Amazon has introduced a new aviation antenna designed to support its low Earth orbit (LEO) satellite connectivity network for commercial aircraft.
The Amazon LEO aviation antenna uses electronically steered phased-array technology and supports simultaneous download speeds of up to 1 Gbps and upload speeds of up to 400 Mbps. A single unit is designed to provide connectivity across the entire aircraft for passenger use and crew operations.
The antenna is designed without moving parts to reduce maintenance requirements and improve reliability in aviation operating conditions. It is mounted externally on the aircraft and connects to onboard systems through integrated avionics interfaces. According to the company, the low-profile design is intended to minimise aerodynamic drag and fuel impact, while installation can be completed within a day.
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The system connects to satellites in low Earth orbit, maintaining continuous connectivity by handing off signals between satellites as the aircraft moves. Data is routed through a network of ground gateway stations and fibre infrastructure to provide internet access and cloud connectivity, including services linked to Amazon Web Services.
“Amazon Leo can connect a full plane of passengers and crew with speeds that handle any activity seamlessly, whether passengers want to game, watch a movie, listen to music, or collaborate with colleagues on a project,” said Trevor Vieweg, director of global business for Amazon Leo. “We expect our service to be so fast and reliable that passengers will seek out flights featuring Leo connectivity.”
Amazon plans to deploy a global network of more than 300 ground gateway stations to support the service, with inter-satellite links expected to maintain connectivity over remote regions such as oceans and polar routes.
The company has already announced agreements with airlines including Delta Air Lines and JetBlue as part of its initial rollout of the LEO-based in-flight connectivity system.
