U.K.-based SATCOM RF Test company, AtlanTecRF is delighted to announce the first flight of its newly released Ku-Band Drone Satellite Simulator specifically designed to enable the testing of ocean going SATCOM systems.

The miniaturised Satellite Simulator was flown on an eight blade drone and in the tests the Ku unit received a signal while hovering above a ground terminal similar to the type that would be used on ocean going liners and large cargo ships. The Drone Satellite Simulator then transposed that signal and sent it back at downlink frequencies thereby simulating the satellite and allowing the testing of the ship’s antenna without the ship having to alter its course.

With the addition of the Ku-Band product, AtlanTecRF now offers a range of Drone Satellite Simulators that operate in either Ka-Band (30 GHz uplink and 20 GHz downlink) or Ku-Band (14 GHz uplink and 11 GHz downlink) with options of both circular and linear polarisation.

Each Drone Satellite Simulator can either draw its power from the same batteries providing lift to the drone or they can be supplied as self-sufficient with integral, rechargeable power storage.

Speaking at the company's research and development center in Braintree, U.K. following the first flight, CEO Geoff Burling said, "This new range of Drone Satellite Simulators brings a new dimension to SATCOM simulation.  Initially our products have been ground or mast mounted, but the ability to have a Satellite Simulator on an aerial platform expands considerably the versatility of the testing regime and greatly reduces the costs of mobile systems.”