Domo Tactical Communications (DTC)

Mission-critical communication systems play an integral role in delivering reliability, resilience, and security in the most decisive moments.

Domo Tactical Communications (DTC) has been a global leader in this market for over fifty years, offering cutting-edge, mission-critical communication solutions built for the tactical edge, covert surveillance, and command and control (C2).

DTC has a rich history of innovation in the wireless communication arena, delivering solutions with robust performance in the most demanding environments. It works with the military, law enforcement agencies, counter-terror units, governments, robotics and autonomous operations, and system integrators on key surveillance and communication challenges.

“Our technology allows maritime autonomous system customers to control their assets from greater ranges and collect more data, be it HD or 4K video, radar and sonar images, and data from sensors,” says Paul Sangster, president and executive general manager of Codan Communications, the parent company of DTC.

Second-to-None Connectivity Solutions

DTC specializes in delivering mission-critical wireless IP data links and wireless IP mesh networks for C2 and transmission of video and sensor data.

While traditional narrowband data links are reliable in the complex maritime radio frequency environment, they fail to deliver the bandwidth required for cutting-edge applications that transmit complex forms of data, like video or radar and sonar images. Yet, SATCOM solutions that can deliver high bandwidth come with high latency and OPEX costs, and point-to-point microwave links are too fragile for the maritime environment. As a result, these solutions are unacceptable for mission-critical communications. Also, the multi-domain integration of land, sea, and air, and the need to control multiple assets simultaneously, presents a significant challenge for data routing.

Powered by cutting-edge technology, DTC’s solutions address these issues, providing advanced capabilities that weren’t available to maritime operators before. It enables them to transfer data to complex networks involving maritime, air, and land-based assets without having to worry about the complexities of network routing and the changing network topology.

DTC’s MeshUltra^TM waveform family was developed from the ground up to offer industry-leading throughput and robustness in highly demanding RF environments. Offering auto-adaptive modulation, MiMo transmission, and DTC’s one–of–a–kind token-based channel access mechanism, MeshUltra^TM delivers the highest possible real-world throughput from even the narrowest channels. Unlike consumer-standard WiFi and WiMax solutions, MeshUltra^TM waveform is suitable for complex long-range multipath communication, like the maritime environment.

Clients can leverage DTC’s BluSDR^TM Radio Technology family for all unmanned communication needs. BluSDR^TM wireless communication links deliver the performance, robustness, and throughput of DTC’s MeshUltra^TM MiMo IP Mesh waveforms, combined with industry-leading size, weight, and power, flexible form factors, and multiple power levels. Clients can easily choose solutions from the BluSDR^TM family that seamlessly integrate with each other and best fit their needs.

Each BluSDR^TM product is optimized for different unmanned systems applications and communication ranges, from the smallest quadcopter drone to the largest maritime platform and the longest-range maritime network.

“Over the years, DTC has played a significant role in the innovation of radio technology. We have some of the smallest radios in the market, particularly for unmanned systems. These radios are capable of interacting with each other to form large multi-radio mesh networks, which has proved highly beneficial for overcoming conflicts,” says Paul Sangster, president and executive general manager of CODAN Communications.

Networking Solutions that Defy Geographical Boundaries

For a range of maritime operators, DTC has developed multiple ship-to-shore data link systems for a variety of autonomous vessels of different sizes, speeds, and operating ranges. In one instance, its ship-to-shore data links were used for communication in a high-speed RHIB, often traveling at over 30 knots. These boats typically operate 20 to 30 kilometers away from the control center and are used for a number of applications, including surveillance, support, and maritime interdiction operations. Similar systems are also leveraged as high-speed artillery targets.

"Our technology allows maritime autonomous system customers to control their assets from greater ranges and collect more data, be it HD or 4K video, radar and sonar images, and data from sensors"

DTC has also delivered radios for numerous maritime mine countermeasures program. Mine countermeasure systems are often a part of complex networks involving manned and unmanned vessels, as well as land-based and airborne relay capabilities.

“Through our proprietary Interlink Support capability, we are able to link multiple base stations using technologies such as fiber or point-to-point microwave. This enables the maritime assets to operate seamlessly between these stations, providing wide coverage,” says Rob Garth, product director at DTC.

The applications of DTC’s solutions are not limited to the maritime arena. Its ship-to-shore data links are also used by mining vessels that operate at distances in excess of 100 kilometers from the shore. Operating as floating industrial processing plants, these vessels require similar levels of broadband connectivity found in on-shore factories to support a range of hardware and software, like CCTV, ERP, and factory management systems. DTC delivers high bandwidth links that can operate at these distances with much lower expenditure and maintenance requirements than a satellite system.

Setting the Benchmark for Quality

Serving industries where the robustness and reliability of solutions hold critical value, quality is top of mind at DTC. An ISO-certified company, it ensures that all employees understand the importance of the products that are used in critical environments. Its rigorous test processes, comprised of manual and automated checks, ensure the quality of equipment before it is shipped out to clients.

The team recommends the optimal turnkey products after carefully considering client requirements and supports them with real-world trials. When off-the-shelf solutions do not meet their needs, products are customized to fulfill client specifications.

DTC’s success stems from its highly skilled team and products, capable of operating in some of the harshest environments across the military and civilian spaces. Drawing on its experiences from diverse projects, from deploying city surveillance systems to broadcast wireless link systems, the team is well-equipped to meet and exceed client expectations.

“Broadcast clients are notoriously intolerant of any loss of communication. You can imagine the chaos if the video feed was lost during a major sports broadcast like the Super Bowl. Often, our non-military customers are as demanding as our military ones,” says Garth.

With offices located in the U.S., U.K., Australia, Dubai, and Singapore, and manufacturing facilities on three continents, DTC continues to provide unmatched solutions for its worldwide customers. This capability is supported by a robust supply chain, which has been key to overcoming disruptions and ensuring seamless delivery for clients.

DTC’s endeavor to bring robust communications solutions to a diverse global clientele is strengthened by its acquisition by Codan Communications, a leading international developer and manufacturer of premium communications solutions. The combined engineering capabilities enable DTC to bring advanced communications solutions to a range of customers, from the military to security and broadcasting. Codan Communications has made significant investments to ensure DTC remains on the cutting edge of technology in the rapidly growing, softwaredefined radio space.

For the future, DTC is determined to maintain exponential growth in its core markets and uphold its reputation as a customer-driven company that meets and exceeds expectations.