Defense contractor L3Harris (formerly known simply as “Harris”) joined a team led by Northrop Grumman to develop an explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) robot for the US Navy, as part of a program called Advanced Explosive Ordnance Disposal Robotic System (AEODRS).
In order to maintain connectivity in the most challenging situations, Harris approached Doodle Labs to develop a MIMO radio customized specifically for the AEODRS Increment 1 robot.
Given the challenging situations in which the AEODRS Increment 1 robot was to be deployed, Harris needed a high-performance communications link. Of most interest was having the ability to maintain connectivity in complete non-line of sight (NLOS) situations, such as through a building and wreckage so that the systems could be operated from 100 meters away. While in this situation, high-throughput data was required so that video could be sent. Fresnel zone interference was also an issue for long-distance communication since the system is only a few feet high. All of this needed to be solved in rugged, vibration-proof construction that operated in extended temperature ranges.
Fresnel zone interference was also an issue for long-distance communication since the system is only a few feet high. All of this needed to be solved in rugged, vibration-proof construction that operated in extended temperature ranges.