Our technical objective is to overcome the classical limitations of physical size, bandwidth and radiated power to emulate performance of ground-based VLF transmitters using a high-speed time-variation technique. This radical new antenna is being developed for the Air Force at medium power levels for an airborne application. In this project, we aim to meet the technical challenge of a power limit that is up to ten times higher, but for a ground system, which will require a new design for the key components. Our unique and distinctive design for a shore transmitter will be transportable in a standard shipping container size, providing for connections to the antenna system and other key components. We will be able to replicate the performance of existing VLF/LF transmitters with a two-pronged strategy: (1) Achieving radiated powers using transportable devices that can fit in a shipping container or mounted on existing towers, and (2) Utilizing the unique high-bandwidth capability of our antenna technology to replicate the communications capability. Our goal is a basic backup capability at least equivalent to a site, capable of continuous operations in all weather, and a flexible tool that can be used in different ways depending on the situation. Our Phase I strategy is a series of feasibility studies for different strategies and application methods. Our Phase II plan would then select the most promising concept (technical and budgetary) and build a demonstration at medium/high power
Benefit: The wide-band range and the power range of the new system opens the door to new applications at high power levels. It will enable extending the bandwidth and frequency range of both the VLF and LF elements of the Fixed Submarine Broadcast System (FSBS). This enables multiple frequencies or frequency hopping by a single transmitter and high modulation rates from shore, exceeding the rate of current shore sites by an order of magnitude. This expanded frequency range of our design can include ELF, allowing for communication with submarines operating at increased depth. It will enable LF sites to operate at VLF, allowing greater depth penetration into sea water without major physical modification to the site.
Keywords: Rapid reconstitution of Communications, Rapid reconstitution of Communications, Very Low Frequency (VLF), undersea, Wide-band, Fixed Submarine Broadcast System (FSBS), Communications, Antenna
