MUOS ground system in Wahiawa, Hawaii. Photo: Wikipedia

[Via Satellite 04-23-2014] General Dynamics C4 Systems opened one of two United States Navy-approved laboratories that support radio terminal testing for the Multiple User Objective System (MUOS) space-ground network. Companies that desire to use the lab must receive approval from the Navy’s Communications Satellite Program office, PMW 146, to authorize access. The first company to obtain approval was Rockwell Collins for the ARC-210 radio, which began testing in March.

The General Dynamics lab, located in Scottsdale, Ariz., simulates the radio’s connectivity with the MUOS ground network. It uses the MUOS waveform, leveraging commercial Wideband Code Division Multiple Access (WCDMA) cell phone technology. Testing will determine a terminal’s ability to establish secure voice calls and data transmissions.