Multichannel SHF DAMA System

The Multichannel Super High Frequency (SHF) Demand Assigned Time Division Multiple Access (DAMA) System is a TRI-TAC modem and tandem switch that provides for allocating and sharing DSCS II and III satellite resources for digital communications in a more efficient and flexible manner. It is planned for installation in TACSATCOM vehicular terminals of the Ground Mobile Forces. DAMA is being developed by Raytheon Company under contract to the US Army Satellite Communications Agency. The program has successfully completed Advanced Development and is pointing towards an IOC in 1992. The DAMA system will replace the preassigned FDMA modem equipment in the AN/TSC-85A and-93A terminals, now being fielded. It will increase tenfold the capacity of these terminals for handling precedence theatre traffic at 99% grade of service, both secure voice and secure data, while providing direct, maximized connectivity-thereby avoiding busy nodes and allowing all calls to be single hop-and implementing decentralized control. It will provide increased survivability and mobility, and reduce logistic support requirements. DAMA requires an operator only a few minutes for initial set up, which includes timing acquisition and ranging (frame synchronization) and entry of the terminal into the network. Thereafter it operates unattended, and he is needed only for any required corrective maintenance. Operator interface is via keyboard, display, and printer. The Full Scale Engineering Development (FSED) system will consist of two 40" high standard 19" racks of militarized equipment containing ten chassis and weighing 787 lbs. This replaced 15 chassis of FDMA equipment weighing 937 1bs.