Fiscal Year	2007
Division	Graduate School of Engineering & Applied Science
Department	Meteorology
Investigator(s)	O'Marr, Erin
Sponsor	Space & Naval Warfare Systems Center-San Diego (Navy)
Summary	The 802.11 wireless communications system has been designed to withstand harsh environmental conditions. Two frequencies of the 802.11, 2.4GHz and 5.8GHz, are currently be tested and evaluated for field use. Existing radio frequency models predict very little range and strength degradation for the 2.4GHz and 5.8GHz signal due to atmospherics. Empirical data from COASTS 2006 showed degradation in signal throughput coincident with increase in relative humidity and operating system computer temperature. Evaluation and validation of radio frequency models in extreme, harsh environmental conditions is necessary for future integration of METOC data in mission planning, provision of EM/EO system performance predictions, and recommendations towards hastily formed networking topology. The proposed area of research will be the effects of atmospherics on signal propagation within the atmospheric boundary layer in harsh environmental conditions, as well as, a comparison of and validation of two electro-magnetic propagation models. Specifically, the thesis will examine the effects of high temperature, high humidity and moisture variability, and wind speed on wireless communications systems operating at 2.4GHz and 5.8GHz.
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Data	Publications, theses (not shown) and data repositories will be added to the portal record when information is available in FAIRS and brought back to the portal