Inband full-duplex radio transceivers: A paradigm shift in tactical communications and electronic warfare?

Abstract

Inband FD operation has great potential in civilian/commercial wireless communications, because it can as much as double transmission links° spectral efficiency by exploiting the newfound capability for STAR that is facilitated by advanced SIC techniques. This article surveys the prospects of exploiting the emerging FD radio technology in military communication applications as well. In addition to enabling high-rate twoway tactical communications, the STAR capability could give a major technical advantage to armed forces by allowing their radio transceivers to conduct electronic warfare at the same time that they are also receiving or transmitting other signals at the same frequency bands. After comprehensively introducing FD transceiver architectures and SIC requirements in military communications, this article outlines and analyzes all the most promising defensive and offensive applications of the STAR capability. It is not out of the question that this disruptive technology could even bring about a paradigm shift in operations at the cyber-electromagnetic battleground. At least, forward-looking innovators in the military communications community would right now have a window of opportunity to engage in original, potentially high-impact scientific research on FD military radio systems, which we would like to spur on by this speculative tutorial article.