Tactical Antenna Switching and Positioning System (TASPS)

The objective of this Phase II SBIR is to design and build a fully functioning Tactical Antenna Switching and Positioning System (TASPS) that can be commercially produced in limited quantities. The TASPS will be carried aboard a variety of Navy vessels andwill provide temporary passengers aboard the ship the ability to maintain UHF SATCOM communications despite superstructure blockage caused by the ship's movement. This will obviate the need for co-use of the Navy's UFH SATCOM assets or impact the ship'svital communications systems. The Phase II TASPS will track up to four UHF satellites for simultaneously use by up to eight radios. TASPS keeps the satellites in view by using UHF SATCOM omni antennas on each side of the ship and automatically switchingbetween them to avoid blockage. TASPS is portable, capable of unattended operation, and continuous on-the-move tracking of geosynchronous satellites. There is no interruption in communications while being switched. TASPS works when the ship is moving fastor slowly and also when stationary. The Phase I TASPS Prototype was completed in December 2002, it proved very useful in demonstrating the feasibility of the design and defining new features for Phase II.