ViaSat Demonstrates Analog-to-Digital Transmitters for Unmanned Aerial Systems

ViaSat Enerdyne received and displayed analog-transmitted NTSC video from a variety of unmanned aerial systems using its digital EnerLinks 3 ground modem transceiver in a demonstration for customers held at Webster Field in Patuxent River, Md., ViaSat announced.
    Based on a programmable radio architecture, the EnerLinks 3 GMT is designed to simplify transition from legacy analog to advanced digital data links and operate with digital waveforms transmitted by aircraft using EnerLinks equipment.
    During the demonstration, the EnerLinks GMT captured video transmitted from unmanned aircraft such as the Insitu Scan Eagle, AAI Aerosonde MK 4.7, L-3 Mobius, Aerovironment Puma, and MUDO AeroStar, receiving transmissions in L-, S-, and C-bands.
    “Our customer base has a significant number of systems flying with analog links. As they transition to EnerLinks digital technology, they’ll be operating a mix of both legacy and new technology. The addition of analog modes allows them to use one ground receiver for all deployed units,” said ViaSat Enerdyne division general manager Steve Gardner, in a statement.