The Modernization of Enterprise Terminals (MET)

Since the late 1970's the Army has fielded multiple Large Fixed SATCOM Earth Terminal facilities which operated over the Defense Satellite Communications System (DSCS) and the Wideband Global SATCOM (WGS) Constellation. This family of terminals began with the deployment of the AN/FSC-78 operating in the X-band frequency range using a 60 foot parabolic antenna to receive and transmit signals to/from the satellite. In the early 1980's, this deployment was followed by a suite of AN/GSC-39 X-band terminals with a 38 foot parabolic dish. In the mid 1980's the Army fielded the AN/GSC-52 X-band Earth Terminal also containing a 38 foot parabolic antenna. In the early 1990's the Army fielded a less permanent terminal facility with a 20 foot antenna which was designated as the AN/TSC-86. Beginning in the mid 1990's the Army modernized these terminals to extend their usefulness after a 15 year service life. This modernization consisted of a total replacement of the terminal electronics. Beginning in 2004 the Army began the deployment of the AN/GSC-70. The AN/GSC-70, also known as KaSTARS was the first time that the US DoD attempted to deploy a large fixed terminal operating in the Military Ka frequency band in support of communications over the WGS Satellite Constellation. Now that the useful service life is again ending for many of the deployed large fixed terminals, the Army is embarking on another round of terminal modernizations called the Modernization of Enterprise Terminals (MET). MET will replace all existing earth terminal electronics and antennas at their end of life. MET also will bring state-of-art features that are new to military communications. These features include a modular design and simultaneous transmission and reception at both the X and military Ka frequency bands. The MET has simultaneous dual-polarization operation at Ka-Band. The MET also includes the ability to monitor and control up to six collocated earth terminals from a single Control and Monitor and Alarm unit. The terminal can also switch baseband signaling from a single bank of modulator/demodulators to many collocated earth terminals through the use of the L-Band Switch Subsystem. Selected METs will also have High-Altitude Electromagnetic Pulse (HEMP) protection. These features, some of which are not normally found in commercial SATCOM terminals will not only serve to modernize the existing fleet of large fixed site terminals, but will provide for enhanced performance, network management leading to potential lights out operation, signal processing systems that include IP Modems, and throughput that will be able to leverage the advanced capability of WGS. This paper will serve to educate the community on the advancements MET will bring to the Warfighter.