Expendable Ad Hoc Networked Data Link System

Existing commercial radios have not been designed with tactical UAV applications in mind. Nova has conducted trade studies of all applicable networking, link layer, and hardware considerations relevant to the P-3 and SL-UAV mission scenario. After consideration of alternative technologies, a preliminary design is presented with data supporting the system design and details. Nova presents a solution that leverages our existing tactical technology base, while adapting it to this application's specific mission characteristics. Nova will conduct a capability demonstration of our existing UAV radio product at the Phase I kick-off meeting. The Phase I program focuses on creating a detailed system, network and board design, ensuring that the team will be poised to move immediately into PCB layout at the beginning of Phase II. The Phase I program will conclude with a hardware demonstration of our relevant networking technologies. In the Phase I option, we will demonstrate a breadboard RF solution for the network hub in the P-3. Also under the Phase I option, the benefits of tightly integrating video compression algorithms with the radio hardware will be investigated to optimize video for the available link bandwidth. The culmination of the Phase II is a production ready networked radio system.