AMISTAD- Smart Multifunctional Antennas compatible with SDR and Digital Advanced TTD technology

Project Description

AMISTAD is a project part of the development of Advanced Secure Communications, and pursues definition of Smart Multifunctional Antennas compatible with SDR (Software Defined Radio) and Digital Advanced TTD (True Time Delay) technology.
The main objective of the project is the design, analysis and subsequent validation of a integrated communication system with capacity to advanced communications including control of smart antennas. The system will be able to integrate in a unique equipment several communications systems that must share a single antenna system. The antenna array will be under developing.
The multiplexing of various communication systems is usually performed in the frequency domain, so antenna array must be broadband necessarily and technology so DTT (True Time Delay) is compulsorily to perform the multiplexing of signals in the spatial domain.
The functionality of this architecture will be proved by a demonstrator that will be a simplified version of the system designed. The major difference is the absence of transmitter chain.

Collaborating Companies or Organisations

Indra's Role

Leader and project coordinator.
Indra provides the requirements for base radios to establish the type and antenna design. Also co designed the smart antenna array, and provides needed hardware for the demonstrator.
The study aimed Indra reach a solid understanding of these materials for commercial application.

Universities and Technological Centres

Under subcontracting regime

Technologies used

Antennas and RF networks, digital architecture and digital signal processing:

• Smart Multifunctional Antennas
• Software Defined Radio (SDR)
• Digital Beamforming Architectures
• Electronic beam by True Time Delay (TTD)
• Multiplexing of signals in Time (TDM), Frequency (FDM), Code (CDM) and Space (SDM) domains.
• WIFI, WIMAX, 3G, 4G services
• High technology manufacture to printed circuit with integrated RF and digital components.
• ADC and DAC conversion in simultaneous stage for RF multi channel.
• Firmware for high-speed FPGA devices.
• Structural, strength and material processing.

More information

This study will enable the development of future communication antennas, compatible with SDR-based and digital technology.
These products will find application in both civil secure communications systems and multiple services integrator, such as military smart multifunctional antenna systems for tactical communications.
This project, under reference number TSI-020601-2012-21, has been co-financed by the Spanish Ministry of Industry, Energy and Tourism, within the National Plan for Scientific Research, Development and Technological Innovation 2008-2011.