Case Study: Los Alamos National Laboratory achieves up to 90% reduction in battery power requirements with MathWorks MATLAB

Los Alamos National Laboratory Reduces Battery Power Requirements

Los Alamos National Laboratory needed to move INFICOMM — a modulated-reflectance wireless system that can reduce battery power requirements by as much as 90% and operate across roughly 1 km — from research to a proof-of-concept prototype on a tight three-month schedule using low-cost, off-the-shelf components. To avoid long C development cycles and quickly integrate vendor boards, the team used MathWorks tools, primarily MATLAB and the Communications, Data Acquisition, Image Processing, and Signal Processing Toolboxes.

Using MathWorks software, LANL built and validated the rapid prototype in three months, enabling real-time RF control, image transmission, and demodulation within a single environment and cutting software development time by 70%. MathWorks’ tools let the team control packaged components, test different modulation schemes, and streamline data collection and analysis; outcomes included successful demonstrations, a first accepted patent for INFICOMM, and measurable reductions in development time and device power use.

Los Alamos National Laboratory

Scott Briles

Lead Engineer