Philippine Coast Guard relies on Rohde & Schwarz equipment for its new patrol boats

Cutting-edge communications and radio reconnaissance technology will enable the Philippine Coast Guard’s new Multi-Role Response Vessels (MRRVs) to securely and efficiently execute law enforcement, anti-piracy, search & rescue and similar missions.

The Philippine Coast Guard has selected Rohde & Schwarz to provide secure communications and radio monitoring equipment that will greatly enhance the reconnaissance, pursuit and communications capabilities of its ten new Multi-Role Response Vessels (MRRV) that will be deployed in Philippine waters.

The first MRRV arrived in the Philippines in August 2016. The project is the result of a cooperative venture. Rohde & Schwarz subsidiaries in the Philippines and in Japan worked closely together to coordinate the on-board integration of this equipment on all vessels.

Rohde & Schwarz solutions include both R&S M3SR Series4400 and Series4100 software defined radios, which ensure secure voice and data communications. The R&S M3SR Series4400 radios provide continuous AM and FM transmission coverage in the VHF and UHF frequency range from 100 MHz to 512 MHz. The R&S M3SR Series4100 radios deliver reliable and easy to set up shortwave communications.

An automatic message handling system is also part of the package. The MRRVs will have situational awareness through the Map Track, email, chat and file transfer features of the R&S Postman III software. R&S Postman III enables efficient data transmission over radio networks by supporting IP-based applications. It has been optimized for communications over HF and VHF/UHF radio networks with variable data rates. Because it is IP-based, it can interface with standard IP infrastructures such as LAN/WAN and SatCom.

The R&S DDF205 monitors radio emissions from 8 kHz to 6 GHz and covers direction finding of signals ranging from 20 MHz to 3 GHz. The R&S DDF205 combines the new, highly integrated R&S EB500 monitoring receiver with the accurate correlative interferometer DF method. This unique combination offers precise radio direction finding with sensitive radio monitoring capabilities. The R&S DDF205 is compact and has low power consumption. It also features wideband DF antennas and the ability to be powered from a DC source.

“The Philippine Coast Guard has enjoyed working with a world-class company such as Rohde & Schwarz on this project,” says Lino Dabi, Assistant Secretary for Maritime of the Department of Transportation. “The coast guard’s goal is to equip its other vessels with the same kind of equipment so they too can benefit from the operational advantage of world class technology. The coast guard expects to improve operational efficiency and maintenance as a result of having common and compatible equipment on board the vessels and at shore sites.”