Browse Topic: Radio equipment
Deliberate RF jamming of drones has become one of the most common battlefield tactics in Ukraine. But what is jamming, how does it work and how can it be countered by unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) in the field? Radio frequency (RF) jamming of drones involves deliberate interference with the radio signals used for communication between drones and their operators.
Hypersonic platforms provide a challenge for flight test campaigns due to the application's flight profiles and environments. The hypersonic environment is generally classified as any speed above Mach 5, although there are finer distinctions, such as “high hypersonic” (between Mach 10 to 25) and “reentry” (above Mach 25). Hypersonic speeds are accompanied, in general, by a small shock standoff distance. As the Mach number increases, the entropy layer of the air around the platform changes rapidly, and there are accompanying vortical flows. Also, a significant amount of aerodynamic heating causes the air around the platform to disassociate and ionize. From a flight test perspective, this matters because the plasma and the ionization interfere with the radio frequency (RF) channels. This interference reduces the telemetry links' reliability and backup techniques must be employed to guarantee the reception of acquired data. Additionally, the flight test instrumentation (FTI) package needs
Imagine you had a dedicated wireless channel for communication that was hundreds of times faster than the Wi-Fi we use today, with hundreds of times more bandwidth. That dream may not be far off thanks to the development of metasurfaces: tiny engineered sheets that can reflect and otherwise direct light in desired ways.
Phased array radar technology has been gaining popularity since its initial introduction in the 1960s and is now being used in a variety of applications, from military and defense to civilian sectors and even space exploration. This cutting-edge technology has revolutionized radar systems by offering unparalleled flexibility, precision, and speed. At the heart of phased array radar lies a sophisticated antenna system composed of numerous individual elements, each capable of independently emitting and receiving radio waves. Unlike traditional radar systems that rely on mechanically rotating antennas, phased array radars electronically steer their beams, enabling rapid and precise target acquisition. This breakthrough is made possible by meticulously controlling the phase of radio waves emitted from each antenna element.
Delivered by Team Hersa, a joint Defense Equipment & Support (DE&S) and Defense, Science and Technology Laboratory (DSTL) enterprise, the Radio Frequency Directed Energy Weapon (RFDEW) can detect, track and engage a range of threats across land, air and sea. The system uses radio waves to disrupt or damage critical electronic components inside enemy platforms, such as drones, causing them to stop in their tracks or fall out of the sky. As such, it offers a solution for the protection and defense of critical assets and bases. Capable of downing dangerous drone swarms with instant effect, at only 10p per shot, the RFDEW is a highly capable and cost-effective alternative to traditional missile-based air defense systems. It will be able to effect targets up to 1 km away, with further development in extending the range ongoing. Its high level of automation also means the system can be operated by a single person.
Delivered by Team Hersa, a joint Defense Equipment & Support (DE&S) and Defense, Science and Technology Laboratory (DSTL) enterprise, the Radio Frequency Directed Energy Weapon (RFDEW) can detect, track and engage a range of threats across land, air and sea. The system uses radio waves to disrupt or damage critical electronic components inside enemy platforms, such as drones, causing them to stop in their tracks or fall out of the sky. As such, it offers a solution for the protection and defense of critical assets and bases.
A new scientific technique could significantly improve the reference frames that millions of people rely upon each day when using GPS navigation services, according to a recently published article in Radio Science.
This SAE Standard describes a reference system architecture based on LTE-V2X technology defined in the set of ETSI standards based on 3GPP Release 14. It also describes cross-cutting features unique to LTE-V2X PC5 sidelink (mode 4) that can be used by current and future application standards. The audience for this document includes the developers of applications and application specifications, as well as those interested in LTE-V2X system architecture, testing, and certification.
For years, expertise in terrestrial applications has served as a launchpad for innovation. Companies honed their skills by building the networks that connected us on earth, but now, eyes are turning skyward. By adapting their capabilit ies to the unique demands of non-terrestrial applications, these same players are unlocking new possibilities and rewriting the rules of communication beyond the atmosphere. Here, Dan Rhodes, Director of Business Development at designer and manufacturer of RF-to-mmWave components and subsystems, Filtronic, explores the bridge between terrestrial expertise and non-terrestrial ambitions, highlighting how terrestrial success is becoming the fuel for stellar solutions. Bridging the terrestrial and non-terrestrial worlds is not merely a matter of applying existing technologies to a new canvas. While both environments share fundamental principles of communication and rely on robust components such as transmitters, receivers, filters and amplifiers, the shift
Riding aboard NASA's Psyche spacecraft, the agency's Deep Space Optical Communications technology demonstration continues to break records. While the asteroid-bound spacecraft doesn't rely on optical communications to send data, the new technology has proven that it's up to the task. After interfacing with the Psyche's radio frequency transmitter, the laser communications demo sent a copy of engineering data from over 140 million miles (226 million kilometers) away, 1. times the distance between Earth and the Sun. This achievement provides a glimpse into how spacecraft could use optical communications in the future, enabling higher-data-rate communications of complex scientific information as well as high-definition imagery and video in support of humanity's next giant leap: sending humans to Mars.
Modern cars and autonomous vehicles (AVs) use millimeter wave (mmWave) radio frequencies to enable self-driving or assisted driving features that ensure the safety of passengers and pedestrians. This connectivity, however, can also expose them to potential cyberattacks.
Riding aboard NASA’s Psyche spacecraft, the agency’s Deep Space Optical Communications technology demonstration continues to break records. While the asteroid-bound spacecraft doesn’t rely on optical communications to send data, the new technology has proven that it’s up to the task. After interfacing with the Psyche’s radio frequency transmitter, the laser communications demo sent a copy of engineering data from over 140 million miles (226 million kilometers) away, 1½ times the distance between Earth and the Sun.
The development of hypersonic missiles represents the most significant advancement of defense weaponry since the 1960s. However, they also pose unique challenges for both design and technology. The term “hypersonic” refers to any speed faster than five times the speed of sound, or above Mach 5. Modern hypersonic missile systems require extensive communications interconnects within a highly confined space. This space requirement creates a demand for solutions combining small form factor with reduced weight and rugged construction to withstand high vibration and impact conditions from deployment to target. Currently there are two types of hypersonic weapons. Hypersonic glide vehicles (HGVs), also known as boost-glide vehicles, typically launch from ballistic missiles and are released at a specific altitude, speed, and with the flight path tailored to a target without being powered. Hypersonic cruise missiles (HCMs) are powered all the way to their targets, flying at lower altitudes than
Researchers at the University of Birmingham have developed a new type of high-performance “phase shifter” using a liquid gallium alloy — which varies the phase angle of microwave and millimeter-wave radio signals — for use in advanced phase array antenna systems.
Researchers have created electrostatic materials that function even with extremely weak ultrasound, heralding the era of permanent implantable electronic devices in biomedicine. Recent research explores implantable medical devices that operate wirelessly, yet finding a safe energy source and protective materials remains challenging. Presently, titanium (Ti) is used due to its biocompatibility and durability. However, radio waves cannot pass through this metal, necessitating a separate antenna for wireless power transmission. Consequently, this enlarges the device size, creating more discomfort for patients.
Rydberg Technologies, an Ann Arbor, Michigan-based quantum technology startup, demonstrated the use of an atomic receiver for long-range RF applications during the NetModX23 event hosted by the U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command (DEVCOM) C5ISR Center in December. The 2023 edition of NetModX featured 10 weeks of experimentation spanning 62 different technologies across 17 focus areas and five modernization priorities including “Future Vertical Lift, Long-Range Precision Fires, Network, Next Generation Combat Vehicle and Soldier Lethality,” according to the Army. A major goal sought by the C5ISR Center with NetModX is to take technologies that are nearing maturity from research labs directly into operational environments for assessments by active warfighters.
Traditionally, heterodyne architectures have been the preferred choice for radio frequency (RF) and millimeter-wave (mmWave) receiver architectures, excelling in noise performance, dynamic range, frequency coverage, selectivity, and reduction of EMI. However, recent advancements in high sample rate analog to digital converters (ADCs) and embedded signal processing have prompted a reassessment of both architectures. A thorough examination of the components in the channel design is essential to minimize distortion into the differential ports of the ADC, guaranteeing optimal signal integrity and dynamic bandwidth for the system. This article will overview the design approach as well as when to use a particular component type depending on performance and signal requirements.
In the ever-evolving landscape of electronic warfare (EW), the imperative for technological prowess has never been more pronounced. At the vanguard of this evolution stands a technological marvel-high-performance software defined radios (SDRs). This article provides on an in-depth exploration of the transformative potential embedded in SDRs, focusing on their remarkable attributes of very high bandwidths, wide tuning ranges, and high channel counts. From the foundational principles of SDRs to their nuanced applications in modern warfare, this narrative endeavors to unravel the complexities and possibilities presented by these cutting-edge systems.
Light fidelity (LiFi) technology holds immense potential to revolutionize wireless communication networks by utilizing light bulbs for reliable and cost-effective interconnections. Integration of LiFi technology with advanced solutions is proposed to significantly enhance the passenger experience in autonomous buses. The reliability and performance limitations inherent in traditional radio frequency (RF) technologies are addressed, resulting in a consistent and reliable wireless connection for self-driving cars. The proposed solution incorporates key features such as a LiFi-powered real-time tracking and notification system, on-board assistance for seat location, and precise bus seat occupancy information gathering. Additionally, the paper aims to improve punctuality through a LiFi-powered passenger boarding system, facilitating the widespread adoption of autonomous vehicles as a trusted and efficient mode of transportation. A thorough technical examination and a successful
A team of University of Otago researchers and physicists have demonstrated a new form of antenna, developed with a small glass bulb containing an atomic vapor. The bulb was wired with laser beams and could therefore be placed far from any receiver electronics. Dr. Susi Otto, from the Dodd-Walls Centre for Photonic and Quantum Technologies, led the field testing of the portable atomic radio frequency sensor. Such sensors, that are enabled by atoms in a so-called Rydberg state, can provide superior performance over current antenna technologies as they are highly sensitive, have broad tunability, and small physical size, making them attractive for use in defense and communications.
Small mobile robots carrying sensors could perform tasks like catching gas leaks or tracking warehouse inventory. But moving robots demands a lot of energy, and batteries, the typical power source, limit lifetime and raise environmental concerns. Researchers at the University of Washington have now created MilliMobile, a tiny, self-driving robot powered only by surrounding light or radio waves.
More airports are starting to adopt and test the use of radio frequency (RF) mitigation techniques to counter the operation of unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) in violation of civilian airspace rules. While civilian aviation regulatory agencies are welcoming the integration of more commercially operated UAS into civilian airspace, airports are responding to the growing number of incidents in recent years with counter measures to ensure drones do not interfere with regular operations. In the U.S., the Federal Aviation Authority (FAA) now receives more than 100 reports per month from pilots that have observed UAS operating near airports or within a restricted area of civilian airspace. The problem is a unique one for the FAA and other civilian aviation regulatory agencies who want to unleash as much commercial UAS innovation as possible within civilian airspace, but simultaneously recognize rogue operators are a problem. The FAA's method for addressing the operation of drones near
A wireless device called the UroMonitor enables accurate, noninvasive monitoring of bladder pressure in patients with overactive bladder. It is the first device to enable catheter-free telemetric ambulatory bladder pressure monitoring in humans. The UroMonitor was developed as a noninvasive approach for assessing function of the lower urinary tract, without the need for catheter placement. The UroMonitor is a small, flexible device — no more than 2 in. across — that is placed into the patient’s bladder. Once in place, the device wirelessly transmits bladder pressure data to a small radio receiver taped to the lower abdomen.
More airports are starting to adopt and test the use of radio frequency (RF) mitigation techniques to counter the operation of unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) in violation of civilian airspace rules. While civilian aviation regulatory agencies are welcoming the integration of more commercially operated UAS into civilian airspace, airports are responding to the growing number of incidents in recent years with counter measures to ensure drones do not interfere with regular operations.
It is hard to imagine an industry more reliant on seamless, resilient, and secure communication than aerospace and defense (A&D). Communication and electromagnetic signal processing are at the core of advanced systems, which is why the trend towards higher frequencies (and millimeter waves) makes optoelectronic signal transmission a critical topic in this sector as technology advances at a rapid pace and demands better performance. A&D communication networks use a mix of digital and analog transmission, with emphasis on the former, but given the industry's proclivity towards lower latency and higher bandwidth applications, analog transmission will play an even larger role in the future. Passive and active electromagnetic sensing (e.g., radar, radio telescopes, and other listening devices) requires high fidelity signal transport for “remote” processing. It brings transport of radio frequency signals over fiber (RFoF) to the forefront, which is an analog technique of converting radio
Radio is a well-established technology. For over 100 years, it has been widely used: in communication, radar, navigation, remote control, remote sensing, and other respects. It is popular because it works; it is reliable. And yet laser has shown itself to be a superior medium of communication. Indeed, the laser-vs-radio debate is already getting old. What is new – and what will truly change the debate – are the transformations currently taking place in laser telecommunications – transformations which will drive innovation in defense.
Radio is a well-established technology. For over 100 years, it has been widely used: in communication, radar, navigation, remote control, remote sensing, and other respects. It is popular because it works; it is reliable. And yet laser has shown itself to be a superior medium of communication. Indeed, the laser-vs-radio debate is already getting old. What is new - and what will truly change the debate - are the transformations currently taking place in laser telecommunications - transformations which will drive innovation in defense. It is perhaps worth pausing to remind ourselves of what laser's existing advantages over radio are. Laser communications offer faster data transfer, and greater data capacity. And by virtue of their structure and size, lasers are almost impossible to detect, intercept, or jam. Interference is also rare. Lasers do not ‘leak’ in the same way radio does, and, as against the broad transmission style of radio, they transfer information along a very narrow beam
Designing the next generation of RF systems, such as high performance active electronically scanned arrays (AESA), requires contributions from a multidisciplinary team of engineers. Customers within the Department of Defense (DoD) require performance beyond the current state of the art in order to stay ahead of adversaries' capabilities. As engineering teams work to meet these requirements, invariably, limitations in the available design, fabrication, and verification technologies consume the teams' budget for design flexibility, performance, and novel solutions. Ultimately, this leads to concessions in the design and puts the overall project at risk for cost and schedule overruns. Teams must consider the sources of error that drive down design margins and seek newer technologies to ensure projects meet performance and cost objectives on schedule. The process of going from ideation to simulated design to fabricated and measured prototype accrues errors at each step. Identifying
The rapid advancement of military avionics technologies is revolutionizing the capabilities of next-generation aircraft. One of the common features of modern military avionics systems is the adoption of high-frequency and millimeter-wave (mmWave) communications to achieve higher data rates and enhanced resistance to interference.
Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace selected a radar test setup from Rohde & Schwarz based on the R&S SMW200A vector signal generator for multi-channel phase-coherent radar signal generation. Kongsberg is Norway's premier supplier of defense and aerospace-related technologies. The joint strike missile (JSM) is a fifth generation long range precision strike missile. Using advanced sensors, the JSM can locate targets based on their electronic signature. Qualification of the JSM is under way with the Royal Norwegian Air Force (RNoAF). Kongsberg's JSM must operate autonomously in highly contested environments. To increase mission success, the missile has a passive RF sensor that can locate and identify radio frequency emitters. To test and verify this RF direction finding capability in a laboratory, Kongsberg required a multi-channel phase coherent vector signal generator that could be linked to existing test environments.
This AS covers subsonic and supersonic Mach meter instruments which, when connected to sources of static (Ps), and total (Pt), or impact (Pt-Ps), pressure provide indication of Mach number. These instruments are known as Type A. This AS also covers servo-operated repeater or digital display instruments which indicate Mach number when connected to the appropriate electrical output of a Mach transducer of Air Data Computer. These instruments are known as Type B.
This standard covers Airspeed Instruments which display airspeed of an aircraft, as follows:
This AS covers Vertical Velocity Instruments which display the rate of change of pressure altitude of an aircraft, as follows: Type A - Direct reading, self-contained, pressure actuated Type B - Electrically or electronically operated, self-contained, pressure actuated Type C - Electrically or electronically operated, input from a remote pressure sensor
This contribution describes a novel method for visualizing leakages in automotive structures using a rotating linear array of a few digital ultrasound microphones in combination with a multi-frequency ultrasound transmitter. The rotating array scans the incident sound field generated by the ultrasound transmitter on a circular area. In a typical measurement setup, the ultrasound transmitter is placed in a cavity (e.g. car interior, trunk or similar) and operates at distinct harmonic frequencies at around 40kHz in an omnidirectional fashion. The rotating linear array is operated on the outside of the cavity and captures the sound field escaping through small leakages. While the reduced hardware complexity allows for the design of a lightweight, handheld sound imaging device, the algorithmic portion of the measurement system requires special attention. In fact, established methods of sound imaging like beamforming and nearfield holography cannot be applied to signals stemming from moving
In the late 1970’s and early 1980’s, Jing-Yau Chung along with Joseph Pope published several external General Motors reports on the then novel measurement of sound intensity (SI) using the two-microphone, cross-spectral method. Application of this measurement method was then extended to sound intensity measurements in flow. Through component wind tunnel measurements, it was determined that the intensity of noise sources could be accurately measured up to a level of 15 dB below the sound pressure level generated by flow noise on microphones. An initial application of this method was to the identification of noise sources alongside rolling truck tires. It was then extended to the measurement of the aerodynamic noise generated by protrusions added to automotive vehicle designs. These included items such as outside rearview mirrors, windshield wipers, A-pillar offsets, grille whistles, roof racks, underbodies, and fixed-mast radio antennas. Many of these could be applied on the early full
Printed radio frequency (RF) surface acoustic wave (SAW) sensor devices are a promising technology for providing highly reconfigurable, cost-effective, and multi-parameter sensing. A new method was developed to print high-fidelity, passive sensors for energy applications that can reduce the cost of monitoring critical power grid assets.
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