SBIR/STTR Award attributes
Fenix Group’s COTS Banshee Tactical Radio (BTR) is a low visibility, jam-resistant RF radio system; it also provides an onboard TAK server to support applications and ATAK plug-ins locally. Operating over 2 simultaneous configurable bands, the BTR hosts up to 256 3GPP LTE connections to support voice, data, video streaming, and sensor connection at up to 300 Mbps download/100 Mbps upload. The BTR is purpose-built for IoT sensor networks; it connects to any standards-based device or network that has an IP address. BTR has two powerful features that both deconflict in a congested RF environment and make it highly resistant to jamming. With configurable power settings (maximum 250 mW per MIMO chain), BTR does not contribute unnecessarily to RF congestion and with lower power output possible, hides within the white noise. Frequency modules and configurability give BTR the ability to mimic commercial cellular network frequencies, making it indistinguishable from host nation LTE standards; in other words, BTR hides in plain sight. Since BTR is able to operate over 2 independent frequency layers simultaneously and because each layer is configurable for a variety of bands, if one layer becomes jammed (or generally non-operational), end devices will continue communicating using the other layer. Meanwhile, the first layer can be tuned to a free channel to restore connectivity over a new frequency. Separating frequency layers far apart makes it extremely unlikely a jamming event will be able to affect both layers simultaneously, making BTR highly resilient in the present of enemy EW. The Talon™ prototype is a lightweight case that couples with a COTS handset. Talon™ supports a more robust, reliable communications PACE plan with a net negative Size, Weight, and Power (SWaP) and zero cognitive burden on the TSG. Self-powered Talon™ adds less than 2 cu inches volume, less than 200 g mass, no cables, and no battery drain on an existing handset. It completely replaces bulky, redundant additional radios and equipment. Talon™ provides the ability to sustain up to voice, data, video streaming, and sensor connectivity up to 25 Mbps with or without the infrastructure of a RAN. This gives Talon™ 3 very powerful and unprecedented capabilities. Talon™ automatically creates and sustains a private, meshed network between handsets even if they stray outside the network coverage range, if the network becomes jammed, over-congested, or if the network is destroyed. Talon™ automatically establishes persistent connectivity to the backend network for handsets outside the network coverage range by self-forming ad-hoc, meshed (and daisy-chained, if necessary) links over any theoretical distance between Talon™-enabled handsets inside/outside network range. Talon™ connects any standards-based sensor or client device to any other Talon™ handset (and ultimately to the backend network despite distance outside the coverage range) with or without the support of a RAN infrastructure.
