Aetheric Engineering Design, Implementation and Operation Satellite Technology
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Formed in 1989, Aetheric Engineering Ltd is an independent
telecommunications consultancy, specialising in satellite communications and
satellite technology. We are renowned for our flexibility and tailoring
of support to the actual needs of each of our clients.
We offer advice and support throughout all project phases from feasibility and
design studies, through procurement and project management, to installation,
commissioning and operation of telecommunications networks, especially satellite
communication systems. We also offer support in the establishment of effective
Communications Regulatory Organisations.
Aetheric Engineering’s capabilities include spacecraft, earth stations, control centres, communications networks, and the interfacing of satellite communication systems with terrestrial infrastructure. We can offer geostationary, LEO and MEO satellite expertise and our earth station experience includes all sizes from VSAT to 30m diameter.
We are a specialist and independent consultancy, with our clients’ interests at heart.
We have established a reputation for flexible and responsive support, and aim to ensure that each of clients receives relevant, consistent and complete assistance, meeting all of their requirements. We are happy to work as a part of our client’s project team, when this is appropriate.
All our consultants have many years relevant experience and are accustomed to working at all levels of organisations.
As a result, we offer impartial, effective and motivated support to all our clients.
Aetheric Engineering’s support is available throughout the typical project cycle, from design and feasibility studies, through procurement and project management, to installation, testing and commissioning. Support can also be provided for system operation.
The company’s expertise includes both space and ground segment technologies. We are fully capable of supporting the design, manufacture, test, launch, In-Orbit testing and commissioning of a satellite system (including its monitoring and control system), and also the design, installation, testing, integration and commissioning of an earth station. We can also design, implement and commission complete communications networks. Operational advice is available, covering spacecraft, earth station and network operations.
As an integral part of our support we wish to ensure that our clients receive a full benefit of our expertise through a close a working relationship. In addition, formal training sessions can be provided, to cover specific areas of concern to individual clients.
The company is fully committed to providing on-site and in-country support whenever necessary and its consultants have the experience to relate fully to clients at all levels. Language skills are encouraged amongst the company’s consultants.
In summary, the company’s expertise includes:
Support is provided in the design, procurement, installation, testing and commissioning of satellites and satellite operations systems. The company can provide a broad range of expertise, covering all areas of modern satellite communications, having been involved in many projects requiring both space and ground segment engineering expertise.
Aetheric Engineering provides support and assistance during all phases of the design, procurement, commissioning and operation of satellites, including satellite control centres, in-orbit test systems and the data and voice networks linking those centres and systems. In addition, our consultants have worked with both spin stabilised and 3-axis stabilised satellite designs, from several manufacturers. Our consultants have supported satellite operations from the formation of the client’s operations team and implementation of the facility, through certification of operators and facility commissioning, to ongoing satellite operations.
The company is located close to major UK satellite manufacturing sites. The remaining European and US manufacturers are all within easy reach. The creation and support of field offices, for the monitoring of the design, construction and testing of satellites is an established part of the company’s expertise.
Support is provided in the design, procurement, installation, testing and commissioning of both public and private telecommunications networks, with an emphasis on networks using satellite communications. Aetheric Engineering’s support is available for the enhancement of existing facilities and networks, or for the implementation of complete networks.
Business planning support can be provided on the basis of either an individual project or a complete business, including initial design studies and feasibility studies. Technology development studies and projects can be managed on a client’s behalf, where capability enhancements are a prerequisite for a successful business case.
Aetheric Engineering provides support and assistance during all phases of the design, procurement, commissioning and operation of satellite communications and related systems, supporting earth station technology, network control centres, and data and voice networks. Our consultants have experience of working with all sizes of earth station, from VSAT to large trunk and hub stations, and of working with all sizes of network, from national to corporate.
This organisation has unique experience in establishing and commissioning a unified "Office of Communications Regulatory Affairs".
Our work has helped change a country which - only a few years ago - experienced broadcast and telecommunications anarchy into one whose broadcasters follow defined Rules and Codes of Practice for Content, whose use of radio spectrum is governed by application of ITU articles and local rules, and whose telecommunication liberalisation is moving forward at the rate preferred by the Policy Making bodies.
The key element of our methodology has not been to deliver thick, exhaustive and expensive reports on what is needed. Rather we analyse the situation and then work with the administration to train and put in place the agency using national effort.
Our method uses a minimum number of non-national consultants, for the minimum duration, to train and support the appropriate number of national staff.
As our on-site training and support role tails off, our off-site support remains if needed.
Our support has been provided to clients on a world-wide basis, and includes the following typical contracts:
We have supported numerous satellite programmes, with payloads operating at L-band, C-Band, Ku-Band and Ka-Band, for African, Asian, European and North American customers. This support has included evaluation of proposals and contractor selection, participation in Design and Test Reviews and monitoring of day-to-day contractor activities on behalf of customer organisations, and spacecraft design and analysis activities on behalf of satellite manufacturers. Spacecraft classes have ranged from hundreds of kilogrammes to several tonnes, and from MEO to GEO.
We have also assisted with negotiations leading to frequency coordination.
We have provided project management and technical support for the design, procurement, installation and commissioning of ground segment facilities for communications and meteorological satellite systems, including Satellite Control Centres, network Control Centres, TT&C/TCR ground stations, In-Orbit Test systems, and related equipment and systems. These ground segment systems have ranged from single site collocated ground station and control centre to worldwide network of ground stations and diversely located control centres. We also assisted with the commissioning of the ground segment for an astronomical satellite. Experience includes activities in countries such as Cameroon, Canada, China, Germany, Italy, Korea, Thailand and the United Kingdom
We assisted with initial operation and operator readiness for a LEO GMPCS system and provided support towards integration of the ground segment for another GMPCS operator.
We have provided a wide range of telecommunications-related support, including the following as a typical list:
Derived national telecommunications requirements and designed a communications payload to support them, to be integrated into a mini-satellite
Provided project management and technical support for the implementation of single-antenna and multi-antenna earth stations in countries such as Angola, Cyprus, Lebanon, Somalia and the United Kingdom.
Supported the planning of integration activities for the backbone telecommunications networks of satellite communications systems.
Provided a Type Approval service for a mobile satellite communications operator and specified and supported procurement of an Approval Test House for another mobile satellite communications operator.
Managed development studies leading to the definition of next generation subscriber terminals for a mobile satellite communications operator.
Studied the applicability of satellite communications to augment the existing infrastructure of a national telecommunications network operator.
Performed a feasibility study, into the implementation of an Inmarsat Land Earth Station (on a regional basis) for Africa.
Supported the preparation of a Business Plan and the negotiation of operating and financial agreements for the use of INTELSAT space segment capacity, for a new regional satellite system operator.
In addition, we have provided formal training to several clients; on satellite technologies, on satellite communications systems, and on antenna technologies for automotive applications.
Enquiries can be made to:
Telephone +44 1329 823583
Fax +44 1329 288675
e-mail
sales@aetheric.co.uk
Alternatively:
Aetheric Engineering Ltd
Katana House
Fort Fareham Trading Estate
Fareham PO14 1AH
United Kingdom
How to find us: Map Link
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Design, Implementation & Operation
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We are pleased to introduce our Key Personnel:
MARTIN TOMLINSON
Professor Tomlinson received his PhD from Loughborough University in 1970 on the subject of adaptive equalisation for data transmission and worked at Plessey Telecommunications Research Ltd until 1975 in the field of digital and satellite transmissions. He then spent seven years in the Satellite Communications Division of RSRE before joining the University of Plymouth (formerly Plymouth Polytechnic) as the Head of the Communication Engineering Department in 1982.
Professor Tomlinson is currently Head of Satellite Communication Research and has published many papers in the field of Digital Communications, with emphasis on Digital Modulation and Coding as well as contributing to various standards such as the DVB-RCS standard for small satellite terminals. He is the holder of a number of patents and he has twice been a member of the IEE Professional Group E9 (Satellite Communications). Professor Tomlinson has been a Director of Aetheric Engineering Ltd since 1995.
PETER MILNE
Peter Milne has worked in the space industry since 1975, with experience of space segment, ground segment and telecommunications networks. In 1989 he formed Aetheric Engineering Ltd and has been a Director since that time.
He has supported the implementation and operation of systems in Africa, Asia, Europe and North America. He participates in the CCSDS (Consultative Committee for Space Data Standards) and is a member of the Telecommunications and Navigation Advisory Board the British National Space Centre.
Aetheric Engineering is a member of the following Trade Associations:-
ASTOS is an association of SMEs operating in the Space market and providing representation, discussion fora and shared opportunities for business development.
The APSCC is a regional cooperative body, aimed at promoting telecommunication and broadcast services by satellite, in the Asia-Pacific region.
The BCCB is an association of British consultants and contractors working overseas, including companies of all sizes and encompassing work in all sectors. BCCB's aim is to promote British expertise internationally.
The Global VSAT Forum is an association of key companies involved in the business of delivering advanced satellite systems and services on a worldwide basis.
We have a cooperation agreement with the Satellite Centre in Plymouth University's School of Computing, Communication and Electronic Engineering (SCCEE).
Space companies
Trade Groups
Consultative Committee for Space Data Systems
Mobile Satellite Users Association
Pacific Telecommunications Council
Wired Wessex
Information Sources
UK Space Industry Web Site
Satcoms
NEW OFFICES
Aetheric Engineering has moved. Please note the new contact details on the Contact Us page.
PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENT
Aetheric Engineering signs Partnership Agreement with Akriz Sdn Bhd of Malaysia (http://www.akriz.com). The two companies have agreed to collaborate in the management, implementation and supervision of appropriate technology programmes.