The GATR portfolio includes a broad assortment of antennas, modems and accessories, all that integrate seamlessly to develop a comprehensive SATCOM system.
Product Features:
- Deploys easily: setup takes as little as 30 minutes
- Extreme portability: packs in as few as two cases for a single-band GATR
- Reliable in extreme environments: maintains performance in high-winds and extreme temperatures
- Lower cost of ownership: smaller profile results in reduced shipping and satellite access costs
Watch our video to learn more.
1.2 m Antenna, 1 Case, One Expeditionary Terminal
(50% less volume/weight)
From an innovative, ultra-portable design, the GATR 1.2m Antenna System provides high-bandwidth communications for transmission of secure and non-secure data, voice and video transmissions.
Incorporating an inflatable radome and flexible parabolic reflector mounted at its equator, GATR 1.2M features a single Ku-band 1.2-meter satellite terminal, all in a compact system that fits comfortably into one airline-checkable case weighing less than 75 pounds (34 kg).
The result?
A 50-percent reduction in pack-out weight and volume compared to deployable rigid antennas of similar size, making it ideal for first-in deployments, remote applications and contingency scenarios where transportation and space are limited. Plus, set up takes less than 20 minutes.
Our flagship antenna system
As our most popular GATR antenna systems, the GATR 2.4 Antenna System delivers tremendous advantages over rigid satellite dishes.
With its 2-meter class communications hub, the GATR 2.0 incorporates an inflatable radome design and flexible parabolic reflector mounted on its equator. The complete system packs neatly into as few as two airline-checkable cases, each weighing less than 100 pounds (45.4kg).
The result?
An 80-percent reduction in pack-out weight and volume compared to deployable rigid antennas and it can be set up in less than 30 minutes.
Used by U.S. and foreign militaries, intelligence agencies, homeland security organizations, as well as commercial (non-governmental) agencies around the world at Ku-, C-, X-, and Ka-bands, GATR 2.4m is the ideal solution for first-in deployments, remote applications and contingency scenarios where transportation and space are limited.
Speed counts. GATR 4.0 delivers.
For rapid installations in remote locations, the GATR 4.0 Antenna System delivers powerful performance in a cost effective package.
With its 4-meter class communications hub, the GATR 4.0 incorporates an inflatable radome design with a flexible parabolic reflector mounted at its equator. The innovative design results in a sub-400-pound, 4-meter class Ka-band satellite system packed in as few as four cases that deploys in under 60 minutes.
The result?
A 90-percent reduction in pack-out weight and volume compared to deployable rigid hubs, a physical as well as bottom-line savings that makes it ideal for military, intelligence and Homeland Security organizations.
Most Portable 2.4m Tracking Ground Terminal in the World
With its modest footprint and light weight, GATR TRAC® is a cost effective solution that deploys easily in virtually any location, making it an ideal solution for on-demand and on-site satellite imagery applications.
GATR TRAC incorporates a lightweight imaging ground station used for remote communications for LEO/MEO/HEO assets (Low-, Medium-, and High-Earth orbit satellites). To-date, it has successfully downloaded imagery from low-earth orbit satellites, including Spot 6 & 7; Pleiades 1A & 1B; Eros A & B; TerraSAR-X; TanDEM-X; RADARSAT 2; and WORLDVIEW 1 & 2.
The system’s mobile-direct receiving station allows for direct downlink from anywhere the antenna can be deployed.
The result?
Faster access to satellite imagery and data that are used by mission critical applications. Plus, it can be set up in less than 45 minutes.
GATR E850 Outdoor Modem (iDirect)
The GATR e850 is a compact and rugged broadband modem based on iDirect Evolution® technology. The GATR e850 delivers its capabilities to users in the field.
Features:
- Ideal for mobile/transportable communications.
- Waterproof enclosure (method 506.5, procedure 1)
- Two LAN ports for flexible network configuration
- -32C to +55C operating temperature range
- Switchable DC power (24V, 5A max) on IFL for low-powered BUCs
- GPS receiver allows for relocation without modifying options file
- 10 MHz reference for LNB and BUC
- DC injected on IFL to power the LNB (18V, 0.75A Max)
- Front panel LED display shows receive signal strength and network status
GATR 950 Outdoor Modem (iDirect)
The GATR 950 is a compact, rugged outdoor modem that is based on iDirect Velocity™ technology. Ideal for mobile/ transportable communications, the GATR 950 is packed with features ensuring stable communications no matter where you mission takes you.
Features:
- Two LAN ports for flexible networking
- Signal strength and network status LEDs
- Embedded spectrum analyzer
- Web-based dashboard for real-time monitoring configuration, and commissioning the satellite router.
- Backward compatible to Evolution Series iSite iDX 3.4.0.0.
- Switchable DC power (24V, 5A max) on IFL for low-powered BUCs
- 10 MHz reference for LNB and BUC (18V, 0.65A Max)
- DC injected on IFL to power the LNB
- GPS receiver allows for relocation without modifying options file
- Waterproof enclosure, Operational Temperature (-32 to +55C)
GATR 1050TS Outdoor FDMA Modem (Comtech)
The GATR 1050TS is a compact, rugged outdoor modem that is based on Comtech EF Data - 1050TS technology. The GATR 1050TS is a Frequency Division Multiple Access or FDMA satellite modem ideal for mobile/transportable communications and is compatible with current DoD FDMA teleports. Packed with features ensuring stable communications no matter where your mission takes you.
Features:
- Two LAN ports for flexible networking
- Signal strength and network status digital display
- Embedded spectrum analyzer
- Web-based user-interface (WUI) for real-time configuration, commissioning, and monitoring of the satellite router.
- 10 MHz reference for LNB and BUC (13-19 VDC, 0.65A Max)
- DC injected on IFL to power the LNB
- Waterproof enclosure, Operational Temperature (-32 to +55C)
- MIL STD 810G & MIL STD 188-165A Compliant
- Input Power Range 18-36 VDC
GATR DC Injection Unit (DCIU)
The GATR DC Injection Unit (DCIU) is a rugged, water-sealed unit that interfaces any L-band modem with a GATR antenna. It provides low-phase noise, high-stability (10MHz) reference and DC power to both LNB and BUC on coaxial line-in cables, supplying up to 120W (24V at 5A). It also includes a monitor port for RX path connections.
Features:
- Supplies up to 0.6A at 18V on IFL to power LNB
- Supplies up to 6A at 24V on IFL to power BUC
- Provides low phase noise and high stability 10 MHz reference for LNB, BUC, or both
- Watertight and ruggedized enclosure
- Includes monitor port for RX path
- Supports frequencies 950 MHz to 2000 MHz
- N-type (50Ω) RF connections
GATR CUPS - Compact Uninterruptable Power Supply
For reliable power in the most extreme conditions, count on GATR CUPS, an uninterruptible power supply for all GATR antenna inflation units and modems.
Utilizing two BX-2590 or BB-390 batteries for efficient charging, the portable unit accepts input from a variety of sources—solar, NATO, AC/DC, fuel cell and personal vehicles, among others—and installs easily without tools.
Features:
- Uses BB-2590/U (preferred) or BB-390B/B (alternate) batteries
- Lightweight (controller units weighs less than 2 pounds)
- Change and recharge batteries without power interruption to the output terminals
Principally, our customers include U.S. and foreign military (especially Special Operations forces due to their rapid, light deployment requirements), emergency relief personnel (including federal, state, local, and international disaster response agencies, NGO's, and private relief companies), and companies that require rapidly deployable, high-bandwidth satellite communications, including TV broadcasters.
Our customers use the antenna for first-in communications (in the one hour to several months timeframe), as well as contingency communications and other short-to-medium term deployments where both high bandwidth AND portability are needed.
The dish is actually a flexible reflective fabric (a big misconception for almost everyone).
The ball simply acts as a pressure vessel to help us achieve the parabolic shape of the dish. The inflation system inflates the ball to the correct pressure, keeping the upper hemisphere pressure, above the dish, slightly higher thereby pushing the dish down into the parabolic shape.
The ball also acts as a feed arm, supporting the feed at the proper focal length.
It does or else the dish would collapse when the pressure above and below the dish equalized. Of course, whatever components you're supplying the satellite signal to will also need power and the blower requires very little power to keep the dish inflated. So it can be maintained for long periods on a battery or solar power if desired, though we typically use a generator or "wall" power.
The GATR is actually more stable in winds than a rigid dish, due to the spherical shape of the ball (which deflects wind efficiently around the antenna) and the four cables which attach at eight separate points on the ball, gripping it and holding it tightly even in high winds.
The GATR is operational to winds of 40+ mph (higher than most every rigid antenna) and can survive 60+ mph.
The GATR antenna system is built using a strong material and webbing to increase the durability of the radome. The GATR system can be used in places with extreme heat and cold, as well as in rugged landscapes. The GATR system is currently in use throughout the world, including in areas with harsh environmental conditions.
The GATR is a manual point antenna. To point, you simply set the azimuth (east/west direction) when you set out the four hold-down plates on the four corners. When the square formed by the four plates is oriented toward the satellite, the antenna will then inflate pointing toward the satellite. The cables then leave you 10 degrees of mobility to either side to help you find the satellite.
The elevation is set using an analog level (or inclinometer) sewn into the side of the GATR and the cable eyelets on the four plates. This allows you to slide the entire ball up or down from 0 to 90 degrees.
The polarity is adjusted manually by turning the feed horn, just as on any other antenna.
Click here to view the animated setup video.
After one or two set-ups, operators find the GATR is easier to point than a rigid dish, because it can be moved in more than one axis at a time. Normally a dish is moved in azimuth (east/west) then elevation, then azimuth again, and so on until the satellite is acquired. Since the GATR can be moved in any direction, one can usually find the satellite much more quickly.
Our automatic inflation unit will adjust blower speed to compensate for small caliber holes, and the antenna will stay inflated. Since the blower is always on, air constantly flows out of the ball. The size of the hole is limited by the rip-stop material, and the durable construction of the radome. While accidental tears are extremely rare, a special tape is provided for sealing any leaking that might occur.
Click here to view the video demonstration
We make several sizes, including a 1.2 meter, a 1.8 meter, and a 2.4 meter. In all cases, the antenna itself can be packaged in ONE airline checkable case.
The benefits of making a much smaller inflatable dish are limited, because the dish is actually among the smallest components in the GATR terminal, and a larger dish gives you more bandwidth and reliability in poor conditions.