Comtech Telecommunications Corp. has announced that during its second quarter of fiscal 2020, its Tempe, Arizona-based subsidiary, Comtech EF Data Corp., which is part of Comtech’s Commercial Solutions segment, was selected by Bansat S.A. to supply satellite communications ground equipment to support the Aeronautica Civil de Colombia’s backup communications network for 28 airports in Colombia.
The Aeronautica Civil de Colombia, Colombia’s Civil Aviation Authority (also known as Aerocivil), is a government entity responsible for developing and operating a system of Air Traffic Control and Navigation throughout the country. It strives to ensure the orderly development of civil aviation in Colombia, the aviation industry and the safe use of its airspace, facilitating different modes of transportation enhancing the country's competitiveness.
Comtech EF Data’s CDM-425 Advanced Satellite Modem and LPOD C-Band Block Up Converter (BUC) will be deployed to support the backup communications network. The CDM-425 Advanced Satellite Modem builds on Comtech EF Data’s legacy of providing the most efficient and reliable satellite modems. Its Forward Error Correction options comprise 18 VersaFEC® ModCods and 74 VersaFEC-2 ModCods, permitting users to optimize for latency and coding gain for any link budget. It includes DoubleTalk® Carrier-in-Carrier® bandwidth compression, additional TX rolloffs and sophisticated packet processing capabilities. The LPOD eliminates the traditional requirement for the modem to supply a DC power source and a 10 MHz reference to the BUCs and LNBs. The LPOD’s optional internal reference and LNB bias T greatly simplify multi-carrier operation and provide cost-effective redundant solutions.
Luis Guillermo Sandoval, Chief Executive Officer of Bansat S.A. said, “I believe in the strategic combination of Comtech EF Data’s technical expertise and the service support excellence of Bansat for the satellite portion of this contract. Together we will enable mission critical services to Aerocivil using Comtech EF Data's CDM-425 Advanced Satellite Modems. These modems will enable point-to-point links that will transport Air Traffic Control (ATC) communications between airports and three main cities including Bogotá, which will also operate with redundant Comtech C-Band LPODs. In addition to the proven performance of Comtech EF Data’s equipment, the CDM-425 provides digital E1 G.703 BNC non-balanced interfaces, which is essential for this network. Along with fractional nx64 capabilities, these modems deliver the exceptional product quality and reliability that are paramount to vital communications of this nature.”
“We are honored to have been selected to supply our satellite communications equipment for this mission-critical network,” said Fred Kornberg, Chairman of the Board and CEO of Comtech Telecommunications Corp. “The selection of Comtech’s modems and amplifiers by Bansat highlights our commitment to producing the world’s most efficient satellite products and our leadership in quality and reliability.”