New wavefroms for anti-jam satellite communications

ABSTRACT: MaXentrics Phase 2 proposal consists of delivering a general-purpose hardware platform and FPGA software implementation to characterize the performance of the various waveforms that were analyzed and simulated in Phase 1, using performance metrics specified by Air Force in target SATCOM environments. A general-purpose FPGA based hardware modem platform will be used to implement the target waveforms, and the performance of these waveforms will be measured over a representative RF channel. This is to ensure that the predicted theoretical performance of these waveforms can be successfully achieved in a practical HW implementation. Waveform evaluation will be performed on the basis of communication performance, covertness (i.e., featureless transmission with low-probability of intercept, detection, or exploitation), resilience (anti-jamming and interference-tolerant), and hardware feasibility. BENEFIT: Within the DoD market, secure chaotic SATCOM systems have potential applications in addressing the need for increased IP SATCOM connectivity. According to Thomson Reuters, Lockheed Martin won a $1.9 billion contract from the U.S. Air Force this past month, commissioning them to build the fifth and sixth AEHF satellites by 2022. These satellites will provide protected SATCOM services to high-priority government and defense facilities. The associated demands of highly covert and resilient communications suggests a great applicability of DC-SSATS for the upcoming AEHF satellites. In mid-2012, USAF also awarded Boeing a $338.7 million contract to produce and launch the tenth WGS satellite. Commercial applications for satellite communications include satellite radio (Sirius Satellite Radio), satellite television (DirecTV), and 2-way satellite internet services. 2-way satellite internet is an emerging market with ViaSat in a leading position after its launch of ViaSat-1 in 2011. ViaSat has negotiations underway for additional satellites and coverage, reaching further residential, international, governmental, maritime, and aeronautical markets, one such contract expected to yield $410M in 2013 [Seeking Alpha]. The maritime SATCOM market alone was valued at $1.4B in 2011, with steady growth predicted by Euroconsult for the next decade.