HMAS Harman communications facility. Photo: Wikipedia

[Via Satellite 05-19-2015] BAE Systems Australia, the largest defense contractor in the country, has selected customized amplifier units from ETL Systems for use in a Wideband Global Satcom (WGS) ground station. The amplifiers have been designed for X- and Ka-band antennas to receive military signals.

BAE Systems Australia is the prime contractor for the Joint Project (JP) 2008 Phase 3F – Australian Defence Satellite Communication Capability Terrestrial Enhancement. Once complete, the ground system will enable Australian deployed forces using WGS to interface with the Defence Wide Area Network and the Australian Defence headquarters, along with support elements.

ETL’s new model is IP 65 rated with a 25dB monitoring port, inline powered, offers 20dBm/ 1dB gain compression point, and has a low noise level of 10dB. The model also compensates for passive splitters and combiners and is supplied with waterproof N-type connectors for resilience against harsh weather.

“The amplifiers form part of a new Ground Station that will give the Australian Defence Force the ability to communicate globally with its deployed units. The ETL equipment is designed for use in the harsh environment and performs to specification with high input power,” said Graeme Bent, director of land and integrated systems at BAE Systems Australia.