This is where we'll announce the most recent additions to our web site and products. If you've visited us before and want to know what's changed, take a look here first.

Firmware Changes

PSM-500 Series - A new Firmware Version, 0.73 is available for the PSM-500 series as of August 19, 2008. This firmware adds many new features to previous versions including Advanced TPC and S-Tec FEC support plus new 8QAM modulation for M511 and M523 Feature Sets with TPC. See the Downloads page for more info on new firmware.
We have also upgraded our easy to use Windows based M500 Update program that makes loading new firmware into the modem extremely easy and mistake proof. The new version 2.13 is self contained, requiring no .OCX or .DLL files and will also run under Windows Vista. This latest version can determine and download the needed firmware files from within the program itself, unzip and install them on the modem. You now only need this program, the USB driver and web access! It is available on the Downloads page. Version 2.13 adds the ability for the Update program to update itself.

New documentation for the M500 series is now available as of April, 2008 including new or revised Main Manual, Appendix A Specifications (with a full series of waterfall BER vs. Eb/No curves), Appendix TPC and a SnIP Quick Start Guide. The latest addition is the Appendix HSSI.

PSM-4900 Series - The latest Firmware Version, 1.03 is available for the PSM-4900 series as of Dec 4, 2007. This firmware adds correct recognition of the SnIP Ethernet interface card. See the Downloads page for more info on new firmware.
There is a new and very easy to use Windows based M5 Update program that makes loading new firmware into the modem extremely easy and mistake proof. It is available on the Downloads page.

Product Changes

------------  New Product Introduction  --------------

Datum Systems is pleased to announce the full production status of our next generation Programmable Satellite Modem, the PSM-500 series, including  70 MHz, 140 MHz and L-Band IF units. As of December 2007 this modem also includes an extensive set of TPC FEC modes labeled "Advanced" which outperform any TPC on the market. They are available in both TPC-4k and 16k versions. This new modem series has now replaced the entire current line of PSM-4900 modems, offering improved performance, reliability and many new features. See the PSM-500 Products page for a feature matrix and preliminary data sheets describing this new modem series.

Note that as of March 10 we have changed the "feature set" designation of the M510 and M520 to M511 and M523 respectively. This was necessary to align the designations with new software feature displays on the front panel LCD.

------------  New Products Available Now   --------------

HSSI - New High Speed Serial Interface. This new HSSI interface is specifically designed to interface with Cisco type routers that have that interface available. It is also capable of operating up to the maximum 29.52 Mbps data rate of the PSM-500.

SnIP - Ethernet Interface in Production. This new optional Ethernet TCP/IP interface card has replaced the "SDMS" interface used with the PSM-4900. It adds significantly to the features and capabilities of the previous interface using a low power modern processor and industry standard, open source bootloader and Linux operating system. It is compatible with either the PSM-4900 or PSM-500 series of modems. The main data interface is now a faster 10/100 Base-T interface. Sophisticated routing and bridging applications from Linux are provided as standard, plus both Telnet and Web browser accessible monitor and control of both the SnIP and the host modem. Other applications can be added as needed. This new interface is also capable of operating up to the maximum 29.52 Mbps data rate of the PSM-500. SnIP stands for Satellite Network Interface Processor.

PSM-500 - 70 MHz IF Modem in Full Production. All new 70 and 140 MHz IF modems shipped will be in this series. It offers backward compatibility with the PSM-4900 plus the ability to acquire new features needed for modern satellite networks.

PSM-500L - L-Band IF Modem In Full Production. This new L-Band IF modem now replaces the PSM-4900L modems. It complements the PSM-500 using all the same features and options. It will offer backward compatibility with the PSM-4900L plus the ability to acquire new features needed for modern satellite networks.

------------  New Products and Firmware In the Works   --------------

8QAM to be available in next firmware release. The PSM-500 series of modems with the M511 or M523 Feature Set already capable of 8PSK modulation will soon have the added ability to operate with 8QAM modulation. 8QAM offers improved performance plus advantages in small stations with limited transmit power.

The latest firmware release (version 0.73) for the PSM-500 series, which is available now, enables 8QAM plus the initial release of 1:1 redundancy capabilities for modems equipped with SnIP Ethernet interfaces. Previous releases would not allow redundancy with the SnIP because it used the normal communications channel between two modems in redundancy mode. This new version shifts to an alternate communications channel when the SnIP is installed, even when the Ethernet is not used as the main data interface.

NASA studies from several years ago showed improved performance possible for 8QAM vs. 8PSK on the order of several tenths of a dB. Our testing has shown the improvement to be approximately 0.3 dB for most cases and up to 0.7 dB for certain modes and Eb/No cases, making it highly worthwhile to implement this modulation mode.

In addition 8QAM offers improved susceptibility to problems that can be caused by non-linearities when operating a stations power amplifier with very low back-off. 8QAM is somewhat different than 8PSK in that it does not operate with Trellis Code Modulation or Viterbi FEC, and will therefore initially require that the modem have either a 4k or 16k TPC FEC card installed. Later versions may add Viterbi and S-Tec operation.

This new feature will be available with installation of the new firmware in all PSM-500 series modems currently capable of 8PSK operation. That includes modems with the M511 or M523 Feature Sets. The new firmware will be available for download on our web site at no charge.

Full waterfall curves for these modes should be available with the firmware release with the caveat that data collection for all the possible modes takes many weeks normally.

------------  Discontinued Products  --------------

The PSM-4900/4900L has been replaced by the PSM-500/PSM-500L Modems. The PSM-4900 70 MHz and L-Band versions are discontinued as the new PSM-500 variations are now in full production. All of our new modem series include a superset of the capabilities of previous series. Information is retained on the web site for legacy purposes.

The PSM-512/1500/2100 has been replaced by the PSM-4900/PSM-500 Modems. The PSM-4900 will be discontinued as the new PSM-500 variations become available. All of our new modem series include a superset of the capabilities of previous series. Information is retained on the web site for legacy purposes.

Web Site Additions

Several New Pages and Page changes were made on this site as of December, 2007:

1. The Support "Downloads" Page has been re-organized with 3 pages under it. One each for the M500 Modem, M5 Modem and SnIP

2. Three new or revised Tech Notes have been added with information on:

4. New Modem documentation including the PSM-4900L. Go to our Documents Page.

Web Changes

Send mail to Mike (at) datumsystems.com with questions or comments about this web site.
  Last modified: September 04, 2008