A Multiple Use MF/HF Radio Array for Radio Research, Development, and Education
Abstract
This project supported the acquisition of a medium and high-frequency (MF/HF, 0.3 to 30 MHz) radio receiving system based at the InterAmerican University Aguadilla Campus in northwest Puerto Rico. The system has five primary uses: (1) Direction-finding radio emission observations and radar imaging studies of the ionosphere within the wide transmitter beam of the VIPIR HF radar in Cayey, Puerto Rico. This is done with 10-m to 300-m antenna spacings. (2) Imaging and spectral and temporal study of radio emissions generated within the relatively narrow beam (about 10-deg full width) of the new Arecibo Observatory high-power high-frequency (HF) transmitter, during ionospheric radio wave interaction experiments (heating campaigns). This requires approximately 1-km to 12-km spacings between the proposed antenna/receiver units. (3) Oblique-angle radio emission observations with theArecibo Observatory HF transmitter and multiple bistatic radar observations with the VIPIR HF radar in Cayey. This is done with wide, 20-km to 100-km antenna separations. (4) Development and application of novel antenna techniques, such as 3D vector field measurements, for remote sensing and communications. This includes the study of radio orbital angular momentum, which can be facilitated through 3D and multipoint polarization measurements. (5) The system can be used in a wide range of inspiring high school and university-level student projects, including the demonstration and development of communications technologies, the exploration of the terrestrial radio spectrum, and as a telescope capable of mapping the radio sky. The 300-m array is used as a bistatic radio imaging receiver for transmissions from the VIPIR HF radar located in Cayey, Puerto Rico, for studies of phenomena such as atmospheric gravity waves, plasma irregularities, and space weather monitoring. The 12-km array images the structure of stimulated radio emissions (SEE) from the HF interaction region with the goal of determining the exact geometries of the source regions of the many SEE spectral features with respect to the geomagnetic field . The 100-km array is used with the VIPIR radar for studies of large-scale ionospheric structure and for multi-point oblique-angle observations of radio emissions during Arecibo HF experiments, to study the aspect angle dependence of the plasma turbulence. All three arrays measure the frequency-dependence of the polarization of radio emissions. Observations of the geometric and polarization properties of radio emissions using these arrays will drive the development of new radio techniques and technologies. The Bayam6n and Aguadilla campuses of Inter American University of Puerto Rico are private, primarily undergraduate institutions with 99% Hispanic, mostly low-income students. The proposed project will support STEM undergraduate education and the development of graduate research programs. It will also enhance the R&D capabilities of the atmospheric, space, and radio infrastructure at Inter American University and in Puerto Rico. The 300-m array is available for year-round use; the 12 and 100-km arrays are deployed on a campaign basis, at least initially. Areas of technological application include development of new communication techniques and improvements in space-based communication and navigation.
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Jan 12, 2017
- Source ID
- W911NF1510038
Entities
People
- Brett Isham
Organizations
- Army Contracting Command
- Interamerican University of Puerto Rico
- Office of the Secretary of Defense