ETL Systems Secures UK Space Agency Funding

13/08/2024 -

ETL Systems has been awarded nearly £700,000 in funding from the UK Space Agency (UKSA) to advance its innovative DIGITAL 1000 product line.

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

Advancing Digital IF Technology

This funding supports a two-year research and development project valued at £1,152,977, with the UKSA covering 60% of the costs. The project is focused on enhancing Digital Intermediate Frequency (DIF) technology, specifically tailored for edge devices.

The DIGITAL 1000 product line will integrate seamlessly with ETL’s existing Genus Digital 5000 wideband gateway products and will fully comply with the DIFI Interoperability Standard 4900-2021. This technological advancement is poised to revolutionise virtualisation for edge and mobile applications, with significant implications for the rapidly expanding Internet of Things (IoT) sector. Both governmental and commercial sectors are expected to benefit from improved connectivity and operational efficiency.

"We are thrilled to have been awarded the UKSA funding, which will play a crucial role in the future development of our Digital IF range of products. DIF is a nascent technology, and although ETL currently has a wideband solution, it is not suitable for user terminals which are much narrower bandwidth and have more demanding SWaPC constraints.

With ETL already one of the key players involved in developing Digital IF, the UKSA funding will give us another important boost, helping us to continue developing our offering and meeting the evolving needs of the industry."

Simon Swift, Engineering Director for Digital Technologies at ETL Systems

The Road Ahead

As ETL Systems embarks on this ambitious two-year project, the industry will be watching closely. The development of the Digital 1000 line not only reinforces ETL’s commitment to innovation but also underlines the UK’s strategic role in advancing space technology. With the backing of the UK Space Agency, ETL Systems is well-positioned to drive the next generation of RF technology, setting new standards for virtualisation and connectivity in a rapidly evolving digital landscape.

For more information, visit Satellite Evolution.