PARTNER INSTITUTION: École de technologie supérieure
BACKGROUND
Antennas with multiple sectors and architectures using a specific spatial diversity have been used for a couple of years, notably in military applications. Military applications require system agility: a large band of operation, a dynamic range of sensitivity, and a responsive radiation pattern. An important part of these systems’ technological hurdles lies in their adaptive mechanisms. Modules need to treat and analyze the information acquired by these highly configurable antennas. They then need to make optimal decisions with regards to the adaptation of the antennas’ configuration and also to the adaptation of modes of operation of many other system elements. Routing becomes complex when dealing with fast changing antenna orientations and the movement of the different elements of the network.
TECHNOLOGY
Our technology is a suite of modules for multi-sector tri-mode (directional, multi-directional, omni-directional) radio antennas. The directional mode allows to increase the range in a given direction, or to increase the security of the link by avoiding spying or electronic interference systems. The omni-directional mode allows activating multiple beams simultaneously and independently. It allows transmit and receive in different directions and frequencies along with supporting broadcast and multicast. Thus, our system supports the typical operations for military radio communications: transmit, receive, and jamming can be performed simultaneously through a single radio.
COMPETITIVE ADVANTAGES
Our radio system provides strong adaptability in 1) the directionality, frequency, bandwidth, and power 2) the interpretation of the radio signals and 3) the top layer with improved information about the radio environment. Some new elements of the system are:
- Spatiotemporal scanning allowing associating positional information with spectral measures.
- A multimode operation allowing switching between broadcast, multicast, and point-to-point.
- Spatial agility allowing a high level of mobility between network nodes.
- Constructive use of obstacles allows to profit from reflections and multiple paths.
- Increased transmission confidentiality and security through the use of narrow radio beams.
TARGET MARKET
This product is aimed at two segments of the military communications market: Joint Tactical Radio System (JTRS) mobile vehicular radios and portable mobile radios.
TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENTAL STAGE
A prototype demonstration was executed with 4 moving adaptive antennas. Received power levels vary between -50 dBm and –75 dBm and are influenced by moving obstacles and the radio positions. Results show that the system can select the best antenna for a directional transmission. Even in an uncontrolled environment containing many multiple trajectories, the average binary throughput gain observed totalled 16.12%.
PATENT STATUS
Two granted patents (US and Canada)
Other aspects of the invention are protected through trade secrets.
BUSINESS OPPORTUNITY
Non-exclusive license and co-development
KEYWORDS: Military radios, adaptive antennas, intelligent antennas, multi-sector antennas, broadcast, multicast, point-to-point.