Rapidly deployable satellite communications for emergency conditions

The objective of URDA (Ultra Rapid Deployable Antenna) was to design, manufacture and test a Ku-band transmit & receive antenna having in mind security and emergency scenarios. The antenna is foldable so that it can be easily transported and fast deployable/stowed so that a communication link can quickly be established. Demonstration by live testing over satellite with a COTS modem has been performed. When disaster has struck, applying correct aid and relief work is critical, in particular within the first few hours and days after the event. To communicate the type of aid and direct it to where it is needed, there is a clear demand for communication infrastructure for emergency relief personnel, security and military personnel and companies that require rapidly deployable, high-bandwidth satellite communications, including TV reporters. Under emergency conditions, the availability of existing communication infrastructure cannot be guaranteed and there is a need for alternative ad-hoc links to exchange various vital data information from remote locations where other telecommunication infrastructure may be either inadequate or not available. The URDA antenna is positioned in an area of the market that is currently lacking solutions. It boasts an ultra-rapid deployable reflector (less than 5 minutes to deploy and point the antenna) with an equivalent aperture diameter larger than 0.8 m.