Existing commercial radios have not been designed with tactical UAV applications in mind. Nova has conducted trade studies of all applicable networking, link layer, and hardware considerations relevant to the P-3 and SL-UAV mission scenario. After consideration of alternative technologies, a preliminary design is presented with data supporting the system design and details. Nova presents a solution that leverages our existing tactical technology base, while adapting it to this applications specific mission characteristics. Nova will conduct a capability demonstration of our existing UAV radio product at the Phase I kick-off meeting. The Phase I program focuses on creating a detailed system, network and board design, ensuring that the team will be poised to move immediately into PCB layout at the beginning of Phase II. The Phase I program will conclude with a hardware demonstration of our relevant networking technologies. In the Phase I option, we will demonstrate a breadboard RF solution for the network hub in the P-3. Also under the Phase I option, the benefits of tightly integrating video compression algorithms with the radio hardware will be investigated to optimize video for the available link bandwidth. The culmination of the Phase II is a production ready networked radio system.
Benefit: UAVs are an increasingly critical element in network centric warfare. To date, data links have lagged behind the UAV technology curve, with few truly tactical systems available. The system presented herein will provide an expendable, low cost radio for the UAVs, intimately tied to a single networked hub radio capable of seamlessly collating up to eight separate radio links. The technologies assembled on this program will advance UAV data links to the state-of-the-art in tactical equipment. Uses for the technology will exist in any applications where high data rate and low power transmission is required. UAVs are currently utilized in all branches of the DoD; in addition, surveillance and security applications exist in the Department of Homeland Security and public safety.
Keywords: Network, Network, UAV, TDMA, OFDM, FDMA, MAC, radio, P-3
