Medium Access and Data Link Layer Protocols for Impulse Radio: Covertness, Timing, and Chip Discrimination

Abstract

Ultra-Wideband (UWB) impulse radio (IR) has been shown to have potential for dramatic throughput in high multi-user environments everaging the ultra-wideband nature of sub-nanosecond pulses. Many of the IR attributes hold promise for tactical systems where low power covert operation is desirable. In this project we have investigated three areas related to impulse radio: covertness, the effects of timing jitter and synchronization, and a new chip discrimination technique that expoits the narrow pulses and low duty cycle of impulse radio. Advances in these areas are important for medium access control (MAC) layer design. We quantify the covertness of impulse radio and find its detectability is superior to other narrow band systems even when a sophisticated 'multi-radiometer' detector is used. We also quantify the effects of timing and tracking errors on the performance of impulse radio. A new chip discrimination technique for impulse radio is investigated. The technique provides significant improvement in multi-user environments and is very simple to implement.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Mar 27, 2003
Accession Number
ADA416018

Entities

People

  • Arjun Bharadwaj
  • J. K. Townsend
  • William M. Lovelace

Organizations

  • North Carolina State University

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Energy and Power Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Abstracts
  • Clocks
  • Code Division Multiple Access
  • Computer Access Control
  • Covert Operations
  • Data Links
  • Detection
  • Detectors
  • Discrimination
  • Energy Consumption
  • Environment
  • Military Research
  • Multiple Access
  • Power Levels
  • Radio Signals
  • Radiometers
  • Throughput

Fields of Study

  • Computer science
  • Physics

Readers

  • Computer Networking
  • Integrated Circuit Design and Technology.
  • Radar Systems Engineering.