Inmarsat selects SpectralNet(TM) from Kratos to extend L-TAC mobile satellite communications system

Kratos Defense & Security Solutions, Inc., a San Diego, CA-based national security solutions provider, announced on October 1 that its RT Logic subsidiary has delivered multiple SpectralNet systems to Inmarsat to support the mission critical Inmarsat L-band TACSAT (L-TAC) mobile satellite communications system. L-TAC delivers a UHF-like satellite capability for use with existing UHF tactical radios to approved government customers at low cost.

SpectralNet’s plug and play capability enables Inmarsat to cost effectively and transparently extend L-TAC services across additional satellites. The Inmarsat ground system uses SpectralNet’s exclusive dynamic frequency conversion to smoothly transition voice and broadband data services for the Europe, Mid-East and Africa region from the Inmarsat-4 F2 (I-4 F2) satellite to Alphasat, Europe’s largest and most sophisticated telecommunications satellite. Following transition of all voice and data services, I-4 F2 will be flown to a new orbital position to create a fourth L-band region, serving the Middle East and Asia. Inmarsat’s L-TAC bridges existing Beyond Line of Site (BLOS) tactical UHF radios through a combination of the Inmarsat L-band satellite networks and SpectralNet.

SpectralNet is the only commercially available product that eliminates the distance constraints of RF transport by digitizing RF signals for transport over IP networks in a way that preserves both frequency and timing characteristics, and then uniquely restores the RF signals at their destination. SpectralNet provides a rich set of additional functionality, such as dynamic frequency conversion, to enable high value uses as demonstrated by Inmarsat.

“Inmarsat’s use of SpectralNet’s frequency translation capability demonstrates its versatility in a wide range of use cases for managing and transporting RF over IP networks,” said Scott Criley, SpectralNet Product Director.

“SpectralNet gives Inmarsat a reliable capability to extend L-TAC across multiple Inmarsat satellites,” said Chris Ashton, Director, Spectrum Engineering at Inmarsat.  “It has enabled us to seamlessly enhance services to our L-TAC customers in a cost-effective way.”

Source: Kratos Defense & Security Solutions