TeleCommunication Systems makes waves with quad diversity tactical transportable troposcatter (3T) system

TeleCommunication Systems, Inc. (TCS), an Annapolis, MD-based leader in highly reliable and secure wireless communication technology, has successfully tested its quad diversity Tactical Transportable Troposcatter (3T) System, classified as AN/TSC-198 (V3), at White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico, the firm announced February 20.

The systems bounce microwave radio transmissions off the Earth’s troposphere, enabling long-distance, beyond line-of-sight communications, even over rocky or hilly terrain that would block other point-to-point communications techniques. The technology is a much lower operating cost alternative to satellite communications in a variety of situations.

The testing, in support of an Army program, was conducted in conjunction with TCS’ partner Comtech Systems, Inc. Utilizing Comtech’s 500-watt solid-state power amplifiers (SSPAs) and CS67500 series Troposcatter modems, TCS established and maintained an unprecedented 50 Mbps communication link between two TCS 3T systems separated by more than 100 miles. No other company in the defense industry has achieved and sustained this high level of data throughput over this great of a distance.

• TCS and Comtech successfully established and maintained a 50Mbps troposcatter communication link in excess of 100 miles at White Sands Missile Range.
• The TCS 3T system, classified as AN/TSC-198 (V3), provides high-bandwidth, low-latency, non-satellite beyond-line-of-sight network transport for existing and future bandwidth intensive C5ISR platforms.
• The 3T system is a combination of the battle-tested SNAP Very Small Aperture Terminal (VSAT) system, commonly found on today’s battlefield, and Comtech’s troposcatter technology. Comtech’s newest IP-capable troposcatter terminal, the Modular Transportable Troposcatter System (MTTS), offers significant advances in troposcatter technology with a considerably smaller form factor than legacy systems.
• The 3T system establishes connectivity at data rates greater than typical satellite links without the recurring satellite airtime costs. The increased throughput capacity offers greater speed for bandwidth-intensive applications such as Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) video distribution.

TCS Government Solutions Group President, Michael Bristol said: “Our ability to maintain a 50 Mbps communication link between two 3T systems over a 100-mile range is a significant achievement that has not been matched by any other company in the defense industry. These unprecedented results underscore not only the high performance capabilities of our 3T system, but our extensive experience in developing best-in-class deployable troposcatter solutions for the defense community. TCS and Comtech continue to actively work on integrating multiple technology enhancements into our 3T system that will further improve upon this already industry-leading performance.”

Comtech Systems, Inc. President Richard Burt said: “The opportunity to demonstrate the highly advanced capability of existing Comtech troposcatter equipment with TCS has shown what is possible with our current day technology and is another first in tropo communications.”

The TCS 3T Troposcatter System is the only backwards compatible system to legacy AN/TRC-170 DoD Troposcatter Solutions.

TCS’ Government Solutions Group has a 27-year track record as a proven, trusted provider of communication technology solutions to the government’s toughest technical challenges, under conditions that demand the highest level of reliability, availability and security. TCS satellite communications experience includes standards-compliant design as well as technically advanced production, deployment, installation, operation, service and maintenance. TCS’ dedicated Operations and Maintenance division currently supports thousands of systems around the globe, ensuring that products and turnkey solutions are supported and available in their intended environments.

SOURCE TeleCommunication Systems, Inc.