IDirect Government Validates Live Over-the-Air (OTA) Point-to-Point Test on DVB-S2X Standard
•February 10, 2026
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Why It Matters
The validation proves that a single, software‑defined modem can replace multiple legacy units, delivering higher throughput, lower SWaP and multi‑orbit flexibility for defense communications. This accelerates fielded capability and opens the market to rapid third‑party waveform innovation.
Key Takeaways
- •WCore runs up to 16 waveforms on single modem
- •Live OTA test achieved 200 Mbps full‑duplex Ka‑band link
- •Supports up to 672 Mbps per direction across all orbits
- •FIPS 140‑3 Level 3 and WGS certified
- •Waveform Development Kit enables secure third‑party waveform integration
Pulse Analysis
The introduction of iDirectGov’s Virtualized Waveform Core marks a shift from hardware‑centric modem designs to a software‑defined architecture that can host multiple waveforms simultaneously. By abstracting the radio layer, WCore eliminates the need for dedicated hardware for each protocol, allowing rapid deployment of new standards like DVB‑S2X without extensive redesign. This flexibility not only reduces the bill of materials but also streamlines firmware updates, a critical advantage in contested environments where agility is paramount.
Performance‑focused validation showed a 200 Mbps full‑duplex Ka‑band link operating over a live RF path, confirming that the 450SDM can sustain high‑capacity links in real‑world conditions. The modem’s ability to scale to 672 Mbps per direction and operate seamlessly across GEO, MEO, LEO and HEO constellations provides a unified communications backbone for the Department of Defense. The reduction in size, weight and power translates to fewer payloads on aircraft and ground stations, directly enhancing the tactical edge for warfighters facing electronic warfare threats.
Beyond the immediate technical win, iDirectGov’s Waveform Development Kit (WDK) opens the platform to third‑party developers, fostering an ecosystem of encrypted, mission‑critical waveforms. Secure interfaces protect intellectual property while enabling rapid integration of innovative solutions, from advanced anti‑jamming algorithms to bespoke encryption modules. This collaborative model positions iDirectGov as a pivotal enabler in the evolving satellite communications market, where multi‑orbit interoperability and software agility are becoming decisive competitive factors.
iDirect Government Validates live over-the-air (OTA) point-to-point test on DVB-S2X standard
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.
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Mil-Ka-Band Success: The test achieved a simultaneous 200Mbps x 200Mbps SATCOM link over a military Ka-band spot beam.
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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.
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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
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