Modular Element-level Digital Communication Array (MEDCA)

Applied Technology Associates (ATA) proposes a systolic digitally beamformed C-band communications array that leverages recent innovations in radio frequency (RF) System-on-Chip (RFSOC) technology to implement a self-contained 1x4 element sub-array.  With broadband coverage of the entire C-band, from 4 GHz to 8 GHz and support for up to four half-duplex tracking beams, the system is capable of increasing data throughput while decreasing latency.  By utilizing a systolic digital beamformer, the system is scalable and reconfigurable to enable a diverse set of missions.  Comprised of four design elements, the system is packed in a specific configuration that allows for scalability and reconfigurability.  The entire system is housed within a chassis that provides thermal management and physical interfaces to the next higher assembly.  ATA will develop a full system model of the C-band communication array, based on existing tools and models, which will be used to predict the system functional performance as well as size, weight, power, and cost.