Wideband Multipath Propagation for Helicopter-to-Ground Telemetry Links

reportActive / Technical Report | Accession Number: ADA549229 | Open PDF

Abstract:

This paper reports the analysis of L-band channel sounding experiments conducted along the flight line at Cairns Army Airfield, Ft. Rucker, Alabama. Propagation data from multiple antennas on a helicopter to multiple receiving antennas on the ground are used to compute power delay profiles and the theoretically achievable diversity gain. Analysis of the results reveals delay spreads of the multipath channels between 200 ns and 400 ns, with the longer delay spreads resulting when using a receive antenna with lower gain and higher sidelobe levels such that it that observes richer multipath propagation. The data also shows that on average, diversity signaling from three aircraft-mounted antennas can lead to gains in signal-to-noise ratio of approximately 13 dB, with the gain dependent on the multipath characteristics observed by the ground antenna.

Author(s):
Rice, Michael ; Jensen, Michael
Author Organization(s):
BRIGHAM YOUNG UNIV PROVO UT
Descriptive Note:
Technical paper, Jun-Oct 2011
Supplementary Note:
This work was supported by the Test Resource Management Center (TRMC) Test and Evaluation Science and Technology (T&E/S&T) Program through a grant to BYU from the US Air Force Flight Test Center under contract FA9302-05-C-0001 and from the US Army Program Executive Office for Simulation, Training, and Instrumentation (PEO STRI) under contract W900KK-09-C-0016. The Executing Agent and Program Manager work out of the AFFTC. DOI: 10.21236/ADA549229
Pagination:
0012

Security Markings

DOCUMENT & CONTEXTUAL SUMMARY

Distribution:
Approved For Public Release
Distribution Statement:
Approved For Public Release; Distribution Is Unlimited.

RECORD

Collection: TR
Identifying Numbers
Report Number(s):
AFFTC-PA-11248
Contract/Grant Number(s):
FA9302-05-C-0001, W900KK-09-C-0016
Monitor Series:
AFFTC
 Subject Terms
Joint Capability Areas:
JCA_6.1.3_Switching and Routing; JCA_6.1.1_Wired Transmission; JCA_6_Net Centric; JCA_6.1_Information Transport; JCA_1.2.7_Experimentation; JCA_1_Force Support; JCA_5_Command and Control; JCA_8_Building Partnerships; JCA_1.2_Force Preparation; JCA_8.2_Shape
Modernization Areas:
Directed Energy
Communities of Interest:
Air Platforms
Descriptor(s):
*HELICOPTERS, *RADIO TELEMETRY, AIRCRAFT ANTENNAS, ANTENNA CONFIGURATIONS, L BAND, SIGNAL TO NOISE RATIO
Field(s)/Group(s):
Flight Control and Instrumentation, Radiofrequency Wave Propagation, Telemetry
Keyword(s):
CHANNEL SOUNDING, MULTIPATH PROPAGATION
Report Date:
2011 Sep 02
Creation Date:
2011 Oct 18