2024 News
BANC3 has been awarded an Emergent CubeSat Technology (ECT) project by the National Security Technology Accelerator (NSTXL) Space Enterprise Consortium (SpEC) to develop a “SWaP Efficient Multi-band Radio Frequency (RF) Front End for CubeSats” in support of Space Systems Command (SSC).
BANC3 has been awarded an Emergent CubeSat Technology (ECT) project by the National Security Technology Accelerator (NSTXL) Space Enterprise Consortium (SpEC) to develop a “SWaP Efficient Multi-band Radio Frequency (RF) Front End for CubeSats” in support of Space Systems Command (SSC).
BANC3 has been awarded an Emergent CubeSat Technology (ECT) project by the National Security Technology Accelerator (NSTXL) Space Enterprise Consortium (SpEC) to develop a “SWaP Efficient Multi-band Radio Frequency (RF) Front End for CubeSats” in support of Space Systems Command (SSC).
April 8, 2024 – BANC3, Inc., today announced that it has been awarded an Emergent CubeSat Technology (ECT) project by the National Security Technology Accelerator (NSTXL) Space Enterprise Consortium (SpEC) to develop a “SWaP Efficient Multi-band Radio Frequency (RF) Front End for CubeSats” in support of Space Systems Command (SSC). The project will create a dual channel, full duplex software defined radio (SDR) using a tunable front end that covers 1-36 GHz. BANC3’s SDR will be built using Intel’s latest direct RF multi-chip package to create a size, weight, and power (SWaP) efficient, high-performance package.
The CubeSat payload developed in this project will dramatically increase both the frequency range (up to 36 GHz) and bandwidth (programmable from tens of MHz to more than 1 GHz) of current CubeSat SDR technology while maintaining a simplified RF front end to minimize size and power. The techniques used will include programmable bandwidth, fast tuning, and variable waveform generation. The proposed configuration offers low SWaP to enable installation within 1U (100 x 100 x 100 mm) section of the CubeSat.
This same technology is well suited for use by non-defense Government agencies and private sector industry. Our SDR payload will provide a highly reliable, redundant communications channel that covers L, S, C, X, Ku, K, and Ka bands in real-time in a single package. This fully programmable SDR architecture will allow the host CubeSat to support multiple waveforms, access more ground antennas, and improve resilience. Our product provides an affordable solution for wide bandwidth, real-time satellite communications over a wide frequency range using two fully duplex channels for greater operational flexibility than other CubeSat SDRs.
"We are excited to have the opportunity to support SSC on the ECT program and develop a revolutionary SDR for use on CubeSats. Our team will leverage our previous successes on implementing extremely wide software defined receiver solutions as we work to develop the CubeSat RF front end. We look forward to pursuing multiple commercial applications in support of transitioning the technology to the non-defense market," said Fred Ilsemann, Vice President of Research & Development at BANC3.
"This NSTXL SpEC award represents our company's dedication to the warfighter, developing innovative systems for critical next-generation satellite systems. This new program builds upon our successful development and deployment of digital real-time, high probability of intercept RF receiver and Direction Finding systems to satellite launch facilities at Vandenberg, California, Cape Canaveral, Florida, and other locations" said BANC3 CEO, Babu Cherukuri.
BANC3 is a developer and manufacturer of extremely wide instantaneous bandwidth software defined receivers for radio frequency spectrum monitoring. Our systems are currently supporting the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO) payload launch missions to combat the rising threat to US satellites.
For more information about BANC3's SDR technology, please visit www.banc3.com/rf-systems
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