Real-Time High Fidelity RF Environment Simulation

Man/hardware-in-the-loop laboratory simulation is the most cost-effective methodology for maturing advanced sensor technologies because the battlefield can be brought to the laboratory through multi-spectral synthetic battlespace simulation. Currentlaboratory simulation technologies cannot generate the real-time high fidelity dense RF environment required to advance space based and high altitude sensor technology development. DRA proposes to solve this challenging technology limitation by applyingcommercial satellite tools merged with an intelligent rules based engine to control advanced signal generation components to provide accurate stimulation of space based and high altitude sensor systems. During Phase I, DRA investigated space based andhigh altitude RF sensor development requirements for weapons systems such as Global Hawk, C4ISR, and AT3; defined key simulation technologies required for generating a real-time high fidelity dense RF environment simulation, and defined an architecturethat integrates these key technologies. DRA will utilize the real-time simulation capability in the Sensors Directorate Integrated Demonstrations and Applications Laboratory (IDAL) to demonstrate the architecture's feasibility. During Phase II, DRA willimplement a prototype capability into the IDAL and demonstrate key performance characteristics to support AT3 and other advanced development programs. The Phase II effort will provide a building block capability for rapid evolution of advanced RF sensortechnology.