GateHouse Initiates Software Defined Radio Program with Inmarsat BGAN

GateHouse initiates a program to prototype a Software Defined Radio implementation of a BGAN waveform. The program is supported by Inmarsat.

The aim of the program is to further SDR research and development in the context of supporting multiple communication standards on the same user terminal, and reducing the complexity of the required hardware. In addition, the program will demonstrate that an Inmarsat BGAN user terminal can be implemented in software on a commercially available SDR platform.

The resulting terminal will be compliant with the Software Communications Architecture (SCA) specification. The development of the SCA is led by the US Department of Defense (DoD) to maximize independence between hardware and software radio components, i.e. an SCA compliant waveform is more easily ported from one SCA-enabled platform to another.

Spectrum Signal Processing by Vecima participates in the project by providing their flexComm™ SDR-4000 software reconfigurable communications platform. GateHouse will take the platform and provide the SDR-4000 with Inmarsat BGAN Class 10 land mobile user terminal capability.

CEO Michael Bondo Andersen, GateHouse said: ”We are very excited about this program and about working with Spectrum and Inmarsat. The Inmarsat BGAN SDR waveform will be the first commercially available implementation of the BGAN physical and protocol layer stack, and it will allow radio and terminal manufacturers to create unique products and military communications solutions. “

The Inmarsat BGAN SDR Waveform will enable first responders and military users to achieve connectivity virtually anywhere on the globe, while also supporting terrestrial communication using the same hardware platform. Users could change between line-of-sight (LOS) communications and non-line-of-sight (NLOS) Satellite communications (SATCOM) through software reconfiguration. It is also possible to configure radios for specific missions to enable communication between units operating in multinational scenarios with different communication standards.

About Software Defined Radio

Software Defined Radio is a technology that allows communication equipment to be built in such a way that the hardware is generic; all functionality is defined by software. In contrast to the conventional approach, this allows a given radio to support different technologies as needed. A simple analogy is a personal computer (PC) that is a generic piece of hardware that loads software (programs) as required. The PC has an operating system (e.g. Microsoft Windows) that allows programs to run independently (e.g. Microsoft Words or Excel).

A typical application would be for a soldier to go to the field carrying only one piece of hardware and load either BGAN or a military standard, depending on his needs, instead of carrying one BGAN terminal and one military terminal. SDR has entered into a phase of quick development recently, and is expected to become more ubiquitous in commercial systems as well.

About BGAN (Broadband Global Area Network)

BGAN is a network provided by Inmarsat that provides broadband connectivity. BGAN provides seamless network coverage almost worldwide, so users can get broadband access wherever they roam. With BGAN, users can access broadband data and make a phone call at the same time.

About Spectrum Signal Processing by Vecima

Spectrum’s primary focus is to deliver leading edge software defined radios and radio products to both commercial and military customers. Spectrum’s products and services are optimized for satellite communications applications, as well as military communications, signals intelligence, surveillance, and electronic warfare. Key customers include commercial satellite communications providers as well as the US Government, its allies and its prime contractors. For more information on Spectrum and its flexComm product line, please visit www.spectrumsignal.com. Spectrum is part of Vecima Networks Inc.

About GateHouse

GateHouse is specialized in technical software development and system integration for advanced communications systems, and the company offers a number of products and consultancy services to international niches. The software products mainly cater to satellite communications and tracking and surveillance markets, whilst our consultancy services range from complete turnkey software solutions to dedicated testing. For more information please visit: www.gatehouse.dk

Contact:

GateHouse
Mette Dietz Lilkær
Marketing Coordinator
e-mail mdl@gatehouse.dk

GateHouse Initiates Software Defined Radio Program with Inmarsat BGAN

John Glossner

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