BGAN LaunchPad 4.0.1 for Windows XP,
Vista and Windows 7
Briefing note 29th March 2010
BGAN LaunchPad 4.0.1 for Windows XP, Vista and Windows 7 is released and available for download now. Go to www.inmarsat.com/support, click on BGAN, then click on BGAN LaunchPad.
Recommendations for installation
Inmarsat advises that all customers using Windows XP, Vista and Windows 7 install BGAN LaunchPad 4.0.1 to take advantage of the features of this custom-designed interface to your BGAN terminal.
Terminal firmware
The latest firmware versions for each BGAN terminal are shown below:
- Wideye SABRE I: v 12.0.4
- HNS 9201: v 3.6.3.5
- HNS 9250: v 4.0.2.7
- HNS 9350: v 5.5.0.5
- Harris FALCON ®III RF-7800B-DU024/VU104: v 5.1.1.5
- Thrane & Thrane EXPLORER 100/110: v 2.11.3
- Thrane & Thrane EXPLORER 300: v 3.00
- Thrane & Thrane EXPLORER 500: v 3.00
- Thrane & Thrane EXPLORER 527: v 3.02
- Thrane & Thrane EXPLORER 700: v 3.03
Note: BGAN LaunchPad 4.0.1 has been tested on the firmware versions listed. Compatibility with other versions is not guaranteed.
Installing LaunchPad 4.0.1
You must have a PC running minimum, Windows XP Service Pack 3, Windows Vista Service Pack 1 or Windows 7 before you can install BGAN LaunchPad 4.0.1. JRE 6u2 from java.sun.com will need to be installed on your PC. BGAN LauchPad will prompt you for this during the install process.
Java 6u2 can also be downloaded from www.inmarsat.com/support/BGAN/LaunchPad.
To download the compatible JRE from java.sun.com:
a. Visit SUN java archives site: http://java.sun.com/products/archive
b. Select “JDK/JRE_6” with option “6 update” and select “GO”
c. Select Download JRE under “JRE 6u2”
To install BGAN LaunchPad:
a. Download the installer from www.inmarsat.com/ support, click on BGAN, then click on LaunchPad. Follow the on-screen instructions to download the installer to your desktop.
b. Double-click on the BGAN LaunchPad installer.
c. Follow the on-screen instructions. If you have a version of BGAN LaunchPad already installed, select the Uninstall option when prompted.
After installation, the BGAN LaunchPad icon is installed on your desktop. Double-click on the icon to open BGAN LaunchPad.
New Features In This Release Support for SUN Java distribution during installation on windows PC Supports Spanish, Japanese and Chinese Language Support for Windows 7 OS Support for Netbooks
Further documentation
Refer to the following guides for help in using BGAN LaunchPad. For general information on using BGAN LaunchPad, click on Help in BGAN LaunchPad. For information on using features that are specific to each terminal, or for guidance on using certain technologies or third-party products over BGAN, go to the Inmarsat web site, at www.inmarsat.com/support. Click on User guides.
Using TCP Accelerator
TCP Accelerator is not included as part of BGAN LaunchPad. If you have not already installed TCP Accelerator, and you want to take advantage of the improved performance that TCP Accelerator provides over BGAN, you must install it separately. To download TCP Accelerator, go to www.inmarsat.com/support, click on BGAN, then click on TCP Accelerator and follow the on-screen instructions.
INMARSAT BGAN PRESS RELEASE
YouTube showcase for action-packed Everest triumph
27-5-2009
Video sharing website YouTube has been giving Everest climbers a global showcase of millions thanks to high speed mobile broadband connectivity from the world's highest mountain.
For the past three months, the 'Born out there' Everest expedition has been posting daily video on YouTube using Inmarsat BGAN.
During the ascent, photographer Jake Norton and head of production Gerry Moffatt explained in a video blog the painstaking step-by-step process of shooting, editing and sending breathtaking footage from the snowy slopes.
Precarious filming
Gerry tells how having a production facility at 21,000 ft (6,400m) is primitive but still effective. Conditions are very cold and "challenging", confirmed Gerry, who explained how himself or two of his team mates had the daily tasking of scaling the slopes ahead of the climbers to film their ascent.
Content for a specific dispatch was planned the previous evening before one videographer would head up the face the next morning supported by a sherpa.
Gerry describes how a sherpa kept him in a secure position, but away from the main fixed lines being used by the climbing teams. In these precarious conditions, he had to concentrate on taking a shot with the correct exposure as the climbers ascended from below.
High definition
The footage was captured in high definition using three Sony EX video cameras and saved on Express memory cards inserted in a Mac Book Pro.
Express cards were then couriered by a sherpa to base camp where all the footage was saved and classified and a relevant selection of video edited using Mac Final Cut Pro.
The final edit had to be appropriately encoded before it could be sent via BGAN to a file transfer protocol (FTP) site in the US.
Solar panels
Photographer Jake Norton said in the same blog: "We pride ourselves on the quality of the footage which is looking amazing considering we are 17,500 ft (5344m) above sea level."
All the equipment requires a lot of battery power, explained Gerry in an earlier video blog. Much of this is provided using flexible fold-out solar panels to capture energy from the sun. When the sun shines they're in business.
Footage shot by Gerry and his associates included a celebration at base camp as one of two successful teams reached the summit and spoke via radio.
Two ascents
As bells were rung and people clapped, climber Melissa Arnot spoke from the summit about the "awesome" experience with "everything great up here".
However expedition leader Dave Hahn, standing beside her, described conditions at the summit as "icy" and confirmed they would not be hanging around for long as bad weather closed in.
The 'Born out there' team completed two ascents at the end of May.