WORK Microwave, a leading European manufacturer of advanced satellite communications equipment, today announced that it has joined the Digital IF Interoperability (DIFI) Consortium, an independent space-industry group that formed to advance interoperability in satellite and ground-system networks. As a new member of DIFI Consortium, WORK Microwave joins a growing roster of leading organizations in the space industry committed to bringing innovation to the digital transformation of space, satellite, and related technologies.
"With the new space boom and LEO constellations emerging, digitization of the ground segment plays a key role in scalability and sustainability," said Jörg Rockstroh, director of business development and digital products at WORK Microwave. "Being a prime supplier of satellite communications equipment, WORK Microwave actively supports standardization and other industrywide efforts to simplify the ecosystem. Joining the DIFI Consortium is an excellent opportunity to help shape the future digitization of the satellite communication ground segment."
WORK Microwave is an early adopter of new technologies, including digital signal processing, modem infrastructures, optical communication, and Q-/V-band equipment. As a long-term contributor to industry standardization, the company has a history of helping advance satellite communication ground technology.
"The DIFI Consortium's goal is to provide a simple, open, interoperable digital IF/RF standard that replaces the natural interoperability of analog IF signals and helps prevent vendor lock-in," said Stuart Daughtridge, chair of DIFI Consortium. "We welcome WORK Microwave to the group and look forward to seeing how they will contribute to moving interoperability forward across space networks."
Headquartered in Holzkirchen (near Munich), Germany and comprised of four operating divisions —Satellite Communication, Navigation Simulators, Defence Electronics, and Sensors and Measurement — WORK Microwave leverages over 35 years of experience to anticipate market needs and apply an innovative and creative approach to the development of frequency converters, DVB-S2/S2X equipment, and other digital signal processing technologies while maintaining the highest standards for quality, reliability, and performance.
WORK Microwave's Satellite Communication division develops and manufactures high-performance, advanced satellite communications equipment for earth observation, NGEO constellations, direct-to-home broadcast, IP networks, teleport management, government communications, and many more applications. For more information go to: www.work-microwave.com
The Digital IF Interoperability Consortium (DIFI) is an independent, international group of companies, organizations and government agencies that have an interest in the interoperability of networks and ground systems supporting space-based operations. Launched in coordination with the IEEE-ISTO, DIFI's mission is to enable the digital transformation of space, satellite and related industries through a simple, interoperable Digital IF/RF standard that accelerates industry transformation from L-Band IF to Digital IF, while discouraging vendor lock-in. DIFI promotes standards in all satellite application areas where systems interoperability is needed or beneficial, including satcom, earth observation, remote sensing, TT&C, and more. The founding members of DIFI include Hawkeye 360, Intelsat Corp., Kongsberg Satellite Services AS (KSAT), Kratos Defense & Security Solutions, Inc., Microsoft, and the U.S. Navy. The DIFI board has approved version 1.0 of an interoperability standard based upon VITA 49, entitled IEEE-ISTO Std 4900-2021: Digital IF Interoperability Standard which can be downloaded at the Consortium's website https://dificonsortium.org.
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