Propagation Measurements for UHF Spread Spectrum Communications

The analysis and prediction of UHF spread spectrum communications system performance in tactical environments has revealed a great deal of uncertainty relating to the applicability of narrowband propagation models and the effects of terrain irregularity and vegetation on broadband signals. This paper presents an overview of an ongoing Army program utilizing wideband pulse response measurements to characterize ground-to-ground, tactical, UHF spread spectrum propagation channels. Recently acquired experimental data is 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.