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Features

Dartcom X-Band EOS System at the University of Valladolid, Spain, with the antenna system (circled) installed on top of a lift shaft
Dartcom X-Band EOS System at the University of Valladolid, Spain, with the antenna system (circled) installed on top of a lift shaft.

Dartcom X-Band EOS and L-Band Systems at the National Institute for Space Research (INPE) in Cuiabá and Cachoeira Paulista, Brazil
Dartcom X-Band EOS and L-Band Systems at the National Institute for Space Research (INPE) in Cuiabá and Cachoeira Paulista, Brazil

Dartcom X/L-Band EOS System at Chulabhorn Satellite Receiving Station, Kasetsart University in Bangkok, Thailand
Dartcom X/L-Band EOS System at Chulabhorn Satellite Receiving Station, Kasetsart University in Bangkok, Thailand

Dartcom Marine X/L-Band EOS System on British Antarctic Survey research ship RRS Sir David Attenborough (antenna circled)
Dartcom Marine X/L-Band EOS System on British Antarctic Survey research ship RRS Sir David Attenborough (antenna circled)

The Dartcom X-Band EOS System comprises the following:

Outdoor equipment
  • 2m diameter radome with hydrophobic coating to minimise signal loss caused by standing water during rainfall.
  • 1.5m prime focus aluminium parabolic dish antenna.
  • Rotator/pedestal and controller (land-based and marine options).
  • Scalar feed horn and low-noise block downconverter (LNB).
  • Rugged, weatherproof GPS/GNSS antenna.
  • Optional radome environmental control unit for hot climates.
  • Optional radome heater for very cold climates.

All outdoor equipment is housed in the radome.

Indoor equipment
  • Modular system interface rack.
  • State-of-the-art demodulator.
  • Gigabit network switch.
  • Uninterruptible power supply (UPS).
  • Optional temperature sensor unit for temperature monitoring.
  • Ingest PC.
  • Processing and visualisation PC.

All units can be rack-mountable and supplied in an optional floor-standing cabinet for a complete rack-mounted system.

Features

  • Automatic data reception from Terra, Aqua, Suomi NPP, JPSS and FengYun-3 (FY-3) X-Band Earth observation satellites, with Metop-SG capability requiring only a future software update.
  • Combined X/L-Band option allowing reception from X-Band and L-Band satellites using the same antenna system.
  • Cost-effective upgrade path for existing L-Band (HRPT/AHRPT) systems to next generation X-Band Earth observation satellites.
  • Complete end-to-end solution with automatic data processing to level 0, 1 and 2 (currently level 0 and 1 only for FY-3).
  • Affordable to meet the limited budgets available for X-Band systems in universities and research institutions.
  • Simple installation with minimal civil engineering works.
  • 1.5m antenna system enclosed in a radome to allow normal operation at wind speeds up to 185km/h (100kt or 115mph).
  • State-of-the-art RF components, allowing good data reception from 15° elevation. In practice good quality data can be received from Terra, Suomi NPP and JPSS at 7°, and Aqua and FY-3 at 5°.
  • Automatic daily prediction data updates from the internet.
  • Optional temperature monitoring with automatic tracking lockout.
  • All external components designed and treated to survive tropical and marine environments, with at least IP65 protection rating.
  • Modular construction for easy maintenance and future upgrades.
  • Comprehensive hardware and software diagnostics at all levels.

Antenna Options