USB to synchronous cable gives tactical radios IP data capabilities

Enhancing critical battlefield communications by building on equipment already in operation, the Sealevel Systems ACC-188 USB Synchronous Interface Adapter enables tactical radios currently used by the US Armed Forces to interface to PCs and transmit IP based data.

“This product provides a tremendous improvement in the speed and reliability of battlefield communications,” says Marc Foster, Director of Sales for Sealevel Systems. “The high-data throughput of the ACC-188 allows our warfighters to quickly transmit and receive data such as GPS maps, images, coordinates, and IM type communications.”

“Another key advantage of the ACC-188 solution is the interoperability to allow communications among various radio brands and models most commonly used by the defense community,” says Foster. The ACC-188 is available with a variety of radio connector options that make it compatible with the most prevalent brands and models: Harris PRC-117 and PRC-150, Motorola LST-5, Raytheon PSC-5D and ARC-231, Rockwell Collins ARC-210, Thales PRC-148. Along with the radio sets listed above the ACC-188 can be utilized by most digital radio sets that have a synchronous serial data port.

“In addition to improving battlefield communications,” continues Foster, “it significantly reduces tax-payers costs compared to purchasing ultra-expensive proprietary hardware and software from the radio manufacturer. This allows our military to provide this technology to our troops in greater numbers than ever before. The ACC-188 is the right product at the right time to support the strategy of enhancing the network capabilities of legacy radios rather than moving to a new platform.”

The ACC-188 was developed to operate with PDA-184, a standard software product developed by the Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA). The PDA-184 software (shipped by Sealevel with the ACC-188 as part of the total solution) provides a Graphic User Interface (GUI) that allows war fighters to transmit and receive a variety of data types, including an instant message function and file transmission.

"Developing a synchronous interface capable of communicating to the host PC over the USB bus presented a tremendous design challenge due to inherent USB latency," explains Frank Phelps, Senior Design Engineer on the project. "Despite the challenge USB was the ideal interface for the product because it is present on every contemporary desktop and portable PC.”

Also available with PCMCIA connection, the Sealevel Systems ACC-188 is priced at US$995 (includes PDA-184 software for qualifying customers), the product will be will be on display at the West show February 5-7, 2008 in San Diego.