Next-Generation Modem Technology for High Threat Environments

The San Diego Research Center, Inc. (SDRC) addresses the proliferated EW threat by means of a modem with 30 to 40 dB of degrees of freedom (DOF) that can support multiple antennas. The large number of DOF can be deployed to thwart proliferated EW threats,while enabling robust, high data rate, mobile tactical communications. It is now practical to build such modems leveraging the hardware breakthroughs referenced in the solicitation. Additionally high-DOF modems can provide capacity-enhancement anddiversity benefits analogous to those offered by Multiple-Input-Multiple-Output (MIMO) signal processing architectures for commercial wireless applications. An ideal modem would support a full range of capability from comprehensive beamforming and nullingin multipath-poor scenarios, to MIMO performance in multipath-rich scenarios. The proposed work will formulate a high-DOF modem architecture that addresses the military objective of providing high data rate, LPD/AJ, MANET communications. The architecturewill support an adaptive MIMO solution that readily can be specialized for best performance in diverse tactical scenarios. The SDRC also will formulate a baseline modem design, including an estimate of hardware requirements in terms of COTS digital signalprocessing devices and I/O bandwidths.