For Immediate Release s394

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Camille Cox 805-497-6400 [email protected]

Mini Satellite Simulator Solves Satellite Accessibility Challenges - “Mini Simulator” Provides Path Link Simulation Tool for Earth Terminals and SNG Trucks -

Tampa, Florida (April 15, 2005) ------Tampa Microwave announced the availability of the Mini Satellite Simulator, a single band simulator that provides a comprehensive, flexible and economical alternative to costly leased time on an orbiting spacecraft. The MSS Series Mini Satellite Simulator (Mini SatSim) can accept input signals from uplink terminals at C, X, Ku, or Ka bands and translate them to corresponding downlink frequencies, and retransmit them. Small (6” x 3.5” x 1.5”) and lightweight (less than five pounds), the Mini SatSim provides a compact easy-to-use solution as a training and evaluation tool for satellite earth terminals or SNG trucks.

Applications Developed to meet the need for a simple system with the ability to provide all of the frequency translation and re-transmission capabilities of an actual satellite, Mini SatSim has several applications, the first of which is rapid set-up training of field personnel. This is generally conducted for military personnel to minimize deployment time under battlefield conditions. Similar commercial applications exist as well, such as simulation of system set-up for satellite news gathering (SNG). In system development and troubleshooting environments, a Mini SatSim can provide the “missing link” in a complete transmission path for earth terminal performance evaluation. Loop-back testing with a Mini SatSim allows the complete terminal to be tested instead of a partial path as with traditional wired loop test translators. It can be set up outside the facilities of a system integrator so that the earth terminals can be evaluated without being moved from protective cover.

By deploying a Mini SatSim on an aircraft, RPV, or tethered balloon, it may also be utilized for establishing temporary short-range battlefield communications, or can also be installed on a tower or pole at a seaport to provide a convenient way of checking shipboard satcom equipment on departure and arrival.

INPUT CONTROL AND POWER Power Requirements 12 VDC or battery pack option Amplitude Control 5 bit TTL RF Input Signals C Band 5.85 to 6.425 GHz @ nominal –25 to +0 dBm X band 7.9 to 8.4 GHz @ nominal –25 to +0 dBm Ku Band 14.0 to 14.5 GHz @ nominal –25 to +0 dBm Power levels are dependent on dish size, distance to simulator, and transmitter power. RF Output Signals 3.625 to 4.20 GHz C band 7.25-7.75 GHz X Band 10.95-11.7 GHz (Ku 1) or 11.7-12.2 (Ku 2) GHz or Ku Band 12.25-12.75 GHz (Ku 3) TRANSFER CHARACTERISTICS ALL BANDS Phase Noise 10 dB (typical) better than IESS 308/309 -20 dB loss - attenuation setting including antenna Midband Gain gain Gain Ripple Full Band ±1.5 dB max. Gain Ripple per 80 MHz ±0.75 dB max. Phase Linearity per 5 MHz ±10 deg max. Frequency Translation Accuracy ±5 kHz nominal (+/- 2ppm) Inband Signal Related Spurious -45 dBc Leakage Signals -45 dBm max. Image Rejection >40 dB Input and Output Antennas Linear polarized (nominal 5 dBi gain) Input IP3 >+20 dBm min Group Delay ±0.5 ns/40 MHz

PHYSICAL Mechanical Dimensions Approximate size 6” x 3.5” x 1.5” without battery option Weight <5 lbs ENVIRONMENTAL Operating Temperature 0 - 50° C

About Tampa Microwave Tampa Microwave is based in Tampa, FL. The company specializes in the design and manufacture of block up and down converters, loop test translators and rack mount product for the commercial and military Satcom markets. More information on the company is available by calling the sales department at 813 855-2251 x 103 or by visiting their website at www.tampamicrowave.com . The company is located at 12160 Race Track Road, Tampa, FL 33626.