Spatial TDMA in Ad Hoc Networks with Antenna Arrays

Abstract: In modern military operations the requirements of transmitting large amounts of information have increased substantially during the last decade. This increases the demand for high-capacity radio networks. It is also very important that military decisions are made on recent and correct information and this implies that low and known delays are required. The existing military radio ommunications, within the Swedish army, do not meet the requirements for capacity and delay. We have investigated how the capacity and average delay can be improved in an Ad Hoc network with STDMA by using antenna arrays. The study is based on different antenna combinations consistingof single isotropic antenna element, beam steering and adaptive beamforming. We have also studied how the number of antenna elements, the terrain, and an increased connectivity due to the antenna arrays_affects the performance measurements. The study shows that the capacity is improved with up to 1200%, and the average delays are decreased when using antenna arrays instead of single isotropic antenna elements. Depending on the beamforming combination used the capacity gain and average delay reduction will differ. The way of using the antenna array also affects the capacity gain and average delay. The capacity gain is higher when the antenna array is used not only to suppress and decrease interferences, but also to increase the connectivity. The study also shows that the capacity gain is higher when using more antenna elements for a network with a high number of links, than with fewer. The benefit from antenna arrays is higher in a flat terrain than in a rough.