applied communications technology

Mission: The Applied Communications Technology (ACT) Department of the Antennas and Electronics Systems Division at the Applied Research Laboratory (ARL) Penn State conducts applied research engineering and application analyses in the field of tactical and wireless communications and related technologies.  The department, located in Warminster PA, is uniquely qualified to fulfill the role of independent researcher, trusted agent and corporate memory for its customers, sponsors, and industrial partners.

Facilities: ACT's anechoic chamber, measuring 100 ft long x 40 ft wide x 40 ft high, is one of the largest of its kind and is particularly well-suited for low frequency antenna characterization. See the facilities webpage for more details.

The Department’s objective is to expand and strengthen ARL Penn State’s capability to provide dependable and timely information through the research, development and application of critical technologies across all aspects of a communication system.

Applied Communications Technology requires a complete understanding of RF, sensors, advanced processors, mission computers, data links, protocols, applications, and control systems.  The ACT Department is able to combine resources across the Applied Research Laboratory and Penn State University to form multi-disciplined engineering teams, which can support a wide range of research programs related to the end-to-end research and design of a Communication System.
 
Key Areas of Expertise:

Systems Engineering
Digital Data Link Systems Design
Software Defined Radio
RF Characterization and Modeling
DSP / FPGA Programming
Antenna Characterization
Direction Finding
Co-sight Interference
Platform Integration
Message Format Compatibility
Information Exchange
Data Exchange Protocols
Concept of Employment
Command and Control
Vulnerability Analyses
Anti-Jam / Low-Probability-of-Intercept System Assessment
Human Factors Engineering and Interactions
Manufacturing Technology Research
Multi-Link Architectures               

Growth Competencies:

First Responders Radio Interoperability and Security Mechanisms
Thru-Wall Imaging
RF Design and Fabrication
Communications Circuit Design and Modeling
Satellite, Cellular, Fiber Optic and Microwave Technologies
RF Anechoic Chamber and Associated Research

Thrust:
The Applied Communication Technology Department is committed to the advancement of communications technology through applied research, knowledge base development, studies and analyses.  Its goal is to deliver and maintain effective, capable, and integrated Command, Control, Communications and Computer (C4), intelligence and surveillance systems.  In addition to supporting traditional Department of Defense sponsors such as SPAWAR, NAWC, ONR, SSP and DARPA, the ACT Department has diversified its business base to support non-DoD agencies including the Department of Transportation (DOT), Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) and Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

Recent Departmental tasking has consisted of:

• Identifying information data exchange requirements,
• Establishing concept of operations doctrine,
• Generating system specifications,
• Standards, and
• Defining test plans (scenario, modeling, or simulation) for Operational
  (OPEVAL) and Technical (TECHEVAL) evaluations.

The ACT Department strives to ensure that task statements are flexible and can be quickly modified as customer requirements evolve, thus avoiding lengthy contractual processes.  This flexibility is extremely important in digital communications, where technology is continuously changing. 

By leveraging the best resource knowledge and experience of the entire ARL/PSU community, the ACT Department is able to share a broad range of ideas that benefit the sponsor.  This approach enhances the Department's proficiency for conducting system trade-offs, RF characterization, compatibility evaluations, interoperability analyses or adjudicating engineering issues.