Simultaneous downlinks from multiple platforms may be distributed to monitoring sites across the network. The downlink signal is converted to IP data before being delivered securely and bandwidth efficiently, across the customer’s own wide area network, to a monitoring point or multiple points of the customer’s choosing. A voting technique is used to select the best real time downlink signal available, from the multiple deployed receiving sites. The system uses signal quality and packet error data to select the most consistently reliable downlink feed for each channel. It incorporates a hysteresis effect to minimize unnecessary switching while remaining responsive to sudden data losses. Control of the system is via a NVS Control Software, which may be located anywhere on the network.

Since the introduction of Video down links, customers using COFDM-based systems have been demanding more customization and functionality. Air platform users, particularly those in aviation, require their equipment to comply with DO-160 certification, which involves testing for environmental conditions. Furthermore, military customers have specific requirements for increased link robustness, security protocols such as encryption, and minimal failure rates.

To meet the evolving needs of air platforms, ECS has adapted its Evenlode product family. This adaptation caters to helicopters, which demand video down links that are smaller, lighter, consume less power, and offer greater range and capability. As a result, ECS can now provide interoperability between rotary and fixed-wing aircraft as well as unmanned platforms used in remote sensor roles.

ECS has chosen COFDM as the underlying technology for its down links. COFDM offers extended range, sufficient bandwidth for military and security operations, and a cost-effective solution through the Air Data Terminal installed in aircraft.

The product and system design process at ECS follows industry and military standards, including the Design Approved Organization Scheme (DAOS). ECS obtained DAOS certification during its initial audit and has maintained certification ever since. The Evenlode system has also successfully completed the RTCA DO-160-G specification, allowing easy installation of the Air Data Terminal in aircraft. If needed, ECS can collaborate with aerospace design and installation companies to retrofit the Evenlode Air Data Terminal to existing airframes.

The standard Evenlode transceiver utilizes two receive antennas to enable diversity reception. Uplink data serves various purposes such as UAV control, switching between different sensor inputs, camera control, and downlink parameter control. Downlink data is transmitted through Ethernet and Asynchronous Serial Interface (ASI) inputs. The ASI input can come from an external Video Audio Encoder Module (VEM), which includes two internal video encoders capable of encoding two video signals chosen by the operator from four HD and two Standard Definition (SD) inputs. ASI and Ethernet data rates can be independently adjusted.

Evenlode can act as an Ethernet bi-directional network repeater and is compatible with all ECS video equipment. For minimal video delays (less than 140 ms), there is an option for a low latency video encoder/decoder. ECS offers a wide range of ground receiving systems and transceivers that can integrate with Evenlode, including fixed, vehicle-borne, briefcase, and handheld receivers and transceivers. The Evenlode ground data terminal contains a Video/Audio Decoder Module in the same configuration as the air Video/Audio Encoder Module. Additionally, ECS provides various ground station options, such as omnidirectional, diversity, sector tracking, multi-input diversity, and high-gain GPS tracking.

Tove is a lightweight, SDR-based RF data transmitter that offers superior connectivity for airborne, ground, and maritime applications. It supports SD/HD/3G-SDI, CVBS, USB, and Ethernet inputs, making it compatible with both new and legacy sensor systems.

One of the key features of Tove is its onboard low latency H.265 and H.264 1080p video encoder. This encoder provides superior compression, resulting in reduced channel bandwidth, increased spectral efficiency, and an exceptional range. Moreover, it combines GPS and bi-directional telemetry data with the Tove transport stream, enabling positional data and sensor control to be transmitted to fixed or mobile receive stations.

Tove utilizes ECS’s robust and configurable DVB-T COFDM protocol, ensuring reliable data transmission. It comes equipped with an integrated 2 Watt amplifier, allowing data to be transmitted to compatible receive systems like ECS Evenlode Data Link Ground Data Terminals (GDT), ECS handheld receiving devices, or compliant DVB-T receivers. For longer distances, an optional 10 Watt amplifier is available.

For convenient point-to-multipoint data exchange, Tove comes with an omnidirectional antenna. Ground equipment can be customized with various omnidirectional and position-steered antenna systems. Additionally, Ground Receiver Equipment (GRE) can be deployed over a wide area and networked to extend coverage.

The Evenlode Ground Data System is a modular system that complements the Evenlode Series of Airborne Data Terminals. The GDS is based on a half width 19” rack system that provides ground based equipment from test transmitters and receivers through to long range bidirectional tracking antenna fixed base stations.

The Evenlode GDS provides a suite of antenna options ranging from covert omnidirectional antennas to tracking antennas that can achieve ranges in excess of 200 nautical miles.
Enterprise Control Systems Ltd (ECS) provides the complete ‘turnkey’ ground solution including: antennas, cabling, lightning protection, receivers, transmitters, power supplies, test equipment, installation and training.

Evenlode is a series of equipment providing capability for a range of Information Exchange Requirements; equipment may be deployed for air, ground and maritime applications. Evenlode is offered at three levels of complexity with a defined upgrade path. Upgrading from Evenlode I to Evenlode II to Evenlode III uses the previously installed hardware. Following initial deployment of technology, further capability may be added should the Concept of Operations be developed or changed. Equipment is offered as:

Evenlode I Video Transmitter/Receiver. An Evenlode I air transmitter and Evenlode I ground receiver may be used to downlink dual High Definition video, audio, GPS data and telemetry data from the air platform to the ground.

Evenlode II Video Transceiver. Evenlode II air equipment may be used to extend the range of a downlink via a relay system. An Evenlode II air transceiver and Evenlode II ground transceiver provides optional two-way video, audio, GPS and serial telemetry data capability.

Evenlode III Data Terminal. Evenlode III has the data exchange capability of Evenlode II. In addition, air and ground equipment may be deployed to extend the full range of Internet Protocol (IP) services to the air platform; these include internet in the air, remote sensor control from the ground, remote access to databases, augmented reality and shared white-boarding applications. The link between a pair of Evenlode III terminals behaves, in networking terms, as an Ethernet cable with a maximum data rate defined by the radio link parameters.

Air equipment is provided with omnidirectional antennas for point-to-multipoint video exchange. Ground equipment can be offered with a range of omnidirectional and position-steered antenna systems. The complexity of the antenna is dependent upon range and deployment requirements. Static ground equipment may be deployed across a wide area and networked to provide extended coverage.

ECS supplies an extensive range of ground receiving systems and transceivers capable of integrating with Evenlode. These include fixed, vehicle-borne, briefcase and handheld receivers and transceivers. ECS is able to provide omnidirectional, diversity, sector tracking, multi-input diversity and high-gain GPS tracking ground station options.