Riedel Communications provided the entire communications solution for the multi-recording breaking Red Bull Stratos project which saw Felix Baumgartner skydive from 120,000 feet.
Riedel furnished the fiber-based video and signal distribution as well as the wireless video links from the capsule’s onboard cameras – enabling the stunning pictures delivered from the Red Bull Stratos capsule. Felix Baumgartner, renowned extreme base jumper and sky diver, ascended to 24 miles (39 kilometers) in a stratospheric balloon and made a freefall jump rushing toward earth at supersonic speeds before parachuting to the ground breaking three world records with one jump: the highest skydive, the longest free fall, the first to reach supersonic speeds in free fall and the highest manned balloon ride. For the capsule that transported Felix Baumgartner into the stratosphere, Riedel Communications provided the on-board video control system for nine HD video cameras with specially developed telemetry control. This system was responsible for the control of the video recording and also works as a comprehensive digital video router – not unlike a mini OB truck inside the capsule. It offered complete remote control of the whole video system and featured three HD video downlinks that were dynamically assigned to the selected cameras. The communications infrastructure on-site included the entire compound, the mission control, the production offices, the media/press center and the OB truck. All these facilities and positions were integrated into one single communications infrastructure via a Riedel Artist Digital Matrix system. Furthermore, Riedel furnished the on-site digital radio network with more than 100 radio receivers and ten channels, which were seamlessly integrated into the wired matrix intercom system. This means radio users were able to directly talk to intercom users and vice versa. All video signals on ground were distributed and routed with Riedel's MediorNet technology. For the Red Bull Stratos project, 24 Riedel MediorNet nodes were installed in a redundant ring topology to provide maximum reliability. Source: InAVate
