Wideband Communications Enabled Through Shipboard Troposcatter

In Phase II, Physical Optics Corporation (POC) proposes to advance development of the Wideband Communications Enabled Through Shipboard Troposcatter (WEST) system. In the Phase I feasibility study, POC developed a shipboard troposcatter simulation incorporating state-of-the-art models of tropospheric radio frequency (RF) propagation, ship-to-ship motion dynamics in sea states up to World Meteorological Organization (WMO) level 8, maritime antenna mechanical stability control, and high-throughput digital communication protocols. Results obtained with the WEST simulation model indicate that throughputs of over 20 Mbps at bit error rate <10-5 are feasible at a link range of 100 miles. In Phase II, POC will develop, demonstrate, and validate counter ship motion effects algorithms for troposcatter communications on a representative Commercial Broadband Satellite Program (CBSP)-like system to include a C-band antenna control system. This effort will result in a Technology Readiness Level (TRL)-6 WEST software prototype that will be ready for integration testing with the Navy’s existing shipboard communications infrastructure. Test results will enable potential Phase III stakeholders to evaluate the system’s readiness for deployment in the CBSP Force Level Variant (FLV) for carrier and amphibious assault class ships. POC will support the Navy in land- and ship-based integration and test events in Phase III.