Predictika · Satellite modem orders

An AI sales agent's CDM-625A satellite modem order, checked before it goes out

An AI sales agent prepares an order for a Comtech EF Data CDM-625A Advanced Satellite Modem: the data rate and interface, the IF band, the modulation, the FAST options, the optional codec and Packet Processor modules and any redundancy switch. Before it goes out, the agent sends it to Predictika, which checks it against a declarative model of the options and dependencies in Comtech's public datasheet and returns a verdict, every reason and the figures it computed.

Scope: CDM-625A satellite modem orders: data rate and data interface, IF band and frequency, modulation, FAST options, codec and Packet Processor modules, and redundancy switches. See everything this validator covers

This validator models orders for the Comtech EF Data CDM-625A as described in its public datasheet (read October 5, 2026), not just the scenarios shown below.

  • Rate and interface — the modem covers 18 kbps to 25 Mbps; each data interface has its own upper rate (for example EIA-422/530 and V.35 up to 14 Mbps, G.703 T1 1.544 Mbps, E1 2.048 Mbps, HSSI and LVDS up to 25 Mbps).
  • IF band and modulation — 70/140 MHz IF covers 50 to 180 MHz and the L-band option covers 950 to 2250 MHz; 8PSK, 8-QAM and 16-QAM are FAST options, and 8-QAM requires the TPC/LDPC or VersaFEC codec.
  • Options and modules — QoS, header compression and payload compression require the Packet Processor; codec data-rate options (modem, TPC/LDPC, VersaFEC-2 and DoubleTalk Carrier-in-Carrier) are checked against the rates the datasheet lists and against the module or feature they depend on.
  • Redundancy switches — the CRS-300 is not available with the Packet Processor, the CRS-500 is for use with the Packet Processor and with the CRS-282XXX IF switch, and the CRS-170A (L-band) and CRS-180 (70/140 MHz) 1:1 switches follow the IF band.

Any CDM-625A order that touches these rules is in scope — not only the scenarios pictured here. Where the datasheet implies a rule through its labels rather than stating it (the switch that matches each IF band, a codec data-rate option needing its codec module, interface rate limits), the model follows the labels. Not covered: prices (Comtech does not publish them, so there is no price build-up), the CDMER-625A and other modem models, amplifiers and antennas, symbol-rate options, power supply choice and cabling.

The AI sales agentBuilds the modem order from the conversation and says it is ready.
Predictika validatorChecks every rule at once and returns the verdict, each finding, and the computed figures.

7 scenarios in 3 groups · each group runs from the agent’s first attempt to the outcome · click one to switch

What the agent proposes

The AI sales agent says

Illustrative agent statement. The validator receives the structured request below.

Proposing agent: AI sales agent (scripted)

Before sending, the agent must call Recorded run

Predictika validator


      

        
        
        
      

      
Waiting for the call.

      
    

  

  
  

    
Where rules-based CPQ gets it wrong
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Our assessment of what a typical rules-based CPQ (product rules, price rules and validation rules, as in Salesforce CPQ) does with the same cases. It is a judgment about effort and reliability, not a claim that nothing can be built.

    
What the validator caughtTypical rules-based CPQPredictika
A FAST option that only works with a hardware moduleOnly with care
Each option needs a rule tying it to the codec or Packet Processor module, and the rules have to be kept in step as options are added.		Options, modules and modulation are in one request and are checked together on every call.
A redundancy switch that depends on another optionOnly with care
The CRS-300 and CRS-500 depend opposite ways on the Packet Processor, so each needs its own compatibility rule.		Each switch is compared with the Packet Processor, the IF band and the CRS-282XXX IF switch in the same pass.
A data rate the chosen interface cannot carryOnly with workarounds
The limit comes from the interface, not from the product, so it takes a lookup and a cross-field rule that a rep can bypass by changing the interface later.		The interface limit is looked up and compared with the requested rate on every call.
Every problem returned in one answerOnly with workarounds
Rules tend to fire as the order is saved or a step is completed, so a rep often fixes one error and meets the next.		All findings come back together, whatever order the choices arrived in.

  

  

    
What this validator catches: findings from its test cases
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Every rule is checked on every call, in any order the choices arrive; one problem never hides another. Blocking findings stop the quote; approval findings need a person to sign off; everything else is computed.

    
1A data rate of 17 kbps is outside the 18 kbps to 25 Mbps range of the modem.
2A data rate of 25,001 kbps is outside the 18 kbps to 25 Mbps range of the modem.
3The quote needs 25,001 kbps, but the selected data interface supports up to 25,000 kbps.
4The quote needs 14,001 kbps, but the selected data interface supports up to 14,000 kbps.
5The quote needs 2,048 kbps, but the selected data interface supports up to 1,544 kbps.
6The quote uses the L-band IF, but the FAST L-Band IF option (in addition to 70/140 MHz) is not on the quote.
7An IF of 200 MHz is outside the range of the selected IF band (50 to 180 MHz for 70/140 MHz, 950 to 2,250 MHz for L-band).
8An IF of 900 MHz is outside the range of the selected IF band (50 to 180 MHz for 70/140 MHz, 950 to 2,250 MHz for L-band).
9The quote uses 8PSK modulation, but the FAST 8PSK option is not on the quote.
10The quote uses 16-QAM modulation, but the FAST 16-QAM option is not on the quote.
11The quote uses 8-QAM modulation, but the FAST 8-QAM option is not on the quote.
12The FAST 8-QAM option requires the TPC/LDPC or VersaFEC codec; the quote has neither the TPC/LDPC codec module nor the VersaFEC-2 codec module.
13The Quality of Service FAST option requires the Packet Processor, which is not on the quote.
14The Header Compression FAST option requires the Packet Processor, which is not on the quote.
15The Payload Compression FAST option requires the Packet Processor, which is not on the quote.
16The CRS-300 1:10 modem redundancy switch is not available with the Packet Processor.
17The CRS-500 1:N modem redundancy system is for use with the Packet Processor only, which is not on the quote.
18The CRS-500 system is quoted without the CRS-282XXX 1:10 IF redundancy switch it is used with.
19The CRS-282XXX 1:10 IF redundancy switch is for use with the CRS-500 only; the quote does not have a CRS-500.
20The CRS-170A is the L-band 1:1 modem redundancy switch and the CRS-180 is the 70/140 MHz one; the quote uses the other IF band.
21The FAST modem data rate options are 10, 15, 20 and 25 Mbps; the quote has 12 Mbps.
22A FAST TPC/LDPC data rate option is quoted without the TPC/LDPC codec module.
23A FAST VersaFEC-2 data rate option is quoted without the VersaFEC-2 codec module.
24The FAST VersaFEC-2 data rate options (constant coding and modulation) are 5, 10, 15, 20 and 25 Mbps; the quote has 8 Mbps.

  

  

    
Scenarios and results
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The recorded result of the validator for each scenario on this page: the request the AI agent sent, the verdict, and every finding, in the order they appear above.

    
1. E1 link with 8-QAM: An 8-QAM L-band order at 12 Mbps over an E1 interface

    
The agent's request. Please quote a CDM-625A modem for 12 Mbps using 8-QAM on the L-band IF at 1200 MHz, with a G.703 E1 data interface and the 100-240 VAC power supply, with FAST L-Band IF and FAST 8-QAM. It is ready to send.

    
Verdict: Blocked.

    
    
      
  • Data rate above the interface limit. The quote needs 12,000 kbps, but the selected data interface supports up to 2,048 kbps.
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  • 8-QAM needs a codec module. The FAST 8-QAM option requires the TPC/LDPC or VersaFEC codec; the quote has neither the TPC/LDPC codec module nor the VersaFEC-2 codec module.
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2. E1 link with 8-QAM: The agent resubmits after fixing the errors

    
The agent's request. Please quote a CDM-625A modem for 12 Mbps using 8-QAM on the L-band IF at 1200 MHz, with a HSSI data interface and the 100-240 VAC power supply, with FAST L-Band IF and FAST 8-QAM, plus VersaFEC-2 codec module. It is ready to send.

    
Verdict: Allowed.

    
    
      
  • Order summary. Modem order at 12,000 kbps; the selected data interface supports up to 25,000 kbps; 2 FAST option(s) and 1 hardware module(s) on the quote.
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3. Packet processing and a 1:10 switch: QoS and header compression with a CRS-300 switch

    
The agent's request. Please quote a CDM-625A modem for 20 Mbps using QPSK on the 70/140 MHz IF at 70 MHz, with a HSSI data interface and the -48 VDC power supply, with Quality of Service and Header Compression, and the CRS-300 redundancy switch. It is ready to send.

    
Verdict: Blocked.

    
    
      
  • QoS needs the Packet Processor. The Quality of Service FAST option requires the Packet Processor, which is not on the quote.
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  • Header compression needs the Packet Processor. The Header Compression FAST option requires the Packet Processor, which is not on the quote.
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4. Packet processing and a 1:10 switch: The agent resubmits after fixing the errors

    
The agent's request. Please quote a CDM-625A modem for 20 Mbps using QPSK on the 70/140 MHz IF at 70 MHz, with a HSSI data interface and the -48 VDC power supply, with Quality of Service and Header Compression, plus Packet Processor, and the CRS-300 redundancy switch. It is ready to send.

    
Verdict: Blocked.

    
    
      
  • CRS-300 is not available with the Packet Processor. The CRS-300 1:10 modem redundancy switch is not available with the Packet Processor.
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5. Packet processing and a 1:10 switch: The agent resubmits after fixing the errors

    
The agent's request. Please quote a CDM-625A modem for 20 Mbps using QPSK on the 70/140 MHz IF at 70 MHz, with a HSSI data interface and the -48 VDC power supply, with Quality of Service and Header Compression, plus Packet Processor, and the CRS-500 redundancy switch and the CRS-282XXX IF redundancy switch. It is ready to send.

    
Verdict: Allowed.

    
    
      
  • Order summary. Modem order at 20,000 kbps; the selected data interface supports up to 25,000 kbps; 2 FAST option(s) and 1 hardware module(s) on the quote.
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6. 1:N redundancy and a VersaFEC-2 rate: A CRS-500 system with a VersaFEC-2 data rate

    
The agent's request. Please quote a CDM-625A modem for 10 Mbps using QPSK on the 70/140 MHz IF at 70 MHz, with a Ethernet data interface and the 100-240 VAC power supply, with Payload Compression and a 10 Mbps VersaFEC-2 data rate, plus Packet Processor, and the CRS-500 redundancy switch. It is ready to send.

    
Verdict: Blocked.

    
    
      
  • CRS-500 needs the CRS-282XXX IF switch. The CRS-500 system is quoted without the CRS-282XXX 1:10 IF redundancy switch it is used with.
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  • VersaFEC-2 data rate needs the VersaFEC-2 module. A FAST VersaFEC-2 data rate option is quoted without the VersaFEC-2 codec module.
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7. 1:N redundancy and a VersaFEC-2 rate: The agent resubmits after fixing the errors

    
The agent's request. Please quote a CDM-625A modem for 10 Mbps using QPSK on the 70/140 MHz IF at 70 MHz, with a Ethernet data interface and the 100-240 VAC power supply, with Payload Compression and a 10 Mbps VersaFEC-2 data rate, plus VersaFEC-2 codec module and Packet Processor, and the CRS-500 redundancy switch and the CRS-282XXX IF redundancy switch. It is ready to send.

    
Verdict: Allowed.

    
    
      
  • Order summary. Modem order at 10,000 kbps; the selected data interface supports up to 25,000 kbps; 2 FAST option(s) and 2 hardware module(s) on the quote.
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Narration transcript
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The text of the narrated walkthrough, step by step.

    
    
      
  1. Welcome to a demo of Predictika's Validator. An AI sales agent prepares an order for a Comtech EF Data CDM-625A Advanced Satellite Modem: the data rate and interface, the IF band, the modulation, and more. Before it goes out, the agent sends it to Predictika, which checks it against a declarative model of the options and dependencies in Comtech's public datasheet and returns a verdict, every reason and the figures it computed.
    2. 
      
  2. I will start with the first request by the agent.
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  3. The agent says. Please quote a CDM-625A modem for 20 Mbps using QPSK on the 70/140 MHz IF at 70 MHz, with a HSSI data interface and the -48 VDC power supply. It is ready to send. The rest of the request is on screen.
    4. 
      
  4. Before it goes out, the agent calls the validator.
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  5. Blocked, with two findings, all in one answer. The Quality of Service FAST option requires the Packet Processor, which is not on the quote. The Header Compression FAST option requires the Packet Processor, which is not on the quote.
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  6. The validator returned two blocking findings in one answer. A check that reads one field at a time would pass most of this; it shows only when the choices in the quote are checked against each other.
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  7. What this shows: for a FAST option that only works with a hardware module, a rules-based CPQ is error-prone for this.
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  8. Now the agent resubmits.
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  9. The corrected request. It sets the Packet Processor to yes.
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  10. It calls the validator again.
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  11. Still blocked, with one finding, all in one answer. The CRS-300 1:10 modem redundancy switch is not available with the Packet Processor.
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  12. Two findings cleared, but the change brings a different blocking finding: CRS-300 is not available with the Packet Processor.
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  13. The agent resubmits once more.
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  14. The revised request. It changes the redundancy switch to CRS-500. It sets the CRS-282XXX IF switch to yes.
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  15. It calls the validator once more.
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  16. This time the validator clears it.
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  17. The earlier finding is cleared.
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  18. Two problems caught in one call, fixed in two passes, and a clean quote. That is the value of Predictika's validator: catching mistakes before they reach the customer. Now you can try the other scenarios yourself.
    19.