A year to remember for ETL Systems as innovation continues into 2025

ETL Systems has offered its predictions for 2025, following a milestone year for the business. 

In March, ETL announced a major breakthrough at SATELLITE, with new commercially available technology converting analogue RF signals to IP, and then back again on a live satellite link, meeting Digital IF Interoperability (DIFI) Consortium 1.2 standards.

The solution, known as GENUS DIGITAL 5000, successfully bridges the gap between analogue and digital. The modular design is capable of housing analogue technology to manage RF signals via ETL’s best-in-class legacy equipment alongside digital IF. 

Commenting on what this means for the industry, Simon Swift, ETL Systems’ Engineering Director and Chair of the DIFI Specification Working Group, said: “The launch of GENUS DIGITAL 5000 was a milestone moment, with analogue RF signals digitised and reconstructed at another location. However, this is just the beginning. The satcom industry is transitioning from analogue RF towards digital IF technology, marking a pivotal shift in connectivity demands worldwide.”

Innovation is only set to continue for the Herefordshire-based business into 2025 and beyond, having secured nearly £700,000 of UK Space Agency (UKSA) funding for the development of its ‘DIGITAL 1000’ product line. This project will run until 2027, and aims to bring the benefits of Digital IF to edge devices.

The new technology will be interoperable with ETL Systems’ GENUS DIGITAL 5000 wideband gateway products, adhering to the DIFI IEEE-ISTO Interoperability Standard 4900-2021.  

Commenting on the funding win, Kevin Dunne, CEO, at ETL Systems, said: “We were thrilled to be awarded the UKSA funding and it will play a crucial role in the future development of our Digital IF range of products. ETL is already one of the key players involved in developing Digital IF, the UKSA funding will give us another important boost, helping us to continue developing our offering and meeting the evolving needs of the industry.” 

The first European PlugFest took place in June, at the UK Satellite Applications Catapult, emphasising the industry's continued commitment to interoperability of ground segment technology. Sharing knowledge with the market must remain a key focus next year, to ensure that the benefits of the technology and its potential applications are realised. 

Alongside product development and industry collaboration, 2024 saw ETL acquire SpacePath Communications, a strategic move that further enhanced ETL’s position in the global satellite communications market. 

“Both businesses showcase a commitment to innovation and ensuring seamless integration, and by acquiring SpacePath Communications, we are excited to enhance our offerings and provide their customers with innovative solutions and new functionalities,” said Andrew Bond, Sales and Marketing Director at ETL Systems.

Already trusted by the top 20 satellite operators and teleports, ETL is a globally renowned designer and manufacturer of RF equipment for critical satellite communications. 

To find out more about ETL Systems, visit: https://www.etlsystems.com