Persistent Systems has introduced a new portable ground-to-air antenna called the Auto-Tracking Antenna System, which operates on the Wave Relay mobile ad hoc network (MANET).

Considered a “complete, easy-to-assemble system,” the Auto-Tracking Antenna System is designed to incorporate aircraft into the MANET.

“The Auto-Tracking Antenna System represents a major step towards achieving the vision of a truly networked battlefield,” says Herb Rubens, CEO of Persistent Systems.

“The tracking antenna rotates to follow air assets, keeping them connected to the MANET. The air platforms orbit over our users on the ground, extending the MANET bubble and keeping soldiers connected to the enterprise. High throughput, low latency connectivity empowers the warfighter and decreases the dependence on SATCOM, which both reduces cost and increases network availability.”

Capable of being assembled and deployed in less than 15 minutes, the Auto-Tracking Antenna System features a portable and lightweight design that is completely collapsible, with the main five-foot parabolic dish breaking down into eight individual petals. Most standard-sized SUVs can carry the entire system, making for easy transport and compact storage.

According to Persistent Systems, the Auto-Tracking Antenna System mimics the MPU5’s modular RF structure, as it has interchangeable S-Band, L-Band, and C-Band MIMO feeds that allow it to cover all frequencies where Persistent’s five radio modules operate.

The antenna feeds twist-lock into place for quick and simple installation, and an Automatic Heading System allows the tracking antenna to self-calibrate before operation, for greater precision and less than one-degree pointing accuracy.

“Our customers require a system that is simple to put together, turn on, and works,” says Louis Sutherland, Vice President of Business Development at Persistent Systems, LLC. “They want to extend the Wave Relay MANET out to aircraft and achieve high data-rates and reliable HD video transmission. The Auto-Tracking Antenna System truly delivers.”

Thanks to the large parabolic dish, video streaming out to distances of 130 miles is possible, while maintaining high throughput and strong signal strength.

The combination of the precisely aimed tracking system with the MPU5 radio and Wave Relay MANET provides optimal connectivity and reliable communications for manned and unmanned aircraft to communicate further than ever before. Additionally, the antenna, which is IP67 rated and built, can handle harsh environments and weather, so it can be setup and left out for as long as the mission requires.