Sarah Eggleton

TCI are currently attending the World Radiocommunication Conference (WRC) ’23 in Dubai, where we are launching our two new products in the 753 and 759 Compact Spectrum Monitoring Systems (SMS) to enhance our current portfolio.

We have had lots of interest in our two new SMS capabilities, and look forward to catching up with you on stand D5 to discuss any Spectrum Monitoring requirements you may have.

PRESS RELEASE

• With the arrival of 5G, 6G and the increase in network density, the new TCI 753 and 759 Compact Spectrum Monitoring Systems provide real-time, efficient spectrum monitoring, management and optimization for telecommunications regulators  

Fremont, CA – 20th November 2023: Radio Frequency (RF) solutions manufacturer TCI, part of SPX CommTech, today announces its new 753 and 759 Compact Spectrum Monitoring Systems, allowing regulators to monitor the spectrum in real-time, simplify spectrum management, and reduce cost in an increasingly complex environment. 

Part of TCI’s Future of Spectrum Monitoring offering, the 753 and 759 are compact, single-box solutions providing high-speed processing and game-changing capabilities. They allow regulators to increase their spectrum monitoring efficiency with fewer resources while aiding their transition from a reactive to a Proactive Spectrum Monitoring (PSM) strategy. PSM is an integrated approach that leverages real-time RF monitoring, lookback recording, centralized big data collection, analytics and machine learning to increase spectrum utilization, address bandwidth scarcity, and mitigate interference. 

When used with TCI’s Scorpio graphical interface management software and Spectrum Surveyor® tools, TCI 753 and 759 enable operators to automate routine monitoring tasks and simplify sophisticated signal surveying and interference analysis. They are purpose-built to harness TCI’s latest Signal Identification and Classification and Spectrum Surveyor® software for big data integration, analysis and reporting.  

Together with Scorpio the spectrum monitoring systems deliver the most powerful automation available and enable the fine-grained analysis of the radio spectrum at the block, local, regional and national levels. This allows regulators to solve today’s spectrum management and scarcity challenges, drive higher spectrum utilization, and win with data.  

With abundant on-board storage, multi-channel recording and processing, both the 753 and 759 enable regulators to proactively undertake detailed, long-term observation of spectrum occupancy patterns to identify and drive new regulatory policies, review past spectrum issues and predict future ones. This is achieved even within remote locations with poor network coverage where frequent data collection, analysis, and transmission are challenging. Their IP67 housing offers all-weather flexible deployment options ranging from transportable, mobile, and fixed outdoor installations. 

Furthermore, the 759 incorporates two-channel Direction Finding (DF) technology that increases accuracy and scan speed.  With the second reference channel continually monitoring, operators can listen-in on the signal during DF operations as well as accomplishing other monitoring tasks.

Each system integrates Digital Down Converters (DDC) that isolate and capture the precise signal of interest. The use of DDCs optimize both on-board memory and data transfer requirements, enabling high speed IQ data signal analysis, modulation classification, and demodulation analysis functions.  

“This is one more building block in our roadmap to providing customers with scalable, future-proof tools to efficiently monitor the increasingly challenging RF environment,” says Ann Bustamante, VP of SMS and ASMS Sales at TCI. “By automating functions and enabling big data collection and analysis, we’re making it possible for regulators to simplify tasks and become much more cost-effective in their approach.” 

TCI 753 and 759 Compact Spectrum Monitoring Systems are now available to purchase. For more information visit: www.tcibr.com/future-of-spectrum-monitoring 

About SPX CommTech – TCI 

TCI, as part of the SPX Technologies’ CommTech Platform, innovates specialized technologies within the Radio Frequency (RF) spectrum to ensure a smarter, more secure future for all.  

SPX CommTech’s Spectrum Monitoring Solutions (SMS) portfolio enables government-mandated regulators to digitize and monetize the Radio Spectrum by licensing, managing and protecting spectrum bands for telecommunications services – including 5G.  

Combining decades of technology innovation and expertise with agile and collaborative teams, SPX CommTech delivers sustainable and exceptional results to customers across the globe. 

For more information on SPX CommTech Spectrum Monitoring Solutions visit www.tcibr.com 

All around the world, heightened political, military and societal tension, and the growing use of electronic warfare, demonstrates the unparalleled importance of managing and understanding the Radio Frequency (RF) spectrum today. Furthermore, the ability to record, receive, and stream real-time high-quality video and data is critical for all defense, security, and policing organizations charged with securing their nation’s population and Critical National Infrastructure. At SPX CommTech we’re committed to providing solutions that allow faster, more detailed communication between teams and across longer distances to ensure a smarter, more secure future for all.

Since its inception in 2021 SPX CommTech, made up of ECS and TCI, has created, developed, and launched scalable RF solutions and support services that deliver mission success. We’re continually innovating with leading edge technologies to address the needs of present and future defense and security teams.

In this context, we’ve recently introduced two new RF solutions for faster Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) detection and defeat, and for improved Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) missions for defense and security users – both exhibited for the very first time at DSEI 2023 in September 2023.

Enhanced UAS detection and defeat – threat analysis and response is critical to global security. SPX CommTech’s next generation Transportable Tactical Communications Intelligence (COMINT) 953 RF Receiver provides superior identification, direction-finding, and tracking of hostile RF signals to support COMINT and Counter-UAS tactical operations.

Developed by TCI, the new 953 COMINT RF Receiver builds on the success of its predecessors. It now boasts reduced size and weight, but with greater power. This makes the device portable for dismounted operations and easily mounted on a vehicle to support mobility operations. For example, it can be carried to an elevated position in a dismounted role, such as a tactical position only accessible on foot or on top of a high-rise building, to ensure the antenna is situated at height for optimum signal detection and increased range.

The 953 COMINT RF Receiver performs continuous, unmanned, remote, and real-time signal collection up to 80MHz bandwidth across a frequency of up to 40GHz for signal monitoring, collection, and direction-finding. This bandwidth delivers a sweet spot between monitoring sufficient signal breadth and amplitude to ensure quality and accuracy in identifying threats. It’s powered with removable hot-swappable batteries for round-the-clock use. The new compact chassis is IP-67 rated to withstand temperatures up to 50°C to deliver full operational capability in extreme hostile climatic environments. It also boasts increased removable storage of up to 2TB for enhanced data capture. The 953 COMINT RF Receiver is powered by SPX CommTech’s well-renowned Blackbird software application. Blackbird detects, identifies, direction-finds and tracks signals of interest to support, find, fix and strike operations, and mitigate electronic warfare threats. It also tracks the RF emission of UAVs and their controllers or Data Links to support counter-responses. Blackbird can record the signal environment for look-back analysis without interrupting the current mission. It simplifies the collection task and can trigger automated actions and support unattended operations.

Utilizing part of the 953 COMINT RF Receiver, Blackbird also uses geolocation to enable defense teams to visualize the location of the frequencies for improved intelligence-gathering and threat management. Blackbird’s intuitive point-and-click user experience suits all skill levels and is an evolution of the proven intuitive interface in previous models. This ensures minimal training requirements for existing customers while enabling new users to master the system quickly.

The new 953 COMINT RF Receiver is also backwards compatible with previous COMINT versions and other technologies from SPX CommTech, for cost avoidance, uninterrupted service and seamless scalability for our users. It can also be integrated with open-source or customer-supplied mapping and other integrations.

Improved Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) missions – strategic and tactical information is critical in making timely decisions in environments where every second counts. However, decision-making responsibility is increasingly delegated to tactical commanders operating in environments that are notoriously fast-paced and unpredictable, and where available RF bandwidth is reduced. Therefore, it’s essential to find ways to deliver accurate data and communications intelligence in compressed formats so it can be delivered quickly and efficiently.

The new Evenlode Video and Audio Encoder / Decoder developed by Enterprise Control Systems (ECS) supplies high-efficiency video coding (HEVC) H.265 low-latency encoding to deliver superior multi-video compression for efficient video recording and real-time, secure distribution. Latency below 120 milliseconds end-to-end means images are transferred and received in real-time, enabling greater situational awareness, and more accurate, faster response.

It significantly reduces the required bandwidth to transfer the same – or better – quality video and audio data than existing models in the market. Considering the limited RF bandwidths available to defense, security and policing organizations, access to freed-up IP allows greater flexibility for sharing critical data through encrypted file shares. It also allows greater use of applications such as electro-optical/ infrared sensors, and tracking and location data being shown on a moving map – all improving incident response.

The decoder mirrors the encoding capabilities, allowing the real-time restreaming – or transcoding – to multiple destination points such as a command center or at the tactical edge using mobile devices. This adds flexibility to users’ video distribution aims in one single solution.

The upgraded video and audio Data Link solution, which is the latest in the ECS Evenlode series, delivers highly sought-after 4K Ultra High Definition video image quality. This delivers a maximum system resolution of 1080p60 and enhances the image after compression, making it easier to identify details and potential threats.

The device is certified to RTCA DO160G standard, which assures the performance characteristics of the equipment required for kit fitted to airborne manned, fixed and rotary-wing aircraft. It’s backwards compatible with ECS’ operationally-proven legacy equipment, meaning users can keep up to date with the latest decoding technology without upgrading their entire systems.

Tactical Data Links provide the ability for aircraft to become network-enabled across land, sea and air and, therefore, able to carry out ISR missions across all of them. Data is transmitted using sophisticated, in-house designed encryption software. The new Encoder / Decoder has six separate video inputs – four HD and two SD – capable of encoding four videos simultaneously. This allows users to select the latest mission-critical information required without disrupting the operation and simultaneously process multiple video inputs for improved situational awareness.

The launch of the new Evenlode Video and Audio Encoder / Decoder is part of a continued strategic development of technologies that deliver fast and accurate ISR data so timely and effective decisions can be made on the tactical edge.

SPX CommTech, made up of TCI and ECS, enables defense teams to detect, defeat and exploit RF signals to enhance Communications Intelligence (COMINT) and Counter Uncrewed Aerial Systems (Counter-UAS). It is renowned for supplying detection and direction-finding systems to militaries around the world.

The partnership ensures the delivery of specialized technologies within the RF spectrum, adapted to battlefield requirements. Infozahyst will deliver enhanced operator training, and ensure comprehensive service coverage of the equipment in Ukraine.

In addition, Infozahyst will oversee any necessary repair, service, and diagnostics of specific SPX CommTech equipment. The agreement also encompasses the localization of user interfaces and system integration with situational awareness platforms.

“SPX CommTech radio reconnaissance tools are reliable instruments for determining enemy locations. We recognize the unique challenges of ensuring consistent technical support in Ukraine from abroad, and we are pleased that Infozahyst can now assist in addressing this concern. For this purpose, our engineers and other specialists are undertaking training at SPX CommTech to master all the possibilities of the technology.” said Iaroslav Kalinin, the director of the Infozahyst company.

Commenting on the partnership, Iaroslav Kalinin concluded: “This collaboration not only aligns with our core competencies but also further strengthens our commitment to offering advanced solutions and training to our customers. We are committed to our country and doing everything to effectively counter all Russian occupation and make Ukraine a state strong enough to prevent such invasions in the future.”

TCI International, Inc. would like to thank the Instituto Nacional das Comunicações de Moçambique (INCM) for sponsoring and co-hosting the user group training event in Automated Spectrum Management System (ASMS) in Maputo, Mozambique. We appreciate the hard work that INCM contributed to make this bi-annual event a great success.

Also, TCI congratulates the 40+ attendees who graduated from this event, during which they enjoyed the opportunity to freely exchange ideas and experiences with subject-matter experts from TCI and African regulatory professionals regarding each nation’s spectrum management and data analytics. TCI would like to thank the graduates for their valuable feedback, which will be used to inform TCI’s product roadmap and identify the most important features to be developed for their organizations.

Leveraging TCI’s 50-year legacy of designing, deploying, and maintaining spectrum monitoring solutions, the TCI Model 710 Automated Spectrum Management System offers web based management of spectrum and non-spectrum licenses, technical analysis, accounting tools and business analytics with dashboards to allow regulators to efficiently manage all spectrum and communication services.

TCI International, Inc. would like to congratulate and thank the participants from seven countries who are this week attending the TCI five-day user group training event in Automated Spectrum Management System (ASMS) in Maputo, Mozambique. Sponsored and co-hosted by the Instituto Nacional das Comunicações de Moçambique (INCM), this bi-annual forum is providing an opportunity for the free exchange of ideas and experiences between subject-matter experts from TCI and African regulatory professionals as it applies to each nation’s managing of spectrum and non-spectrum licenses and the data and associated analytics.

We are delighted that more than 40 participants, all users of TCI’s ASMS, have gathered for five days of training. Feedback from the training will be used to provide their input into the product roadmap and identify the most important features to be developed for their organizations. Forum attendees are enjoying topics that include hands-on training using TCI’s 710 ASMS software, operational best practices and user tips, the introduction of new software functions and features, and a discussion of the product development roadmap. While enhancing their spectrum management skills and knowledge, attendees’ network with other user organizations to learn from their experiences and to build new relationships.

Leveraging TCI’s 50-year legacy of designing, deploying, and maintaining spectrum monitoring solutions, the TCI Model 710 Automated Spectrum Management System offers web based management of spectrum and non-spectrum licenses, technical analysis, accounting tools and business analytics with dashboards to  allow regulators to efficiently manage all communication services.