Telecom Lead Asia: Harris Corp. has introduced a new power amplifier that provides greater capacity, efficiency and range to wideband tactical networking.
Harris’ new UL-Band power amplifier combines with the Falcon III AN/PRC-117G to provide continuous UHF and L-Band frequency coverage from 225 MHz to 2 GHz.
The Department of Defense (DoD) focuses on data transmission in the 225 to 450 MHz range, reducing the spectrum amount available in this frequency band. The extended frequency coverage provided by the new power amplifier allows users operating in vehicles to take advantage of the additional spectrum available up to 2 GHz to send and receive large data files, including video.
Harris says the new power amplifier is compatible with legacy narrowband waveforms as well as various wideband waveforms such as the Wideband Networking Waveform, Soldier Radio Waveform, Mobile User Objective System and Adaptive Networking Wideband Waveform.
The UL-Band amplifier will serve as an accessory to the Falcon III AN/PRC-117G and offers the same size, weight and power profile as the existing VHF/UHF amplifier. Harris operated the new power amplifier on military vehicles at the recently completed U.S. Army Network Integration Evaluation (NIE).
“Our UL-Band power amplifier provided soldiers at the NIE with significant performance enhancements in the wideband network. In particular, the amplifier enabled our solution to meet or exceed requirements for voice and data in range, throughput, security and reliability,’’ said George Helm, president, Department of Defense business, Harris RF Communications.
The AN/PRC-117G radio provides enhanced situational awareness of the battlefield by connecting warfighters to the tactical Internet and has been vetted in four consecutive Army NIE events.
Harris has shipped more than 25,000 AN/PRC-117G radios to all branches of the U.S. military as well as over a dozen allies including Canada, France, the United Kingdom, Germany, Italy, Australia, Poland and several other countries.
