USB to Synchronous Cable Enables IP Data Communications for Tactical Radios

Sealevel Systems announces the introduction of the ACC-188 USB Synchronous Interface Adapter. The ACC-188 enables tactical radios currently utilized 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 by Sealevel Systems to operate seamlessly with PDA-184, a standard software product developed by the Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA). The PDA-184 software (available from DISA as part of the total solution) provides a Graphic User Interface (GUI) that allows warfighters 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. Our team rose to the occasion so that our warfighters on the battlefield can have the advantages of data communications with the ease and simplicity of USB plug-and-play.”