ARRL INVITES COMMENTS ON NEW HF DIGITAL PROTOCOL The ARRL is seeking comments from amateurs concerning development of an open-source (non-proprietary) data communications protocol suitable for use by radio amateurs over high-frequency (HF) fading paths. This is not a Request for Proposals (RFP). An RFP may or not be forthcoming depending on evaluation of the information received.
Specifically, the League is asking for comments and information on the following issues: * Access Method: Is Orthogonal Frequency-Division Multiplexing (OFDM) the best candidate technology, or should other competitive technologies be considered? * Data Rate and Bandwidth: What data rates/throughputs are achievable at various bandwidths up to 3 kHz bandwidth? * Adaptivity: What adaptive features should be considered, such as automatic adjustment of transmitter power, modulation waveform and coding, in order to maximize throughput and efficiency in two-way contacts? * Robustness: What is achievable for reliable operation at power levels typical in the Amateur Radio Service and low signal/noise and interference ratios? * Error control: What are the appropriate applications of error control suitable for HF channels? For example, how should Repeat reQuest (ARQ) and Forward Error Control (FEC) be applied to two-way contacts and one-to-many (roundtable and bulletin) transmissions? * Activity Detection: What is an effective method of determining whether a frequency is busy prior to transmission? * Operating System: What operating systems (such as Windows or Linux) are appropriate for Amateur Radio use with this protocol? * Hardware: What practical and affordable hardware platforms are suitable for amateur stations? Consider the use of personal computers with or without sound cards. Provide any information about the need for an additional "box" if needed. Please provide the following with your response: (1) name of respondent, (2) respondent's contact information, (3) related experience, and (4) type of respondent: (individual, partnership, corporation or group). Do not include proprietary information as part of your response. Post, fax or e-mail your response by 1900 UTC, May 15, 2007, to ARRL Chief Technology Officer Paul Rinaldo, W4RI <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>, 3545 Chain Bridge Rd-- Suite 209, Fairfax, VA 22030; Fax: 703-934-2079. (ARRL Web)
