ABSTRACT
The real secret that that will enable the promise of 5G is the transition to a flexible infrastructure that moves away from purpose-built hardware solutions towards Virtualize Network Functions (VNFs) running on commodity X86 computer hardware. These virtualized functions or capabilities can then be orchestrated and managed in real-time, leveraging such technologies as Software Defined Networking (SDN), virtualization, and cloud computing.
This combination technologies and the basic 5G architecture has already invaded the satellite industry and is helping to enable the robust Low Earth Orbit (LEO) smallsat market we see today. Smallsat operators can now buy their ground system operations as a service from a number of competing companies offering greater coverage and capabilities at a faction of the cost. These services include Command and Control (C2) and mission data downlink services RF services, as well as mission data processing and even C2 operations. Most of these ground systems as a service our built upon 5G like architectures that virtualize the signal and data processing in cloud environments.
But this is just the beginning of the renaissance that digitalization and 5G technologies are creating in the satellite ground system market. As satellite ground systems move away from legacy analog infrastructure to dynamically managed virtualized digital infrastructures, the fundamental capabilities and architectures of future ground systems will change.
We will provide an update on the impact of digital technologies and virtualization on several different satellite ground applications.
BIOGRAPHY
Mr. Brown is the Project Manager for Kratos Defence Australia, and is speaking on behalf of Stuart Daughtridge the Vice President of Advanced Technology for Kratos. Mr. Brown’s primary focus is on advancing Kratos’ Australia footprint for the Space, Unmanned, Training and Cyber domains. In this role he is supporting the development of a sovereign capability utilizing Kratos products, technology, and capabilities. Mr. Brown began his career as a U.S. Army Radio and COMSEC repairer and has focused most of the last 16 years on systems and software development for manned and unmanned aircraft avionics, simulators, and support equipment. He holds a Master of Science degree and a Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering from the University of Texas.