Flexible Software Based HITL Simulator with High Accuracy

High fidelity robust testing of modern receivers demands highly accurate signal generation that is commensurate with complex environmental conditions. Demands of the modern digital receivers can only be met with a flexible signal generation scheme that will faithfully reproduce subtle features of the signal wavefront. CRS has demonstrated software based complex signal simulators and receivers for navigation, communication and radar applications. We propose to extend the software based real time signal simulation capabilities for the design and development of advanced simulators for various applications in navigation, radar, communication, EW, etc. The simulator will be able to generate live RF signals for different bands and will provide faithful reproduction of all aspects of signal generation (waveform, code, carrier, antenna, power, source motions, orientation, etc.), propagation (attenuation, dispersion, scattering through atmosphere, plasma, troposphere terrain, foliage, etc.) and receiver configuration (antennas, receiver dynamics etc.). A variety of signal waveforms (radar, communication, jammer, navigation, etc.) will be built in and additional waveforms can be added as needed. High fidelity and precision will be maintained throughout the system (accuracy of 1 mm is achieved) and special care in terms of analog portions particularly in those involving code and phase relationships will be maintained. During Phase I we shall perform requirements analysis, design the system architecture, and provide end-to-end simulation of the entire system that would allow us to obtain the performance metrics and help engineering design during Phase II. A hardware demonstration (using available hardware) will also be provided during Phase I to demonstrate the feasibility of software based implementation approach.