UPDATE — A new US Army RFI Signals Growing Acknowledgement of Digital IF Standard
PISCATAWAY, N.J., Dec. 13, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — The SATCOM industry passed a milestone recently when the US Army specified the Digital IF Interoperability (DIFI) Consortium’s standard as a requirement in two recent Requests for Information (RFIs). The US Army Wideband Enterprise Satellite Systems, (PdMWESS) requested information on DIFI standard compliance in Digital IF Converters IFC and Digital IF Combiner-Dividers. The US Army seeks to modernize its DoD SATCOM Gateways as well as address the growing DoD SATCOM user base through migration to digital IF ground segments architecture. This will help to ensure resilience and growth.
There are many benefits to complying with DIFI 1.1 standards in government, military, commercial and satellite communications. Buyers can eliminate the risk of locking themselves into proprietary systems and ensure they can use best-of-breed technology from multiple vendors at competitive prices in the future. This allows them to continue to innovate.
“There is growing interest and investment in digital transformation by the U.S. military,” commented Stuart Daughtridge, Chairman of DIFI. “The specification of open interoperable standards such as DIFI helps the U.S. DoD achieve its stated modernization goals of reducing vendor lock, supporting adaptive dynamic space operations, while also reducing life-cycle costs.”
DIFI membership includes US government representatives from the US Army, US Navy, US Space Command, DISA, and the DoD CIO’s office, along with about 50 commercial and foreign government members. They joined the DIFI Consortium because they are keen to acquire standards-based technology.
DIFI IF Interoperability Consortium
The Digital IF Interoperability Consortium, (DIFI), is an independent international group of organizations, companies, and government agencies with an interest in interoperability between networks and ground systems supporting space-based operation. Launched in coordination with the IEEE-ISTO, DIFI’s mission is to enable the digital transformation of space, satellite, and related industries through a simple, interoperable Digital IF/RF standard that accelerates industry transformation from L-Band IF to Digital IF, while discouraging vendor lock-in. DIFI’s current membership is comprised of over 50 companies and government organizations from across space industry sectors. The founding members of DIFI include Hawkeye 360, Intelsat Corp., Kongsberg Satellite Services AS (KSAT), Kratos Defense & Security Solutions, Inc. (NASDAQ: KTOS), Microsoft, and the U.S. Navy. Visit DIFI Consortium to learn more, including information about membership. https://www.dificonsortium.org.
Contact: Joni Sterlacci
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