MobileBeam™ - Wireless C-Band Terminal

Terrestrial Point-to-Point Mobile Communications

The MobileBeam™ is a reliable Point-to-Point (PTP) and Point-to-Multipoint (PTMP) terrestrial C-Band terminal critical for today’s warfighter. With the MobileBeam™, ground forces can maintain mobile communications in any terrain at any distance up to 80 miles, depending on the data rate and height above the terrain. Commercial off-the-shelf technology allows for a low-cost, lightweight PTP communications solution, reducing the overall life-cycle cost.

System Overview

The terminal uses a combination of antennas and phased-array technology to enable continuous communication in all environments. The MobileBeam™ consists of 24 azimuthal spot beams, each with 30-degree beamwidths, allowing for 360 degrees of PTP communications. The system is designed with two azimuthal circular arrays, one transmit and one receive, consisting of three individual elements for each array. In addition, the integrated upper transmit and receive array supplies zenith coverage when the vehicle is on highly banked terrain, providing communications for elevation angles greater than 45 degrees.

A Global Positioning System (GPS) and Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU) are integrated into the system to provide positioning data. A control processor allows for beam switching and pointing. This eliminates the requirement for moving parts, thus reducing the possibility of failure, reducing cost and enabling a continuous communications link.

Interoperable Communications

The MobileBeam™ can be easily integrated into any communications system with any Ethernet, 802.11 or 70Mhz IF interface. The frequency converter enables 802.11, WiMax or Highband networking waveform (HNW) communications from 4.5 to 5 GHz while providing data rates of up to 6 Mbps.

Reliable Communications

The MobileBeam™ enables the war-fighter to maintain ad hoc IP-based, continuous PTP tactical communications on the move or at a halt, regardless of vehicle attitude or altitude. The MobileBeam™ supports self-forming connectivity between all users and provides seamless reliable mission critical communications for the warfighter at the tactical edge of the battlespace.

Key Features