MIMO for Energy-Aware Distributed Mobile Wireless Systems (MEADoWS) for JTRS Cluster 5

Mayflower's MEADoWS (MIMO for Energy-Aware Distributed Mobile Wireless Systems) proposal aspires to design and build an energy-efficient MIMO-based radio. The MEADoWS program builds on Mayflower's proven technology in MIMO antenna signal processing. The Army's Future Combat System (FCS) and Future Force Warrior (FFW) programs are focusing on the soldier requirements. The soldier's requirements in future wireless mobile communication systems are very demanding on Size, Weight, and Power (SWAP); the power (energy) is the most critical of the three. The proposed MEADoWS system innovations directly address this critical need for power reduction in soldiers' radio by means of smart antenna enhancements and a cognitive MAC layer. MEADoWS targets the leading sources of energy consumption; research effort in MEADoWS will be aligned with opportunity: topics with the most energy saving potential will garner the most attention. The Phase I feasibility study will demonstrate that MEADoWS meets the Army objectives of energy-efficiency, spectral-efficiency, and applicability to JTRS Cluster 5. In the Phase II program, we will build a prototype MEADoWS and demonstrate its functionality in a test bed, with multiple MEADoWS units participating in the demonstration.