SubscribeUltra Electronics-DNE Techologies' Products Enable Communication Speeds up to 16Mbps
Overview
Since 1992, the AN/MRC-142 has been used by the US Marine Corps as an UHF Line of Sight (LOS) digital radio system for communications between regimental and above command centers. The system has been used for ground-to-ground as well as ship-to-ground communications as part of the larger US Naval Digital Wideband Transmission System (DWTS). Over 400 AN/MRC-142s are currently deployed as part of this system.
The original AN/MRC-142 Radio Terminal Set provided a single channel of digital wideband voice or data communications at a maximum rate of 576 kbps. The system could be used either as part of a point-to-point circuit, a drop-and-insert point or a retransmission node.
In 2001, the system was enhanced through a Product Improvement Program to add a 16-channel multiplexer to the system. The addition of DNE's AN/FCC-100 Multi-channel multiplexer and DNE's CV-2048E NRZ-CDI converter, housed in a tactical enclosure, allowed users to aggregate multiple low speed circuits from a remote location, transport them to the radio and transmit them as a single signal across the system. This new system was nomenclatured the AN/MRC-142A. Those systems that also received the SMAK ship-to-shore antenna system were AN/MRC-142Bs.
By 2004, many of the radio and supporting components within the system had become obsolete. The Marines were forced to cannibalize 56 unallocated systems to provide over $8M in parts to support the deployed fleet. In 2006, a replacement radio system using components from Ultra Electronics was evaluated and procured to address these ongoing support issues while enabling the Marines to fulfill the mission of the AN/MRC-142 Radio System. The new system demonstrated it could not only fulfill the mission of the deployed system, but also offered a number of enhancements to include an improved throughput of 16Mbps.
Additional enhancements include an ability to terminate Ethernet and T-1 circuits into the system in addition to traditional serial digital transmission groups. Since all of the components are now housed in transit cases, the radios and/or baseband multiplexer can be separated from the vehicle to increase the number of missions that can be supported or to allow for the continued operation if the vehicle itself fails. This new system has been nomenclatured as the AN/MRC-142(v)C.
Product Improvement Elements
The AN/MRC-142(v)C PIP includes three DNE products as part of the improvement package: The TAC-300 Multiservice Access Concentrator; and both the CV-MCU and the CV-HTU-16M Protocol Converters.
The wider variety of services offered expand the core of MAGTF information sources, and allow interconnectivity with other mission-critical communication systems. This, in turn, minimizes the risk of communications failures to the MAGTFs.
TAC-300
In order to support a higher-speed LOS radio, the multiplexer included in the package needed to be replaced. The existing AN/FCC-100 had a maximum aggregate of 2Mbps. By replacing the FCC-100 with DNE's TAC-300, maximum speeds of up to OC-3 could be supported, providing more than enough bandwidth for the 16Mbps HS-LOS radio.
DNE's TAC unit supports both legacy and high-speed communications, making it an extremely flexible replacement. The higher speeds supported by the TAC, combined with the variety of option cards available to the unit, greatly enhances the bandwidth that can be provided between deployed units without having to rely on costly satellite services.
Since DNE's TAC units are installed in other tactical networks, including Teleport, the interoperability between deployed units and central command can be preserved.
Finally, DNE's TAC can support higher speeds and a greater range of traffic types in a unit that is less than 2-RU in space, and under 14 pounds. This is a significant savings over the previously deployed multiplexer, at 4-RU and nearly 70 pounds. This reduction in both weight and size supports the mobility of the MAGTFs by facilitating installation within transport cases.
CV Converter Line
DNE's CV line of Protocol Converters is the most widely deployed such line throughout the DoD. DNE continues to support NRZ to CDI or fiber conversion to extend drive distances to remote radio towers. DNE's current versions of this product line, the CV-MCU and the CV-HTU-16M, are both part of the AN/MRC-142(v)C program.
The CV Protocol Converter line supports NRZ, CDI, and both single- and multi-mode fiber. The fiber modem circuits are compatible with other JTC3A 9109C units, and TFOCA and TFOCA-II fiber types are supported.
DNE offers both rackmount versions and standalone units in this versatile product line, and both are installed as part of the AN/MRC-142(v)C program.
CV-MCU
The CV-MCU is a 1-RU unit which hosts two independent circuits which can be configured separately or as repeaters. Additional CV-MCU units can be daisy-chained if additional CDI circuits are required. The CV-MCU supports a variety of speeds up to 16Mbps.
Since the CV-MCU is a modular unit, circuits can be upgraded or replaced without re-racking and recabling communications equipment. All modules are hot-swappable for minimal down time.
DNE's CV-MCU replaces its previous CV-2048 units, once again supporting a maximum system speed of up to 16Mpbs. A variety of option cables to connect to a wide range of deployed communications units is available through DNE, including a tactical connector panel.
CV-HTU-16M
The CV-HTU-16M is a single circuit stand-alone unit with speeds up to 16Mbps. In addition, a KG power supply and a UG-1837 connector (for interfacing with a CX-11230 cable) are supplied on the rear of the unit. The unit can be configured via a front panel display or terminal.
A variety of option cables and accessories are available for this unit, including KG power cables and a rack-mount shelf capable of supporting two individual CV-HTU-16M units.
For more information about Ultra-DNE and DNE Products, contact DNE at (800) 370-4485 or visit the web site at www.ultra-dne.com.
