Integrated MFA and SRM Test and Analysis Environment Using Digital RF

Multi-Function Apertures (MFAs) provide numerous benefits to the USAF in the areas of mission capabilities, improved software (i.e., skill) integration as well as software portability; however, analyzing MFA mission effects, skill performance impacts and comparing MFA offerings must be performed through analysis, which is difficult and time consuming. A key enabler of digital MFAs is their ability to manage resources (e.g., transmit/receive timelines, subarray assignments) through a Sensor Resource Manager (SRM). The MFA configuration, as well as performance and characteristics of the SRM, affects the MFA’s ability to fulfill the RF tasks required by skills to achieve mission goals. Nonoptimal designs could lead to mission impacts such as the loss of tracks, dropped communications, or missed signal detections. In this proposal, Ether Form Inc (EFI) presents the Integrated MFA and SRM Test and Analysis environment using digital RF (IMSTAR) system that performs realistic simulations of platforms using MFAs in AFSIM scenarios (e.g., simulated flight tests, simulated missions, etc.). IMSTAR provides specific details about the performance of skills within the test scenarios using different MFA and SRM parameter sets. IMSTAR is composed of the Multi-Function Channel Emulator (MFCE), integrated AFSIM plugin, as well as representative reference skills and SRM. Additionally, APIs are provided that enable the development and testing of novel SRMs and skills. At the center of the tool suite is the MFCE, which is a real-time RF environment simulator that produces and consumes digital RF using a USG-owned standard MFA interface. Received RF produced by the MFCE have realistic channel effects applied and the skills interact with other skills through the simulated digital RF signals. Testing MFAs and SRMs using IMSTAR produces the most accurate MFA/SRM modeling because the system operates at a precise time scale and produces results of representative skills (e.g., communications, Electronics Support Measures (ESM), radar) rather than attempting to approximate performance results using coarse estimates or probabilities that do not capture the nuances of MFA SRMs. The MFCE is an existing capability provided by EFI that is leveraged and extended for this effort; it is in use by customers today for MFA skill development, flight test simulation, and compliance testing.