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Press Release: SRS software deployed by SmartSky for ATG network

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Press Release hub banner blue with title in red white and blueSoftware Radio Systems Limited (SRS) announced today that SmartSky Networks has selected the SRS customizable RAN solution for its next-generation air-to-ground (ATG) network deployment. SRS has supplied the high-performance embedded protocol stack and successfully integrated with a third-party PHY partner solution via FAPI interface. Running on the SmartSky ground network, the solution provides very low latency, high-throughput broadband connectivity to aircraft and supports the operational needs of the aircraft, passengers, and crew.

ATG deployment scenarios are among the most challenging for communications networks due to high aircraft speeds and long-range transmission. SRS’s unique software solution allowed SmartSky and their partners to perform fine-grained customization to meet the specific requirements of their airborne communications network.

“The challenge of providing dependable, immediate, and secure connectivity to aircraft travelling at more than 600 mph at 35,000 ft requires not only innovative airborne equipment and tower antennas, but also advanced ground-based telecommunications technologies,” said Dave Claassen, SmartSky’s CTO. “SRS’s contribution enabled us to custom design and build a network optimally suited for the airborne environment with uniform performance across highly variable levels of interference and range.”

SmartSky’s ATG network delivers unprecedented, consistent speeds and capacity, with very low latency, creating a best-in-class experience that allows users to do everything in the air that they take for granted on the ground. The company’s patented beamforming and spectrum re-use technologies have been tested and proven, and the network is now rolling out across the USA for aviation operators and passengers.

“SRS software is designed from the ground up to be resilient, performant and easily customizable for challenging environments that push the boundaries of what’s possible. SmartSky’s network will transform the inflight experience by bringing innovative solutions to bear on the ATG connectivity market,” said Paul Sutton, Co-Founder and CEO at SRS. “It’s great to see our software contributing to this network’s success.”

“Integrating our software with SmartSky’s network has been a very rewarding engagement for our engineering team,” said Ismael Gomez Miguelez, Co-Founder and CTO at SRS. “The speed, capacity and minimal latency SmartSky’s network is achieving speaks to the strengths of the partners we’ve worked with.”

For the SmartSky ATG network, SRS has provided a complete RAN protocol stack solution. It has also provided the SRS RAN PHY and SmartScope solutions for operations and testing.

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About SRS

Software Radio Systems, Ltd (SRS) is a privately-held EU company headquartered in Ireland. SRS provides high-performance software radio solutions for 4G and 5G supporting the creation of new mobile services. A unique open software approach builds trust and ensures transparency while enabling commercial partners to develop custom solutions for bespoke production networks across challenging terrestrial, air-to-ground and satellite deployments.

About SmartSky

SmartSky Networks was founded to transform aviation through disruptive communications technologies, services and related tools. We want to remove slow, stuttering connectivity experiences from aviation to deliver data to people that feels as immediate, natural and fluid at 35,000 ft as it does on the ground in terms of dependability, speed, security and interoperability. We are transforming aviation data flow to a new level of immediacy, dependability and integrity through a patented 10x faster Air-to-Ground network, innovative hardware, and our flexible data exchange platform, Skytelligence to create a true “enterprise in the sky” experience for all aviation users.

Featured image credited to SmartSky Networks