MRI: Development of measurement and testing equipment for distributed wireless communications and localization systems and propagation channels

研究目标和方法：本研究的目标是开发测量仪器，以实现(i)测量具有超宽带的分布式无线传播信道；（ii）设计、测量和验证用于通信、定位和雷达的分布式无线系统。因此，该仪器旨在探索分布式无线传播信道和系统的基本原理，以及使开发和测试远远超出当前系统的实用分布式无线系统成为可能。该方法是基于阵列状态通道探测与电光信号转换相结合的方法。通过将宽带微波信号转换成光纤传输的光信号，可以由单个高精度信号源/接收机以同步方式操作广泛分离的天线。智力优势：首先，开发活动将推动电光调制的前沿。其次，该仪器能够进行许多测量，这些测量将首次回答与分布式系统中无线传播相关的一些基本问题，例如在相隔很远的发射机/接收机上的阴影、延迟传播和角传播的相关性。进一步的智力价值是从使用这些测量结果来激发和测试新的理论思想中获得的。更广泛的影响：使用已开发的仪器进行测量将有助于实现分布式无线系统的新应用(其中许多是？大挑战?（由美国国家科学院定义），例如无线健康和生命体征远程监测、应急响应人员的分布式定位、高效视频分发系统等等。

Research Objectives and Approaches:The objective of this research is the development of measurement instrumentation that will enable (i) measurement of distributed wireless propagation channels with ultra-wide bandwidth and (ii) design, measurement and validation of distributed wireless systems for communications, localization, and radar. The instrumentation is thus intended to explore both the fundamental principles of distributed wireless propagation channels and systems, as well as to enable the development and testing of practical distributed wireless systems that go far beyond current systems. The approach is based on a combination of state-of-the array channel sounding with electro-optical signal conversion. By converting wideband microwave signals to optical signals, which are transmitted via optical fibers, widely separated antennas can be operated by a single high-precision signal source/receiver in a synchronized manner. Intellectual Merit:Firstly, the development activity will push the frontiers of electro-optical modulation. Secondly, the instrument enables many measurements that will for the first time answer some of the fundamental questions related to wireless propagation in distributed systems, such as the correlation of shadowing, delay spread, and angular spread at widely separated transmitters/receivers. Further intellectual merit is obtained from the use of these measurement results to stimulate and test novel theoretical ideas. Broader impact:Measurements with the developed instrumentation will help to enable novel applications of distributed wireless systems (many of which are ?Grand Challenges? defined by the National Academy), such as wireless health and remote monitoring of vital signs, distributed localization for emergency responders, high-efficiency video distribution systems, and many more.