Software-Defined Modem/Transceiver (SDX-2Ka)
Blue Marble Communications radiation-hardened SDX is our second-generation, dual-channel Ka-band, software-defined radio for spaceborne communication systems. The RF channels are also available with integrated X-band, Ku-band, and/or custom frequency converters.
Modulation and coding are software-definable and currently available in industry-standard DVB-S2, DVB-S2X, and 5G NR NTN; alternate or custom waveforms are available upon request. The multi-processor architecture provides for ultra-high bandwidth/throughput regenerative waveform processing. SDX-2Ka has successfully completed Ka Compatibility Testing (KCT) for multiple SDA PWSA programs.
Technical specifications
| Specification | Performance |
| Transmit Frequency | 17.8-21.2GHz |
| Transmit Output Power | -20 to 0dBm |
| Transmit Phase Noise (1kHz-1MHz, SSB) | <2° rms |
| Transmit Harmonic Output | <-60dBc |
| Transmit Output Return Loss | >12dB |
| Transmit Error Vector Magnitude (200 Samples, AEF ON, 32APSK) |
10MSps: <9.0% peak, <2.5% avg >40MSps: <5.5% peak, <1.75% avg |
| Receive Frequency | 27.5-31.0GHz |
| Receive Input Power | -70 to -20dBm |
| Receive Noise Figure | <3.0dB |
| Communication Waveforms | DVB-S2(X), 5G NR, Custom |
| Processed Bandwidth / Data Rate | 2-4GHz / 10-20Gbps |
| Data Interfaces | 2x NBASE-T (N=100/1000/2.5G/5G/10G) 2x 10/25GBASE-(K)R |
| Internal Clock Reference | 100MHz OCXO , <0.35 ppb @ 25°C |
| Monitor & Control Interface | RS-422, 10/100/1000BASE-T, CAN |
| Timing Interface | Reference Clock & PPS LVDS & 50Ω options |
| Size & Mass | 38.9×22.2×3.9cm, 3.85kg |
| Power Input | 22-38Vdc |
| Operating Temperature | -20 to +60°C |
Medusa™ Fiber µlens Array
High-density, laser-welded, fiber-optic arrays for precision and robustness
Medusa™ fiberized microlens arrays offer nearly limitless scaling for fiber interconnects that cannot be matched by competing technologies. Laser-welded fibers ensure robust adhesion and 100% fused silica beam path, while automated alignment guarantees performance specifications regardless of fiber type.
Dense-packing with configurable placement
Medusa™ fiberized microlens arrays can be pre-configured to provide any fiber density any location for any type of fiber, including mixed fiber types. Epoxy-free path provides uninterrupted silica path for high reliability applications such as datacenter interconnects, silicon photonics interconnects, or kW-per-fiber beam combination.
Technical specifications
The preliminary specifications of Medusa™ fiberized microlens arrays are given below:
- Fiber type: SM, PM, MM, LMA, or mixed
- Number of fibers: 128, or user defined to over 1024
- Fiber configuration: hex-pack, square pack, or user defined
- Center-to-center spacing: user defined ≤ 250µm
- Pointing error: ≤ 2.5mrad
- PM fiber co-alignment: ≤0.3°
- Connector loss per channel: 0.5/1.6dB (avg/max)
Manufacturing features of Medusa™ fiberized microlens arrays make them suitable for integration into high-density expanded-beam connectors. Such features include:
- Bar-coded fibers for easy correlation to microlens location
- Mounted or unmounted microlens array
- Epoxy filled (not in path) for hermetic strain-relief