Comtech EF Data developed a technology called MetaCarrier™ that is used to embed and detect Carrier ID on video and data satellite carriers. The Meta prefix is used in its meaning of a carrier used to describe another carrier. In this case, MetaCarrier means that we have a separate carrier that contains information, which is used to describe another single carrier, a group of carriers, or a relay, such as a satellite transponder, or terrestrial wireless relay. What is unique is that the MetaCarrier is embedded using spread spectrum techniques within the carrier(s) or relay, without adding appreciable noise to the carrier(s) or relay.
The MetaCarrier technology overlays the very low data rate Carrier ID data in a spread spectrum carrier, onto the carrier that it is referencing, Figure 1.
Figure 1, MetaCarrier Overlay
The MetaCarrier technology meets sIRG’s Carrier ID requirements:
| The ID is a small string of bytes that include lat/long, operator name, contact telephone number, etc. | ✔ |
| The Carrier ID must be read in the clear, by a properly configured Carrier ID receiver, even if the referenced carrier is encrypted. | ✔ |
| The Carrier ID must be transmitted in an industry accepted format, so that the number and type of Carrier ID receivers are kept to a minimum. | ✔ |
| The Carrier ID insertion must have a minimal effect on the data carrier overhead, efficiency, Es/No, phase noise and other carrier quality measurements. | ✔ |
The technology is currently available in these Comtech EF Data products:
- MCED-100 Embedding Device
- MCDD-100 Detecting Device
