AMHERIS is a new system that makes it possible for satellites to work as a digital multimedia switchboard in space. The first unit is now ready for launch onboard Amazonas, a Hispasat-owned satellite to be positioned above the Americas.
AMHERIS supports interactive multimeda services, notably internet/intranet access, audio and video streaming/download, and telephony. Its main new feature is that it directly interconnects distinct coverage zones. For the Amazonas satellite, these are North America, Hispanic south America, Brazil and Europe.
Such a system makes it possible to link multimedia users in developing and/or remote areas (Hispanic South America and Brazil) with the main business areas in Europe and North America.
AMHERIS is a pilot for ESA's initiative to cross the gap of the Digital Divide between rich and poor, urban and rural areas.
This programme includes location recordings of AmHeris development at Alcatel Space, and soundbites by ESA expert Jose Maria Casa (English and Spanish)

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Alcatel Espacio satellite preparation room: preparation of AmerHis with Engineers working on AmerHis
It may not look like it but these black boxes represent a revolution for satellite communications! This is AmerHis, a payload which will be the first switchboard in space, being cautiously prepared by European engineers.
Basically this is an onboard processor that will allow satellite capacities to be used much more efficiently.
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Graphics of Amazonas on GEO
Graphics of Amazonas with its 4 coverage zones on earth
Graphics of AmerHis onboard Amazonas
AmerHis is a piggy back payload on HispasatÕs satellite Amazonas.
From the geostationary position it will provide high performance interactive multimedia services through the 4 coverage zones of Amazonas : North America , South America, Brazil and Europe.
AmerHis introduces a space based switched multimedia system able to provide broadband services and connectivity to user terminals across two continents, thus optimizing satellite reso