Secure,Long Range,High Bandwidth Telemetry Solution Using COTS Wireless Technology for Range Extension

Mayflower Communications' Phase I study proposal addresses the primary MDA need for extending the telemetry systems broadcasting distances to 300-500 km using small, secure wireless data transmission devices. According to the Solicitation, enhancements in current telemetry systems performance are needed in the areas of: longer range (up to 500 km) and more varied flight trajectories (encompassing higher altitudes and broad ocean areas including non line-of-sight flight scenarios); higher data rates (greater than 20 M bits/sec); and smaller size and lower cost of the mobile transmitter. To meet these demands ballistic missiles targets require telemetry broadcast components with innovative features to overcome the constraints on telemetry systems performance. We have proposed in Phase I to analyze the feasibility of a new overlay communication data link architecture, based on commercial wireless data technology, to meet the unique MDA telemetry requirements The proposed overlay architecture builds on the current telemetry system and provides the desired broadcast range extension as an overlay to the existing telemetry system. The Phase I study will address the feasibility of the overlay link architecture. In the Phase II program a portion of the overlay link will be prototyped and demonstrated for telemetry system performance enhancement. The need to extend the coverage and bandwidth of current range telemetry systems is obvious considering the pressing demand on extensive test and evaluation of advanced air platforms. The overlay link system developed under this MDA SBIR program will provide the telemetry performance enhancement at low cost by adding the capability incrementally, as required. The commercial market for this two-way high data rate wireless link is large since it is based on commercial wireless technology and can easily be adapted.