Airborne GPS Jamming Test System

GPS receiver systems are subject to radio frequency interference from RF transmitters, onboard aircraft, nearby aircraft, or from ground stations. These include in-band radio frequency interference (RFI), out-of-band RFI, and physical interference. Interference impact performance and reliability of GPS systems. Introduction of GPS equipped weapon systems imply new jamming threats (narrowband and wideband). USAF systems must be effectively tested against jamming and interference. Current field tests may result in interference to the expanding use of GPS. SPEC will develop an Airborne GPS Jamming Test System for deployment on the same platform (C-12 type aircraft) as the GPS antenna. Placing jammers in proximity to the GPS antenna under test uses much lower jammer transmit power levels. SPEC leverages previous DRFM and Target Hologram Generator (THG) work to provide real-time adaptive, coherently additive jamming waveforms. SPEC will develop software for necessary jamming waveforms: Non-coherent CW; swept and pulsed CW; and narrowband, broadband, and pulsed noise waveforms at required bandwidths, repetition rates over test GPS antenna receiver power levels from 20 J/S to 120 J/S with suitable antenna design and placement for the platform. SPEC will determine adjustment of the antenna signals, power levels to imitate relative changes in distance, azimuth and elevation.