LINKS Multi-Beamforming Antenna: This Phase 1 study will examine the feasibility of taking the LINKS antenna to TRL7. The current prototype demonstrated the capability of ATLAS LINKS for telemetry, tracking, and collection of mission data from satellites. The small system can be rapidly deployed to enable new ground station setup in a short amount of time, which enhances the DoDâs architecture resiliency through scalability and expedient reconstitution. The current Engineering and Manufacturing Development (EMD) antenna node provides the foundation upon which a flexible, capable and operationally suitable architecture is possible. Users add nodes as required in a building block approach, meeting operational vignette scenarios and technical performance requirements. With each added node, the respective array increases in number of supported contacts and contact reception G/T. The EMD unit demonstrated the feasibility of taking the LINKS multi satellite electronically steered antenna to TRL7. The current engineering unit demonstrated the capability for telemetry, tracking and collection of mission data from satellites. LINKS is capable of 14-17 dBi/K per beam G/T, multiple simultaneous beams, downlink in LEO and GEO, Auto tracking in LEO and GEO, coherent combining of disjointed panels, digital signal enhancement, and ATLAS Freedom⢠Software Platform integration. The flexible and scalable architecture is made possible by ATLASâ proprietary signal processing algorithm that allows the user to dynamically reconfigure array layout and resource allocation for maximum mission performance. Signal gain is achieved through a symbol-aware noise removal algorithm that also removes RF carrier effects, reducing RF grating lobes. This enables combining from disjointed, heterogeneous receivers. G/T thus becomes a matter of scheduling, varying with array physical size as well as with downlink signal types. During the next generation development phase, ATLAS will conduct rigorous systems engineering and product line development tasks which will result in a fully-tested EMD antenna node (or node varieties). LINKS will be capable of on-demand performance enhancements by scaling to mission requirements up to and including SCN class antenna performance. Unlike huge monolithic phased array antennas, LINKS form factor has a low profile that allows them to be spread out on the ground or roof tops contributing to their OPSEC significance and ease of transport and asse
