As DIFI members begin to kick the tires on the new, more resilient version 1.3 of the standard, we’ll be especially focused on real-world conditions with typical traffic hurdles. Ultimately, it makes our takeaways more functional. That’s why DIFI PlugFest USA 2026 is adding a second test system, replicating a “live” end-to-end network complete with Layer 2 switching and satellite link emulation via host Keysight’s PROPSIM channel emulators.
That’s in addition to the main interoperability setup from PlugFest Europe25, where it was originally used to advance multi-vendor compatibility across the satellite ground segment. Together these systems will offer members and industry engineers our most immersive, hands-on environment yet in which to collaborate and test the interoperability of digital intermediate frequency (IF) technologies using version 1.2.1 or 1.3 of DIFI this time around.
Released in July 2025, version 1.3 significantly improves the process of establishing a link between two devices, and we’re hearing from multiple companies that want to demonstrate compatible capabilities or learn more about implementation efforts. This will be their first chance.
We’ll also be leveraging our newly ratified DIFI certification test procedures and evaluating interoperability profiles and test documents for the next phase. It’s no secret that military services like the Army want third-party certification, and this is the next step on the path to establishing a third-party test house.
Help shape the agenda by submitting your technologies for testing and discussion topics before the event at Keysight’s facilities in Santa Clara, California from Oct. 5-8.
We’re expecting record participation from international companies interested in contributing to our open, transparent process of troubleshooting bugs and different interpretations of the specification to make DIFI more robust. PlugFest also offers them greater exposure and confidence in their latest solutions.
One week later, the DIFI Consortium will reconvene in Rockville, Maryland for a full-day Digital Transformation of Satcom workshop as part of MILCOM 2026. We’ll focus on the use of digitization and virtualization in next-generation satcom systems and share the fresh results from PlugFest.
The satellite industry is increasingly connected as satcom networks evolve into multi-orbit, multi-band, hybrid architectures reliant on digital transformation to scale and interoperate for operational flexibility. That also means technologies are changing faster than ever, with these two events helping companies remain at the forefront.
