Next-Generation Solutions Support IP-based Satellite Ground Systems with a More Economical "Software-Only" Model
RT Logic's Solutions Are Used in Over 80% of U.S. Space Missions
SAN DIEGO, April 4, 2013 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Kratos Defense & Security Solutions, Inc. (Nasdaq:KTOS), a leading National Security Solutions provider, announced that its RT Logic subsidiary has launched two innovative new products for building cost-effective satellite control centers: the Software Front End Processor (FEP) and the Software Gateway. Both are based upon a more economical "software only" architecture that replaces the hardware/software appliances used in the industry today.
RT Logic's Software FEP and Software Gateway products consolidate a large number of strings of capability into minimal physical space, reducing equipment power and cooling requirements, and lowering costs and complexity for customers building satellite control centers. Both products can run either on a customer's own servers or blade-server systems, or on servers provided by RT Logic.
In a satellite ground network control center, RT Logic's Software FEP connects the Command & Control system to an encryption/decryption (COMSEC) device, and the Software Gateway connects the COMSEC to a wide area network (WAN). The FEP and the Gateway work together to transmit commands to, and receive telemetry from, a remote ground station communicating with a satellite.
Legacy control center architectures from the days before wide use of Internet Protocol (IP) required semi-custom hardware system solutions tailored to the custom serial interfaces of a particular COMSEC device. This resulted in ground segments dominated by physical racks of equipment. Newer COMSEC devices, such as the Air Forces' KS-252 End Cryptographic Unit (ECU), support ubiquitous, standard Ethernet electrical interfaces and IP protocols. RT Logic's Software FEP and Software Gateway products support the KS-252 and similar ground operating equipment, helping to reduce the cost, size and complexity of satellite control centers.
RT Logic's Software FEP and Software Gateway support virtual machine environments, and their small memory footprint allows for more efficient use of system resources. In addition, they achieve platform independence by eliminating custom drivers, firmware and hardware cards. Both products are scalable and support blade-server architectures, enabling them to match the expanding requirements of satellite constellations as they grow over time.
"RT Logic's new software-only solutions address the major needs of customers today, including ease-of-use and integration, reduced upfront and lifecycle costs, flexible configurations, and program-friendly licensing models," said Matt Prechtel, Business Area Manager at RT Logic.
RT Logic continues to support the standard Ground Equipment Monitoring Service (GEMS) interface, allowing for backwards compatibility with its industry-leading T501 FEP and T500GT Gateway product lines and enabling a smooth transition to the newer IP-based ground system networks.
"RT Logic is aggressively investing in products that leverage next-generation technologies while simplifying architectures, improving security, lowering cost and meeting the needs of disaggregation and interoperability in satellite ground system networks," said John Monahan, President of RT Logic. "The Software FEP and Software Gateway are the result of carefully listening to our customers as our industry evolves toward all-IP architectures."
RT Logic's Software Front End Processor and Software Gateway solutions will be demonstrated in the Kratos booth # 408 at the National Space Symposium 2013, April 8-11, 2013, in Colorado Springs, CO. For more information, please visit http://www.rtlogic.com/software-fep-and-virtual-machines/
RT Logic, a Kratos company, is a leading provider of innovative products for ground stations, satellite test equipment and satellite operations, with solutions used in over 80% of America's space missions.
About Kratos Defense & Security Solutions
Kratos Defense & Security Solutions, Inc. (Nasdaq:KTOS) is a specialized National Security technology business providing mission critical products, services and solutions for United States National Security. Kratos' core capabilities are sophisticated engineering, manufacturing and system integration offerings for National Security platforms and programs. Kratos' areas of expertise include Command, Control, Communications, Computing, Combat Systems, Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (C5ISR), satellite communication systems, unmanned systems, cyber warfare, cyber security, information assurance, and critical infrastructure security. Kratos has primarily an engineering and technically oriented work force of approximately 4,300. The vast majority of Kratos' work is performed on a military base, in a secure facility or at a critical infrastructure location. Kratos' primary end customers are National Security related agencies. News and information are available at www.KratosDefense.com.
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