High Capacity Tactical Networks with Reconfigerable, Steerable, Narrow-Beam Agile Point-to-Point RF Links

Directional, high capacity tactical networks with reconfigurable, steerable, narrow-beam agile point-to-point RF links can be deployed on families of distributed fixed and/or mobile C2 platforms, ranging from small UAVs to aerostats to HUMVees to ships at sea. In this paper, we describe the design, implementation and evaluation of: 1) lightweight (less than 1 lb) and low-cost directional RF flat panel antennas; 2) agile gimbals with integrated stabilization, pointing, acquisition and tracking (SPAT). We have designed directional point to point communication (Ethernet) links that provide sustained data rates of up to 18.5 Mb/s and use a high gain, light weight antenna mounted on a gimbals system that can steer the antenna beam in a short time interval comparable with that of electronic switching. With a light weight antenna, the beam steering is much more cost effective, lighter and simpler than a system of RF switches and/or phase shifters. To provide node stabilization and pointing on mobile or unstable platforms, we describe our designs for new advanced gimbals with active loop angular position control based on local GPS and inertial sensors. We will present the results of experiments using the directional RF antennas as well as the pointing, acquisition and tracking in the final version of this paper.