Rockwell demos WBHF comms link
Rockwell Collins has successfully demonstrated the resilience of next-generation high frequency (HF) communications using a wideband high frequency (WBHF) system over a 5,000 mile distance, the company announced on 18 September.
The demonstration was conducted under a contract with the Air Force Research Laboratory Information Directorate in support of efforts to successfully communicate in satellite-denied environments.
Over the course of 30 days, Rockwell Collins’ next-generation HF network reliably and rapidly passed data files of various sizes up to one megabyte. The demonstration also tested ‘store and forward’ split site capabilities, which is a foundational element of next-generation HF networks.
According to the company, the demonstration showed significant improvement over standard satellite and legacy HF systems.
Next-generation HF is being developed as a highly reliable solution for the transfer of data and secure, clear voice, which complements traditional SATCOM communications in denied environments. The technology leverages current HF system infrastructure to create an easily upgraded HF solution with performance previously not available.
The programme will now continue exploring the optimum network configuration and waveform technologies for this HF application.
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