CTech has unveiled a hybrid communications concept that combines satellite and line-of-sight communications (LOS) to enable unmanned surface vehicles (USVs) to operate as a swarm. Integrating the AquaARX SATCOM Terminal with the UfukLink Mini Pro line-of-sight(LOS) communication solution, this architecture allows the vehicles to communicate with one another and with a command centre thousands of kilometres away.
In the configuration shown in the demonstration video, one vehicle in the swarm is equipped with both AquaARX and UfukLink Mini Pro. AquaARX establishes a satellite connection with the command centre, while UfukLink Mini Pro on the same vehicle relays this connection to the other vehicles. Kamikaze USVs equipped with UfukLink Mini Pro can thus join the communications network and connect to the command centre.
Line-of-sight (LOS) communications allow vehicles within a certain range to communicate with one another. The satellite connection provided by AquaARX enables the swarm to be controlled from thousands of kilometres away, without requiring a separate SATCOM terminal on every vehicle.
Instructions from the command centre are first transmitted via satellite to the vehicle equipped with AquaARX, then relayed to the other vehicles in the swarm through UfukLink Mini Pro. Live video from the operational area can also be transmitted to the command centre over the same network. This allows operators to remotely command and control the vehicles while monitoring the mission in real time.
In this architecture, the vehicle equipped with AquaARX serves as a communications bridge between the swarm and the command centre. Combining satellite and line-of-sight (LOS)communications enables the vehicles in the swarm to operate in coordination, following instructions transmitted from the command centre.
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