Modeling the Effects of RF Attenuation in the Troposphere and Ionosphere (MODERATION)

The modeling & simulation (M&S) tools currently used by the Missile Defense Agency (MDA) to simulate radiofrequency (RF) propagation effects on ballistic missile defense (BMD) radar performance produce medium-to-high fidelity results. However, these tools do not incorporate all relevant RF propagation phenomena, assess propagation effects on radar system performance, or support real-time simulation. To meet the MDAs requirements for an M&S tool that simulates propagation effects in real time and assesses radar system performance, Charles River Analytics proposes to develop a system for Modeling the Effects of RF Attenuation in the Troposphere and Ionosphere (MODERATION). MODERATION will: (1) simulate RF tropospheric and ionospheric propagation, target scattering, and external noise, clutter, and interference under varied conditions; (2) characterize radar performance by comparing the signals reflected by target scattering centers with the signals received by the radar antenna; (3) operate in real time by incorporating an assessment/management function that dynamically regulates the simulation fidelity for each propagation phenomenon consistent with its marginal effect on radar performance, and chooses software and/or hardware accelerators as necessary to achieve the required computational speed; and (4) use a modular open software architecture to facilitate integration with the Objective Simulation Framework (OSF) and other MDA M&S tools. Approved for Public Release | 16-MDA-8917 (15 November 16)