DVIDS - News - New SATCOM Technology Provides Critical Communications Resilience

TOBYHANNA ARMY DEPOT, Pennsylvania – Prototype Integration Test and Training (PITT) Facility personnel for Satellite Communications (SATCOM) and Site Installation Division for Production Engineering Division, Project Manager (PM) for Defense Communications and Army Transmission Systems (DCATS) cooperated with )/PM Wideband Enterprise SATCOM Systems (WESS) and Systems Technologies, Inc. (Systek) are developing a new technology, Digital Intermediate Frequency (DIG IF).

DIG IF technology will benefit many members of the Department of Defense (DoD) SATCOM community. DIG IF provides a higher level of reliability in maintaining critical communication links because it can instantly reroute transmissions to another communication path if either mode goes down. Critical communications between devices remain resilient and users are ready for continuous communication. DIG IF eliminates vulnerabilities caused by communication over the Internet.

TYAD’s SATCOM division has a long history and a well-deserved reputation for overhauling and repairing the predecessors of these advanced terminals, which occupies a systematic knowledge base of operations superior to its competitors. increase.

TYAD has supported the research and development of DIG IF technology for 4 years. The Satellite Simulator (SATSIM) test bed developed at TYAD doubles the capabilities for testing DIG IF satellite transmissions, providing a solution for SATCOM customers who would otherwise have to purchase expensive commercial airtime. Gain efficiency gains and exponential cost savings. Exclusive on-site capabilities provide a safe and controlled transmission environment, mitigating many of the risks associated with commercial testing.

A joint team of PM Wess, Systek and TYAD provided a number of demonstrations to Tobyhanna’s leadership and other SATCOM stakeholders to showcase the capabilities and opportunities that DIG IF onsite technology can offer.

“This opens the door wide,” says Dr. AJ Vigil, senior scientist at Systek, speculating on the vast and diverse benefits of having a DIG IF test site at TYAD. For example, such technology could also be used at Tobyhanna’s Wideband Integration Center, a 25,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art facility that supports satellite communications control operations for DoD assets and assets belonging to allies through the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. As for related software testing, TYAD is also ready to support if there is an opportunity.

In 2018, the PITT facility team began testing various components of the system. Program development he plans to continue until 2030. This effort aligns with Tobyhanna’s long-term strategic plan, his TOBY2035, and in particular his C5ISR readiness and shaping the future efforts.

For more information on DIG IF and SATSIM capabilities, please contact the Production Engineering Directorate at (570) 615-8414.

Tobyhanna Army Depot is a recognized leader in providing world-class logistical support for command, control, communications, computer, cyber, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (C5ISR) systems across the Department of Defense. Tobyhanna’s corporate philosophy, dedicated workforce and electronics expertise make Depot the joint C5ISR provider of choice for all branches of the military and industry partners.

Tobyhanna’s unparalleled capabilities include maintenance, overhaul and repair, manufacturing and manufacturing, engineering design and development, systems integration, post-production software support, technology insertion, modifications, foreign military sales, and global to joint combatants. Includes full-spectrum logistics support for flexible field support.

About 3,500 employees work at Tobihanna in the Pocono Mountains of northeastern Pennsylvania. Tobyhanna Army Depot is part of the United States Army Communications Electronic Command. Headquartered at the Aberdeen Proving Grounds, Maryland, the Command’s mission is to acquire the abilities of the C5ISR to empower the Soldier.