By Chris de Combe, Manager of Applications Engineering, Ultra Electronics TCS, Ultra Electronics TCS
SubscribeThe Canadian Department of National Defence (DND) has ordered 20 "Fly Away" communications terminals from Ultra Electronics Tactical Communication Systems (Ultra-TCS) in Montreal.
The communications terminals were developed by Ultra TCS to provide an easily transportable communication for command and control systems in a tactical environment. DND intend to uses these systems for a NATO task Force deployment scheduled for early 2006.
The Fly Away terminal provides Ethernet and serial data communications between field locations up to 40km apart. The terminal uses the latest AN/GRC-245 HCLOS radio with a 16 Mb/s transmission capability. The Ethernet and serial data interfaces compatible with the existing IRIS system is provided by the Superhighway MTD-16000 Group Combiner.
Figure 1 Fly Away Communications Terminal
The main transit case shown above contains the radio base band unit and the MTD-16000 Group combiner and provides a fibre optic interface to the IP switching system.. The transceiver part of the radio is shown in its carrying harness and is deployed close the base of the antenna mast. This provides a significant operational advantage as the mast can then be deployed up to 500 ft from the base band transit case.
During the recent Canadian ISTARS exercise at CFB Petawawa, Ontario, the Ultra Electronics Fly Away communications terminal was deployed to provide communications between the sensor cells and the command post shown in the following picture. Two radio links were terminated at the command post. One of the remote sensor sites was used as a base for flying a UAV and pictures of the mock battle were relayed from the UAV ground station to the command post using the Ultra radio link. All of the links were encrypted during the exercise to ensure the security of the sensor data.
Figure 2 ISTARS Command Post
The Fly Away terminal has the capability of using either band 3+ (1350 – 2690 MHz) or band 1 (225-400MHz) for transmission, which allows the system planner the flexibility of selecting the best frequency for the type of terrain and the mission. The ability of the system to interface with the existing IRIS switching system as well as a direct Ethernet connection from a local area network gives the Army considerable flexibility in what will be deployed with the communications terminal.
Both the AN/GRC-245 radio and the MTD-16000 group combiner can be remotely controlled using an SNMP Ethernet interface. This allows the terminal to be monitored and controlled from the headquarters, which reduces the number of personnel required to support the communications links.
The capacity of the communications system is 16Mb/s full duplex using the AN/GRC-245 radio and 155 Mb/s using the MTD-16000 fiber optic connection. The spectrum efficiency of the AN/GRC-245 radio ensures that the minimum amount of spectrum possible is used to reliably transmit the information.
The AN/GRC-245 radio being provided under this contract will also have an On-the-Move waveform. This will allow communications between a fixed command post and a mobile command post or sensor vehicle. This capability will greatly increase the amount of information that can be transferred while the vehicle is moving and will provide a powerful operational capability for the Canadian Forces.
For more information on these products please visit our website at www.ultra-tcs.com
