Satcom domes have been the bane of many a megayacht designer’s existence for decades. That seems about to end: e3 Systems and Kymeta Corporation, two electronics specialists, have devised flat-panel antennas that eliminate the much-maligned “Mickey Mouse ears” effect.
Since e3 Systems offers communication, television, and Internet solutions specifically to the yachting market, it knows all too well the aesthetic problems of today’s satcom domes. It’s also aware of the practical problems, such as weight and limited options for mounting. That’s why it’s partnering with Kymeta, which is pioneering the use of patented metamaterials technology in antennas and communication terminals. In brief, metamaterials are artificial materials engineered to affect light or sound waves in a manner unattainable with natural materials. Metamaterials have applications in aerospace and other industries. For the yachting industry, Kymeta’s application of the technology “steers” antenna beams without moving parts, which in turn permits flat, thin, and lighter-weight antennas and communication terminals.
Even though Kymeta is only about a year old, it spun out of an established company and is backed by a good deal of venture capital from high-profile investors like Bill Gates, Lux Capital, and Liberty Global. CNBC further named Kymeta to its “Disruptor 50” list a few months ago, which spotlights companies bucking the status quo. Roger Horner, group managing director for e3 Systems, says that the partnership with Kymeta stems from a few things. Kymeta recently teaming with Inmarsat to be the exclusive antenna producer for Inmarsat’s Global Xpress VSAT service aboard private jets. Inmarsat’s reseller for the same service in the yachting sector happens to be e3 Systems. In addition, Horner says, a crewmember in charge of the electro-technical services aboard a megayacht reached out to e3 Systems on behalf of his boss. “The yacht’s owner was interested in Global Xpress and also they were interested in Kymeta,” Horner explains. “As a result, we closed the circle and made contact with Kymeta and asked them if they had considered making an antenna for the superyacht market.”
How flat will these flat panels be? Horner says they’re just one inch (3 centimeters) thick and measure about 19.7 inches x 11.8 inches (50cm x 30cm). That’s a far cry from the dimensions of the round domes, some measuring four feet long (1.2 meters) and rising about the same height, dotting every megayacht afloat. Take a look at the portable antenna in the illustration, which incorporates two panels, one for receiving and the other for transmitting. When folded up, as shown to the left in the image, they’re approximately the size of a laptop. In addition, Horner says, the panels offer mounting options. For power yachts, there are two. “The first is to have panels distributed around the yacht like individual tiles, and the other idea is to have an integrated panel in one position,” he explains. For sailing yachts, “you can place the panels on the top of the mast spreaders,” Horner adds. Either way, there are no moving parts, unlike current satcom equipment. And, of course, the flat-panel antennas will be far less obtrusive. Given the distinctive looks of megayachts like Venus, Maltese Falcon, and more, Horner says, there further won’t be the impetus to hide them.
Equally important, the Kymeta technology will work on the new High Throughput Satellite (HTS) systems being rolled out now. HTS is widely touted as the next generation of high-speed satellite connectivity for everything from Web browsing to video calling—activities going on everyday aboard megayachts among owners, guests, and crew alike. HTS has been proven to be more reliable than existing systems when used in port and while cruising.
Kymeta will join e3 Systems at the latter’s stand at the Monaco Yacht Show to provide further information.
Bob Mabena
I’m so glad I am not the only one that find those domes ugly…