Modification of Wireless Fidelity Communication Devices to Support the Urban Warrior

TM Tech has identified an opportunity to leverage commercially available WIFI technology to support squad leader and foot soldiers in the urban warfare environment. The objective of this Phase I proposal is to determine the feasibility of modifying commercial WIFI components together with a single-chip SiGe BiCMOS ASIC to create ultra compact, portable, extended range communication devices in a USB form factor. Our initial focus is the implementation of a single-chip SiGe front-end module that increases the operational range of commercially available WIFI components. The ruggedized module is power efficient, lightweight, small and attaches to a UMPC, laptop, or PDA-type host device. At a minimum the module will be compliant with any 802.11b/g device operating in the 2.4 GHz ISM band. Line-of-sight range will be greater than 1 km at 1 Mb/s digital data rates. The module will also operate outside of the ISM band over an extended tuning range of at least 2.30 GHz to 2.50 GHz. Enhanced versions of the device could include operation in frequency bands from 900 MHz up to 5.9 GHz.