Payload Electronics
The advent of internet services via satellite, combined with the scarcity of new orbital slots has put tremendous pressure on the communications industry to increase satellite capacity.
As a result, satellites are moving towards multi-beam technology, which uses more beams and narrower bandwidths. This allows frequencies to be reused in different areas of the satellite coverage. The narrower bandwidths and associated frequency conversions required by these payloads are accomplished through the use of the COM DEV Space's Surface Acoustic Wave (SAW) technology.
BEAM*LINK® is a technology that enables satellites to reuse valuable radio spectrum by covering a broadcast region with multiple spot beams. This change allows different data to be transmitted to each spot on earth radiated by a beam. In doing so, more data can be transmitted to individual subscribers with the same amount of radio frequency spectrum, greatly increasing the useable capacity of the satellite.
In short, think of BEAM*LINK® as the high-tech 'switchboard' on a communications satellite that separates thousands of individual transmissions from a wireless signal, and matches each of them with its intended destination.
Modulators
COM DEV offers a line of modulator technology with applications in high-speed terrestrial wireless and spacecraft communications.
Our core product family is the HSDEM-100 programmable encoder/modulator IC, which presents users with a wide range of programmable parametric settings. These settings include:
- Digital Video Broadcasting (DVB-S) standard developed for the European Telecommunications Standards Institute (ETSI) and now the foundation for several other air interface definitions.
- Reed-Solomon encoding based on standards from the Consultative Committee on Space Data Communications (CCSDS).
- Pulse-shape filtering coefficients, fully programmable - including, but not limited to, Square Root Raise Cosine (SRRC) characteristics with roll-off factors from 20% to 60%.
- BPSK, QPSK, offset QPSK, 8-PSK and 16-QAM modulation types at rates up to 155.52 Mbps (OC-3).
Channel coding, pulse-shaping and modulation functions are key determinants of performance for modems used in high-speed applications. COM DEV offers compact ICs and Multi-Chip Modules which provide reliable performance for these functions and eliminates the need for large circuit boards and long development cycles.
For spaceflight applications, COM DEV produces digital modulator ASICs, complete single channel modulator assemblies in MCM form with IF outputs, and complete flight units incorporating upconverters and DC power conditioning to produce X-band or Ka-band outputs.
RF and Electronic Products
COM DEV has a broad design capability for advanced electronic and RF products. Our product offerings include:
- RF Detectors (including RF Amplifiers and fully compensated Detector Bias circuits)
- ENIVSAT MIPAS Infra- Red Detector Preamplifier Electronics
- Low Noise/ High Gain Low Frequency Amplifiers
- TLM/TLC circuits
- Current inrush and overvoltage protection circuits
- Digital logic and control circuits
- Switch driver circuits
- Digital and mixed Digital/Analogue ASIC designs
- Experience in both multilayer Thick Film and Thin Film Technology
The multi-spectral experience (from DC to 90GHz) with a close-knit team offers innovative and producible solutions to the most complex problems, combined with heritage on programs such as:
- Meteosat Second Generation preamplifiers and telemetry electronics for visible and infra-red detectors
- L-Band gain blocks for INMARSAT
- LNAs and detectors for METOP ASCAT scatterometer front-end
- MIMR C-band radiometer
- Control electronics for ferrite switch driver for ASCAT