LMST-the lightweight multiband satellite communications terminal

LMST is a rapidly deployable, self-contained satellite communications subsystem capable of accessing international, regional, military, and domestic satellites worldwide. Operation is supported at commercial C- and Ku-band frequencies, as is operation at military X-band frequencies. LMST is the first multiband terminal which is capable of rapid band change during deployment. All of the electronics are triband. Only the antenna feed assemblies, which include redundant band-specific low-noise amplifiers, are changed out for frequency band reconfiguration. The terminal is housed in a trailer which is transportable by both military and commercial aircraft. It is also capable of helicopter transport. The trailer includes redundant 10 kw generators, to power the full complement of electronics and an uninterruptible power supply to maintain power to critical circuits when necessary. The terminal includes a significant amount of test equipment and Government-furnished baseband equipment. One of the technical advances made under LMST program was the introduction of a single modem capable of meeting waveform and interoperability requirements for both INTELSAT and DSCS. In addition, the modem is capable of being electronically switched between MIL-STD-188-114 balanced and Tactical NRZ unbalanced digital interfaces, which was necessary to interface with baseband equipment integrated into LMST and to be interoperable with the MD-945 modem now in Government inventory. Two LMST terminals have been delivered to the US Air Force.<>