Archive for the ‘Network Protocols’ Category

Experimental Radio Applications at the FCC

Saturday, October 2nd, 2010

This summarizes a selection of applications for the Experimental Radio Service received by the FCC during September 2010. These are related to radar, military communications, ad hoc networks, GPS, avionics, WiMAX, maritime identification systems, TETRA, public safety, land mobile interoperability, prison cellphone management, air-ground radiotelephone service, picocells for cable systems, transportable satellite antennas, unmanned aircraft systems, consumer satellite terminals, and low-profile satellite antennas.

  • Northrop Grumman filed an application for special temporary authority in support of airborne experimental testing of the STARLite Tactical Radar System a small, lightweight (65 pounds) radar used for tactical reconnaissance by Unmanned Aerial Systems. Transmissions will be between 16.2 to 17.3 GHz. The radar has three modes: Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR), Ground Moving Target Indicator (GMTI), and Maritime Moving Target Indicator. In the SAR mode, the radar imagery can be one of three forms: parallel to the aircraft flight vector, along a specified ground path independent of the aircraft flight path, or a higher-resolution spot image. In the GMTI mode, the radar provides moving target locations overlaid on a digital map. The MMTI mode performs a similar function for targets over water.

  • DRS Tactical Systems, a supplier of rugged computer equipment for military environments, filed an application (with supporting exhibit) for experimental license to test a mobile radio gateway. In the test, the mobile node will be a High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle (Humvee) with a mast. Equipment will be Harris model RF-7800W-OU440 broadband Ethernet radios attached to a DRS gateway system. This system is intended aid military and commercial entities by providing complex gateway functionality while in motion. Operation will be on 4.94-4.99 GHz.

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Posted in Ad-hoc Networks, Antennas, Aviation, Electronic Warfare, Experimental, Jamming, Land Mobile, Military, Network Protocols, Picocells, Public Safety, Radar, Radiolocation, Satellite, Telemetry, Terminals, UAS, Wi-Fi, WiMAX, Wireless | No Comments »

IEEE 802.11 Working Group, on its way to 5 Gbps, celebrates 20 years of progress in wireless LANs

Monday, September 13th, 2010

The IEEE Standards Association recognizes 20 years of progress in IEEE 802.11.

IEEE 802.11 Wireless Milestones:

  • September 1990 – IEEE 802.11 project initiated with the concept of creating a WLAN standard for shared local communications interworking with the successful wired IEEE 802.3 (Ethernet) product
  • 1997 – Standard released, supported 2 Mb/s data rates in the 2.4 GHz band
  • 1999 – Improvements were added for increased data rates in the 2.4 GHz band and availability in the 5 GHz band
  • 1999-2009 -The IEEE 802.11 wireless LAN blossomed in the home market. Also, users started to apply the devices to build community networks where incumbent telecommunications providers did not offer service
  • 2009 – The IEEE 802.11n amendment provided another ten-fold increase in data rate (now peaking at 600 Mb/s) and added other radio range extension enhancements such as beamsteering
  • 2010 and Beyond – The IEEE 802.11 Working Group celebrates 20 years of achievements
  • IEEE 802.11 is working to increase data rates another ten-fold, to 5 Gb/s
  • IEEE 802.11ac task group will extend IEEE 802.11n-like capabilities in the 5 GHz spectrum
  • IEEE 802.11ad task group will develop an extension for operation at 60 GHz
  • Other projects underway will provide dynamic management of the air interface, adaptations for vehicular use, mesh operation, interworking with cellular systems, and peer-to-peer link establishment

Posted in Ad-hoc Networks, Network Protocols, Wi-Fi | No Comments »

Experimental Radio Applications at the FCC

Monday, March 22nd, 2010

This summarizes a selection of applications for the Experimental Radio Service received by the FCC during February 27 – March 14. These are related to smart grid, antennas, radar, military, satellite, data links, roaming services, maritime communications, WiMAX, network protocols, and UAVs.

  • Sensus Spectrum filed an application (with supporting exhibit) for special temporary authority to test European Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) equipment on 412-424 MHz.
  • The University of Colorado filed an application (with supporting exhibit) for special temporary authority to test the feasibility of synthetic aperture radar in an end-fire configuration. This configuration will output short (50ns) bursts of approximately 10W at 500-530 MHz in order to construct an image of objects in an adjacent parking lot. This is an attempt to prove the feasibility of a new radar configuration for a proposal to NASA.
  • Oceanit filed an application for special temporary authority for a Ku-band SATCOM transmission test with an experimental ground-based phased-array antenna. Operation is to be on 13.75-14.50 GHz.
  • Northrop Grumman filed an application (with supporting exhibit) for special temporary authority to test an electronically-scanned-array radar system intended to act as part of a missile interceptor system to protect against rocket, artillery and mortar threats. Operation is to be on 16.2-17.3 GHz.

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Posted in Antennas, Aviation, Experimental, Military, Network Protocols, Radar, Satellite, Smart Grid, Telemetry, Video, WiMAX | No Comments »