Contract Award: Rockwell Collins to research on advanced Software Radio Technologies

News Report

As announced in a recent press release, Rockwell Collins has launched work on Phase 2 of a Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) research contract valued at $5.3 million. The effort is expected to increase the capability of digital software defined radios by a factor of ten over existing technology.

The Remote Analog to Digital Converter with Deserialization and Reconstruction (RADER) program calls for Rockwell Collins to develop power-efficient high-speed photonic analog to digital (A/D) converters with capability for remote operation. Research is currently underway and will conclude at the end of 2012 under the terms of the agreement.

The Technology

Signal processing of an arbitrary analog signal is today performed in the digital domain which relies on Analog-to-Digital Conversion (ADC). The objective of the RADER program is to revolutionize ADC by developing a photonic front-end that bridges the high bandwidth and scalability of photonic processing and the high performance of low-speed commercial ADCs.

Performance of conventional electronic-based ADCs is mostly limited by the finite transition speed of semiconductor circuits. To circumvent the rate barrier, photonic technology has been employed as photonic-based ADC or photonic-sampled ADC in order to improve performance compared to conventional electronic-based ADCs.

Within the RADER program, Rockwell Collins researchers are trying to exploit the photonic technology to enable ADC to operate in continuous time over a 10 GHz input instantaneous bandwidth with a resolution of 10 effective number of bits, all within a dense input signal environment while limiting the amount of DC power consumption to less than 50 Watts.

Rockwell Collins experts also are trying to sense analog waveforms at a point remoted from the components or subsystems that require significant portions of the power budget.

The Context

Critical to all military missions and the ability to gain tactical advantage is the accurate collection and assessment of information contained in the electromagnetic (EM) environment. Present day radio frequency (RF) sensor systems must simultaneously cover many RF and microwave bands and must deliver accurately processed information on an always-decreasing time scale, in an ever more cluttered EM environment. Conventional ADC technology, however, limits the maximum resolvable information bandwidth and the minimum obtainable frequency resolution that can be achieved on each of the multiple input signals. Despite a significant military need, progress in advancing the state-of-art in very high resolution, high sampling rate ADC systems has been slow. This progress has been limited in large part by ADC circuit design and available underlying transistor technology, resulting in a key limitation on the achievable dynamic range, bandwidth coverage, reaction time and versatility of military systems.

Scanning superheterodyne or channelized RF systems partly compensates for present shortcomings in ADC resolution and bandwidth. However, these systems have large size, weight and power requirements, and have static and instantaneous frequency blindness leading to unacceptable probabilities of detection and/or mission failure.

The RADER program seeks to overcome conventional ADC limitations by employing advanced front-end techniques in conjunction with multiple, more conventional ADCs. RADER leverages novel front-end architectures to incorporate de-serialization and reconstruction functionality to reduce the information-processing burden placed on individual ADCs, effectively multiplying the performance of the ADC to overcome the current performance limitations. RADER techniques are expected to be scalable and future-proof with regards to advancements in base ADC technologies.

This is the second RADER contract awarded to Rockwell Collins. In Phase 1, Rockwell Collins was the only company, out of three selected, to successfully demonstrate an A/D Converter with a minimum of 8 Effective Number of Bits (ENOB) operating at 10GHz, an industry first. While the aim of Phase 2 is to significantly increase electronic countermeasure capabilities, the research could ultimately be applied across a broad spectrum of military and commercial communication devices.

Comments

 “In this stage of the RADER program, we’ll be working to shrink the A/D technology that we developed in Phase 1 onto a single silicon device,” explained John Borghese, vice president, Advanced Technology Center for Rockwell Collins. “The miniaturization of the technology we’ve already proven will enable integration into next generation radio devices.”

References: Rockwell Collins (1), Photonic Systems Group (2), Military&Aerospace (3), DARPA (4)

Contract Award: Rockwell Collins and BAE Systems to support UK MoD Tactical Data Link Systems

News Report

As announced in a recent press release, Data Link Solutions (DLS), a joint venture between BAE Systems and Rockwell Collins, has been awarded a $29 million contract to provide Link 16 sustainment and engineering services to the United Kingdom (UK) Ministry of Defense (MoD) Tactical Data Links Delivery Team.

The DLS Waddington Support Facility, located at Waddington, Royal Air Force Base (RAFB), will provide sustainment, engineering and design support services to the UK MoD, for a period of five years. The agreement includes DLS support for the application and integration of Link 16 Joint Tactical Information Distribution System (JTIDS) terminals, Multifunctional Information Distribution System (MIDS) terminals and the AN/URC-138(V)1(C) Information Distribution System.

The Technology

Tactical Data Links involve transmissions of bit-oriented digital information which are exchanged via message formats used in support of joint and combined operations. Link 16, in particular, provides real-time, jam-resistant secure transfer of combat data, voice and relative navigation information between widely dispersed battle elements. Participants gain situational awareness by exchanging digital data over a common communication link that is continuously and automatically updated in real time, reducing the chance of fratricide, duplicate assignments or missed targets. Each participant in the communication link is able to electronically see the battle space, including assigned targets or threats.

Link 16 has been developed and integrated in the United States of America, and the first units fitted with were in the Unites States Navy in 1994.

Link 16 operates on the principle of Time Division Multiple Acess (TDMA), wherein 128 time slots per second are allocated among all participating units for oroginating and receiving data. Link 16 temporal units, called time slots (TS) are organized into multiple functional Network Participation Group (NPGs). This functional groups permit to organize the Link 16 Network capacities by functions, like position and navigation, electronic warfare or command and control, and so to define the participants needs in TS with the functions needs.

Link 16 uses the Joint Tactical Information Distribution System (JTIDS) which is the communications component of Link 16. JTIDS terminals are thus capable to constitute a pool of weapons, sensors and command information which is continuously updated by each participant. The participant simultaneously taps the pool for tactical data and is provided with information and commands for force management and co-ordination. Each member in the JTIDS network is assigned a sufficient number of time slots to accommodate the number of messages in accordance with mission requirements. During their assigned transmit time slots, each user broadcasts data into a commonly accessible communications datastream. All other elements can extract information of the type they require by continuously monitoring and sampling the database. Participants who have information will broadcast that information routinely into the net without needing to know who the recipients may be; tactical elements needing the data will extract it from the net without needing to know who furnished it.

The Multifunctional Information Distribution System (MIDS) is the NATO name for the communication component of Link 16. MIDS terminals are thus used by platforms to participate in a Link 16 communications network, and they can be also considered as the next generation terminals following JTIDS, designed to decrease size, weight, volume, and cost.

The Multi-functional Information Distribution System Low Volume Terminal (MIDS/LVT) is a five-nation cooperative program that provide a third generation Link 16 system that satisfies U.S. and Allied requirements. The MIDS program was inaugurated via a Memorandum of Understanding amongst the founding MIDS nations (Germany, Italy, Spain, France, and the United States). It is managed by the U.S. Navy MIDS International Program Office. MIDS Low-Volume Terminals (MIDS LVTs) are on most U.S. Air Force fighters, bombers and tankers, most U.S. Navy aircraft, ships, and U.S. bases and air defense systems. Other NATO countries, including UK, have generally been slower and less comprehensive in their implementations, but Link 16 is often installed on fighters, surveillance and patrol aircraft of all types, and air defense systems.

DLS's AN/URC-138(V)1(C) Information Distribution System provides anti-jam protected, encrypted, high throughput data distribution that is compatible with existing Link 16 systems and thus provides Link 16 interoperability between the U.S. tri-services and NATO forces. The terminal provides full stacked net capacity, up to 128, and full Link 16 data throughput. The system can automatically exchange information from a variety of platform sensors. This can include functions such as IR and optics scan, target identification and steering commands. Real-time data updates can also be used to provide landing cues. In addition to robust data communication, the AN/URC-138(V)1(C) terminal also provides two voice ports to enable secure voice communication in a jamming environment. Terminals have been in production since December 1999.

References: Rockwell Collins (1,6), FAS.org (2), Defense-Update (3), Jane's (4), Defense Industry Daily (5)

Rockwell Collins and NASA working together for allowing Unmanned Aerial Systems to operate in civil airspace

News Report

As announced in a recent press release, Rockwell Collins is collaborating with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) to develop an unmanned aircraft system (UAS) control and non-payload communications (CNPC) data link that will eventually enable unmanned aircraft to safely operate in the national airspace.

As a team member in the three-year NASA UAS Communications Research Sub-Project, Rockwell Collins will work closely with NASA engineers and subject matter experts to define the waveform for the CNPC data link. The results of this collaboration will help industry and the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration develop the appropriate set of rules and requirements for reliable unmanned flight operations in the national U.S. airspace system.

The Technology

Current civil UAS operations are significantly constrained by the lack of a standardized, certified control and non-payload communications (CNPC) system. The UAS CNPC system is to provide communications functions between the Unmanned Aircraft (UA) and the UA ground control station for such applications as:

• telecommands
• non-payload telemetry
• navigation aid data
• air traffic control (ATC) voice relay
• air traffic services (ATS) data relay
• sense and avoid data relay
• airborne weather radar data
• non-payload situational awareness video

New and innovative approaches to providing terrestrial and space-based high-bandwidth CNPC systems that are inexpensive, small, low latency, reliable, and secure offer opportunities for quantum jumps in UAS utility and capabilities. Of particular interest are technologies for the enhancement/improvement of CNPC performance for UAS operations in urban locations, taking into account the propagation, reflection/refraction and shadowing/blockage environment encountered in the urban environment.

A prototype radio hardware is being designed and developed in order to validate and verify draft performance requirements by collecting performance data in relevant laboratory and flight environments. This prototype radio system is targeted for use in all UAS classes, from those weighing less than 55 lbs flying below 3,000 ft. up to and including those weighing greater than 1,320 lbs flying above 18,000 ft.

The primary focus is operations within the U.S. National Airspace System, but these systems should be capable of operations outside the U.S. The UAS C2 system is to support control and non-payload communications (CNPC) between the Unmanned Aircraft (UA) and the UA control station.

The Context

The goal for UAV introduction into the U.S. National Air Space is an equivalent level of safety, including collision avoidance for UAV operation, when compared to piloted aircraft. The goal is the certification of a system of technology, feedback, analysis and control, which reduces the risk of an air to air collision, to the same level of risk currently enjoyed for manned flight, is of paramount interest and importance.

In this contex, on last March 2011, NASA Glenn Research Center issued an RFI for potential sources and partners for the design and development of a Command and Control communication (C2) system prototype for unmanned aircraft. Even though both terrestrial and satellite based solutions are under consideration in the standards bodies, the focus of this effort was on a terrestrial system.

The intended partnership between NASA and one or more industry partners will jointly develop the design(s) to meet the requirements, develop prototype radio hardware, perform laboratory testing, and execute flight testing of the prototype radio system in relevant environment.

Comments

“The reason we were selected is because we’re one of a few companies that have both commercial avionics experience and UAS data links in theater. It’s really the intersection of our core technologies,” said David Vos, senior director of UAS and Control Technologies at Rockwell Collins. “We know the challenges, we know how to certify avionics and we’re experts in military data links and waveform development.”

References: Rockwell Collins (1), NASA (2), UAS Vision (3), UAV Market Space (4)

U.S. Army completes key operational tests of General Dynamics' Rifleman Radio

News Report

We have already highlighted the importance of U.S. Army's Network Integration Evaluations (NIEs) as an effective process to integrate and mature the U.S. Army’s tactical network, as well as to evaluate deliberate and rapid acquisition solutions (NIE has been selected as one of the key C4I trends of the last months).

In such context, we report a recent press release from General Dynamics which announces that the JTRS HMS AN/PRC-154 Rifleman radio completed its Initial Operational Test and Evaluation during the U.S. Army’s recently concluded NIE 12.1 at Fort Bliss, Texas. Members of the 2nd Brigade, 1st Armored Division (2/1 AD) evaluated the AN/PRC-154 Rifleman radio in a variety of tactical exercises that included convoy operations, reconnaissance, counterinsurgency and medical evacuation missions.

The Rifleman radio, one of the Joint Tactical Radio System (JTRS) Handheld, Manpack, Small Form Fit (HMS) family of radios, is the first JTRS radio to use the Soldier Radio Waveform (SRW) to enable secure networked communications among platoon, squad and team-level soldiers and their leaders. The Initial Operational Test and Evaluation is the last formal test required by the military before the radios enter full-rate production.

During the NIE exercise, soldiers used the radios in conjunction with handheld devices running Joint Battle Command-Platform software, i.e. the future version of the U.S. Army's friendly force tracking and messaging system, which also allows users to plot hazards and enemy locations on a digital map. Plugged into the Rifleman Radio, these devices provided mission command and situational awareness information down to soldiers at the tactical edge.

During the test, the Army captured data on the radio's performance in two ways: through instrumentation on the systems themselves, and through human data collectors who accompanied soldiers throughout their missions. U.S. Army will evaluate those test results during the coming months, as it finalizes the makeup of its network Capability Set 13, which will begin fielding to up to eight brigade combat teams in fiscal year 2013.

The System

General Dynamics' Rifleman Radio delivers networking connectivity to the frontline soldier in a lightweight, ruggedized, body worn device. The radio transmits voice and data simultaneously utilizing the Soldier Radio Waveform (SRW), which operates in the 1.755-1.850 GHZ frequency range and supports digital 16 KBPS voice and data at 1 MBPS.

SRW represents a networking waveform capable to perform in a complex military environment, in the presence of adversarial threats, and providing a secure high-bandwidth communications link specifically designed for platforms that are small, light, don’t consume much power and use low-profile antennas.

The AN/PRC-154 is body worn, minimizing the warfighter’s combat load while increasing functionality. Designed to bring secure (Type 2) inter-squad communications to any warfighter on the tactical edge of the battlefield, this radio also enables Team and Squad Leaders to track individual soldier GPS locations. This radio connects every warfighter to the combat network, emphasizing safety and enabling enhanced situational awareness and better decisions at the very edge of the battlefield.

The software-programmable AN/PRC-154 radios, which can use encryption to safeguard information, are built to send Internet Protocol packets of data, voice, video and images via multiple waveforms between static command centers, vehicles on the move, and dismounted individual soldiers on patrol. The JTRS waveforms, SRW and the Wideband Networking Waveform, known as WNW, are integrated with the satellite communications backbone of the Army network, Warfighter Information Network-Tactical, or WIN-T, to transmit that information on the upper tactical internet.

The Context

The Rifleman Radio is part of the JTRS Handheld, Manpack, Small Form Fit, or simply JTRS HMS, family of radios.

JTRS HMS is a materiel solution meeting the requirements to support U.S. Special Operations Command, U.S. Army, U.S. Marine Corps, U.S. Air Force, and U.S. Navy communication needs.

In June 2011, the JTRS HMS program achieved a Milestone C decision, enabling the Low Rate Initial Production of 6,250 AN/PRC-154 Rifleman and 100 AN/PRC-155 Manpack radios. JTRS HMS radios take full advantage of the government’s library of waveforms, including the Soldier Radio Waveform, and in the future, the Mobile User Objective System (MUOS) and Wideband Networking Waveform (WNW) critical to communicating on the U.S. Army’s emerging tactical communications network.

The Embedded Small Form Fit versions of HMS will be used for Joint Service Ground Sensor Networks, Intelligent Munitions deployment and usage, Unmanned Vehicles and other platform applications, including support for the Early-Infantry Brigade Combat Team technical performance and integration.

General Dynamics C4 Systems is prime contractor for the JTRS HMS program. The JTRS HMS team includes BAE Systems, Rockwell Collins, and Thales Communications.

The results of the tests on the Rifleman Radio should now dissolve the questions of a possible affect of the JTRS GMR program termination on the JTRS HMS program. As already discussed, large cost overruns and numerous schedule delays forced the U.S. Army to cancel the JTRS Ground Mobile Radio system. The GMR program has been terminated on last October in line with the Nunn-McCurdy statute, which calls for a program's termination once unit-procurement costs exceed the original estimate by 25 percent unless it is deemed essential to national security.

Comments

“We’re getting great feedback from soldiers who prefer the Rifleman radio, rather than lugging bulky wideband handheld radios that require extra batteries,” said Chris Brady, vice president of Assured Communications for General Dynamics C4 Systems. “With the Rifleman Radio, soldiers can connect their cell phone or computer and join the network—anywhere they fight.”

"I use it for overall command and control because it builds a network that allows me to talk to my subordinate elements," said Capt. Ryan McNally, company commander with the 2/1 AD. "It's the first time I've actually had radios down at the squad level. So my dismounted riflemen, they all have the radio as well. It allows them to talk to their team leaders when they're spread out, and also allows them to talk to the squad leader."

"No matter what kind of organization you're running, if you have dismounts who are going to be on the ground you like to be able to see where your personnel are," said 2nd Lt. Travis V. Mount, 2/1 AD platoon leader, speaking about the capability of the Rifleman Radio to show the positions of his troops, which allowed him to save time by immediately adapting and executing his plans rather than tracking down personnel first. "If all I need is information on their position, I don't have to go through an intermediary. I can on the spot adapt my plan."

"Instead of having to go to the tactical operations center at the end of the day to download the information on the events and observations, I can either (do it in) real time or when I have a lull in the mission," Mount said. "I can just plug it in right there."

Further Readings

• Joint Tactical Radio System HMS (pdf)

References: General Dynamics (1,2), JITC (3), Defense Systems (4), DVIDS (5), JPEOJTRS(6)

Contract Award: Rockwell Collins to provide 20.000 Advanced GPS Receivers for U.S. Armed Services and Allies

News Report

As announced in a recent press release, Rockwell Collins has been awarded with a $46 million order for providing Defense Advanced GPS Receivers (DAGRs) for use by the U.S. Armed Services and Allies.

The System

The portable Defense Advanced GPS Receiver (DAGR) is a small handheld GPS receiver developed to support military combat operations and civil operations other than war. The DAGR is a self-contained, handheld, 12-channel, dual-frequency continuously tracking GPS receiver. It uses state-of-the art GPS receiver technology including "All In View" satellite tracking and the Selective Availability Anti-Spoofing Module to access the Precise Positioning Service signal for highly accurate Position, Navigation and Timing information, 24-hours a day under all weather conditions.

DAGR is designed to meet diverse requirements as both a handheld GPS receiver for ground-mobile and airborne troops and an integrated component of tactical vehicles and weapon systems. DAGR utilizes standardized interfaces to provide PNT information to a wide variety of vehicles and host systems including integrated configurations for position, location, target location, rendezvous and en-route terminal navigation.

The Context

DAGR is a follow on to the Precision Lightweight GPS Receiver. DAGR is lightweight, provides enhanced accuracy, anti-spoofing and anti-jam protection well above that available on commercial GPS receivers and is backwards compatible with the predecessor military handheld GPS receiver PLGR. The initial production contract was awarded to Rockwell Collins in November 2002.

Rockwell Collins has delivered more than 400,000 DAGRs to U.S. and international customers since it was introduced in 2004. The DAGR is primarily used by the U.S. Army and is the handheld military GPS receiver of choice for position, navigation and situational awareness for soldiers and other system installation needs.

References: Rockwell Collins (1,2), Los Angeles Air Force Base (3)

Get Ready for Shopping Season

News Report

A new product portfolio has been issued by US Army's Program Executive Office Soldier (PEO Soldier), which provides detailed information concerning over 450 pieces of equipment available or planned for US Soldiers to ensure them remain a decisive and dominant force across the full spectrum of military operations.

For the first time since the Portfolio’s initial release in 2003, PEO Soldier post the 2012 Portfolio as an online application in lieu of a printed volume. This venue provides a more immersive experience for the reader. The new format represents an initiative to increase efficiencies while reducing the impact traditional printing has on the environment.

The Context

PEO Soldier was created by the US Army with one primary purpose: to develop the best equipment and field it as quickly as possible so that US Soldiers remain second to none in missions that span the full spectrum of military operations.

As recent operations in Iraq and Afghanistan have vividly demonstrated, getting the right equipment to military men and women is absolutely critical. By viewing the Soldier as part of an integrated system, PEO Soldier ensures that the US Soldier and everything he or she wears or carries works together as an integrated system. The result is an overall systematic design that benefits Soldiers by enhancing their ability to accomplish individual and collective tasks, improving quality of life, building confidence, and saving lives. In this respect, PEO Soldier is at the vanguard of US Army transformation.
Headquartered at Fort Belvoir, Virginia, PEO Soldier designs, develops, procures, fields, and sustains virtually everything US Soldier wear or carry. By employing innovative concepts and technologies, PEO Soldier has made great strides in quickly getting improved equipment into the hands of US Soldiers when and where they need it.

C4I Technologies

Among the multiple products illustrated in the portfolio, the Electronic Data Manager (EDM) is a light, portable touch-screen computer in the form of a kneeboard that provides the aviator with global positioning system (GPS) moving map capabilities, sunlight readability, and the ability to use Windowsbased software. It is provided by Raytheon and Secure Communication Systems.

Electronic Data Manager (EDM)

The Nett Warrior is an integrated dismounted leader situational awareness system for use during combat operations. The system provides situational awareness to the dismounted leader, allowing for faster and more accurate decisions in the tactical fight. With advanced navigation, situational awareness, and information sharing capabilities, leaders are able to avoid fratricide and are more effective and more lethal in the execution of their combat missions. It is provided by General Dynamics, Raytheon, and Rockwell Collins.

Nett Warrior

References: PEO Soldier (1,2)

JTRS GMR: program terminated

News Report

As announced by InsideDefense.com and then reported by several other news sources, the US Defense Department communicated that the US Army's Joint Tactical Radio System Ground Mobile Radio program (JTRS GMR) has been terminated.

"I can confirm the program has been terminated," said Air Force Lieutenant Colonel Melinda Morgan, a Pentagon spokeswoman. A notice from Frank Kendall, the acting under secretary for acquisition, was sent to the House of Representatives' and Senate Armed Services Committees on last Thursday night, she said.

The System

The Joint Tactical Radio System, Ground Mobile Radios (JTRS GMR) is a software-programmable radio system providing secure, reliable, multi-channel voice, data, imagery and video communications for mobile military users. The system was expected to deliver networked communications on-the-move at the tactical edge supporting information sharing and combat readiness between service branches.

The JTRS is built on the Software Communications Architecture (SCA), an open-architecture framework that tells designers how hardware and software are to operate in harmony. It governs the structure and operation of the JTRS, enabling programmable radios to load waveforms, run applications, and be networked into an integrated system. A Core Framework, providing a standard operating environment, must be implemented on every hardware set. Interoperability among radio sets is increased because the same waveform software can be easily ported to all radios.

The Object Management Group (OMG), a not-for-profit consortium that produces and maintains computer industry specifications for interoperable enterprise applications, is working toward building an international commercial standard based on the SCA.

The US Army hasn’t released its most current assessment of the radio, which was scrutinized this year in a six-week Network Integration Evaluation field exercise at Fort Bliss, Texas, and White Sands Missile Range, New Mexico, with other JTRS radios. In a systems integration test last year, the radio “continued to demonstrate deficiencies” it had in 2009, including difficulty establishing a network and low message completion rates, the Pentagon’s director of operational testing reported.

The Context

Boeing is the prime contractor for the JTRS GMR program. Other team members include Northrop Grumman (ground vehicle systems integration and network management), Rockwell Collins (waveform and hardware development), BAE Systems (waveform and hardware development), Harris (hardware).

The JTRS program has been beset by delays and cost overruns. Problems included a decentralized management structure, changing requirements, and unexpected technical difficulties that increased size and weight goals that made it harder to add the required waveforms. Large cost overruns and numerous schedule delays forced the US Army's hand in canceling the JTRS Ground Mobile Radio system. To that end, US DoD has told Lockheed Martin, the prime contractor of the air and sea version of JTRS, to restructure that program with an eye toward affordability.

The program has been canceled in line with the Nunn-McCurdy statute, which calls for a program's termination once unit-procurement costs exceed the original estimate by 25 percent unless it is deemed essential to national security. Concerning the JTRS GMR program, the statute was triggered after the planned purchase was slashed over the summer from 86,209 radios to 10,293. That reduction caused the radio’s unit price to rise by more than 50 percent, triggering the cost reporting law.

The US Army now plans to conduct a full and open competition early next year for a lower-cost alternative, said Major Christopher Kasker, a US Army spokesman. US Army spokesmans also reiterated that the backbone of the Army's networking strategy will be the waveforms and not the specific hardware transmitting them.

References: InsideDefense.com (1), Chicago Tribune (2), GAO (3), Boeing (4), AOL Defense (5), Bloomberg (6)