Cobham Antenna Systems, Microwave Antennas
News
2005-07
Email Microwave Antennas
Body worn antenna for Thales Soldier Modernisation Programme
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Cobham Antenna Systems, Microwave Antennas designed a body-worn antenna for the Thales UK Future Integrated Soldier Technology (FIST) programme, part of the Soldier Modernisation programme.
Thales UK is the prime contractor for trials of Future Integrated Soldier Technology (FIST), a UK soldier modernisation programme and is working in partnership with the UK Ministry of Defence, the Defence Procurement Agency, the DCC Integrated Project Team and other stakeholders.
The experimental system links radios, computers, GPS, weapon sights and cameras. The original trials were designed to check functionality during a variety of operations, as compared to soldiers with conventional equipment. One of the radio communication problems to be overcome was the occasional interruption of radio signal causing breakdown of communication and loss of tactical advantage.
Previously, the radio communication used a dipole-type antenna that operated satisfactorily when soldiers were standing upright. However, when soldiers were lying or crouched, or if one soldier was standing and another lying, the radio signal could be compromised. A reduction in data transmission was due to polarisation mismatch (up to 25dB) with further loss attributable to gain pattern pointing in the wrong direction. A body-worn antenna system was developed to provided an improved signal pattern. The new antenna provides greater all round coverage that cannot be provided by a single dipole. A further benefit is provided by circular polarisation that alleviates the problem of mismatch when soldiers are in different orientations with respect to each other. These antennas are small, wafer-thin and very light weight making them less intrusive and more comfortable for the wearer, an important aspect when considering the weight of additional equipment.
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