Award Highlights Importance of Space-Based Data and Edge Computing Solutions at the Ground Station
Seattle, WA (June 17, 2019) – RBC Signals, the multi-national provider of flexible and cost-effective space communication services, announced today it is the recipient of a U.S. Air Force (USAF) Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I award. Awarded under the topic “Commercial Solutions for Innovative Space Data Analytics”, the RBC Signals award is managed out of the Space Vehicles Directorate of the Air Force Research Lab (AFRL). It provides funding for multi-mission intelligent edge computing infrastructure in ground stations within the RBC Signals global network.
According to the Air Force, “The AFRL and AFWERX (a catalyst for agile Air Force engagement across industry, academia and non-traditional contributors to create transformative opportunities and foster an Air Force culture of innovation), have partnered to streamline the Small Business Innovation Research process in an attempt to speed up the experience, broaden the pool of potential applicants and decrease bureaucratic overhead. Beginning in SBIR 18.2, and now in 19.1, the Air Force has begun offering ‘Special’ SBIR topics that are faster, leaner and open to a broader range of innovations.”
RBC Signals provides space communication infrastructure as a service to low earth orbit (LEO), medium earth orbit (MEO) and geostationary orbit (GEO) satellite operators. RBC Signals offers unique access to a global network of over 65 antennas in over 40 locations supporting all major frequency bands. The company’s unique service model enables satellite operators to reduce latency, increase data download capacity, and improve the resiliency of their satellite communications.
“Data traffic from DoD space assets is anticipated to grow exponentially over the next decade,” says Christopher Richins, founder and CEO of RBC Signals. “Scaling communication infrastructure to meet this demand securely and efficiently is a real challenge. Our model provides a solution for this.”
RBC Signals combines intelligent edge innovation and cloud computing capabilities with its ground station assets strategically located across the globe. This enables the USAF to securely process its space-generated data and leverage advanced applications for Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning at the ground station.
“RBC Signals’ model provides the U.S. Air Force with the advantage of processing space-based data at the point of reception globally, improving resiliency and speed of delivering information to the warfighter,” adds Richins.
About RBC Signals
RBC Signals is a global space communications provider serving satellite operators with an improved model for the delivery and processing of data from spacecraft in orbit. The company’s worldwide communication network includes both company-owned and partner-owned antennas, capitalizing on the sharing economy model, for best-in-class services offering affordability, flexibility and low latency. Visit RBC Signals at www.RBCSignals.com.
# # #