Paris, 25 February 2023 - Airbus Defence and Space announced that it has joined the DIFI Consortium, an independent space industry group formed to advance interoperability in satellite and ground system networks.

Airbus Defence and Space joins a growing roster of leading organizations in the space industry coming together to form the Digital IF Interoperability Consortium. These organizations are contributing to the innovation of digital transformation of space, satellite and related space technologies for the benefit of the industry.

 

By joining DIFI, Airbus Defence and Space is engaged to act alongside the international group of companies, organizations and government agencies to standardize the networks and ground systems supporting space-based operations.

 

Airbus Defence and Space is already targeting a leading position in the digital transformation of space, satellite and related industries, encouraging more flexibility and dynamicity based on software-defined principles. The approach is to specify simplified and open interoperable standards that accelerate industry transformation towards digitalization.
In a growing satellite ecosystem, it is important for Airbus Defence and Space to widely promote standards for the end-to-end satellite system regardless of the application areas where systems interoperability is highly required.

 

“Membership of the DIFI consortium is important for future SATCOM business since the consortium will address and define standards for virtualized ground segments. Our participation in DIFI will also enable us to more effectively engage in partnerships with other members to address future business opportunities where appropriate.” said Quentin Van De Geer, VP Engineering, Airbus Defence and Space.

 

About the Digital IF Interoperability Consortium 

 

The Digital IF Interoperability Consortium (DIFI) is an independent, international group of companies, organizations and government agencies that have an interest in the interoperability of networks and ground systems supporting space-based operations. Launched in coordination with the IEEE-ISTO, DIFI’s mission is to enable the digital transformation of space, satellite and related industries through a simple, interoperable Digital IF/RF standard that accelerates industry transformation from L-Band IF to Digital IF, while discouraging vendor lock-in. DIFI promotes standards in all satellite application areas where systems interoperability is needed or beneficial, including satcom, earth observation, remote sensing, TT&C, and more. The founding members of DIFI include Hawkeye 360, Intelsat Corp., Kongsberg Satellite Services AS (KSAT), Kratos Defense & Security Solutions, Inc., Microsoft, and the U.S. Navy. The DIFI board has approved version 1.0 of an interoperability standard based upon VITA 49, entitled IEEE-ISTO Std 4900-2021: Digital IF Interoperability Standard which can be downloaded at the Consortium’s website https://dificonsortium.org/.