ThinKom’s new ThinAir Nexus antenna offers the high performance the company is known for in a new, smaller footprint design (image via ThinKom)
The next big thing from ThinKom is impressively small. The carrier launched its new ThinAir Nexus antenna this week compacting 10+ years of inflight internet experience into its smallest commercial aviation antenna yet.
Nexus delivers the reliability and performance we’ve always excelled at, now in a more compact footprint to ease installation and increase aircraft options.
– Mark Silk, ThinKom CEO
Even as Electronically Steered Antenna (ESA) solutions capture the attention of the market, ThinKom remains committed to its patented, flight-proven VICTS technology. The redesigned Nexus antenna builds on that successful foundation, but with a couple key updates.
Nexus keeps the twin aperture design and high spectral efficiency the company is known for. It claims support for speeds greater than 1 gigabit/second to the aircraft, thanks in part to its 750MHz instantaneous bandwidth capacity. It can connect with satellites in any orbital plane. And it does so in a footprint (42″ x 31″ x 5″) just a couple inches larger than a typical Starlink ESA installation.
Airlines demand and deserve flexibility and reliability as they invest in inflight internet solutions.. Our new ThinAir Nexus solution delivers the most efficient and reliable multi-orbit, multi-constellation antenna to ever fly, now space-optimized for a smaller installation footprint. – Jeff Sare, ThinKom’s chief commercial officer
The company also highlights a simplified installation process. While ARINC-standards offer consistency and flexibility for airlines to switch between terminals, the four-lug setup for Nexus is smaller and easier to implement. The design also aligns with specifications for Boeing’s AeroShroud solution, allowing for streamlined installations, especially on the airframer’s carbon fiber frames where drilling holes is not especially viable. Presumably it will also meet the design guidelines for the next generation of the Airbus HBCplus program, giving ThinKom a chance to stay in play there (assuming the OEM still only wants one antenna provider).
Power draw, and the associated heat dissipation, remain challenging for ESA implementations. ThinKom shares a 228W average power draw for Nexus, describing it as the “coolest” antenna on the market. Without those heat/power challenges Nexus delivers a stronger connectivity link on the ground in hot climates like the Middle East. It also means a lower likelihood of failure, as heat issues typically contribute to ESA component faults when those happen.
ThinKom terminals already supports existing GEO and NGSO constellations, including SES Open Orbits, Hughes JUPITER In-Flight, Telesat Lightspeed, and multiple sovereign networks. Nexus will continue to support those constellations, as well as future Ka-band satellites. ThinKom describes it as a “future-proof hardware solution that ensures long-term flexibility as satellite constellations evolve.”
Finally, ThinKom’s focus on being a network-agnostic partner also extends Nexus’s adaptability across satellite constellations. Airlines satisfied with a single network can opt for an integrated modem that mounts outside the aircraft, saving space inside the aircraft. Those seeing more flexibility can choose a multi-modem ModMan option as interior equipment. Either way, future Ka-band constellations can be supported with a simple modem swap or software-based waveform upgrade, helping airlines protect their capital investment.
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Seth Miller has over a decade of experience covering the airline industry. With a strong focus on passenger experience, Seth also has deep knowledge of inflight connectivity and loyalty programs. He is widely respected as an unbiased commentator on the aviation industry.
He is frequently consulted on innovations in passenger experience by airlines and technology providers.
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