Milestone-Proposal talk:MTI Portable Satellite Communication Terminal, 1989

Original Citation Title and Text -- Administrator4 (talk) 16:13, 29 July 2022 (UTC)

MTI Portable Satellite Communication Terminals, 1987-1995

The first portable satellite terminal with a foldable umbrella-shaped satellite antenna of MTI converted the world into a huge communication network. For the first time, one could provide voice, telex, and data instantly whether in Asia, Europe, Africa, America, or Australia. MTI had made significant contributions to satellite communications worldwide.

Expert Review by Tomaso de Cola placed by the Advocate -- JaninA (talk) 10:08, 21 November 2022 (UTC)

From: "Tomaso.deCola@dlr.de" <Tomaso.deCola@dlr.de> Date: Thursday, 17 November 2022 at 20:50 To: "janina.mazierska@gmail.com" <janina.mazierska@gmail.com> Subject: RE: a kind reminder Invitation to write an expert opinion on IEEE Milestone proposal MTI Portable Satellite Communication Terminal (2022-5)

Dear Janina,

Sincere apologies for this huge delay in answering to your e-mails. Your last reminders were unfortunately labelled as spam and I was able to find them only a few hours ago while checking the spam inbox, which I’m not looking at too frequently.

As follows the answers to the posed questions:

Is the suggested wording of the Plaque Citation accurate? Yes it’s accurate as it captures the main characteristics as well as the potentials that such a product had at the time it was put on the market which were also confirmed later.

Is the evidence presented in the proposal of sufficient substance and accuracy to support the Citation? The proposal shows quite some evidence to support the accuracy of the citation, although the focus is mostly on the experimentations done in the engineering phase and then the recognitions happened immediately later. It would have been appreciated to have some more insights about how the proposed product really managed to revolution the class of satellite portable devices. In this sense more details about how evolved the proposed features and how determinant was the role of this product could have provided better evidence.

Does the proposed milestone represent a significant technical achievement? This certainly represent an important technical achievement in that portable satellite systems have been traditionally quite heavy and mostly for military applications, whereas the proposed one paved the way towards actual commercial services in different sectors as further confirmed by the market success of many products from Inmarsat (namely BGAN and successors).

Please let me know if the review is ok or you need some more details.

Best Regards,

Tomaso

Expert Review by Ljiljana Trajkovic -- Ljilja (talk) 22:58, 3 December 2022 (UTC)

Year or range of years in which the achievement occurred: 1987-1995

Title of the proposed milestone: MTI Portable Satellite Communication Terminal, 1987-1995

1) Is the suggested wording of the Plaque Citation accurate?

Original plaque citation summarizing the achievement and its significance: "The first portable satellite terminal with a foldable umbrella-shaped satellite antenna of MTI converted the world into a huge communication network. For the first time, one could provide voice, telex, and data instantly whether in Asia, Europe, Africa, America, or Australia. MTI had made significant contributions to satellite communications worldwide."

While the suggested wording is accurate, I would suggest rewording the citation to read: The first portable satellite terminal with a foldable umbrella-shaped satellite antenna from Microelectronics Technology Incorporation (MTI) enabled worldwide connectivity for voice, telex, and data thus making significant contributions to satellite communications worldwide.

2) Is the evidence presented in the proposal of sufficient substance and accuracy to support the Citation?

The evidence is well described in the submitted document and the supporting material.

Enclosed is summary of the historical significance of the work: Compact, easy-to-assemble communication equipment designed by MTI enabled connection to any telephone system worldwide at any given time. The research and development of the MTI Portable Satellite Communication Terminals was performed at the company's headquarters in Hsinchu Science-Based Industrial Park. The first Transportable Communication System (TCS) series 9120, 9200, 9700, and PCS-3000 was developed based on their INMARSAT communication equipment (terminals) for ships. MTI redesigned the key RF components: diplexers, low-noise amplifiers (LNA), and phase-locked oscillators (PLO).

Description of various designs is provided in the supporting material. Overall, the TCS-9200 was of a size of a briefcase weighing less than 30 kg and the antenna of 4.5 kg that could be fitted into the briefcase. The miniaturized portable satellite system PCS-3000 fits into a small briefcase of 3 inch thickness and weighs only around 8 kg.

The proposal lists four examples of historical significance. The new equipment: 1. Enabled news and information to be transmitted live without geographical limitations: In 1991, the MTI’s portable satcoms TCS-9120 was during the Persian Gulf War. 2. Overcame communication blind spots: In May 1993, a team of international climbers from Taiwan and China conquered the summit and transmitted from Mount Everest using the TCS-9200 (nicknamed TCS-LITE). 3. Played a role in the history of Taiwan: In June 1995, the Broadcasting Corporation of China (BCC) used the PCS-3000 model to viderecord the President of Taiwan Lee Teng-hui's visit to Cornell University. 4. Provided communication in remote regions during a state of emergency: In 1999, the MIT portable satellite equipment was used during the devastating Jiji earthquake in Taiwan.

The proposal also describes in details obstacles that needed to be overcome: 1. The portable satellite system was based on the original maritime communication system. The main design achievements were its small size and weight, resistance to shocks during the transportation, and maintaining performance in harsh environments. The first-generation portable satcom TCS-9120 completed in 1987 was much more portable that the INMARSAT maritime communication system. Its successor TCS-9200 was introduced in 1989 while the PCS-3000 system was completed in 1995. 2. Components and circuit breakthrough MTI used the conventional transistors and diodes to design a low noise amplifier (LNA). The design challenge was to make small, lightweight but stable RF components with only discrete circuits.

3) Does the proposed milestone represent a significant technical achievement?

The proposed milestone represents a significant technical achievement featuring: 1. The world's first portable satellite communication system. 2. The ability to perform under extreme conditions and harsh environments.

Advocate approval -- JaninA (talk) 04:27, 4 December 2022 (UTC)

As two positive reviews were provided by experts as an advocate for this milestone I approve the Milestone 2020-05 for consideration by the IEEE History Committee.

Appreciation and change in the plaque citation. -- Ruey-Beei Wu (talk) 08:30, 4 December 2022 (UTC)

I deeply acknowledge the kind and affirmative comments to the proposal and fully agree with the suggestion on the revisions of the plague citation as below. Please help us revise it. Regards, Ruey-Beei Wu

The first portable satellite terminal with a foldable umbrella-shaped satellite antenna from Microelectronics Technology Incorporation (MTI) enabled worldwide connectivity for voice, telex, and data thus making significant contributions to satellite communications worldwide.

expanding the plaque citation -- Amy Bix (talk) 16:57, 28 January 2023 (UTC)

Conciseness is a virtue. But here I would suggest expanding the citation a bit more, to be sure it does full justice to the accomplishment being honored. In particular, we want to be sure that a plaque helps non-experts appreciate the historical significance of this technology. So I might suggest something such as:

Microelectronics Technology Incorporation (MTI) developed the world's first portable satellite communication system, improving global voice, telex, and data connectivity. This compact terminal and foldable umbrella-shaped satellite antenna performed well under extreme conditions. The technology helped rescuers bring aid to disaster zones, helped reporters communicate news from war zones, and helped expeditions explore remote mountains and deserts.

Re: expanding the plaque citation -- Bberg (talk) 14:05, 6 February 2023 (UTC)

Bravo to Amy for expanding the terse proposed 32 words to 56 words. Fortunately, the proposer provided extensive documentary information from which Amy could draw this expanded version. However, the proposal does not adhere to the History Committee rules re: clarity of dates. The proposed year range of 1987-1995 needs to be brought into the citation itself. The proposal says "first-generation portable satcom TCS-9120 completed in 1987" but I found no relevant reference to the year 1995. Thus, the proposer must provide us with dates that match the 1987-1995 range in order to make the citation acceptable. If this is not done in advance of our meeeting, this proposal cannot be accepted.

Re: Re: expanding the plaque citation -- Dmichelson (talk) 16:29, 9 February 2023 (UTC)

I agree. I would also be happier if the proposal could be reviewed by another company active in this space. Norsat International was a major supplier of fly-away satellite terminals during the second Gulf War and would no doubt be able to offer useful insights.

Re: Re: Re: expanding the plaque citation -- Jbart64 (talk) 17:00, 9 February 2023 (UTC)

I am concerned about "first", and, umbrella antennas were used by the Apollo program and the military decades earlier. The concept of a portable terminal is the focus. I agree with Dave M that we need to confirm the assertions and allow the achievement to be less company focused and broader to avoid conflicting claims that could arise. Dave Bart

Re: expanding the plaque citation -- Dmichelson (talk) 10:16, 19 April 2023 (UTC)

Microelectronics Technology Incorporation (MTI) developed the world's first portable satellite communication system, improving global voice, telex, and data connectivity. This compact terminal and foldable umbrella-shaped satellite antenna performed well under extreme conditions. The technology helped rescuers bring aid to disaster zones, helped reporters communicate news from war zones, and helped expeditions explore remote mountains and deserts.

I propose some minor wording changes:

"Microelectronics Technology Incorporation (MTI) pioneered the development of transportable satellite communication terminals suitable for use in extreme environments. Offering global voice, telex, and data connectivity in a remarkably compact form factor, their technology helped rescuers bring aid to disaster zones, reporters communicate news from war zones, and expeditions explore remote mountains and deserts." (53 words)

Notes:

1. "World's first" is generally regarded as a dangerous claim.

2. "This compact terminal and foldable umbrella-shaped satellite antenna performed well under extreme conditions." could be better expressed.

3. "helped" doesn't need to be repeated three times.

I believe that the revised citation better captures the intent of the proposer.

Response/Reply by the Proposer -- Ruey-Beei Wu (talk)

1. Suggestion on the expansion of the citation (by Mrs. Amy Bix)

<Reply> We fully agree with this suggestion. The expansion of the plaque citation can be effective in revealing the historical importance of the technology. I would like to express my utmost gratitude to the committee member for the constructive suggestion.

2. Comments on clarification of the dates (by Mr. Brian Berg)

<Reply> Yes, it is important to clarify the dates in the proposal. Those dates are mentioned in the proposal. Please find them in the paragraph right after Fig. 1. The second sentence reads: “Fig. 1 (b) presents a portable system TCS-9200 completed in 1989 (left) and a PCS-3000 system completed in 1995 (right).” More detailed description of the historical dates can be found in the section of “What obstacles needed to be overcome?” In the second paragraph, as Mr. Brian Berg mentioned, "first-generation portable satcom TCS-9120 completed in 1987". Then, at the beginning of the next paragraph, “In 1989, its successor TCS-9200 was revealed.”

To sum up, the series of portable satellite communication terminals include several main product models: TCS-9120 in 1987, TCS-9200 in 1989, TCS-9700 in 1992, and PCS-3000 in 1995.

4. Suggestion on review by Norsat international (by Mr. Dave Michelson)

<Reply> It is welcome that the proposal is sent for another review. The Norsat International Inc., founded in 1977, is a leading provider of innovative communication solutions enabling the transmission of data, audio and video for remote and challenging applications. Its products and services include customizable satellite components, portable satellite terminals, maritime solutions and satellite networks. When MTI developed a series of portable satellite communication terminals and marketed them to the world in 1987-1995, the major business of Norsat was not yet in this field, so CNN reporters chose MTI’s TCS-9120 in the first Persian Gulf War. By the way, to our knowledge, Norsat was acquired in July 2017 by Hytera Project Corp., a wholly-owned subsidiary of a Chinese company Hytera, and delisted.

5. Comments on the prior usage of umbrella antenna in Apollo program and military (by Mr. Dave Bart).

<Reply> Indeed, the folding umbrella antennas were in use before the MTI terminals. MTI’s milestone should focus on portable, as stated in the citation: “Microelectronics Technology Incorporation (MTI) developed the world's first portable satellite communication terminal.” We did NOT claim MTI was the first to develop the folding umbrella antenna, but instead cite the previous umbrella antenna as [10] in the proposal. Please see the last paragraph of the section of“what obstacles needed to be overcome”. It is clearly mentioned that the antenna was derived from the reflector invented by Robert A Luly in 1981. Nonetheless, MTI has replaced the material with iris gap metallic meshes to enhance the reflection properties of the antenna.

[10] R. A. Luly, “Collapsible parabolic reflector,” (Aug. 26, 1986) US4608571A. Accessed on: Feb. 15, 2022. [Online]. Available: https://patents.google.com/patent/US4608571A ,

Dave Michelson suggestion for a third expert opinion -- JaninA (talk) 12:59, 14 March 2023 (UTC)

Dave, Who is an expert from Norsat International you have in mind? So I can contact this expert, as an advocate, and ask him/her to review the proposal. I in fact contacted six experts altogether, and only two found time to provide a review, so one more willing expert will be great.

Kind regards

Janina

Expansion of Citation to Include Dates -- Bberg (talk) 18:55, 26 March 2023 (UTC)

I note that the citation on the main proposal page remains very terse, and that it has not been updated since before the February History Committee meeting. Amy has proposed an excellent expansion, and I noted the requirement for inclusion of dates, and yet still no updates have been made. As we now have clarity to support the dates in the title with TCS-9120 in 1987, TCS-9200 in 1989, TCS-9700 in 1992, and PCS-3000 in 1995, this change should be easy.

Thus, the proposer should update the citation promptly. If this is not done before the next History Committee meeting takes place, this proposal should be removed from the agenda - which would be a pity.

I also note an error in the proposal page: the PDF link for the TCS 9700 product brochure is incorrect, apparently because the filename includes a comma instead of a period.

Re: Expansion of Citation to Include Dates -- JaninA (talk) 13:25, 30 March 2023 (UTC)

Brian,

the proposer accepted fully Amy's version of the citation, look at the item 7 of this discussion.

Re: Re: Expansion of Citation to Include Dates -- Bberg (talk) 22:53, 30 March 2023 (UTC)

Thank you for this reply, Janina, but my point is that the main page does not reflect this new citation. This is a very simple task, and the citation on the main page should be changed promptly. Thank you.