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New software makes Rohde & Schwarz shortwave radios as easy to use as IP phones and adds mission-critical features

Munich, Sep 27, 2011 - The radios in the R&S M3TR and R&S M3SR Series4100 product families from Rohde & Schwarz are now fully IP-based. As a result, users and administrators can use familiar IP telephone functionality for shortwave communications. The new software also offers important features for mission-critical army and navy applications.

The new software version 7.0 for the R&S M3TR and R&S M3SR Series4100 radio families from Rohde & Schwarz significantly simplifies communications in the shortwave band. Communications are now fully IP-based and run over an integrated SIP client. Users can make calls in the fixed network, generate a telephone directory, and send and receive short messages and alarms.

The radios are designed for deployment by the army, navy and government agencies such as police and border patrol: The software supports third-generation automatic link establishment (ALE 3G) in line with the STANAG 4538 NATO standard. In addition, the Rohde & Schwarz radios are the first on the market that are able to change channels during an ongoing transmission and encrypt digital voice and data messages. To achieve this, the software uses the highly secure RSCA encryption algorithm from Rohde & Schwarz with a key length of up to 256 bit.

The quality of shortwave links heavily depends on ambient transmission conditions such as solar radiation and atmospheric ionization. The software automatically adjusts the transmission rate to accommodate prevailing conditions. Release 7.0 of the software also features the high throughput data link (HDL) protocol that allows transmission rates of up to 10 kbit/s under optimal conditions.

For exceptionally poor conditions, Rohde & Schwarz offers a last-ditch voice transmission method. Last-ditch voice enables reliable voice transmission even when the noise is stronger than the voice signal, i.e. with a negative signal-to-noise ratio.

Since the radios now communicate via IP, split-site operation is possible without additional components. The user can separate the transmitter of a radio station from its receiver and let the transmitter and receiver communicate via an IP network. This eliminates risks for ground personnel when transmitter bearings are taken. Split-site radio networks can be connected using a commercial data line instead of expensive special cables.

The two radio families also feature GPS reporting capability. As a result, they support external applications such as Blue Force tracking, where the position data of one’s own forces is displayed on a map in realtime. Exchanging this information allows harmonized and targeted further action.

The Rohde & Schwarz radios in the R&S M3TR and R&S M3SR Series4100 product families are now configured with the new software version 7.0. The R&S M3TR radios are designed for tactical applications. The R&S M3SR Series4100 radios are designed for stationary and shipborne applications.

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