Video Encoding for Military Applications
Video Encoding is the compression of video data into a digital format for efficient transmission, analysis, and storage. Used in live intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance missions, video encoders provide high-resolution video streams with minimal latency and bandwidth usage. Advanced military streaming encoders use techniques like H.265/HEVC, allowing secure and reliable transmission of video over restricted networks for the rapid identification of threats.
What is Video Encoding?
Video encoding allows video to be compressed to reduce file sizes and data rates while maintaining high quality. This in turn allows it to be disseminated over bandwidth-limited communications links, or to take up less space when being stored.
4100-OEM Video Processing Board with 4k encoding and streaming by SightLine Applications
Modern imaging systems and sensors such as EO/IR cameras, used on a variety of military and defense platforms including armored vehicles, manned and unmanned aircraft, and naval vessels, capture large amounts of high-resolution video.
This video is often used for mission-critical ISR (intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance) purposes, and must be disseminated quickly to allow commanders, analysts and other decision-makers to react to the information in a timely manner. In the case of remotely operated UAVs, it may also be required for real-time navigation.
Streaming Encoder Compression Codecs
Military video encoders take video input sources in formats such as HDMI or 3G-SDI and utilize a variety of compression and encoding algorithms. Two of the most common compression codecs are:
H.264, also known as HEVC (High-Efficiency Video Coding),
H.265, also known as AVC (Advanced Video Coding). This is the newer codec, and provides superior compression with lower bandwidth and storage requirements for the same quality video.
Both codecs are capable of producing video outside in a range of resolutions, including 780p, 720p, 1080p, 4K and 8K.
Video Encoding Technology
Zcube-21 4K H.265, H.264 or H.265 video encoder by Z3 Technology
Video streaming encoders may be able to utilize ABR (adaptive bitrate streaming) technology in order to adjust video quality in real-time according to varying bandwidth availability and mission requirements, with low latency.
They may also be able to stream KLV metadata along with the video, which includes vital information such as telemetry, geolocation, and other sensor readings. Encoders may also use AES-128 or AES-256 encryption to secure the streaming data against interception and unauthorized access.
Video encoding hardware for military, government and defense requirements may need to be TAA or NDAA-compliant. It may also need to be designed to withstand the harsh conditions endured by aircraft and vehicles on the battlefield, with resistance to shock, vibration, dust and moisture, and other environmental factors.
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