Programmable Fragmented Spectrum Manager

We propose to develop a Programmable Fragmented Spectrum Manager (ProFSM) system that operating at L-band (1 - 2 GHz) will enable High-Data-Rate (HDR) modems communicate using a multitude of SATCOM paths at different bands while using existing modems, RF transceivers and antennas. The proposed ProFSM system, in addition to disassembling, transporting and reassembling the L-band modem-modulated signal between the up-link and down-link modems while efficiently emulating a fixed-delay back-to-back connection between such modems, offers a number of key advantages including: Adjustment of the SNR of the different SATCOM paths (i.e., different transponders and/or satellites) while fully equalizing the received signals for differential amplitude, delays, Doppler and other frequency and phase offset that may exist between the signals received over such different SATCOM paths; Minimization of guard-band requirements for the channels within each segmented transponder while providing robustness to interference from spillover signals from adjacent channels including inter-modulation; Accurate reassembling including continuity of the continuous L-band signal delivered to the receiving modem. The project will also develop proof-of-concept prototype and perform tests including a demo using satellite channels emulated using IAI's RFnest test tool with RF-in-the-loop capabilities.