Grant: Collaborative Research and Development Grants

This project aims to establish new design methods and digital signal processing techniques for robust andefficient universal navigation and communication equipment in the fields of aeronautics and aerospace. Newavionic standards are under study and strong arguments exist for the adoption of software defined radios (SDR)at this point in time. The project anticipates the integration of multiple navigation and communication systemsin a single hardware element. Such integration minimizes system footprint and avionic weight, reduces partcount, and will incorporate more efficient new airspace management system (ADS-B), thereby reducinggreenhouse gas emissions in the framework of international environmental initiatives. The aeronautic andaerospace industries have interest in a single generic reprogrammable and universal communication systemused to replace multiple and burdensome radios/antennas presently used in aircrafts. The proposed system willallow for multiple radios that are simultaneously accommodated and have numerous functionalities, and will beimplemented on a flexible integration platform suitable to future applications. The project will consist ofintegrating DME, Mode S transponder and wideband digital radio, built with novel software definedarchitecture proximal to the antenna. The architecture enables the capability to redeploy functionality based onphase of flight and minimizes connectors, antennas, cable length, electromagnetic interference (EMI) andsystem footprint. The goal is to digitize the radiofrequency (RF) signal in proximity to the antenna and totransmit the baseband signal to a generic radio for further digital signal processing. The proof-of-conceptdemonstrator will be evaluated in-laboratory and in-flight using simulation equipment and a flight test platformunder real operating conditions in order to characterize protocols and system performance. The project willcontribute to international initiatives for the definition of new standards and contribute to Canadian efforts toreduce greenhouse gas emissions, and create new employment opportunities for the team of highly qualifiedpersonnel. The developed technologies will also be applicable to ground or airborne infrastructure.