Enhanced AN/PAQ-6 Phone Distance Line Replacement (PDL-R) for UNREP distance measurement and bridge-to-bridge communications

Torrey Pines Logic, Inc (herein known as TPL) developed the AN/PAQ-6 Phone and Distance Line replacement (PDL-R) system in conjunction with NAVSEA, OPLOG, and Military Sealift Command.Ā This system was developed between 2008-2016 to provide reliable bridge-to-bridge voice communications and closed loop precision ranging between units during UNREP evolutions.Ā The AN/PAQ-6, herein known as æ6-PAQÆ uses Free Space Optic (FSO) Communication principles to provide precision range and bridge voice communications between vessels. The 6-PAQ LightSpeed Module (LSM) was operated by the bridge phone operator, and the display module (DM) provided range information, range history, and a bridge-to-bridge voice channel to the shipsÆ navigation officers during UNREP. Final approval testing was conducted during UNREPs between the T-AO 195 (USNS Grumman) and the T-AKE-9 (USNS Matthew Perry) in 2016.Ā Results for communication operation and range measurement operation between 6-PAQ systems on UNREP ships resulted in a successful evaluation: Modified Rhyme Tests (MRT)- The voice quality over the 6-PAQ resulted in a voice intelligibility score of 97% for bridge-to-bridge voice communications between various operators during 15 test cycles during UNREP operations.Ā The sound powered phone voice intelligibility score was only 81%. Range testing- 6-PAQ measurements were well within the range measurements of the traditional phone distance line, and much better considering the slack noted often in the physical phone distance line.Ā The 6-PAQ system measured as precisely as the Laser Range Finder (LRF) baseline (using a fixed reflective target on the opposite ship). It was observed by the UNREP tech warrant SMEs out of NSWC Port Hueneme (Roger Mau and Bob Gallaway) that the 6-PAQ was fit to replace the Phone and Distance Line for bridge-to-bridge communication and ship-to-ship measurements during UNREP. Our main Phase 1 objective is to refresh the 6-PAQ with seven years of technical advancement and deliver revised prototype systems demos and evaluation upon completion of Phase 1.