INSIDE THE EDGE² TELEMETRY NETWORK APPLIANCE: PORTABLE RF-TO-ETHERNET PROCESSING

What the EDGE² Does

The EDGE² is engineered to provide network telemetry processing at the edge in a portable or rack mountable 2 channel unit. Three Edge² appliances may be rack mounted side-by-side supporting up to 6 channels of RF, Bit Sync, or Decom processing in a 1U rack space. Each Edge² unit provides LED status indicators for Receiver Status, Bit Sync Status, Frame Sync Status, Time Status, and Ethernet activity.

The Edge² unit, when configured with receiver modules, provides users with complete single or dual stream RF-t0-Ethernet telemetry data processing. Capable of supporting all telemetry frequency bands from 200MHz to beyond 5.15 GHz, these systems provide complete RF input to TMoIP (IRIG 106 Chapter 10/11 or IRIG 218-20) Ethernet output in a single compact 1U rack mount industrial enclosure.

RF Reception and Demodulation

At its core, the EDGE² contains a high-performance receiver capable of processing multiple telemetry waveforms, including PCM/FM, SOQPSK-TG, and multi-symbol CPM variants required by Tier I and Tier II aeronautical mobile telemetry standards. Its demodulation chain is configurable via software, allowing operators to adapt to different test article configurations without hardware changes. Built-in diversity combining accepts inputs from multiple antennas simultaneously, selecting the best signal on a bit-by-bit basis to minimize bit error rate.

IP Output and Network Integration

The EDGE² outputs telemetry data as a standards-compliant IP multicast stream, conforming to the IRIG 106 Chapter 10 over IP specification. Any network-connected system can subscribe to this stream and begin receiving data without any configuration at the EDGE² itself. When paired with the IMUX RE-CON network recorder, the EDGE² forms a complete mobile receive-and-record system — the IMUX RE-CON auto-discovers the output stream and begins recording immediately.

Edge Processing Capabilities

Beyond simple RF-to-IP conversion, the EDGE² can perform onboard processing including real-time decommutation, engineering unit conversion, and limit monitoring. This edge processing capability allows it to distribute not just raw telemetry but pre-processed engineering data to downstream consumers, reducing computational load on central processing systems and enabling faster decision-making during live test events.

Deployment Scenarios

The EDGE² excels in multiple deployment contexts. For mobile range support, it can be installed in a ground vehicle or trailer alongside a tracking antenna, creating a self-contained mobile receive station. For ship-based operations, it provides a compact footprint that fits within naval vessel space constraints. For expeditionary detachments, its rugged construction and wide operating temperature range ensure reliable operation in field environments. It is also well-suited to backup and supplemental receive station roles at fixed facilities.

Why the EDGE² Stands Apart

Unlike general-purpose software-defined radio platforms adapted for telemetry use, the EDGE² is optimized specifically for the aerospace test range environment. Every design decision — from the waveform support to the output format to the form factor — reflects real-world requirements of flight test operations. To learn more, explore Parraid's telemetry systems portfolio or contact the team for a tailored assessment.