rf channel simulation: realistic test and training for ... · • uav/target, ground control...
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Colorado Springs, CO (719) 598-2801 Denver, CO (303) 703-3834 http://www.rtlogic.com Copyright© 2012 Real Time Logic, Inc. All rights reserved.
RF Channel Simulation: Realistic Test and Training for Targets, UAVs and Ranges
Steve Williams Manager, Signals Instrumentation
swilliams@rtlogic.com 719-884-6269
3 Oct 2012
Communications Environment
2 10/9/2012
Dynamic Doppler Shift
Delay Path Loss
Noise Interference
Dynamic Flight Profiles Body Masking Antenna Pointing Antenna Patterns Multipath Terrain Weather
Targets and Platforms under Test
Range Telemetry Monitoring Assets
Ground Control Systems
RF Links
RF Links
Test Requirements and Training Requirements are Implied
Two Stunning Examples of Testing and/or Training Failures
10/9/2012 3
10/9/2012 4
RQ-170 Incident / 4 Dec 2011
• What happened here? – Simple COMMS Jamming? – Sophisticated EW techniques as Iran claims? – Something else? – Testing and/or training didn’t cover whatever caused the loss – Disastrous Loss
10/9/2012 5
Cassini-Huygens Mission / 2005
• What happened here? – Doppler shift causes Data Rate changes – In-flight analysis: Data tracking loop won’t handle the data rate
change – Testing didn’t cover this dynamic issue – Flight path altered, mid-mission, to decrease separation velocity – Mission was successful.
10/9/2012 6
• Many other examples, large and small – Blue-on-blue interference – Red-on-blue interference – Radios that don’t work in foliage – Navy SATCOM disrupted by purposeful EMI – Etc.
• The Future of Testing and Training
– We’ve got to do go deeper in the labs – Save money and time at later testing stages – Need Intelligent Instrumentation
• SW/FW definable • Built into fielded systems for automatic test, remote test and
training, self-healing • Usable for both test and training
Communications Environment
7 10/9/2012
Targets and Platforms under Test
Range Telemetry Monitoring Assets
Ground Control Systems
RF Links
RF Links
Dynamic Doppler Shift
Delay Path Loss
Noise Interference
Dynamic Flight Profiles Body Masking Antenna Pointing Antenna Patterns Multipath Terrain Weather
• UAV/Target and Ground Control System Designers – Must conduct thorough test in absolute worst case conditions
• Test against the very worst that could happen • Think outside the box!
– Comprehensive regression test when modifying HW, SW or FW
• UAV/Target and Ground Control System Operators
– Training: Prepare operators to detect, characterize & mitigate – Planning: Can the system handle the mission? – Pre-mission Test: Is the range fully ready to go right now? – Regression: Does the system still work after HW, FW, SW
upgrades and updates?
10/9/2012 8
Testing and Training Needs
UAV Testing
9 10/9/2012
Ground Control Systems
Usual testing scenario: - Testing for the UAV - Testing for the Ground Control System (GCS) - Tests usually coordinated to stimulate the
UAV/GCS, at least to some degree. - Tests are often static though, and
therefore don’t represent the actual RF signal environment.
UAV Testing
10 10/9/2012
Ground Control Systems
RF/IF Channel Simulator
Dynamic Doppler Shift
Delay Path Loss
Noise Interference
Dynamic Flight Profiles Body Masking Antenna Pointing Antenna Patterns Multipath Terrain Weather
Utilize dynamic tests that do represent RF signal propagation, and other matters that will impact the signals.
• Supplies the “next step” from simulation to actual hardware test
10/9/2012 11
Channel Simulation
• From an RF perspective, recreates
• Substitutes for dangerous tests, expensive tests, tests on different battle fronts, tests that can’t usually be created (WX).
• Inserted into the RF/IF signal path • Physics compliant • Cost sensitive
• The same equipment for test as
training.
Dynamic Doppler Shift
Delay Path Loss
Noise Interference
Dynamic Flight Profiles Body Masking Antenna Pointing Antenna Patterns Multipath Terrain Weather
10/9/2012 12
Dynamic RF Channel Simulation
• Range vs. Time between a UAV and a control station
Range not determined
due to terrain-related
signal dropout
10/9/2012 13
Dynamic RF Channel Simulation
Ground Control Systems
Doppler Shift
Delay
Amplitude
Signal dropouts due to terrain
14
Dynamic RF Channel Simulation
Ground Control Systems
15
Dynamic RF Channel Simulation
Ground Control Systems
• Test under any conditions imaginable
• Harden the UAV and Ground Station HW, SW and FW – Natural RF Physics – Signal Threats
• Blue-on-blue interference • Red-on-blue interference • Operator error • Equipment faults • Single threats / multiple threats
• These tests become the basis for Ground
Station Operator training scenarios, with the same equipment.
10/9/2012 16
Dynamic RF Channel Simulation
Ground Control Systems
• UAV/Target, Ground Control System, Range Operators
– Assure mission safety – Assure mission success
• Range operators • Customers
– Validate equipment functioning, pre-mission – Validate equipment after upgrades and updates – Calibrate equipment – Training
10/9/2012 17
Testing the Test Range
10/9/2012 18
TM Site
Telemetry
Boeing Photo
TM Site
TM Site
Testing the Test Range
10/9/2012 19
USAF Photo
TM Site
TM Site
TM Site
TM Site (Mobile)
TM Site
Mission Control Center delivers: 1. Mission Safety 2. Best Source
Telemetry
Testing the Test Range
MCC
Telemetry sites receive TM from flying platforms, passing the TM in real-time back to the MCC.
Flight Path
10/9/2012 20
Channel Simulator (Chan 1)
Channel Simulator (Chan 2)
Channel Simulator (Chan 3)
Channel Simulator (Chan 4)
Channel Simulator (Chan 5)
Channel Simulator (Chan N)
.
.
.
T400TSS Convert data file to IF -PCM/FM -SOQPSK -Multi-h CPM
IF Splitter
Flight path, terrain, antenna and vehicle characteristics
Antennas pointed at telemetry stations. Alternatively, connect networked Ch Sims at each TM site.
Files Best Source Telemetry
RF UPC
RF UPC
RF UPC
RF UPC
RF UPC
RF UPC
Testing the Test Range
Time-synchronized and
driven by AGI STK software.
• RF Channel Simulation – Essential step from pure simulation, when the systems must be
tested with actual signals – Stimulates systems with physics compliant RF signals
• Doppler shift, Delay, Attenuation, Noise • Interference • Antenna pointing, antenna patterns • Terrain, weather, overhead obscuration
– Decreases test costs, while simultaneously increasing depth
• Critical test instrument and a vital training instrument in one
• Contact Information – Steve Williams – swilliams@rtlogic.com – 719-884-6269
10/9/2012 21
Summary
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