Some of the top companies in the satellite sector — Hughes Network Systems, Inmarsat, and Airbus Defense and Space — are now part of the Digital Intermediate Frequency Interoperability (DIFI) Group. 

DIFI announced Monday the group now has more than 60 companies. Other companies and entities that joined in the second half of 2022 include: US Army C5ISR Center; SES Engineering; Safran Data Systems; Aurora Borealis Networks; and Rincon Research Corporation. 

“DIFI’s mission is to accelerate the digital transformation of the satellite industry,” said DIFI Board Chairman Stuart Daughtridge. “That work starts with developing and making widely available a simple, open, interoperable Digital IF/RF standard that replaces the natural interoperability of analog IF signals and helps prevent vendor lock-in. That’s why organizations like these are joining DIFI and serving on its board: to help drive the future of the industry while ensuring that the evolving interoperability standard continues to meet their critical needs.”

Founded in August 2021, the Digital Intermediate Frequency Interoperability Consortium is an independent group advocating for interoperability between satellite and ground system networks. Its founding members include Hawkeye 360, Intelsat, Kongsberg Satellite Services (KSAT), Kratos Defense & Security Solutions, Kymeta, and Microsoft. 

Read more: DIFI Lays the Building Blocks for Ground Tech Interoperability