Interferometrics proposes to conduct a Phase II SBIR research effort to implement the design of a portable satellite communications terminal that was created during Phase I. The proposed terminal will provide autonomous digital communications in polar regions using existing store and-forward digital packet radio satellite in high inclination low Earth orbit. The principal goal of this effort is to demonstrate the use of an ultra-compact terminal which would work satisfactorily in the polar environment and be useful for both the NSF and commercial satellite communications customers. Our objective is to design, construct and evaluate an engineering development model that will reduce significantly the size, weight, power, and cost of the terminal, while improving its overall performance, reliability, and ease of use. Key features of the proposed terminal design are: (1) use of an Integrated Communications Processor to eliminate the Terminal Node Controller hardware, reduce the terminal's power requirement, and permit interconnections to a personal computer, GPS receiver, and/or research instrumentation; (2) an antenna system optimized for communicating with microsatellites and tailored to the local RF environment; and (3) integration with an Internet gateway to create an autonomous, transparent satellite radio link between Internet sites.
