iDirect Government (iDirectGov), a major provider of satellite communications for defense and government sectors, announced a successful live over-the-air (OTA) point-to-point test validating the DVB-S2X standard on its 450 Software-Defined Modem (SDM).
This test marks a significant technical leap by utilizing a Virtualized Waveform Core (WCore) to run high-performance waveforms without compromising security or hardware efficiency.
Validation of the Virtualized Waveform Core (WCore)
The centerpiece of the test was the WCore, iDirectGov’s proprietary abstraction and virtualization layer. By virtualizing the waveform, iDirectGov allows multiple waveforms—up to 16 on a single 450SDM—to be managed and orchestrated on a common compute platform. This architecture enables the secure integration of both iDirectGov-hosted and third-party applications, such as AES encryption and Communication Signal Interference Removal (CSIR) technology, without requiring deep hardware-level modifications for each new waveform.
Live RF Performance and Efficiency
The live over-the-air test demonstrated the stability and interoperability of the DVB-S2X waveform in a real-world radio frequency (RF) environment.
- Mil-Ka-Band Success: The test achieved a simultaneous 200Mbps x 200Mbps SATCOM link over a military Ka-band spot beam.
- Extended Capacity: While the test verified stable 200Mbps links, the 450SDM combined with DVB-S2X is capable of supporting speeds up to 672Mbps x 672Mbps.
- Orbit Neutrality: Because the WCore is waveform-independent, it is designed to operate seamlessly across GEO, MEO, LEO, and HEO constellations, providing a unified path for future multi-orbit communications.
Resiliency for the Tactical Edge
For the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD), the 450SDM offers a critical reduction in Size, Weight, and Power (SWaP) by replacing multiple dedicated modems with a single software-defined unit. The modem is designed to meet strict government standards, including FIPS 140-3 Level 3 and Wideband Global SATCOM (WGS) certification. This flexibility ensures that warfighters at the tactical edge can adapt their communication links in real-time to counter cyber and electronic warfare threats, such as signal jamming.
Industry Impact: The Waveform Development Kit (WDK)
The success of this live test validates iDirectGov’s implementation path for third-party developers. Through the Waveform Development Kit (WDK), developers can provide encrypted cores that interact with iDirectGov hardware through secure, predefined interfaces. This approach protects intellectual property while enabling the rapid deployment of innovative commercial and government-specific waveforms, ensuring that the U.S. military maintains a technical advantage in increasingly contested space environments.
| Metric / Feature | iDirectGov 450SDM Validation (Feb 2026) |
| Standard Validated | DVB-S2X (Point-to-Point OTA) |
| Core Architecture | Virtualized Waveform Core (WCore) |
| Tested Throughput | 200 Mbps (Full Duplex) |
| Max Capacity | 672 Mbps x 672 Mbps |
| Orbit Support | GEO, MEO, LEO, HEO (Multi-Orbit) |
| Security Standard | FIPS 140-3 Level 3 & WGS Certified |
