Latitude and Longitude
- Maximum Tracking Error in tenths of dB
- Elevation Constant (the number of elevation position counts per degree of antenna elevation movement)
- AGC Polarity (positive polarity implies that a stronger satellite signal produces a greater AGC voltage)
- AGC Threshold (an AGC level above the threshold implies that a satellite signal is present).

When a track is initiated on a satellite the user is prompted for: the satellite’s longitude, the satellite’s current inclination, and the satellite’s frequency band(s) – C, Ku, C/Ku, L, X, Ka.

From this information the controller is able to automatically determine the optimum tracking parameters.

- Step Track step size.
- Interval between Step Track peaking operations.
- Frequency of Memory Track antenna alignment operations.