Simultaneous downlinks from multiple platforms may be distributed to monitoring sites across the network. The downlink signal is converted to IP data before being delivered securely and bandwidth efficiently, across the customer’s own wide area network, to a monitoring point or multiple points of the customer’s choosing. A voting technique is used to select the best real time downlink signal available, from the multiple deployed receiving sites. The system uses signal quality and packet error data to select the most consistently reliable downlink feed for each channel. It incorporates a hysteresis effect to minimize unnecessary switching while remaining responsive to sudden data losses. Control of the system is via a NVS Control Software, which may be located anywhere on the network.

Since video down links were first introduced, customers deploying COFDM based systems as the underlying technology, have demanded increased customisation and functionality. Specifically, air platform users require their equipment to comply with DO-160 which is an aviation environmental conditions and test procedures certification. In addition, Military customers demand increased link robustness security protocols such as encryption and very low failure rates.

ECS has adapted its Evenlode product family to suit the evolution of air platforms such as helicopters which, require video down links to be ever smaller, lighter and consume less power, whilst increasing range and capability. This enables ECS to offer interoperability between rotary and fixed wing and unmanned platforms which are being used in the remote sensor role.

ECS has adopted and developed COFDM as its underlying technology for its down links, as the technology offers extendable range, sufficient bandwidth for Military and Security operations, whilst still offering a low operational cost solution from its aircraft-based Air Data Terminal.

The product and system design process within ECS has been developed in-line with industry and military standards and the Design Approved Organisation Scheme (DAOS). The Company successfully achieved DAOS certification following their initial audit and has retained certification ever since. The Evenlode system has successfully completed RTCA DO-160-G specification, allowing the Air Data Terminal to be easily installed within aircraft.

ECS can also work with aerospace design and installation companies who retrofit the Evenlode Air Data Terminal to clients existing airframes if required.

The standard Evenlode transceiver is used with two receive antennas providing diversity reception. Uplink data may be used to provide UAV control, switch between different sensor inputs, provide camera control or be used to control downlink parameters. Ethernet and Asynchronous Serial Interface (ASI) inputs are provided for downlink data. ASI and Ethernet data rates are independently controllable. 

Evenlode may behave as an Ethernet bi-directional network repeater and also be compatible with all Enterprise Control Systems Ltd (ECS) video equipment. A low latency video encoder/decoder option is available providing video delays of <140 ms. ECS supplies an extensive range of ground receiving systems and transceivers capable of integrating with Evenlode. These include fixed, vehicle-borne, briefcase and handheld receivers and transceivers. An Evenlode Ground Data Terminal will contain a Video/Audio Decoder in the same configuration as the air Video/Audio Encoder. ECS is able to provide omnidirectional, diversity, sector tracking, multi-input diversity and high-gain GPS tracking ground station options.