Case Study
80/30 High Throughput Ka‑Band Testing with the Holkirk SCARAB
Holkirk recently conducted a series of high‑throughput performance trials in the United Kingdom using the latest wideband Ka‑Band SCARAB tactical terminal.
The objective was to validate the terminal’s ability to deliver high data rate performance from a compact, highly mobile platform suitable for defence, government, and rapid‑response operations.
Working in partnership with Milexia, GRC and Avanti Communications, the SCARAB was deployed on the HYLAS‑4 satellite, which provides high‑capacity Ka‑Band coverage across Europe and Africa. The test campaign demonstrated exceptional performance and rapid deployment.
System Configuration
The test configuration included:
Holkirk SCARAB Wideband Ka‑Band Terminal
- 80 cm carbon‑composite reflector, auto‑pointing, ruggedised tactical design
- Mission Microwave 20 W Ka‑Band BUC
- ST Engineering iDirect 950mp Modem
This combination provided an exceptional lightweight, and power‑efficient terminal suitable for multi-band PACE (Primary, Alternate, Contingency, Emergency) operations.
Deployment & Auto‑Acquisition
One of the key objectives was to validate the SCARAB’s rapid deployment capability.
From arrival on site to full satellite lock, the entire setup process took only a few minutes:
- Cases opened and hardware assembled
- SCARAB powered on
- Auto‑pointing initiated
- Terminal acquired HYLAS‑4 without operator intervention
This rapid acquisition is a core feature of the SCARAB platform, enabling teams to establish high‑capacity links quickly in dynamic or time‑critical environments.
Performance Results
Once locked to HYLAS‑4, the SCARAB delivered stable secure high throughput
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Downlink: 80 Mbit/s
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Uplink: 30 Mbit/s
The performance achieved is particularly notable given the terminal’s compact size and tactical mobility, demonstrating that high‑capacity Ka‑Band connectivity is achievable without large antennas or heavy infrastructure.
Dual‑Band Capability: X‑Band Validation
Following the Ka‑Band trials, the SCARAB was reconfigured for X‑Band operation to demonstrate its dual‑band versatility.
The terminal successfully:
- Switched to X‑Band hardware
- Re‑acquired the target X‑Band satellite
- Completed RF validation tests
This confirmed the SCARAB’s suitability for missions requiring multi‑band flexibility, including defence, government, and PACE‑driven operational frameworks where X‑Band and Ka‑Band may both be required.
Conclusion
The UK‑based trials with Avanti demonstrated that the Holkirk SCARAB is a highly capable, rapidly deployable, and bandwidth‑efficient tactical terminal. With proven performance at 80/30 Mbit/s on Ka‑Band HTS and seamless reconfiguration for X‑Band, the SCARAB stands out as a versatile solution for modern multi‑band SATCOM operations.
For more information on the multi-band SCARAB terminal : SCARAB