Tactical troposcatter applications in challenging climate zones

Abstract

Transportable troposcatter terminals are a valid beyond line-of-sight (BLOS) transmission medium in support of NATO expeditionary operations. Troposcatter systems are able to provide augmentation capacity to SATCOM in support of forward-deployed military headquarters and a valid alternative to tandem line-of-sight systems. In more tactical scenarios, where capacity and reach requirements are less demanding, the ability to deploy low transmission delay wireless links is a critical capability to support secondary deployed locations. In this paper, the authors analyze the performance and military potential of short-range tactical transit case based troposcatter terminals in tactical scenarios typical of smaller deployed locations. The analysis is performed with a commercial implementation of a troposcatter system deployed to a realistic tactical scenario subject to challenging propagation conditions.