Chemring Technology Solutions, Avanti Government Services and Spectra Group (UK) Ltd have collaborated and completed trials to deliver a secure, rapidly deployable cellular communications system over satellite for defence and security use in remote locations.
Both Spectra’s SHADE™ Lite and µSHADE™ solutions were used to provide a secure connection to SmartLink via Avanti’s Ka-band satellite system. The technology integration trial simultaneously delivered a range of cellular services using multiple handsets, including:
- File sharing
- Push-to-talk
- Situational awareness applications
- Video streaming
- VoIP calls
- Web browsing
The SmartLink capability supports military units requiring a secure connection to support operations and even mobile network operators (MNOs) wishing to extend their services to remote locations.
Chemring Technology Solutions and its partners have proven that a satellite-based communications network can securely and consistently deliver a wide range of end-user services. Avanti’s satellite communications technology helps SmartLink to deliver an extensive service with consistent quality, while the addition of Spectra’s µSHADE™ means cost-saving on network configuration, the addition of government-level security, ease of use, and fast, straight-forward deployment.”
Will Tucker, Product Leader at Chemring Technology Solutions
Our collaboration allows us to address immediate demand for a number of use cases, most notably with highly secure applications for the defence, security and emergency responder sectors. This capability complements and builds on Avanti’s pioneering deployment of 3G backhaul in 2013. Our satellite technology delivers the levels of quality and flexibility that the most demanding government and commercial customers seek.”
Paul Feenan, Director of Avanti Government Services
About SmartLink
SmartLinkTM is a highly-portable cellular network-in-a-box with a proven 5km range. When the local commercial cellular infrastructure fails, it can be deployed in less than three minutes. SmartLink delivers a self-contained, secure communications network to share voice, data and video information, improving collaboration and situational awareness. SmartLink’s small form factor, long range and low power consumption is unrivalled in the market, and it has been successfully trialled by organisations in the UK and overseas.
About Avanti’s Ka-band Products
Ka-band has introduced a step change in the economics and capability high speed satellite communication services. Avanti’s satellites have been designed to deliver robust and resilient bandwidth for intensive internet and data applications across EMEA. Based on market leading technology, Avanti’s products enable high speed IP connectivity to be delivered to any location within the HYLAS fleet footprint. Avanti has developed the world’s most advanced satellite network interface, giving customers comprehensive control across the fleet and ground infrastructure. In 2013, Avanti created a world first in providing 3G backhaul over Ka-band to MNOs and in 2014, successfully demonstrated 4G backhaul to the UK government.
About Spectra SHADE™
The Spectra Hostile Area Deployment Environment (SHADE™) enables rapid deployment and delivery of secure voice and data services across any available bearer, and is perfect for small teams needing 24/7 availability and auto-configuration. SHADE™ adds a level (IPSEC AES 256) of secure networking to the SMARTlink system, meaning that users can link securely to the Internet or private servers via the SHADE™ core. Because SHADE™ is bearer agnostic, the deployment of Smartlink is further enhanced by the ability to switch from locally available ADSL or cellular networks to a satellite network, without reconfiguring the endpoints. This means that in the event of a loss of terrestrial service, or with a requirement to change location, the network can simply be switched to use satellite.
See SmartLink™ at the International Defence Exhibition (IDEX), Stand 06-A24
