For Communications-On-The-Move (COTM), the COMSAT WiSL® (Wideband Streaming L-Band) has been recently made available by the company for various U.S. Government aero and maritime platforms.
Using Inmarsat’s L-band satellite network, COMSAT WiSL augments existing SB/FB terminals allowing return datalinks up to 2.8Mpbs. This enables government programs to significantly reduce spending by re-using existing installed SATCOM equipment. WiSL® allow tripling, and sometimes quadrupling, the throughput and capacity of the original Inmarsat L-band satellite networks.
The WiSL® solution enhances the original functionality of the terminals, as it provides a dedicated high data rate communications link from a vehicle, maritime vessel or fixed-wing aircraft, fitted with an Inmarsat type-approved, high-gain, L-band terminal and antenna for each platform. The VSAT (very small aperture terminal) terminal and antenna is as small as 10×10 inches and weighs as little as 4.3 pounds.
WiSL® capability is enhanced with a COMSAT modem that injects a single channel per carrier (SCPC) signal through a high-gain antenna. The high throughput is achieved over a dedicated satellite service and remote management and allows the user to monitor and control satellite access. Operational beams can be built as clusters of narrow beams or custom-shaped beams. The system uses commonly available commercial equipment and provides global deployment capabilities across the existing Inmarsat constellation.
WiSL® meets high-demand ISR needs for higher throughputs from smaller form factor antennas. The solution is managed and operated by COMSAT’s two fully-staffed network operations centers (NOCs) located in Southbury, Connecticut, and Santa Paula, California. The COMSAT NOCs operate on a 24/7/365 basis and provide continuous monitoring and service to fielded systems worldwide.