"Our antenna design is already providing tens of millions of consumers with access to around two thousand TV and radio channels. It is also the first antenna of its type to provide two-way communications to commercial satellite operators," Dr Bird says.

Developed by researchers at the ICT Centre's Wireless Technologies Laboratory in Sydney, the MultiBeam uses two reflectors and multiple, relocatable feed horns (detectors).

"The MultiBeam reduces the cost of deployment because a single earth station antenna can replace as many as 20 separate antennas," Dr Bird says.

"Our antenna design is already providing tens of millions of consumers with access to around two thousand TV and radio channels. It is also the first antenna of its type to provide two-way communications to commercial satellite operators," Dr Bird says."The solution has proven to be economically successful for delivering low-cost, two-way access to satellite communications, while reducing capital works and space requirements."

Patriot Antenna Systems is highly regarded in the international antenna market as a leader in lowering industry production costs.

Jeff Mathie, President of Patriot, says that CSIRO's MultiBeam technology will allow Patriot to expand its current product range.

"As we refine the product for scaled up production, we expect that further international markets will become viable," Mr Mathie says.

There is already international interest as a result of the licensing of this technology so that further deployments in the US, India and Asia are expected to be agreed within the next 12 months.

CSIRO is Australia's largest research and development organisation. Established in 1926, it has over 6,500 staff located at 56 sites across Australia and internationally. CSIRO carries out research and development in fields of economic, social and environmental importance across a broad spectrum of industries. The Wireless Technologies Laboratory is an international leader in antenna, wireless communications, signal processing, propagation, mm-wave and microwave technologies.

Patriot Antenna Systems manufactures a complete line of antenna sizes from 60cm to 18m. These antennas are utilised in industries including Broadcast, Cable, DTH, VSAT, Military and Large Aperture Earth Stations and Radio Telescopy. The products include Quick Deploy and Flyaway antenna, Prime Focus, Mobile VSAT and Shaped Cassegrain Earth Stations. Patriot also offers associated RF Products, providing full turnkey solution capability. www.sepatriot.com [external link]

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