Falcon Gateway™

Overview

Low cost, global wireless communications system

Since 1996, ConnectedWireless™’ Falcon Gateway has provided seamless, authenticated, secure, e-mail, data, and position reporting worldwide for the United States Air Force Mobility Command. The Falcon Gateway system provides an affordable, portable, and easy to use two-way data/message interface that enables ground-based mission controllers to rapidly, securely and accurately communicate with airlift/tanker aircraft, either on the ground or airborne.

The Falcon Gateway system is comprised of two parts: the Falcon Data Terminal (FDT) and the SPEC Multi-Formatted Router Function (SMRF). The system seamlessly integrates with established technology to provide command and control and asset management solutions for airborne or ground based fleets of all types, military and civilian. Data is collected from multiple sources, processed, and forwarded to database systems from any location on the globe. For the Air Force, messages are created on a laptop PC (where the FDT resides), typically located in the aircraft cockpit (either fixed installation or portable). Messages are transmitted, via the Falcon Satcom Gateway (currently utilizing the INMARSAT or Iridium satellite systems), to the SMRF located at Scott AFB, Illinois where they are processed and delivered to the Global Decision Support System (GDSS) and from there to the Global Transportation Network (GTN). Messages are also routed to other command designated recipients via standard email delivery. The data can be routed to any management information systems or displayed on secured web sites as desired by the customer. GPS position reporting is also supported where appropriate on-board equipment is available.

Email can be sent to the remote client FDT via the SMRF. The email is first authenticated to be from a registered user of the system before being passed along to the FDT. The user is considered registered by belonging to one of many authenticated user cells that are maintained by the SMRF system administrator.

Falcon Gateway™ Functionality

 

Features

• Extensive World-wide Coverage
  The Falcon Gateway system provides global coverage via various wireless communications links and the Internet. Falcon Gateway currently utilizes the INMARSAT and Iridium satellite services. In addition, Falcon Gateway’s modular design supports the rapid development of interfaces to additional communications services. For example, interfaces have been demonstrated for ORBCOM satellite, High Frequency Radios, and various cellular services.
• Customized Message Forms for Easy and Efficient Messaging
  Falcon Gateway provides a user-friendly, graphical interface to support the intuitive creation and transmission of “free-text” as well as user-defined “canned” messages. Message creation and addressing is consistent with that which is found in widely used email software.
• Secure Communications
  Falcon Gateway provides FIPS 140-2 compliant, Triple DES (Date Encryption Standard) encryption. It also provides two levels of authentication between the FDT and the SMRF.
• GPS Position Tracking and Reporting
  For GPS equipped mobile users, Falcon Gateway provides position reporting; “periodically” and/or embedded in each message transmitted. These position reports may be displayed on a web-based tracking system or on a dedicated PC tracking system.
• Automatic Data Collection
  The FDT supports the input, processing and transmission of sensor data from multiple sources. Data collected by remote sensors or handheld scanners/interrogators can be input to the FDT, via wire or wirelessly, for processing and transmission. The FDT also supports manual input of data. The SMRF supports the additional processing and transmitting required to support data interfaces to various, user-defined, management information systems or databases.

Benefits

• Highly reliable world-wide, secure, two-way communications
• Cost effective, both for initial installation and operation
• Proven and affordable COTS SATCOM data technology
• User-friendly messaging interface
• System expansion capabilities for virtually unlimited future development and deployment