QinetiQ expertise underpins a $3.29m SatCom demonstration project

The Canadian Government has just awarded a contract worth CAN$3.29 million (£1.43m) for a reconfigurable satellite terminal technology demonstration project, to a tri-team of companies comprising QinetiQ, Spectrum Signal Processing and MacDonald Dettwiler.

The project is designed to develop, integrate and demonstrate a reconfigurable, multi-function ground-based satellite communications terminal that can replace several 'system specific' fixed function terminals.

"This project represents the first true application of software radio technology to the important field of satellite communications," explained Nick Frall from QinetiQ's secure wireless systems group. "It will demonstrate how software radio can directly impact usability for both Governments and Corporates and as a recognised global leader in software radio, it further provides us with opportunities to demonstrate our abilities in the field."

By implementing Software Defined Radio (SDR) technologies and the Software Communications Architecture (SCA) developed by the Joint Tactical Radio System (JTRS) program in the United States, a single satellite terminal will be capable of supporting several satellite networks, operating at different frequencies with different waveforms and protocols. The resultant benefits include less equipment in the field, more cost-effective deployment, maintenance and support, and significant improvements in interoperability.

MacDonald Dettwiler, as the prime contractor, has overall system design and integration responsibility; while QinetiQ is providing the core IP and enabling satellite communications waveforms; and Spectrum Signal Processing is supplying high performance wireless signal processing products based on its flexComm^TM SDR-3000 platform. Deliveries are expected to start as early as the second quarter of 2004 with completion in 2006.

"The technology in the Advanced Satcom Terminal (AST) Technology Demonstration Project could form the basis for a family of satellite ground terminals capable of supporting the Canadian Forces' information requirements," added Lyle Wagner, AST Project Manager at Defence Research and Development Canada. "We anticipate that greater collaboration between military, commercial and other government users could be achieved with this highly interoperable, high bandwidth information delivery system."