New wavefroms for anti-jam satellite communications

ABSTRACT: MaXentric"s proposed Digital Chaotic Waveform Study (DC-WavS) will determine an optimal chaotic spread spectrum waveform for utilization in secure communications over the target Air Force SATCOM environments. The focus will be on chaotic signal generation schemes that are based on finite-precision digital models, rather than underlying analog chaotic sources, or algorithms that presume infinite precision. This is to ensure a greater probability that the predicted theoretical performance can be successfully achieved in practical implementation. Through literary, analytical, and simulation-based investigations, several such waveforms will be compared 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. In particular, several chaotic spread spectrum waveforms will be implemented in MATLAB, passed through representative SATCOM channel models, and analyzed statistically and spectrally. The most optimal of these waveforms will then be implemented on an FPGA-based hardware testbench for demonstration by the end of Phase I. This study will guide the design for our Phase II hardware prototype of a Digital Chaotic Spread Spectrum SATCOM System (DC-SSATS). 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.