Performance Enhancement of In-Flight Interceptor Communications System (IFICS)

Welkin Sciences proposes to modernize and extend the COMLNK link simulator currently used by the IFICS program to evaluate modem performance in nuclear induced fading conditions. The effort includes the redesign of COMLNK to anticipate JTRS/SCA interoperability requirements and the addition of non-coherent message combining techniques to enhance modem performance. We will work with other MDA contractors during this effort to research, develop and evaluate new candidate waveforms and add to COMLNK those waveforms with the most promise for modem upgrades. A COMLNK Hardware Platform (CHP) will also be developed to transform COMLNK into an operational, testable, development platform for software modems. The CHP will reuse state-of-the-art digital signal processing hardware being developed by the Defense Threat Reduction Agency and will add the necessary components to interface the CHP into Hardware-In-The-Loop setups. Welkin Sciences also proposes an option to develop and demonstrate additional diversity techniques for interceptor communications. Diversity gain can significantly improve link performance over a wide range of disturbed channel conditions. The benefits of spatial, frequency and time diversity will be evaluated and new designs will be developed that can be incrementally inserted into GMD.