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Voice and Data over Satellite

RAD Helps Norwegian Army Keep Peace in Bosnia

There is no room for error in a military maneuver. Failing to transfer information swiftly and flawlessly between soldiers can result in fatality.

That is why the Norwegian Army went in search of the best multiplexer available when constructing a system that would allow its headquarters in Norway to maintain satellite communications with its international peacekeeping forces stationed in Bosnia. In a sensitive environment prone to unexpected interruptions, the Norwegian military needed a multiplexer that would provide a cost-effective solution for high quality voice/data integration.

The Kilomux-2100™ was recommended by Data Equipment, the system integrator. "We suggested the Kilomux-2100 because it offers high quality voice compression with low bandwidth demand," says Else Skilbrei, the account manager at Data Equipment.

Utilizing Available Resources
"The Norwegian Army was looking for a reliable, cost-effective solution for data/voice transmission via satellite," says Jan Carsten Hansen, Managing Director of RAD Scandinavia. "The Kilomux-2100 combines transmission of six voice channels plus channels for encrypted voice and low speed data without consuming costly bandwidth."

Multiple link interface options enabling a diverse number of applications, including satellite link-up, also influenced the Norwegian Army's decision to purchase the product. "In short, the Kilomux ensures a low cost of ownership for the military," adds Hansen, "which is important since the application goes via satellite."

Enhancing Satellite Communications
Satellite communications, though essential in a mobile application, often brings with it certain drawbacks, including poor voice quality and irritating echo. The Kilomux-2100 is well-suited to a satellite environment because it contains elastic buffers that space voice transmissions equally at a set delay, allowing for clear and coherent conversations. In addition, an echo cancellation mechanism prevents voice echo from interrupting the conversation.

The Kilomux-2100 also offers minimal end-to-end delay - a necessary feature for a time-sensitive application like that of the military. "For soldiers in need of quality communications in a real-time environment, the Kilomux-2100 is the perfect solution," adds Hansen.