Millimeter Waveforms For Tactical Networking

TECHNOLOGY AREA(S): Sensors, Electronics OBJECTIVE: Enable high throughput, low latency and robust waveform networking technologies at the maneuver company and below. DESCRIPTION: The proliferation of 5G networking at the millimeter wavelength spectra opens new opportunities in the modernization of the Army's communication systems. Commercial 5G systems are not expected to fully satisfy Army's requirements on resiliency to jamming, enhanced Low Probability of Interception/Low Probability of Detection (LPI/LPD), privacy and authentication. Furthermore, the Army does not assume the availability of cellular infrastructure in theaters of operation. The forthcoming commercial 5G systems will deliver many of the components and technologies that can be used in millimeter wave communication systems designed for the Army. The goal of this project is to enhance 5G communication systems in terms of jamming resistance, LPI/LPD and all aspects of communications security. This may be accomplished by taking an industry standard, or plausible 5G design and provide enhancements that push the limits on jam resistance, LPI/LPD and security requirements. More radical approaches that involve a complete re-design of millimeter wave networks that makes use of selective components of 5G cellular systems can also be within the scope of this research. The final design should be implementable in a hand held device that is as close as possible to commercially available cellular devices in terms of its Space Weight and Power (SWAP). PHASE I: During Phase I effort, a complete design of millimeter wave handheld radio with enhanced jam resistance, LPI/LPD and security will be delivered. The design will be validated using simulations. Devices should be able to communicate with each other in ad hoc mode, without having to use cellular infrastructure. Its performance in terms of latency, throughput, reach, and spectrum use should be comparable to commercially available units and their jam resistance, LPI/LPD and security characteristics should push the limits of what is feasible. PHASE II: Two or more prototype hand held devices will be designed based on the numerical model and design methodology developed in Phase I. The prototype devices will be built, assembled, and tested, and demonstrated. The implementation of physical layer designs should make use of Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) devices and over the counter components. Technical risks will be identified and plans for minimizing these risks will be devised. PHASE III: Phase III effort will explore opportunities for integrating the technology into the Army's use cases and production of devices ready for use. REFERENCES: 1: T. Bai et al., "Coverage and Rate Analysis for Millimeter-Wave Cellular Networks," IEEE Transactions on Wireless Communications (Volume:14, Issue:2, Feb. 2015)2: Z Pi, F Khan, "An introduction to millimeter-wave mobile broadband systems", IEEE communications magazine, 2011.3: S. Hur et al., "Millimeter Wave Beamforming for Wireless Backhaul and Access in Small Cell Networks," IEEE Transactions on Communications Volume:61, Issue:10, October 2013KEYWORDS: Millimeter Wave Networks, Beamforming, LPI/LPD, Jam Resistant Networks, 5G Cellular Systems