Propagation measurements for UHF spread spectrum mobile communications

The U.S. Army is currently developing a number of spread spectrum radio systems to support its needs for more survivable and efficient mobile UHF data distribution on the tactical battlefield of the 1990's and beyond. The analysis and prediction of the performance of these systems in mobile tactical environments has been met with a great deal of uncertainty relating to the applicability of narrow-band propagation models and the effects of terrain irregularity and vegetation on broad-band signals. An overview is presented of an ongoing Army program utilizing wide-band pulse response measurements to characterize ground mobile tactical UHF spread spectrum propagation channels. Recently acquired experimental data are used to demonstrate the potential of this program for improving available tools for prediction and analysis of tactical UHF spread spectrum systems employing bandwidths of hundreds of MHz.