Test of HF (3-30 MHz) MIMO communication system based on polarisation diversity

A MIMO system designed for trans-horizon radio communications within the HF band (3-30 MHz) is presented. The diversity of transmitted polarisations is proposed as an alternative to spatial diversity in order to limit the aperture of antenna arrays at both ends of the radio link. After a theoretical step confirming the capacity gain of a 2 × 2 MIMO architecture, an experimental communication system has been developed and tested with a range of 280 km. The first results underline a data transfer rate reaching a value of 24.09 kbit/s (in a 4.2 kHz bandwidth) which significantly exceeds the current standards for HF modems.