Space Data Corporation (News - Alert), a provider of wireless services and solutions for commercial and government users in locations and geographies that are underserved by existing wireless providers, has reportedly announced it has conducted successful trials of its CDMA SkySite last month.

 

These trials are considered vital in offering economically practical wireless voice and data communications to areas with low population density. The company hopes each of its SkySites will be able to provide coverage over approximately 20,000 square miles.

 

SkySite is the CDMA service solution by Space Data, which is an integration of three technologies, which electronics, industrial weather balloons and Global Positioning Satellite or ‘GPS’. The SkySite Network consists of high-altitude, balloon-borne transceivers known as SkySite Platforms, which are launched every eight to 12 hours. Each SkySite Platform takes 20 minutes to launch and creates a coverage circle of more than 400 miles after it rises to an altitude of 60,000 to 100,000 feet.

 

The company had sent a prototype miniaturized CDMA 1X-RTT base transceiver station or ‘BTS’ along with the SkySite balloon platform to altitudes as high as 60,000 feet over a remote area in western Utah during the trial flights. After reaching that height, the BTS was leveraged to carry calls between ordinary CDMA handsets located on the ground approximately 60 miles away. The BTS operates in the 1900 MHz PCS band, offering excellent call quality with low frame error rates on both the forward and reverse channels.

 

During the trial, a high capacity digital microwave link operating in the 2.4 GHz band provided the backhaul, and the BTS “payload” was released, parachuted to the ground and recovered intact after completion of each trial.

 

The successful trial conducted by Space Data proved that SkySite system is technically feasible to serve ordinary wireless handsets from substantial distances. The technology can be helpful in serving remote areas of low population densities, “fill-in” for coverage gaps in rural networks and providing emergency communications in areas where terrestrial systems are out of service due to widespread disaster situations.

 

In addition, the low cost SkySite balloons and reusability of SkySite payloads make the cost of delivering wireless service from a SkySite network much less than the build out of terrestrial networks.

 

According to Jerry Knoblach, CEO, Space Data, there are many parts of the Western U.S. where aside from intermittent highway corridor and single tower small towns, there is no cellular service for miles and miles. Knoblach said that Space Data is grateful to the carrier that provided spectrum for this breakthrough for rural America, and looks forward to offering all CDMA carriers the ability to provide ubiquitous coverage.

 

Earlier this year, Space Data had announced the rollout of its 930 MHz licensed spectrum for smart grid communications in collaboration with Full Spectrum's (News - Alert) Broadband Wireless System - FullMAX.