Pacific Defense has announced the launch of the SX-620, heralded as the industry’s first 3U OpenVPX™ plug-in card to incorporate Mobile Ad Hoc Networking (MANET) capabilities. The card utilises Silvus’ MN-MIMO waveform technology and aligns with The Open Group Sensor Open Systems Architecture (SOSA) Technical Standard and the C5ISR/EW Modular Open Suite of Standards (CMOSS) ecosystem. This innovation aims to enhance communication resilience and scalability for mission-critical systems.
The SX-620 is a significant addition to Pacific Defense’s portfolio of multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) technology. It introduces the MN-MIMO waveform to tactical environments, powered by the Silvus StreamCaster 4400 Enhanced (SC4200E) radio module. The card is designed to enable quicker, more robust communication, particularly at the tactical edge where operational demands are high.
By leveraging commercial technologies, Pacific Defense aims to help U.S. and allied forces maintain a technological advantage in contemporary warfare. The introduction of the SX-620 is expected to facilitate advanced communication networks that ensure critical data and voice connectivity in contested environments, a crucial requirement for modern military operations.
At the heart of the SX-620 is the Silvus SC4400E, a 4×4 MIMO MANET radio that delivers high-performance tactical communications in challenging conditions. The radio’s MN-MIMO waveform supports a remarkable data throughput of up to 100 Mbps and operates over a broad frequency range from 300 MHz to 6 GHz.
Notably ruggedised, the SC4400E is designed to endure harsh environments, boasting 20W native output power (80W effective) that sustains stable links across complex terrains. Its capabilities make it particularly well-suited for military and other mission-critical applications. Furthermore, the MN-MIMO waveform offers impressive scalability, capable of connecting over 550 nodes, and ensures robust Electronic Warfare (EW) resilience. This guarantees reliable transmission of voice, data, video, and Position Location Information (PLI), even in congested and hostile settings.
“The SX-620 brings a new level of communications resilience and scalability to mission-critical systems,” stated Pedja Mitrovic, Director of Product Management at Pacific Defense. He highlighted that the product successfully passed over-the-air acceptance testing by the U.S. Army earlier this year, demonstrating the rapid and cost-effective integration of new communications capabilities into existing systems. The launch underscores Pacific Defense’s commitment to leading and growing the SOSA/CMOSS ecosystem, driving innovation within the defence sector.
The SX-620 is part of Pacific Defense’s broader range of plug-in cards that comply with the SOSA Technical Standard. These can be utilised to construct CMOSS systems tailored for diverse defence and critical commercial applications. By advocating for open architecture standards, Pacific Defense facilitates faster and more economical solutions compared to traditional systems, thereby empowering innovation for the U.S. military, allies, and industry partners.
In summary, the launch of the SX-620 marks a pivotal advancement in tactical communications, promising to enhance the operational effectiveness of military forces in increasingly complex environments. For more information on the SX-620, visit the product page here.
