MILPICO terminals-military personal satcom

World wide operation of the Milpico terminals is required using the fixed satellite ground terminals (SGT) of the UKMSCS as anchor stations. SKYNET 4 is the UK´s latest operational military satellite system with three satellites in a geosynchronous orbit at 34°W, 1°W and 53°E. Figure 2 shows the footprints available at the 1°W location. Fixed SGTs are located within the UK. The Defence Research Agency has a continuing component development programme for the production of the key miniature microwave hardware required for small terminals. This programme aims to develop components that are not available off-the-shelf. Work on miniature microwave synthesisers, printed antennas and modems suggest that military personal satcom terminals are achievable. The military user of such a system has special needs which impact significantly on the terminal design. The Milpico terminal must be a small, low weight, low power unit that is easy to operate under battlefield conditions. Further key requirements include high and sometimes immediate availability and secure communications with low probability of detection by hostile interceptors. The authors describe the system and terminal parameters necessary for a 8/7 GHz Milpico terminal for use with SKYNET 4 satellites. An outline of the technology being developed and that already available to achieve an ultra small, lightweight voice and data terminal is given