A System and Experimental Plan for New Research in Distributed Multi-Input Multi-Output (DMIMO) Communication Systems
Abstract
This project develops an integrated system and experimental plan for new research in distributed multi-input multi-output (DMIMO) wireless communication systems. DMIMO allows networks of low-cost single-antenna (or multi-antenna) devices to form virtual antenna arrays and can enable capabilities that would require expensive assets with conventional antenna arrays. Among other applications, DMIMO systems can enable new robust capabilities in electronic warfare, surveillance, low-probability of detection communications, secure communication, and robustness to jamming with networks of low-cost single-antenna assets. Unlike conventional MIMO systems, each antenna in DMIMO system is driven by a transceiver with an independent oscillator. Moreover, the antennas in a DMIMO system may have random geometry and independent kinematics. Hence, a key challenge in DMIMO systems is modeling and tracking independent oscillators and channel dynamics. To support the experimental plan, this project develops an integrated DMIMO testbed system comprising six USRP radios, host computers for laboratory and field testing, two autonomous aerial platforms for time-varying channel characterization and field testing, and precise oscillator characterization instrumentation. The proposed system will significantly enhance the PIs existing research capabilities and establish new capabilities for performing research and research-related education in MIMO and DMIMO systems. The research activities involve graduate and undergraduate students and leverage the PIs theoretical and experimental work in this area over the last decade. The experimental studies in the research plan are expected to reveal gaps between theory and practice and lead to improved models for oscillator and channel dynamics in DMIMO systems as well as a better understanding of the system components limiting DMIMO performance. The experimental plan also includes studies of DMIMO building blocks such as distributed beamforming and nullforming. The experimental studies in this project go well beyond prior DMIMO experiments and include broadband channels, fading channels, and field testing with autonomous aerial platforms.
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Oct 18, 2018
- Source ID
- W911NF1610176
Entities
People
- Donald E. Brown
Organizations
- Army Contracting Command
- United States Army
- Worcester Polytechnic Institute