Futuristic wireless systems being built

BELFAST, Northern Ireland, Nov. 9 (UPI) -- A team of Northern Ireland researchers say they are developing futuristic communications systems to protect front-line combat troops.

The Queen's University of Belfast scientists said the research is aimed at investigating the use of arrays of highly specialized antennas that could be worn by combat troops to provide covert, short-range, person-to-person battleground communications.

They said the project being developed at the university's Center for Secure Information Technologies could lead to the development of advanced wireless systems that would enable small squads of soldiers to share real-time video, covert surveillance data and tactical information with each other via helmet mounted visors.

"Through our work, we aim to overcome some formidable challenges as the proposed wireless devices will be expected to operate in a range of environments much more exacting than those encountered in civilian life," said Simon Cotton, the lead researchers. "Despite this, they still need to be extremely reliable, efficient and resilient to 'jamming' or interception and decryption by enemy forces."

"We believe that ultimately this work will lead directly to the development of new applications not only for the military, but also for the emergency services and the sports and entertainment markets," he said.

The research is reported in IEEE Communications Magazine.