Extended Range, All Weather, Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) for Dismounted Applications

"Implementing a wireless LAN system for dismounted soldiers presents a number of problems that distinguish it from a commercial LAN system. Some of these unique, difficult problems include the lack of any in-place network support system, severe multi-pathand fading conditions, and mobility requirements that need extended ranges of coverage. In addition to communication performance, the LAN units must be small, light weight, battery operated, and easily carried by the dismounted soldier. Perhaps thebiggest challenge is getting adequate communication range in a severe channel environment. Although network relaying of data packets can solve this problem to some extent, it inherently relies on a density of nodes and/or the availability of accesspoints. Neither of these conditions can be counted on in a tactical environment. Thus extending range point-to-point must be addressed. Range extension of a point-to-point link in a multi-path and fading environment can be achieved by adding diversityto the communication waveform. Current research in this area is focused on the use of antennas to obtain spatial diversity. Because of the mobility of the dismounted soldier, additional diversity techniques must be used in combination with the spatialdiversity to achieve operational reliability. For this study we propose multiple antenna inputs in combination with a frequency hopping waveform to achieve viable range extension in a foliage