Improved High Frequency Communications

Datron Advanced Technology Group intends to improve the reliability and predictability of time-of-day dependent high-frequency channels by providing high-throughput ionospheric skywave or Near-Vertical Incidence Skywave HF communications with a throughput of at least 100 kb/s. Recent military operations have demonstrated a shortfall in long-range tactical communications in complex terrain environments that HF communications are filling. Due to HF channel variations, poor signal-to-noise ratio, and interference attempts to improve the channel capacity, spectral efficiency, or link have been met with little success using traditional approaches. Goals and possible approaches to compensate for these issues include exceeding the performance of existing wide-channel HF radios by at least 25%, using NVIS as an MIMO option (two-channel, porting the HF networking and beamforming that currently exists on ships (3kHz band) to Marine operations, and designing HF networking to increase link coverage Performance gains that can be realized through tradeoffs of HF waveforms, polarizations, and antenna design. Phase I intends to develop a technical description and system design to show predicted performance gains and include a high-level methodology for attaining Federal Communications Commission and International Telecommunications Union approval. Phase II includes completing a breadboard implementation to validate the model in laboratory and provide over-the-air demonstrations.