2024 News

BANC3 Awarded Emergent CubeSat Technology Project for SkyGridâ„¢ SDR

BANC3 was awarded an Emergent CubeSat Technology (ECT) project through NSTXL SpEC in support of U.S. Space Systems Command (SSC) to advance SkyGridâ„¢ SDR, a low-SWaP, wideband software-defined radio payload delivering spectrum coverage up to 36 GHz in a 1U CubeSat form factor.

As part of its Emergent CubeSat Technology (ECT) project awarded through the National Security Technology Accelerator (NSTXL) Space Enterprise Consortium (SpEC) in support of U.S. Space Systems Command (SSC), BANC3 is developing an advanced SkyGridâ„¢ software-defined radio (SDR) payload for CubeSat platforms.

The SkyGridâ„¢ SDR payload is designed to significantly expand both frequency range and operational bandwidth compared to existing CubeSat SDR technologies. The architecture supports spectrum coverage up to 36 GHz, with programmable bandwidth ranging from tens of megahertz to more than one gigahertz, while maintaining a simplified RF front end to minimize size, weight, and power (SWaP). Key techniques include programmable bandwidth control, fast tuning, and variable waveform generation, enabling flexible mission configurations.

The proposed SkyGrid™ configuration offers low-SWaP integration within a standard 1U CubeSat volume (100 × 100 × 100 mm), making it suitable for space-constrained missions without sacrificing performance. The fully programmable SDR architecture supports dual-channel, full-duplex operation, enabling improved resilience, greater operational flexibility, and access to a wider range of ground infrastructure.

Beyond defense applications, the same SkyGridâ„¢ SDR technology is well suited for non-defense government and select commercial satellite missions. The payload provides a highly reliable, redundant communications capability across L, S, C, X, Ku, K, and Ka bands in a single package, allowing host CubeSats to support multiple waveforms and improve mission adaptability.

"We are excited to support Space Systems Command on the ECT program and to develop a next-generation SDR capability for CubeSat missions," said Fred Ilsemann, Vice President of Research & Development at BANC3. "Our team is leveraging prior experience delivering extremely wideband software-defined RF systems as we advance the SkyGridâ„¢ SDR front-end. We also see strong potential for transitioning this technology to non-defense applications."

"This NSTXL SpEC award reflects our continued commitment to the warfighter and to advancing critical next-generation space systems," said Babu Cherukuri, CEO of BANC3. "The program builds on BANC3's proven delivery of digital, real-time, high probability-of-intercept RF receiver and direction-finding systems supporting national security space missions."

BANC3 is a developer and manufacturer of extremely wide instantaneous bandwidth software-defined RF systems for spectrum monitoring and space communications. Its products currently support national security satellite launch and on-orbit operations, addressing the growing threat environment facing U.S. space assets.

BANC3 Continues to Progress Air Force Contract for Helmet Augmented Display for Extended-Reality System (HADES)

BANC3, Inc., an augmented reality (AR) & mixed reality (MR) technology pioneer and leading provider of complete end-to-end digital ecosystems of AR/MR solutions, continues to work toward the final solution for a Direct to Phase II SBIR for the US Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC). BANC3's solution for AFSOC includes an augmented and mixed reality headset leveraging demonstrated strengths of our existing & commercialized AR/MR headset technology, but with significant enhancements and customizations tailor-made to meet AFSOC training and mission rehearsal needs as part of an interconnected extended reality environment. BANC3's solution fills a critical hole in AR solutions that standalone AR headsets cannot fill by providing a large multi-room reconfigurable & interconnected multi-person extended reality training environment with trackable results and repeatable sessions.

SBIR Phase III for Augmented Reality System for U.S. Army

BANC3, Inc., an Augmented Reality (AR) & Mixed Reality (MR) technology pioneer and leading small business provider of complete end-to-end digital ecosystems of AR/MR solutions, continues to successfully perform on the Phase III contract from Army Contracting Command, NJ (ACC-NJ) at Picatinny Arsenal that derives from and extends prior Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) work. Under this initial 2-year contract, BANC3 is developing AR capabilities for integrated fire control systems utilizing and building upon capabilities and experience developed through the successful completion of the SBIR Phase I and II contract work, "AR/MR for Live Fire Ranges," for the US. Army Program Executive Office – Simulation, Training, and Instrumentation (PEO STRI) in Orlando, FL. This work, completed in late 2019, included the development of a standalone optical see-through head-mounted display (HMD) that displays virtual targets and simulated environmental occlusions (such as smoke, fire, and explosions) for soldier marksmanship training. BANC3's Phase III contract work will include the development of a fire control system for the Mounted Machine Gun Optic (MMO) that integrates with the High Explosive Dual Purpose Airburst (HEDP-AB) ammunition programming unit (PU) using BANC3's AR capabilities developed in Phase I and II.

BANC3 Continues Work on a Multi-year Contract for the Defense Digital Modernization Effort

BANC3, Inc. continues its groundbreaking work under the Stimulating Transition for Advanced Microelectronics Packaging [STAMP] program to provide its software-defined receiver (SDRX) products on Intel's latest Multichip Packages. As part of the Department of Defense's (DoD's) broader digital modernization efforts, to leverage the best commercial technologies for military applications, this program provides a new set of advanced capabilities to facilitate the accelerated transition of Intel's Multichip Packages into current DoD programs of record across the Defense Industrial Base. BANC3 uses Intel A-Tile Direct RF data converter tiles and Intel F-Tile advanced Serializer/Deserializer tiles connected to high-performance, low power Intel® Agilex™ FPGAs in the chipsets. BANC3 is a leading provider of next-generation radio frequency (RF) spectrum monitoring, currently supporting National Reconnaissance Office (NRO) payload launch missions to combat the rising threat to US satellites. BANC3 is a developer and manufacturer of extremely wide instantaneous bandwidth software-defined receivers for radio frequency spectrum monitoring.

Laser Warning Receiver Support SME and Technical Support

BANC3 continues to provide Laser Warning Receiver (LWR) Subject Matter Expertise (SME) and technical support to Government LWR Engineering Leads for LWR Trade Study Analysis, source selection input, performance evaluation recommendations, and qualification testing recommendations of an Army Ground Vehicle LWR. Using input from I2WD, our SME supports Trade Studies and acquisition of the LWR through the government PMs' ECP modernization process to ensure the performance and commonality requirements are met. BANC3 support includes recommendations on the development and execution of a standalone LWR performance test plan and provides LWR SME support during LWR testing and integration. In support of Configuration Management, BANC3 maintains configuration control of the common Army Ground Vehicle Laser Warning Receiver (LWR) Performance Specification and will assist identified vehicle PMs to ensure all necessary performance, maintenance, environmental, quality assurance, and training requirements are accomplished.