96-17279 Michael P. Fitz Steve Bibyk Ohio State University CISE Research Instrumentation: A Physical Layer Radio Communications Laboratory This grant supports instrumentation to enable the following research: -Narrowband Radio Services Design Telecommunications Circuit Design Wideband Radio Design Automated Highway System Communications. This project sets up a physical layer radio research laboratory at the Ohio State University (OSU) which empowers a variety of multidisciplinary research in data communication. The equipment enables the construction and support of a highly flexible testbed for physical layer radio research. This test bed consists of real-time digital signal processors, microwave signal sources, high power linear amplifiers, antennas, radio receivers, data acquisition electronics, workstation and personal computers, and supporting electronic test equipment. The laboratory is the focus of ongoing experimental work in the development of high performance narrowband wireless modems and will spur new experimental work in wideband multiple access radio design. In particular investigations into improving transmitter and receiver antenna diversity and signal processing for interference suppression or multiuser demodulation can now be backed with experimental feedback. Much greater gains in bandwidth efficiencies are potentially achievable by being able to measure and exploit the actual channel characteristics. Additionally the laboratory will be the focus of ongoing research in the area of high power amplifier linearization and very large scale integrated circuit design. Finally much of this work supports a modem being developed for Intelligent Transportation Applications (ITS). The Center for Intelligent Transportation Research is a nationally designated center of excellence for automated highway research (AHS). This laboratory will be the focal point for a wireless modem development for potential use in AHS applications within the national ITS program.
