DARPA Interference Multiple Access (DIMA)

In contrast to the traditional wireless communications paradigm, which is to avoid interference, the DARPA Interference Multiple Access (DIMA) program exploits multi-access interference to enable high-capacity, low-latency spread spectrum communications that require no infrastructure or coordination. The DIMA concept uses Multi-User Detection (MUD) techniques to enable multiple users to simultaneously occupy the same channel, while requiring no power or timing control, for highly efficient, ad-hoc communications. Wireless channel overloading allows DIMA to effectively eliminate bottleneck issues typically encountered at the tactical edge. The DIMA approach also allows warfighters to communicate through interference, significantly reducing the need for theatre spectrum preplanning.

The program objective is to develop a prototype spread spectrum mobile ad hoc communications network consisting of DIMA-enabled handheld radios that require no central control of power levels, timing, codes, or frequency. The program will demonstrate in a military ad hoc environment that DIMA communication systems can achieve greater than three times the aggregate throughput of commercial 802.11 and CDMA systems, while reducing latency by 10X when disseminating time critical data, such as battle damage assessment, during high congestion periods.