Inmarsat 5 F1 and Inmarsat 5 F2 in a Boeing facility. Photo: Inmarsat

[Via Satellite 02-11-2014] Inmarsat has selected Northrop Grumman to field its Spectrum Interference and Monitoring System (SIMS) to government users of Inmarsat’s Global Xpress (GX) service. The SIMS design is based on Northrop Grumman’s globally-deployed monitoring system previously developed for the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) Wideband Global System (WGS) constellation.

SIMS will provide improved speed, flexibility and performance in monitoring GX services. The system will provide Inmarsat value added resellers (VARs), network operators and government customers with insight into their networks’ operations.

SIMS will aid with spectrum situational awareness, rapid interference detection and problem resolution while providing availability, reliability and quality of service to GX users.

Inmarsat GX is a globally-available, high-speed, mobile commercial satellite wideband network. It is Inmarsat’s first satellite fleet that will access Ka-band frequencies and allow for high bandwidth communication across the globe. The first satellite, Inmarsat 5 F1, was launched on Dec. 8, 2013, and covers Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Asia. Full global coverage is expected by the end of 2014.