This research effort explores Impulse Radio as an enabling technology for the implementation of wireless LANs aboard U.S. Navy ships. Impulse radio, a form of ultra-wide bandwidth (UWB) spread spectrum signaling, has properties that make it a viable candidate for short range communications in dense multipath environments such as those encountered on steel hull ships. Additionally, current impulse radio technologies exhibit the potential to operate at the sub-milliwatt average power levels required for the efficient use of power harvesting methods that eliminate power cables for sensors and actuators. This research effort identifies, analyzes and evaluates currently available impulse signal technology from the standpoint of developing a cost effective, low power, UWB transceiver with excellent multipath and interference immunity. The development of this transceiver will enable the cost-effective implementation of wireless Local Area Networks aboard U.S. Navy ships. Additionally, this research effort identifies and evaluates previous government and commercial wireless automation research to identify leveraging opportunities. Finally, this proposed effort includes a production, implementation, and life cycle cost analysis for the candidate UWB transceiver that addresses both retrofit and forward fit applications. Recent advances in wireless LAN and power harvesting technologies exhibit the potential to substantially reduce the initial and life cycle cost for ship monitoring and control automation systems. Commercial applications for the proposed system include business applications, industrial process control systems, robotics and various Merchant Marine, Marine Salvage, and Off-Shore drilling applications. Environmentally sensitive vessels involved with hazardous cargoes such as oil, chemicals, are nuclear waste are primary candidates for this technology.
