Silvus Technologies has launched its StreamCaster LITE 5200 (SL5200), designed and developed to be the US company’s next-generation, mobile, ad-hoc network (MANET) radio OEM module.

The highly SWaP-optimised and easily integrated SL5200 is intended for use in uncrewed systems as small and weight-restricted as Group 1 UASs (UAVs weighing up to 20 lb, or 9 kg).

Weighing 52 g, it provides data rates up to 100 Mbps, with up to 2 W of native output power or 4 W of effective power, thanks to Silvus’ proprietary TX Eigen Beamforming technique for maximising signal strength and system performance in MIMO (multiple input, multiple output) communications.

“The StreamCaster LITE 5200 marks a significant advancement in MANET radio technology for uncrewed systems,” said Neema Daneshvar, vice-president of product at Silvus Technologies.

“Delivering Group 2 performance in a Group 1 footprint, the SL5200 provides high power, data throughput, scalability and electronic warfare resilience for operations at the tactical edge.

“Designed for seamless integration into a wide range of uncrewed systems, the SL5200 unifies C2, sensor and telemetry data with communication relay capabilities in one OEM module.”

To help facilitate systems integration, Silvus has sought to enable onboard interfacing with the SL5200 with a diversity of connection types; Ethernet, USB and RS232 serial all compatible.

The module functions using Silvus’ proprietary MN-MIMO (mobile-networked MIMO) waveform, which the company describes as a blend of established CODFM (coded orthogonal frequency-division multiplexing), MIMO and MANET techniques.

It enables the connection of hundreds of nodes in any operational environment, with at least 550 as the confirmed minimum number.

These nodes may be multiple UAVs, UGVs, USVs, sensors, personnel and optionally crewed platforms operating simultaneously over a wide area to generate a common operating picture through a single, scalable, mesh network.

For interoperability, the device is also compatible with Silvus’ 4000 series StreamCaster MANET radios.

For data-link security, both AES256 and FIPS 140-3 encryption are available for installation in the SL5200, and the solution features available access to Silvus’ Spectrum Dominance expansive suite of LPI/LPD (low probability of intercept/low probability of detection) and anti-jamming resilience capabilities.