HARNet - (Harmonised Antennas, Radios, and Networks)

The HARNet programme develops the radio techniques and technologies required to
develop an Integrated Modular Communications System (IMC) using software defined radio
technology for the next generation of civil aircraft. It will replace the current system of isolated federated radios systems.
The consortium that will execute the programme is led by Thales, with Cobham as a key collaborating partner, aided and supported by the research of the University of Bradford, the
University of Southampton, and Queen Mary College, London. The project is split into two phases of two and four years respectively, running sequentially starting on 1 August 2013.
The specific areas of technology development are novel antenna solutions, mesh networking, radio frequency power amplifiers, radio frequency to digital baseband
transceivers, I/Q radio bus interconnection, and reconfigurable software defined radio baseband waveform processors. A comprehensive automatic testing environment is being developed for cost effective testing and certification of a future IMC system.
The programme is partly funded by the Aeronautical Growth Partnership, a £2bn programme
of investment in the UK aeronautics industry by HM Government over a time span of seven years, managed by the Department of Business, Innovation and Skills, and the Technology Strategy Board.