GUARD: A Game-theoretic Universal Anti-RFI Defense framework for Satellite Communication

ABSTRACT: In this proposal a Game-theoretic Universal Anti-RFI Defense (GUARD) framework for Satellite Communications is proposed. Key components of the GUARD framework include i) Radio Frequency Interferences (RFI) modeling and impact evaluation infrastructure, which allows the evaluation of the impact of RFI from various sources, and provides a comprehensive RFI knowledge base to SATCOM; ii) RFI sensing and inference infrastructure, which utilizes on-site measurements from supporting sensors and users to identify the location, nature and scope of the RFI, and makes inference about the RFI source (type, location, capacity, etc.) based on the RFI knowledge base; and iii) RFI protection infrastructure, to deal with unintended RFI and jamming, which consists of (a) RFI mitigation capabilities against unintended interference, and (b) a unified framework for the development of jamming/anti-jamming games, which supports comprehensive modeling of SATCOM users and jammer behaviors, as well as the information asymmetry between different players of the game. Based on the game framework, SATCOM jamming/anti-jamming games will be configured and investigated for various scenarios of interest. A conceptual hardware design of a highly adaptive cognitive transceiver is also proposed, which allows highly flexible radio configurations supporting an efficient operation under low SWaP constraints, and hardware in the loop emulation. BENEFIT: The GUARD framework is developed to significantly improve SATCOM system performance in presence of RFI from various sources and of various natures. The proposed GUARD architecture has tremendous applications potential in many military applications. It can be used to protected tactical space communications with dynamic spectrum sharing and interference mitigations. In addition, some relevant Defense Acquisition Programs within DoD are such as WSCE-W/V-band space communications Experiment, PTW MILSATCOM DFARR program, WGS-Wideband Global SATCOM, WIN-T Warfighter Information Network-Tactical, JSTARS Joint Surveillance and Target Attack Radar System Aircraft, JTRS GMR Joint Tactical Radio System Ground Mobile Radio, DCGS-N--Distributed Common Ground Station-Navy, DCGS-X (Air Force), DCGS Army (DCGS-A) system, High Data Rate Airborne Terminal and XG DSA2100, etc. For some of these programs we already have close connections and know considerable program details. The market for military is quite large and IFT has successfully transitioned research prototype for inclusion in DoD contractor research simulations. We can also see commercial application of this project with the numerous concepts being developed. The proposed tool can be used to support commercial applications include disaster management, air traffic control, network defense, the national weather service, physical security systems, law enforcement agencies, emergency control centers, border and coast patrol, pollution monitoring, remote sensing, robotics, medical applications, and global awareness. We have many unique concepts with broad applicability that the market size is hard to estimate. The general tenets of the proposal support all companies, organizations, and products that provide/utilize spectrum access.