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Platforms International Corporation
On show 527:B, WBR goes behind the scenes for a look at next generation communications systems, with a company on the leading edge of wireless technology.
Platforms International Corporation (OTC/BB:PLFM) is a pioneer in the field of unmanned or remote-controlled vehicles, including aircraft, spacecraft and submarines. "The uses for unmanned aircraft alone are far reaching," said President and CEO Howard A. Foote. The company is based at the National Test Pilot School in Mojave, California and has a letter of agreement to test and operate its aircraft in the Edward's Airforce Base test ranges.
Among its many projects, the company is ready to implement an airborne wireless communications system using high altitude aircraft for regional coverage. "This effectively eliminates many components of a typical land-based system," said Foote, "including poles and wires- or can be used to augment existing infrastructure."
The aircraft, an unmanned vehicle that resembles a drone, is capable of flying at high altitudes and can remain in the same location above the ground, rotating with the earth like a satellite. Platforms sees this as an ideal vehicle for transmitting cellular communications, including telephone, pagers, direct TV, and Internet access.
The system will work anywhere in the world, and provides 200 miles in diameter of coverage as soon as the plane is launched. Developing nations that wish to build out cellular communications in an effort to generate revenues to support the development of a ground infrastructure are the most likely customers for this technology, said Foote.
The system is expected to be used first in Brazil, to provide phone service to outlying areas of the Amazon region, and plans are in the works to introduce the system in other areas where the communications infrastructure is either not sufficiently developed, or in need of augmentation.
The company conducted a successful demonstration of the system in May 1998. Said Foote; "We have demonstrated a full capability with a cellular demonstration in downtown San Diego, California where we laid down a GSM cell architecture (the European standard, similar to the CDMA standard used in the United States). We were able to show the interface into existing ground wire network through the base station, so we were part of the standard local loop." The system is scheduled for an initial launch in the second quarter of 1999, and Foote expects it to be deployed globally over the next year.
Standard handsets integrate with existing cellular technology and standard telephone systems. This general purpose air vehicle can be used for a number of purposes, since they are high altitude and long endurance, they can be used for surveillance, such as for the Border Patrol or in a military theatre (equipped with infrared equipment) or in science, for atmospheric studies or lab experiments. And since all payloads are separate from the aircraft, they can be removed and upgraded as needed.
Other divisions of the company, and their individual missions include Orbital Networks Services Corporation. The primary mission of this company is to bring to market the ability of an air launch platform for satellites. Foote said the company is initially looking at a number of global players in need of satellite launch services. The company has been authorized to acquire 3 supersonic platforms, or aircraft, which will be used to air- launch low-earth orbit (LOE) satellites, similar to what is being done with the Lockheed L-1011.
Platforms International also works with submarines through another subsidiary called Flight Dynamics, which is in support of commercial development aircraft. The use of unmanned submarines for the collection of data is a new concept, but one Foote thinks has great potential.
hello poeple where is everybody ??
arent you excited about this
back to sleep POM!!!!!!! |
