Next Generation Ultra High Frequency (UHF) Unified Satellite Communication Control System

The current JMINI and IW UHF SATCOM Control Segment is split into three separate control systems, each with their own dedicated radio communications equipment. Both the control systems as well as the radio equipment contain proprietary components, which make maintenance difficult and expensive due to lack of vendor competition. We are proposing a modular and non-proprietary hardware and software architecture that will consolidate the three control systems into one, as well as simplify the radio communication equipment. The proposed system is centered around integration of Software Defined Radio (SDR) functionality into the control system and leveraging a plugin-based software architecture that allows decoupling of specific hardware from the rest of the control system. This approach will enable the government to utilize commodity COTS hardware not only for the control system, but potentially for the radio equipment as well, offering a path to long-term affordable sustainment for this critical communication system.