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| Rockwell Collins demonstration of modernized wideband HF air-to-ground connectivity. Photo: Rockwell Collins |
[Avionics Today 08-23-2016] Rockwell Collins has completed a data transfer from a C-17 airborne aircraft to a ground station over a Wideband High Frequency (WBHF) channel. Rockwell Collins collaborated with the U.S. Air Force to prove the viability of WBHF data transfer over the duration of a two-day flight, between Dover AFB Delaware and Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington, using a Wideband HF Receiver-Exciter configured for airborne operation.
“WBHF is a highly reliable solution for the transfer of data, including video, and the perfect complement to traditional satcom communications in denied environments,” said Mike Jones, vice president and general manager of navigation and electronic warfare solutions at Rockwell Collins. The transfer aims to leverage the platform’s current HF system infrastructure to create a high-performance HF solution.
During the demonstration, the transfer included streaming video, real-time chat, file transfers and digital voice audio. By testing the capabilities over the course of two days, teams were able to prove performance and reliability with changing variables such as environment, geographical position and time of day. During this demonstration the technology made communication links and passed data over a distance of more than 1,500 miles.