Satellite communications (SATCOM) terminal certification for military applications

The expanding demands for commercial satellite communications (SATCOM) services in support of military command, control and intelligence systems has been met with a plethora of multiband (typically C, X, and Ku triband) terminals. The most significant transition towards the military use of commercial SATCOM to date has been demonstrated by the Army. The military's use of commercial SATCOM requires certification and subsequent commissioning of their terminals. Since the majority of the military's multiband terminals being developed are tactical, added demands are placed on the certification and commissioning process. The certification process includes the administration of the DD Form 1494 and terminal performance certification process administered by the satellite service provider. The administration of the DD Form 1494 is key to insuring that the allocated frequency is properly used (e.g., power spectral density and antenna radiation patterns) by the terminal. Terminal performance certification leads to the validation of a SATCOM terminal's performance capability against a defined standard resulting in the classification of the terminal. The classification standards are service provider specific. The commissioning process can include such things as site survey, terminal alignment, frequency deconfliction (or EMC compliance) to ensure that the terminal being commissioned does not cause interference to other possibly collocated communications systems/equipment. The paper addresses terminal certification, classification and commissioning.