Demand assignment for narrowband tactical UHF satellite channels

The UHF Demand Assigned Multiple Access (UHF-DAMA) System being developed by the Naval Electronic Systems Command Space Project Office will result in more efficient use of tactical UHF satellite capacity by permitting many independent users to time-share a single satellite channel. Under the program management of the Joint Tactical Communications Office (TRI-TAC), the system is being designed for Army and Air Force users, as well as Navy and Marine Corps requirements. The system will provide data circuits from 75 to 4800 bps at transmission burst rates of 2400 to 32,000 bps over narrowband UHF satellite channels. An evolutionary development plan will increase system capability incrementally: initially, preassigned time division multiple access will be implemented to provide additional satellite circuits per channel; subsequently, a fully automated real-time demand access capability will be introduced.