Enhancing Connectivity of Unmanned Vehicles Through MIMO Communications

Abstract

The prevalent use of unmanned vehicles in military and civilian applications require the existence of robust and high throughput communication with airborne platforms. Real channel measurements are conducted and the analysis supports the use of MIMO communications for such applications due to its potential throughput advantage. Unique challenges and the ways to address them are described in detail. In particular, the lack of scattering and the blockage of line of sight may lead to rank deficient channel matrices, which are exacerbated due to the absence of channel state information at the transmitter. A variable rate MIMO scheme is proposed to overcome these challenges in order to realize the promising throughput gain afforded by the MIMO communication.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Sep 01, 2013
Accession Number
ADA617909

Entities

People

  • Biao Chen
  • Kapil M. Borle
  • Michael J. Gans
  • Paul J. Oleski

Organizations

  • Air Force Research Laboratory

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Air Platforms

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Air Force
  • Air Force Research Laboratories
  • Aircrafts
  • Channel State Information
  • Communication Systems
  • Line Of Sight
  • Measurement
  • Modulation
  • Multiple Input Multiple Output
  • Remotely Piloted Vehicles
  • Scattering
  • Simulations
  • Throughput
  • Transmitters
  • Unmanned
  • Unmanned Vehicles
  • Vehicles

Readers

  • Adaptive Control and Estimation with Uncertainty in Dynamic Systems.
  • Maritime Combat Support and Expeditionary Logistics.
  • Tactical Satellite Communications Systems Engineering.

Technology Areas

  • Autonomy