Digital IF

What is Digital IF?

Digital IF is the technology that bridges the gap between the traditional RF technology and the evolving cloud virtualised ground segment.  

ETL’s GENUS DIGITAL plays a pivotal role in this transition by efficiently sampling analogue signals from diverse sources. These signals are then encapsulated as IP packets and transmitted over an ethernet connection, a process commonly referred to as ‘RF over IP’.

The signals are reconstructed at the receiving end, enabling seamless communication and data transfer between locations. This innovative approach not only streamlines signal transport but also facilitates the integration of traditional RF systems into modern digital infrastructures, marking a significant advancement in satellite communications technology.

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FAQs

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Virtualisation

Digital IF technology will be a key enabler for digital modems – software or hardware based. It will provide operators with the flexibility to deploy new waveforms and, in conjunction with the implementation of virtual instruments, to monitor any signal from anywhere.

Diversity Antenna Sites

A Digital IF system protects against rain fade, atmospheric conditions and kinetic strike. It also allows transmission over 100s of miles without degradation regardless of the length of fibre or quality of RF cabling. Users will not need multiple fibre regeneration points to maintain signal quality.

This allows increased diversity antenna separation – key as satellite frequencies increase.

Non Geostationery Orbit (NGSO) Systems

The precise timestamping in the DIF system allows for exact handover points between antennas used for NGSO.

Precise time stamping can also be used for GEO-locating “interfering” signals, via Time of Flight (ToF) measurements.

Security Intelligence

The ability to geographically separate system elements with no impact on signal quality will enable ‘behind the wire’ encryption and reduce risk exposure. With fully remote system monitoring/control, only the antenna would be in the line of fire if located in a hostile territory.

What’s Driving The Development of DIF?

The rapid expansion of IoT, with over 75 billion devices expected by 2025, is driving demand for efficient and scalable communication infrastructure. Current bandwidth limitations strain the ground segment, despite advancements in multi-orbit satellites, Wi-Fi, and 5G. Digital Intermediate Frequency (DIF) technology supports the transition to Ground Segment as a Service (GSaaS), offering flexible, virtualised infrastructure and reducing capital expenses. Major cloud providers like Microsoft Azure and Amazon AWS are key players in this digital shift, enabling secure, centralised data processing. This transition improves operational efficiency and security, as digital signals maintain quality over long distances and facilitate easier signal routing through IP networks.

Overcome Distance Limitations of Analogue RF Signals

Transitioning to digital doesn’t necessitate a complete overhaul at once. By adapting existing infrastructure, such as through ETL’s GENUS DIGITAL 5000, organisations can leverage Digital Intermediate Frequency (DIF) technology to convert analogue RF signals into digital forms. This approach minimises risk and maximises returns, allowing continued use of existing assets.

DIF enables digital signals to be securely transported globally via private IP networks, overcoming the distance limitations of analogue RF signals and ensuring signal integrity regardless of travel distance. It is also encryption and modulation agnostic, supporting various waveforms and making it versatile for different applications. While government and defence sectors are expected to lead in adopting DIF due to their stringent security needs, other industries may transition more gradually, balancing the use of both analogue and digital RF technologies. As DIF gains traction and proves its value, especially in high-security environments, we anticipate broader adoption and the development of a robust digitised ground infrastructure that will provide significant operational efficiencies and economies of scale.

Enhance Operational Security and Resilience

Digital IF is poised to revolutionise satellite communication across all sectors, with profound implications, especially in intelligence and government applications. By enabling the geographical separation of system components without compromising signal integrity, Digital IF facilitates robust ‘behind the wire’ encryption protocols, significantly mitigating risks associated with sensitive data transmission. This advancement ensures the uninterrupted operation of satellite networks, safeguarding both critical equipment and personnel from potential threats. Digital IF’s ability to maintain high signal quality over extended distances enhances operational security and resilience, making it indispensable for missions where confidentiality and safety are paramount concerns.

Remove Atmospheric Challenges with Digital IF

As satellite bandwidth demands escalate, pushing operations into higher frequency bands, atmospheric effects like attenuation during storms become more pronounced. In tropical regions, this can lead to up to 30dB of additional attenuation at Ka-band, a challenge exacerbated further in Q/V bands. To ensure continuous network availability, operators increasingly rely on spatial diversity.

Digital Intermediate Frequency (DIF) technology plays a crucial role by enabling transmission over extended distances without signal degradation, thus safeguarding against rain fade and other atmospheric disturbances. Moreover, Digital IF offers an advantage over RF-over-Fibre in diversity applications due to its precise GPS-disciplined timing, which inherently manages signal coordination without requiring compensation for fibre optic signal delays when switching between antenna sites. This capability enhances operational reliability and efficiency in satellite communications systems faced with dynamic environmental conditions and frequency challenges.

Improve Operational Flexibility Through Virtualisation

Supporting digital modems with Digital Intermediate Frequency (DIF) introduces a transformative shift from hardware-based to software-defined solutions, enhancing operational flexibility through virtualisation. Digital modems, hosted on standardised computing platforms, deliver substantial cost efficiencies compared to traditional hardware models. They enable seamless upgrades to the latest waveforms and accommodate fluctuating bandwidth demands, thereby converting modem expenditures from capital to operational expenses. The digital domain simplifies signal orchestration across the network, leveraging virtual instrumentation for streamlined management from any location. This evolution empowers operators with agile, cost-effective solutions capable of adapting swiftly to evolving communication needs.

What is the Difference Between Analogue and Digital IF?

Analogue IF signals fluctuate in amplitude over time and are prone to degradation during transmission, resulting in the need for signal conditioning to help compensate for losses over large distances. Digital IF, however, changes these signals into a digital stream, eliminating the need for signal conditioning and enabling signal transport over longer distances without analogue interference or losses.

Analogue signals are routed through Matrices. With Digital IF, the process becomes remarkably streamlined—simply a few clicks to alter the destination to a different IP address. This grants users operational flexibility, such as easy antenna changeover, with unprecedented ease and efficiency.

How your Analogue Configuration Links to Digital

Transitioning from analogue to Digital IF requires a carefully planned and strategic approach. ETL’s GENUS DIGITAL solution offers a seamless integration path, facilitating the incorporation of analogue equipment such as Matrices, RF over Fibre systems, and Frequency Converters into a digital framework. This transition is made even smoother by the compatibility of Genus Digital with both legacy and virtual modems that adhere to the DIFI standard. By leveraging GENUS DIGITAL, organisations can simplify the migration process, optimise system performance, and pave the way for a fully digitalised operational environment.

Are You Ready for Digital IF?

The transition to Digital IF marks a pivotal advancement in satellite communications, bridging the divide between analogue and digital systems while harnessing cloud technologies for unprecedented flexibility, scalability, and operational agility. This evolution signals a transformative era where hardware integration with cloud computing meets the dynamic needs of satellite communications.

Looking forward, the increasing importance of Virtual Network Functions suggests a promising future for Digital IF adoption in ground segment operations. Drawing from historical transitions, such as the shift from analogue to digital in television and telecommunications, provides valuable foresight into the profound impact Digital IF will have on satellite communications.

In summary, Digital IF stands poised to revolutionise ground segment operations and drive innovation and efficiency in satellite communications. With ongoing advancements in hardware capabilities and maturing cloud computing technologies, the journey towards a fully digitalised satellite infrastructure promises to push the boundaries of what’s achievable in space-based communication networks.