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Multifunction RF Systems for Naval Platforms

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Multifunction RF Systems for Naval Platforms sensors Review Multifunction RF Systems for Naval Platforms Peter W. Moo 1,* and David J. DiFilippo 2 1 Defence Research and Development Canada–Ottawa Research Centre, Ottawa, ON K1A 0Z4, Canada 2 Dannaven Inc., Ottawa, ON K1A 0Z4 Canada; djjdifi[email protected] * Correspondence: [email protected]; Tel.: +1-613-998-2879 Received: 7 May 2018; Accepted: 26 June 2018; Published: 28 June 2018 Abstract: The evolving role of modern navies has required increasingly higher levels of capability in the Radio Frequency (RF) shipboard systems that provide radar, communications, Electronic Attack (EA) and Electronic Support (ES) functions. The result has been a proliferation of topside antennas and associated hardware on naval vessels. The notion of MultiFunction RF (MFRF) systems has drawn considerable interest as an approach to reversing this trend. In a MFRF system, RF functions are consolidated within a shared set of electronics and antenna apertures that utilize Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) technology. This paper highlights a number of issues to be considered in the design and implementation of a naval MFRF system. Specifically, the key requirements of the RF functions of interest are first reviewed, and MFRF system design trade-offs resulting from costs and/or performance limitations in existing hardware technology are then discussed. It is found that limitations in hardware technology constrain the implementation of practical MFRF systems. MFRF system prototype development programs that have been conducted in other countries are described. MFRF resource allocation management is identified as an important future research topic. Keywords: naval systems; multifunction RF systems; active electronically steered arrays; radar; electronic support; electronic attack; communications 1. Introduction The evolving role of modern navies has required increasingly higher levels of capability in the Radio Frequency (RF) shipboard systems that provide radar, communications and Electronic Warfare (EW) functions, including in the latter case both Electronic Attack (EA) and Electronic Support (ES). The result has been a proliferation of topside antennas on naval vessels. It has been estimated that the number of topside antennas has roughly doubled on ships launched in the 1990s relative to those launched in the 1980s, with the antenna count on a typical 1990s-era destroyer for example being on the order of 80 [1]. This has led to a number of problems, including increased mutual electromagnetic interference, larger ship Radar Cross Section (RCS), and higher life-cycle costs associated with the operation of multiple unique RF systems. Since the late 1990s, the idea of MultiFunction RF (MFRF) systems has drawn considerable interest as an approach to addressing this issue. In a MFRF system, several RF functions are consolidated within a shared set of electronics and antenna apertures. Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) technology is a key enabler for these systems. A modern AESA employs a separate transmit (Tx) and/or receive (Rx) channel for each of its radiating elements, with a high-power amplifier (HPA) and low-noise amplifier (LNA) in each of the transmit and receive channels respectively. Often, there is also some type of beamforming element in each channel, such as a phase shifter or true time-delay (TTD) circuit. The HPAs, LNAs and beamforming elements are typically packaged into Monolithic Microwave Integrated Circuit (MMIC) modules that are incorporated in the array structure to be as close as possible to the radiating elements, thereby minimizing system losses. In general, the Sensors 2018, 18, 2076; doi:10.3390/s18072076 www.mdpi.com/journal/sensors Sensors 2018,, 18,, 2076x 2 of 3736 architecture allows dynamic reconfiguration of the antenna aperture, including partitioning of the array AESAelements architecture into subarrays, allows to dynamicform multiple reconfiguration simultaneous of transmit the antenna and/or aperture, receive including beams in independent partitioning ofdirections the array with elements different into beam subarrays, patterns to formand waveforms. multiple simultaneous This provides transmit the level and/or of flexibility receive beamsthat is inrequired independent to support directions multiple with RF functions different beamwith the patterns same antenna and waveforms. aperture. This provides the level of flexibilityThe use that of is shared required hardware to support in a multiple MFRF system RF functions facilitates with intelligent the same control antenna of aperture. the RF functions with Thecommon use of resource shared hardware allocation in management a MFRF system software. facilitates In general intelligent terms, control an intelligent of the RF functionsResource withAllocation common Manager resource (RAM) allocation in a MFRF management system software.performs Inthe general critical terms,task of an adaptively intelligent allocating Resource Allocationsystem assets Manager to the (RAM) RF functions in a MFRF based system on performs the dynamically the critical taskchanging of adaptively priorities allocating and resource system assetsrequirements to the RF of functionsthese functions based within on the a dynamically given mission changing scenario priorities and sensed and RF resource environment. requirements System ofassets these under functions RAM withincontrol a broadly given mission comprise scenario waveform and generators, sensed RF environment. AESAs, receivers, System communication assets under RAMmodems control and broadlysignal/data comprise processing waveform resources. generators, The waveform AESAs, receivers, generators, communication receivers and modemsmodems andare signal/datalargely digital processing and software resources. controlled, The waveform which accommodates generators, receivers rapid reconfiguration and modems are of these largely assets digital to andprovide software the waveform controlled, and which receiver accommodates characteristics rapid required reconfiguration by the supported of these RF assets functions. to provide the waveformA high and-level receiver conceptual characteristics diagram required of a MFRF by the supportedsystem is RFshown functions. in Figure 1. The general configurationA high-level depicted conceptual has diagramseparate of receive a MFRF and system transmit is shown AESAs, in Figure the1 .advantages The general configurationof which are depicteddiscussed has in Section separate 3. receive However, and for transmit certain AESAs, MFRF theimplementations, advantages of whicha single are aperture discussed that in combines Section3. However,both receive for certainand transmit MFRF implementations,functions may be a more single desirable. aperture that The combines figure illustrates both receive the and notion transmit that functionsdifferent sections may be moreof the desirable. apertures The can figure be used illustrates to form the simultaneous notion that differentindependent sections beams of the allocated apertures to candifferent be used RF functions. to form simultaneous In this instance, independent a transmit beams beam allocatedis being used to different by the radar RF functions. to illuminate In this an instance,incoming a anti transmit-ship missile beam is for being the usedpurpose by theof sup radarporting to illuminate the ship’s an fire incoming control anti-shipsystem, while missile a second for the purposeradar transmit of supporting beam is thetracking ship’s a firehelicopter control within system, its while search a second volume. radar The transmitEA function beam is isutilizing tracking a athird helicopter transmit within beam its to searchjam the volume. fire control The EAradar function of an approaching is utilizing a hostile third transmit fighter aircraft. beam to With jam the firereceive control array, radar a receive of an approachingbeam is formed hostile in the fighter direction aircraft. of a Withsatellite the to receive establish array, a communication a receive beam islink. formed A second in the receive direction beam of ain satellite the direction to establish of a ship a communication target is being link. used A by second the ES receive function. beam The in theradar direction is utilizing of a another ship target receive is being beam used to capture by the ES signal function. returns The from radar the is helicopter utilizing anothertarget that receive it is beamsimultaneously to capture illuminating. signal returns Note from thethat helicopter the beamforming target that task it is simultaneouslyis not explicitly illuminating. broken out Noteas a thatseparate the beamformingblock in this figure task is because not explicitly it is generally broken performed out as a separate by a combination block in this of figure the assets because shown, it is generallydepending performed upon the byparticular a combination system of implementation. the assets shown, Also, depending communications upon the particularmodems are system not implementation.separately depicted, Also, as communications their modulation modems and demodulation are not separately functions depicted, can conceptually as their modulation be included and demodulationin the waveform functions generator can and conceptually receiver blocks. be included in the waveform generator and receiver blocks. Figure 1.1. Conceptual diagram for MFRF system.system. MFRF systems can potentially provide the following benefits: Sensors 2018, 18, 2076 3 of 37 MFRF systems can potentially provide the following benefits: • Reduction
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