Transcript:
Host: All right, now that Artemis 2 has completed its mission to the moon — around the moon — we’re talking to the Quebec-based global company behind some of the key communications connectivity for NASA, with systems connecting information from the moon to Earth. We’re looking at the burgeoning space industry and why Canada is expanding its communication strategy. Joining us now is Pierre Renault, Vice President of Engineering at Advantech Wireless Technologies. Pierre, thanks very much for joining us.
Pierre Renault: Good morning.
Host: And I guess congratulations — there was no breakdown in phone calls to the moon.
Pierre Renault: Okay, indeed. And we were very happy about that. It was great to see the deep space communication links perform up to the expectations of the Artemis mission.
Host: Okay. And what was your role with your company? What were you doing for Artemis 2?
Pierre Renault: Well, actually, Advantech has key know-how in very high-power transmitters. So we’ve developed technology over the years. In general, companies are specialized in standard frequencies, and we are very good there, but we also have key knowledge for non-standard frequencies — like the ones for scientific missions. So we’ve developed some technology, some building blocks in L, S, and low frequencies, which are the ones used for the mission. And this key know-how has been integrated into our Taurus and Summit 2 platforms that can scale up to the very, very high power needed for transmission in deep space.
Host: I’m going to ask — I don’t mean this as a silly question, but it might be a silly one — is it easier to talk to someone out in space than to talk to someone through a concrete building across the block?
Pierre Renault: Oh, these are different challenges. The challenges that people have for point-to-point and point-to-multipoint communication are real. However, for deep space communication, the key challenge is ultra-high power to reach out to great distances. So basically, the challenges are both important but different.
Host: Yeah. I guess the whole goal, as I understand it, is to set up a base on the moon at some point, right? And the conversations between Earth and the moon — how difficult is that going to be? Obviously, distance is a challenge. But you know, certain things have to be done well in advance of setting up this space station?
Pierre Renault: Indeed, the system engineering has been done well in advance by the NASA team. The communication network has been established. Frequencies have been discussed. We’ve been deploying a first type of transmitter for this specific mission, and we are also well aware of the future need for completing the network. It’s interesting to see the number of discussions and the hardware being developed within 15 kilometers around Advantech Wireless’ facility and around the West Island of Montreal. There’s really a knowledge pool there, both in the ground segment and space segment, that can contribute to the mission need.
Host: Yeah, I guess maybe another silly question — perhaps. Is it possible when you’re in space, could you hear the conversations? Is it easy for someone to tap into the conversations?
Pierre Renault: That’s a good question. There are some encryption considerations and coding that support the necessity of security.
Host: And so, Pierre, what do you do with this back on Earth? How can this technology be used back here on Earth?
Pierre Renault: Well, at Advantech Wireless, we’re really expert at repurposing technology to specific needs. The work that we’ve been doing for these high-power transmitters applies to different applications. They can be for commercial applications, for governmental applications, and the developing needs of the whole Canadian ecosystem. So we’re ready to adapt this technology to future needs.
Host: And how might you do that?
Pierre Renault: Well, for example, we can adapt the technology to harsh conditions, to the need of Arctic coverage applications. We can do a lot. We can also use this expertise within our platforms that are now being used for radar and ranging applications. So the broadness of Advantech’s portfolio — the opportunity to work in the Artemis missions allows us to expand our portfolios on this knowledge, these lessons learned, and to tackle the applications that are necessary for the future of the mission and outside of the mission.
Host: And with Artemis, what was something that performed better than you expected, and what was a lesson you learned?
Pierre Renault: Actually, the equipment performed in a pristine way, which means that the lessons learned were acquired before the mission. So we’re really happy that the hard work that the company — the group here — did over the last decades paid off.
Host: And again, we’ll come back to Earth again. Do you see defense as a good opportunity for your company? Is that where you’re focusing, or are there more commercial opportunities for you?
Pierre Renault: We’re active in both. The thing is, the needs of the defense and commercial industry are sometimes similar. There are some specifics in terms of program management and system engineering that are specific to the defense need.
The Canadian Arctic has some specific demanding considerations in terms of environmental operation, and therefore we have equipment deployed there. We have deployed equipment over the last 15 to 20 years.
Some of these programs have been reconducted year after year for 15 years, which is a great honor and shows our dependability. So therefore, we feel that we can play a good role in the upcoming governmental needs, and the fact that we have equipment deployed within the Canadian Arctic, within NATO equipment needs, shows that we can be a dependable supplier for such missions.
Host: Okay, we have to go, but I just want to ask one last quick question — if it could be answered quickly. You say you can reach out to 2 million kilometers away. What’s out at 2 million kilometers?
Pierre Renault: Well, that’s interesting. We have a few of these LS-band links that are used right now. One of them is the James Webb Space Telescope, but we’re not transmitting to it. However, we have applications where we are transmitting to space probes to establish the link through S-band hardware. And that’s very exciting — to be able to contribute with partners to the success of their missions.
Therefore, we have to reach out for very distant objects that are either behind the Earth at large distance or between the sun and the Earth for the need of space missions or scientific missions. Well, this is where such equipment can come into play.
Host: Okay, we have to wrap it up there, Pierre, but thank you very much for joining us.
Pierre Renault: It was a pleasure. Have a good day.
Host: You too. Pierre Renault, VP of Engineering at Advantech Wireless Inc (a Baylin Technologies Inc. (BYL:CA) company)
ABOUT ADVANTECH WIRELES INC.
Advantech Wireless is a leading wireless broadband communications solution provider for Commercial, Critical Infrastructure & Government and Military clients. Our smarter solutions give clients the freedom to reach farther, to achieve reliable connectivity anywhere in the world, and accomplish critical missions of global significance. We design turnkey terrestrial and satellite communications solutions that maximize performance and minimize operational costs, all with uncompromising quality. With our customized approach, award-winning R&D and innovative engineering, we empower you to achieve excellence in communication, while you experience reduced CAPEX and OPEX overall.
For further information, please visit Advantech Wireless website>>
ABOUT BAYLIN
Baylin is a leading diversified global wireless technology company focused on research, design, development, manufacture, and sale of passive and active radio frequency products, satellite communications products, and supporting services.
(BYL:CA)
For further information contact:
Investor Relations:
Kelly Myles, Marketing and Communications Director
Baylin Technologies Inc.
kelly.myles@baylintech.com
