Dartcom is pleased to announce the availability of its next-generation X-Band EOS System. It continues to support all existing services, and adds support for the recently launched JPSS-2 (NOAA-21) and FengYun-3E satellites.

The hardware is also ready for Metop-SG, with only a future software upgrade needed when the new services are operational. Future support for JPSS-3/4 and FengYun-3F/G/H will again need only software upgrades.

The heart of the new X-Band EOS System is a state-of-the-art demodulator supporting up to 100Msps symbol rates, plus a new modular system interface rack with programmable RF module.

All hardware components are software controlled for fully automatic operation. The demodulator has a web interface providing comprehensive monitoring and diagnostics, and firmware upgrades can easily be installed in the field.

The first production system was recently installed on the icebreaker Oden, operated by the Swedish Polar Research Secretariat, including antenna heating and temperature monitoring systems to handle the harsh conditions in the Arctic Ocean.

More information on the Dartcom X-Band EOS System

Dartcom has recently supplied and installed 1.5m Marine X/L-Band EOS Systems on two new polar research vessels – the Australian Antarctic Division’s RSV Nuyina and the British Antarctic Survey’s RRS Sir David Attenborough.

RSV Nuyina is one of the most advanced vessels of its kind in the world – a scientific research platform, icebreaker and resupply ship in one. It will offer scientists unprecedented and extended access to the Southern Ocean and Antarctica. At 160 metres long and 25,500 tonnes, the vessel is powerful enough to break 1.65 metres of ice at a continuous speed of 3 knots.

RRS Sir David Attenborough is a 129 metre, 10,400 tonne icebreaker designed to support science in extreme environments. A wide range of specialist scientific facilities, instruments and laboratories enable scientists to conduct multi-disciplinary sciences to study the ocean, seafloor, ice and atmosphere. Marine robotics and remotely operated vehicles – including the famous Boaty McBoatface – will capture data from the deep ocean and previously inaccessible locations under the ice.

More information on the Dartcom X-Band EOS System

Dartcom is pleased to announce the availability of its new GK-2A UHRIT System to provide reception of UHRIT data from the GEO-KOMPSAT-2A (GK-2A) satellite.

GK-2A is operated by the Korean Meteorological Administration (KMA) and National Meteorological Space Center (NMSC). It was launched in 2019 to replace the COMS-1 satellite.

The GK-2A UHRIT service uses a 31Mbps DVB-S2 downlink to allow high-resolution data (up to 500m) with a short repeat cycle (10 minutes). 16 spectral bands are available from the AMI sensor, as well as a number of level 2 products.

More information on the Dartcom GK-2A UHRIT System

In 2017 Dartcom installed X-Band EOS and HRPT/AHRPT Systems at two sites in Brazil for INPE (Instituto Nacional de Pesquisas Espaciais – National Centre for Space Research).

The data produced by these systems has helped INPE detect a huge increase in Amazon wildfires this year, making news worldwide.

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