Data and Messaging Systems - Improved Data

Modem Technology V304

Date Posted: 2020-09-11

Publication: C4ISR & Mission Systems: Joint & Common Equipment

Updated Date: 2017-11-30

Type

Data communications equipment

Updated Date: 2020-09-11

Archive notice

This record has been archived in September 2020 as it is covered under Extant Improved Data
Modem (IDM) family record.

Updated Date: 2017-11-30

Description

Improved Data Modem (IDM) Technology provides users with a means of routing and processing
data over Internet Protocol (IP)-based or point-to-point networks using existing communications
bearers.

Updated Date: 2017-11-30

IDM V304

The IDM V304 is a multipurpose, multichannel router/processor in SEM-E-form. It supports

mobile IP-based networks over both voice radios and wired and wireless data communication
buses.

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The fundamental system components contained in the IDM V304 are the same as those found in
any Pentium-based ruggedised computer. It incorporates a 500 MHz Pentium III Processor, 256
Mbyte RAM as well as a scalable, nonvolatile IDE disk drive (256 Mbyte to -30 Gbyte) in a
ruggedised, flight certified machine.

Hardware components

•
•
•
•
•

• Uses digital signal processor technology to modulate and demodulate messages

• Includes all discrete signals required to interface to a variety of radios and can be programmed
to support virtually any radio interface.

• Uses a 400 MHz embedded Intel Pentium microprocessor capable of simultaneously

processing six radio channels for message transmission
• Receives and transmits messages, and processes configuration commands via MIL-STD-
1553B or CORBA over Ethernet.

• Supports a 256 Mbyte IDM flash fault tolerant disk drive system.

• Mission software loaded via Ethernet Port.

• Accepts and filters 28 V DC from the platform

• Provides power to the modules within the IDM V304.

Updated Date: 2017-11-30

PCIDM

The PCIDM® is a two-channel tactical modem/router manufactured as a PC-Card. Most of the

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between client and Jane’s. Content reproduced or redistributed with Jane’s permission must display Jane’s legal notices and
attributions of authorship. The information contained herein is from sources considered reliable but its accuracy and completeness
are not warranted, nor are the opinions and analyses which are based upon it, and to the extent permitted by law, Jane’s shall not
be liable for any errors or omissions or any loss, damage or expense incurred by reliance on information or any statement
contained herein.
features are fully compatible with all software versions of the avionics IDM devices. The PCIDM
allows users to incorporate complete IDM functionality into a personal computer via installation
of a standard Type II PCMCIA card. There are three versions:

• 16-bit two-channel network interface PCMCIA card. Supports analogue and digital radios.
• 32-bit two-channel network interface PCMCIA card. Supports digital radios.
• Dual channel USB IDM. Supports digital radios.

Updated Date: 2017-11-30

UIDM V2

The UIDM® V2 is a hostless, tactical router based on IDM Technology that can be employed at
any point along the communication path between a host PC and a tactical radio. It offers two-
channel communications and connects to the host PC by either an Ethernet or serial connection.
The UIDM software allows for two half-duplex radio channels configurable to operate with any of
the supported protocols. It supports USAF AFAPD, Boeing Apache AFAPD, TACFIRE, MTS,
MIL-STD-6017 (VMF) and IDL message protocols and is fully compatible with MIL-STD-188-
220B and MIL-STD-188-184 (SATCOM). In addition, the UIDM can be user-programmed for
additional message applications.

Updated Date: 2017-11-30

Tactical Router

The Tactical Router is a three-channel small form factor avionics modem, which supports
AFAPD, MIL-STD-6017 VMF and Blue Force Tracking message protocols.

Updated Date: 2017-11-30

Specifications

Protocols: AFAPD, TACFIRE, MIL-STD-188-220B

Channels: 6
AFAPD F-16, AFAPD Apache, Joint Variable
Application message sets: Message Format (JVMF) (full), TACFIRE
(limited)

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contained herein.
 MIL-STD-1553B, 10BaseT Ethernet, USB, RS-
232, radios (ARC-164 (Have Quick II), ARC-
182, ARC-186, ARC-201 (SINCGARS), ARC-
IDM V304 platform interface connections:
201D (SINCGARS SIP), ARC-210, ARC-220,
ARC-222 (DRA functions), ARC-231, EPLRS,
KY-58, L-band transceiver
Analogue port (CPSK, FSK):
(data rate) 75, 150, 300, 600, 1.2 k, 2.4 kbits/s
(tone pairs) 1,300/1,700, 1,300/2,100, 1,200/2,400
Digital port (ASK):
(data rate) 1.2, 2.4, 4.8, 8, 9.6, 16 kbits/s
(channel bandwidth) 20 kHz
(input signal level) 0.1-25 Vpp
(output signal level) 1-12 Vpp
Weight: ≤16 lbs (≤7.3 kg)
Dimensions (H × W × D): 188 × 136 × 229.3 mm approx.

Updated Date: 2017-11-30

Status

The IDM-304/304B is available from Extant Aerospace (formerly Symetrics Industries) of

Melbourne, Florida, and was included in that contractor's website inventory in 2017. The IDM
V304 was included in the website equipment inventory of Elbit Systems of America of Fort
Worth, Texas, in 2016.

In use with a wide range of US, NATO and other air and ground platforms. One IDM 304 user is
the US Army (including the Apache Longbow, Kiowa Warrior, Chinook and Black Hawk rotary
wing aircraft). Customers for the UIDM V2 include the US Air Force, US Navy and Taiwan. In
mid-2014 the IDM 304 was included in the equipment for which the US Army said it intended to
award a three-year repair and overhaul contract. That contract was awarded to Extant. In July 2015
the US Army Contracting Command, Aberdeen Proving Ground, reported that it intended to
award a sole source contract to Extant for the supply of the IDM 304B variant of the equipment in
support of a Foreign Military Sales (FMS) case. The IDM-304B (MD-1383/A) is an obsolescence-
driven, technology-refresh of the IDM-304. Having tailored OFP loads written by Extant for the
US Army, the IDM-304B provides enhanced capability over the older IDM-304. Extant has
delivered over 600 IDM-304B units to the field.

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without prior written consent, with the exception of any internal client distribution as may be permitted in the license agreement
between client and Jane’s. Content reproduced or redistributed with Jane’s permission must display Jane’s legal notices and
attributions of authorship. The information contained herein is from sources considered reliable but its accuracy and completeness
are not warranted, nor are the opinions and analyses which are based upon it, and to the extent permitted by law, Jane’s shall not
be liable for any errors or omissions or any loss, damage or expense incurred by reliance on information or any statement
contained herein.
In May 2016 the US Army posted notice of procurement for IDM-304 and IDM-304B, along with
various contractor services. In this case, the proposed FMS equipment procurement was for ten
IDM-304B units, included as part of the communication suite for the Republic of Indonesia’s AH-
64D Apache programme.

In December 2016/January 2017 the US Defense Logistics Agency posted an RfP for a five- year
Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity (ID/IQ) type contract, with the proposed action being the
acquisition and repair of the MD-1383/A IDM-304B. The production portion of the acquisition
would be firm-fixed-price, and the services portion of the contract would be cost plus fixed fee.
The estimated quantity of the item to be procured was 100 each in year one, and 50 each in years
two-to-five. The quantity to be repaired under the contract was estimated to be between 30 and 50
per year. That contract, worth USD27.1 million, was awarded in November 2017 to Symetrics
Industries LLC, doing business as Extant Aerospace.

Updated Date: 2017-11-30

Contractors

Extant Aerospace (IDM-304/304B), Melbourne, Florida.

Elbit Systems of America (IDM V304), Fort Worth, Texas.

The Improved Data Modem V304

1141126

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between client and Jane’s. Content reproduced or redistributed with Jane’s permission must display Jane’s legal notices and
attributions of authorship. The information contained herein is from sources considered reliable but its accuracy and completeness
are not warranted, nor are the opinions and analyses which are based upon it, and to the extent permitted by law, Jane’s shall not
be liable for any errors or omissions or any loss, damage or expense incurred by reliance on information or any statement
contained herein.
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without prior written consent, with the exception of any internal client distribution as may be permitted in the license agreement
between client and Jane’s. Content reproduced or redistributed with Jane’s permission must display Jane’s legal notices and
attributions of authorship. The information contained herein is from sources considered reliable but its accuracy and completeness
are not warranted, nor are the opinions and analyses which are based upon it, and to the extent permitted by law, Jane’s shall not
be liable for any errors or omissions or any loss, damage or expense incurred by reliance on information or any statement
contained herein.