Flexible Radio Array for Ionospheric and Atmospheric Research (FRAIA)
Abstract
We propose to acquire a powerful recon gurable array of RF receivers covering a broad spectrum of the HF, VHF, and UHF bands, which can be used as stand-alone receivers or combined in phased arrays for a wide range of research and educational applications. The Flexible Receiver Array for Ionospheric and Atmospheric research (FRAIA) consists of 18 receiver stations with antennas for 4-80 MHz, and 150, 400, and 1067 MHz satellite beacons, and one 4-atenna receiver also at 4-80 MHz with high-speed full waveform sampling. Most FRAIA stations also include powerful software-de ned radios and computers. The 19 elements of FRAIA can combined into one or more phased arrays for target localization, including lightning observations, or for imaging wide-band riometry. Or they can be distibuted for wide-area wide-band riometry and for satellite beacon reception for tomographic measurements of the ionosphere with support for multiple parallel observing programs. FRAIA stations cannot be bought so FRAIA will be assembled at NMT as manufactured equipment with parts from ten vendors and installed within the 12-month schedule in compliance with the solicitation requirements. The work will be carried out by faculty, staff and students from the electrical engineering and physics departments who will also be the primary users of FRAIA. FRAIA complements existing facilities at NMT s Langmuir Lightning Laboratory. The additional interferometric capability for the study of continuing emissions from lightning makes it possible to progress in new research directions. The FRAIA stations also make is possible to expand our research in the area of space science and ionospheric research. These are two important areas for colleagues at the nearby AFRL and we expect that FRAIA will allow us to foster closer research ties with AFRL. For example, FRAIA can be used for tomographic measurements of the ionosphere in ways that are not easily accomplished with GPS receivers to study short-time-scale phenomena such as traveling ionospheric disturbances. FRAIA can also represent a path to future projects such as the proposed RAdio Ionosphere Density ExploreR (RAIDER) satellite conceived at NMT, and other work on HF propagation and ionosphere sounding. FRAIA will also present excellent educational opportunities for NMT students at all levels, as well as opportunities for regional school science teachers and their students as well. At NMT FRAIA will provide opportunities to expand our course o erings in radio frequency and antenna theory and software-de ned radios and communication using FRAIA hardware. To connect with schools we will work with the NMT Master of Science Teaching program to identify schools and teachers suitable for collaboration. Some of the FRAIA stations will be located at those schools initially for riometric and satellite beacon tomography purposes. We will use those opportunities to help teachers develop relevant curriculum components, and to interact directly with students. We will develop a website for FRAIA where students can go to see station observations and the status of their own stations. In summary, FRAIA represents a strong opportunity for NMT and DoD to develop collaborations on a wide range of topics of interest to the DoD and to NMT faculty. FRAIA will also present numerous educational opportunities for students ranging from high-schools students through PhD candidates in using the equipment in research and in the classroom.
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Sep 20, 2018
- Source ID
- W911NF1610512
Entities
People
- Anders Jorgensen
Organizations
- Army Contracting Command
- New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology
- Office of the Secretary of Defense