Radiation Tolerant 802.16 Wireless Network, Phase I

Exploration of planetary surfaces will require a communication architecture that supports operational capabilities in which fixed and mobile assets on the planetary surface can communicate seamlessly and securely. Aeronix understands the issues and believes that it can leverage it knowledge and expertise in its military IEEE-802.16 products towards a space qualified solution. Aeronix is currently developing two technologies that will be directly leveraged. A 5.8GHz 802.16 based radio developed military wireless communication terrestrial applications. The radio is designed to support 20 nodes providing 40Mbps using omni-directional antennas. This is a fully reconfigurable product employing a DSP to configure re-configurable FPGA logic. The development of a smaller 2.4GHz 802.16 based radio for UAV applications. Aeronix is currently in fabricating evaluation units that are approximately 10"3 intended video and audio applications.

Potential NASA Commercial Applications: Potential NASA Non-Commercial applications include spaced-based wireless networks, lunar-based wireless networks, and Mars-based wireless networks. Usage models include point-to-multipoint and Mesh networks for communication between base stations, mobile rovers, mobile humans, and sensors. Equipments supported via this SBIR include base station access points, subscriber stations, wireless bridges, and wireless NICs for radiation environments. NASA's technology taxonomy has been developed by the SBIR-STTR program to disseminate awareness of proposed and awarded R/R&D in the agency. It is a listing of over 100 technologies, sorted into broad categories, of interest to NASA.

This is early/mid-stage (TRL 3) — the most realistic path in is NASA SBIR/STTR, which funds small businesses and research institutions to develop technology aligned with NASA's needs (equity-free, phased funding). Check whether a current SBIR/STTR solicitation topic overlaps with this project's technology area, or contact the project directly (above) to ask.

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