Non-Invasive Radio Frequency System Characterization

Electro Magnetic Applications, Inc. proposes to develop an automated radio measurement system (ARMS) that will produce high fidelity characterizations of RF system performance for use in cosite interference and vulnerability analyses. One of the biggest challenges with a cosite interference analysis is obtaining high fidelity, broadband characterizations of the transmitting and receiving RF systems. Often, analysts must make educated guesses or use worst-case assumptions in their analysis, resulting in missing real interference problems or over engineering the solution. This can be avoided by using high-fidelity, measured data in cosite analysis. The proposed ARMS will automatically characterize the spectral profile of transmitters and receivers while minimizing manual labor. The ARMS will consist of both measurement hardware and software for controlling the hardware, controlling the RF system and recording the measurements. After the ARMS is built, it could then be used to populate databases with measured data for RF systems of interest to the DoD. Such a database would be a game-changing capability for the DoD and its contractors.