At present, the military usually uses high-frequency radio signals as the main communication method, and high-frequency signals have the advantage of beyond line of sight communication, which can achieve long-distance communication. However, high-frequency signals are also limited by factors such as terrain and climate, and are susceptible to limitations and interference from other countries, resulting in significant uncertainty.
Disadvantages of high-frequency radio:
Restricted by propagation: The propagation of high-frequency radio signals is greatly affected by terrain, climate, and obstacles. In urban environments with obstacles, signals may be attenuated, reflected, or multipath propagated, leading to a decrease in signal quality. Antenna manufacturing factory
More antennas are needed: High frequency radio waves have shorter wavelengths and limited antenna size, so in some application scenarios, more antennas may be needed to maintain stable communication.
Low security: Due to the easy propagation of high-frequency wireless signals, they may be eavesdropped, intercepted, or interfered with, thus requiring additional security measures to protect the confidentiality of communication.
High energy consumption: Due to the high transmission power required by high-frequency radio equipment, compared to low-frequency equipment, high-frequency radio communication consumes more energy and may shorten battery life.
Overall, high-frequency radio performs excellently in long-distance, large bandwidth, and high data transmission rates, but there are some limitations in signal propagation and security.
Ultra Low Frequency (ULF) and Very Low Frequency (VLF)
In contrast, the ultra-low frequency and very low frequency bands have the advantage of strong penetration ability, and can achieve unobstructed communication and exchange in special environments such as underwater, mines, caves, and deep bunkers. Ultra Low Frequency (ULF) and Very Low Frequency (VLF) are the lowest frequency radio frequency bands in the electromagnetic spectrum. They have unique advantages, especially outstanding performance in specific application scenarios:
Advantages of Ultra Low Frequency (ULF) and Very Low Frequency (VLF):
Powerful penetration ability: ULF and VLF signals have very long wavelengths and can easily penetrate solid objects such as rocks, soil, metals, water, and deep bunkers. This enables effective communication between ULF and VLF signals in underground, underwater, cave, mine and other environments.
Ultra long distance transmission: Due to the long wavelength, ULF and VLF signals can be transmitted over very long distances under appropriate conditions. This is very useful for scenarios that require coverage of vast areas, long-distance communication, and maintaining communication connections in harsh environments.
Low signal interference: ULF and VLF signals are less affected by interference during propagation because their low frequencies mean they are less likely to interfere with other high-frequency signals. This makes ULF and VLF communication perform well in environments with severe electromagnetic interference.
Global coverage: Due to their long wavelengths, ULF and VLF signals can penetrate the Earth's atmosphere and propagate along the Earth's surface under appropriate conditions, thus achieving global communication coverage.
Low power consumption: Due to the longer wavelength, the power required for ULF and VLF signal transmission is lower, which means that the energy consumption of communication equipment is relatively low, which is beneficial for extending battery life and saving energy.
In military terms, ULF and VLF communication are widely used for underwater submarine communication, deep-sea exploration, and intelligence gathering. These frequency bands can achieve reliable communication and positioning in complex environments such as underwater and underground.
About "Mechanical Antennas" (AMEBA)
Given the shortcomings of high-frequency radio signals, the US military is preparing to launch a project to compensate for the shortcomings of existing military communication and bring a new revolution to battlefield communication. The project plan is called "Mechanical Antenna" (AMEBA), and its core is to use the advantages of ultra-low frequency (ULF) and very low frequency (VLF) frequency bands that can penetrate rocks, soil, metals, moisture, building materials, and long-distance communication to change the constraints of existing military communication. Compared to high-frequency radio signals, ultra-low frequency and very low frequency have great advantages and potential, which can achieve unobstructed communication and exchange in various places such as underwater, mines, caves, deep bunkers, etc. Whether it is in the military, such as information transmission and exchange of underwater submarines, divers, unmanned underwater vehicles, or in the civilian field, such as exploration and development of deep resources, earthquake search and rescue work, it will be of great significance.
The advantages and potential of ultra-low frequency and very low frequency are enormous, but their disadvantages are also obvious. Frequency is inversely proportional to wavelength, as ultra-low and very low frequencies have very low frequencies, resulting in long wavelengths. This means that to receive and transmit such signals, a large-sized antenna is required, which takes up a lot of space and is impractical for fighter jets, submarines, ships, etc. Moreover, the power required for transmitting signals is also in the megawatt range, while the standard Harris backpack military satellite communication radio consumes less than 60 watts of power.
To address the issues of large antenna size and high power, American researchers are developing a new technology aimed at reducing the size of longwave signal transmitters and enabling them to be carried around for handheld or backpack use. This new technology does not rely on traditional electronic circuits and power amplifiers to generate radio signals, but instead generates signals by mechanically moving materials with strong electric or magnetic fields. This technology is expected to solve the problems of antenna size and power, bringing new breakthroughs to military communication.