TCDL MIMOnizer – Empowering TCDL with MIMO Functionality

Towards the goal of enabling MIMO capabilities for TCDL radios while maintaining full backward compatibility, we propose the design, development and demonstration of “TCDL MIMOnizer,â€Â a new appliqué aimed to empower TCDL modems with MIMO capabilities with minimum hardware modifications to the legacy radio such as smart low-lost bolt-on module or smart add-on antenna. Our MIMOnizer offers two MIMO modes: (i) Range Extension Mode via link margin improvements realizable by appropriate MIMO modes such as Space Time Block Codes; (ii) High Capacity where it can boost the legacy TCDL radio’s original spectral efficiency up to the factor of N (number of antennas). In Phase II, we will expand and enhance the Phase I design to develop and complete the feasibility demonstration of the MIMOnizer technology in a transition-ready setting, which is considered critical for the rapid adoption by the Manned/Unmanned Teaming systems such as Manned/Unmanned Distributed Lethality Airborne Network (MUDLAN) program. For this goal, EpiSci will collaborate with the MUDLAN JCTD program whose objective is to create a resilient, highly-available airborne network with a significant number of nodes and platforms performing various communication and networking functions based upon the role (or layer) that they are assigned.