USAF contracts ViaLite Communications for SATCOM solution
ViaLite RF over fibre links are used in the satellite industry to transport satellite signals between antennas and control rooms. (Photo: ViaLite)
The Air Force Research Lab approached ViaLite to develop a new SATCOM solution.
The USAF Research Lab (AFRL) has contracted RF over fibre manufacturers, ViaLite Communications, to deliver a solution for satellite communications downlinks, transferring L-Band signals through the ground station complex.
The process converts the RF electrical signal to laser light which then travels down the fibre to the receiver where it is converted back to an RF signal.
ViaLite’s L-Band HTS links, in the standalone Blue OEM module format, were selected by AFRL for integration into their system.
The L-Band HTS links were appropriate as they are compact, single link and available in RF bands up to six gigahertz.
They can be operated either as transmitters or receivers and are easily mounted into existing equipment.
The links are available in multiple formats including the OEM module format.
One format is rack chassis cards, for use in ViaLite 3U and 1U rack chassis units.
Another is Yellow OEM modules, designed for system integrators and manufacturers to build into their own designs.
Finally, the ViaLite Blue2 module houses two links and can be set up to be a dual transmitter, dual receiver or transceiver.
More from Defence Notes
-
![Why the NORAD inventory might be the US and Canada’s Achilles’ heel]()
Why the NORAD inventory might be the US and Canada’s Achilles’ heel
Both the US and Canada operate Cold War-era capabilities which cannot defeat today’s and tomorrow’s threats.
-
![Companies’ results boom as countries dig deep to buy missiles and air defence systems]()
Companies’ results boom as countries dig deep to buy missiles and air defence systems
Air defence systems are continuing to appear top of countries’ shopping lists but broadly across different capabilities it is a sellers’ market, as demonstrated by backlogs and double-digit percentage point growth.
-
![Forging strong partnerships for warfighting communications in space (Studio)]()
Forging strong partnerships for warfighting communications in space (Studio)
Mike Moran, Director of US Government Business at Amazon Project Kuiper Government Solutions, highlighted the evolution of space as a critical warfighting domain at the Defence in Space Conference (DISC) 2025, held this week in London.
-
![Details revealed on Germany’s big spending plans]()
Details revealed on Germany’s big spending plans
In May this year, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said the government plans to position Germany as “Europe's strongest conventional army”. A new blueprint outlines how this is going to occur through massive investment.
-
![European Council to deliver at “pace and scale” on European defence readiness 2030 roadmap]()
European Council to deliver at “pace and scale” on European defence readiness 2030 roadmap
Two of the concrete projects outlined in the readiness report, the European Air Shield and Space Shield, will aim to be launched by Q2 2026.
