Get Software-Defined Infrastructure For Tactical Operations

Beacon is Auria’s tactical communications and software-defined hardware product family providing digital ground stations, virtual SATCOM modems, and tactical edge radios. Products include Digital Ground Station/D-ETI for ground infrastructure, NOMAD for portable SATCOM-on-the-move, GAMBIT for GPU signal processing, and tactical radios (SCOUT, G-ROGUE, ROGUE, SILENT SIGHT) for warfighter communications. All hardware uses software-defined radio technology with waveform flexibility through software updates rather than hardware replacement. Beacon connects space assets to tactical edge through modular, open-architecture systems with GNU Radio compliance and Kubernetes-based processing.

Software-defined radios (SDRs) implement radio functions through software rather than hardwired circuits, changing waveforms via software updates instead of hardware replacement. Traditional radios require physical replacement for new waveforms, creating logistics burden and limiting operational flexibility during missions. SDRs adapt to changing threats and requirements using the same hardware for multiple mission types. Beacon products use SDR technology with GNU Radio compliance, allowing rapid waveform development and field updates in minutes rather than months of hardware procurement. Warfighters swap between SATCOM, tactical communications, and specialized waveforms without carrying multiple radios.

Digital ground stations use virtual SATCOM modems and cloud-based signal processing instead of analog hardware circuits, providing flexible waveform hosting and scalable compute resources. Analog ground stations require physical hardware changes for new capabilities and cannot scale processing power dynamically based on mission demands. Beacon Digital Ground Station/D-ETI provides 100 Gbps digital backbone distributing VITA 49.2 DIFI compliant data, parallel modems for dynamic link utilization, and on-premise cloud architecture for optimized CPU/GPU/FPGA processing. This approach reduces operations and maintenance costs through COTS hardware while enabling rapid technology integration via open APIs without vendor lock-in.

NOMAD is a portable ground station providing SATCOM-on-the-move for tactical operations requiring communications while mobile or from non-permanent locations. Available in vehicle-mounted or semi-permanent installation configurations, NOMAD provides high-speed digitization of wideband RF data, fully virtualized modems, and 100 GB network backbone for reliable low-latency data distribution. Use SATCOM-on-the-move for forward deployed forces, mobile operations units, tactical communications, and forward operating base connectivity. NOMAD supports multi-band, multi-constellation SATCOM including LEO, MEO, and GEO satellites, providing beyond-line-of-sight communications and communications diversification for operations in denied, degraded, intermittent, or limited environments.

Yes. All Beacon products use open APIs, standard interfaces, and GNU Radio compliance for integration with existing systems without vendor lock-in or proprietary dependencies. Digital Ground Station and GAMBIT support VITA 49.2 DIFI standard for interoperability across government and commercial systems. Tactical radios feature ATAK-compliant plugins for command and control integration with existing tactical networks. Platform-as-a-Service architecture hosts 3rd party waveforms including Government Off-The-Shelf, Commercial Off-The-Shelf, proprietary, and Government Furnished Equipment waveforms. Modular RF frontends and externally swappable modules maximize adaptability to changing RF environments. This flexibility allows operators to deploy custom software via Docker containers for specialized communications requirements.

GNU Radio compliant means Beacon products support the open-source GNU Radio software development toolkit, reducing waveform development timeline from years to months. GNU Radio provides standardized signal processing blocks and waveform development framework used across government and commercial communications programs. Compliance allows developers to create, test, and deploy new waveforms rapidly without proprietary development environments or vendor-specific tools that lock customers into single suppliers. Waveforms developed for one Beacon product work across multiple products in the family. Government customers reuse existing GNU Radio investments and waveforms rather than funding duplicate development for each new hardware platform.

CONFIG KIT reduces hardware configuration time from days to minutes through over-the-cable testing and verification before mission deployment without over-the-air exposure. Traditional field configuration requires over-the-air testing that risks detection and mission compromise. CONFIG KIT provides pre-mission hardware checkout, waveform verification, and transmit testing in secure environments. Operators test waveforms against recorded threat environments, verify hardware and software installations locally, and standardize configurations across multiple devices before deployment. This approach catches configuration problems in secure facilities rather than forward positions, reducing mission risk from untested equipment and field failures. Digital ground stations similarly load software to verify functionality before operational deployment, saving costs compared to traditional cable-cutting and hardware reconfiguration approaches.

Beacon products support Department of Defense, Intelligence Community, and commercial SATCOM operators requiring tactical communications and digital ground infrastructure. Beacon beat an incumbent provider for the MUOS (Mobile User Objective System) ground station, which provides DoD’s primary UHF global backhaul. Beacon products are deployed across multiple DoD prime contracts for tactical edge communications and digital ground operations. The COTS-based approach reduces operations and maintenance costs while supporting mission-critical communications in demanding operational environments.

SCOUT is handheld (2.7" x 4.8" x 1.5", 1.4 lbs) for dismounted warfighter operations with Android app control and IP67-rated waterproof housing. G-ROGUE (5.9" x 2.6" x 1.6", 2.2 lbs) adds integrated GPU for edge processing, AI/ML capabilities, and device-to-device BLOS messaging without ground station. ROGUE (5.8" x 6.2" x 2.0", 3.5 lbs) provides vehicle-mounted or base-station configuration with integrated i7 CPU for maximum processing power. All three are software-defined radios supporting multiple waveforms and SATCOM architectures with GNU Radio compliance and ATAK plugins for tactical network integration. Choose SCOUT for individual carry, G-ROGUE for small teams requiring edge processing, ROGUE for vehicle or fixed installations requiring maximum capability.

Yes, with appropriate export controls and ITAR compliance. Beacon hardware serves government, commercial, and international customers requiring tactical communications and digital ground infrastructure. Commercial SATCOM operators use digital ground stations and signal processing platforms for satellite communications infrastructure. International availability depends on ITAR (International Traffic in Arms Regulations) compliance given hardware’s military applications, software-defined capabilities, and government validation. COTS-based design and open architecture approach makes Beacon valuable for commercial satellite operators and international partners requiring flexible communications infrastructure. Contact Auria for specific availability and export control guidance for your application and location. Government customers access full capabilities through appropriate security channels and contract vehicles.