Spectrum's Sensor Data Link Modem Provides Rapid Deployment for Surveillance Applications in Littoral Waters

Spectrum Signal Processing Inc. has released its new flexComm Sensor Data Link Modem System (SDLMS) designed for the protection and monitoring of littoral waters. The commercial-off-the-shelf SDLMS consists of two subsystems; a software defined radio (SDR) modem transceiver subsystem for the shipborne radio gateway and one or more remote sensor modem transceiver subsystems for the sensor radios. These radios are designed for rugged, low power, space-constrained deployments, such as in a buoy connected to a hydrophone array, in an unmanned underwater vehicle (UUV), an unmanned surface vehicle (USV) or an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV).

The SDLMS is designed to provide continuous coverage over vast ocean areas for extended periods in order to detect quiet nuclear submarines, diesel-electric submarines running on batteries, ships exiting or entering port and mine-laying operations. Spectrum's integrated solution is architected to meet the processing and bandwidth requirements of today's most common data link waveforms, including STANAG 7085, T-CDL, Wideband Networking Waveform (WNW) and 802.16 (WiMAX).

"Spectrum's Sensor Data Link Modem System offers a complete end-to-end solution that is available off-the-shelf for customers looking to deploy littoral surveillance systems quickly," said Mark Briggs, vice president, marketing at Spectrum Signal Processing. "The SDLMS utilizes a common architecture between the shipborne and remote subsystems that is designed to reduce program development schedule, training costs and long term support burdens. By using a common hardware architecture and software stack, the SDLMS allows customers to reuse program code between the sensor and shipborne application." Mr. Briggs adds, "Under the Modified COTS process, Spectrum's application engineers can work with customers to modify the SDLMS to meet specific deployment requirements, freeing the customers' in-house resources to focus on deployment-critical functionality."

Shipborne Transceiver Subsystem
The SDLMS shipborne transceiver subsystem consists of 8 channels of IF input and output utilizing software reconfigurable processor technology such as field-programmable gate arrays (FPGA), digital signal processors (DSP) and general purpose processors (GPP). The system incorporates industry-standard digital and serial interfaces to external RF/IF subsystems. System software data flow examples demonstrating representative application data flows are provided as part of the overall package, along with a suite of built-in-test (BIT) software libraries. The base transceiver subsystem is packaged in a rugged, EMI tight rack-mounted 9U chassis that is ready for deployment in a shipborne environment.

Remote Transceiver Subsystem
The remote transceiver subsystem of the SDLMS is packaged in a small 3U CompactPCI form-factor that is conduction-cooled and ready for integration into your remote sensor package. The remote transceiver subsystem features a processor architecture that is virtually identical to the base transceiver architecture consisting of software reconfigurable processor technology combined into an integrated package that is size, weight and power optimized for deployment in harsh environments and where power is limited.

The SDLMS has already begun shipping and is available for order immediately. Spectrum Signal Processing Inc. provides applications engineering services and modified commercial-off-the-shelf platforms to the US Government, its allies and its prime contractors. It's products and services are optimized for military communications, signals intelligence, surveillance, electronic warfare and satellite communications applications.