Evolving Onboard/Offboard Electronic Warfare Technology

The capability to precisely locate and identify radio frequency (RF) threats in realtime is critical for warfighter system-of-systems environments that utilize multiplesensors. Developmental radar warning sensors such as the Precision Location andIdentification (PLAID) and special receiver collection systems determine precise threatlocation or identity by making extremely accurate parameter measurements of Doppler/phaseshifts, angle-of-arrival (AOA), and time difference of arrival (TDOA). Open-air ranges cannot provide dense emitter environments, nor the controlled, repeatableconditions essential for valid and affordable testing. Current DoD laboratory testingfacilities and commercial simulators cannot simulate all the detailed, fine grain signalcharacteristics required to effectively test PLAID technologies. Innovative simulationconcepts are required that can generate appropriate RF signal modulations with anaccuracy/resolution exceeding the measurement capability of PLAID sensors. This Phase 1 SBIR will develop a creative design concept called the Advanced TDOA,AOA, and Phase (ATAP) threat simulation that addresses the critical technologychallenges of testing PLAID sensors. The ATAP design will be implemented anddemonstrated in the AFRL/SN Integrated Demonstrations and Applications Laboratory(IDAL) in the Phase 2 SBIR program. Phase 1 will result in a simulator design,readily convertible to prototype hardware during Phase 2. ATAP will have a highpayoff by reducing development risk and testing cost by enabling rapid prototypingof hardware design and software algorithms in a controlled environment.ATAP is readily adaptable to commercial Automated Test Equipment (ATE) applicationsfor the communications industry to test Air Traffic Control systems, Microwave Landing Systems (MLS),cellular telephones, point-to-point microwave, Global Positioning (GPS), and VHF and UHFcommunications systems. It can also be employed by DoD contractors as a commercial tool fortesting passive and active ECM and ESM systems in B-1, B-2, F-15, F-16, U2, F-117, F-22 andJSF integration laboratories. By the addition of high power amplifiers and high gain antennasystems, ATAP becomes suitable for range installation, and has applications in both free spacerange testing, and electronic warfare combat simulation and training applications.