Minimum Specifications for MDREX Plus.pdf

SPECIFICATIONS FOR MULTICHANNEL DIGITAL RECEIVER EXCITER PLUS

SPECIFICATIONS for a Multichannel Digital Receiver and Exciter Plus (McDREX+) Software and

Firmware Upgrade

I. OVERVIEW: McDREX+ will be a software/firmware upgrade to the exisitng McDREX hardware. McDREX+ gives us the firmware and software upgrades we need to allow for wideband data offload, arbitrary waveform generation, simultaneous transmit and receive capability and independent channel control to support advanced radar techniques. McDREX+ will also provide the software and firmware modules to command, control, and synchronize our existing Active

Electronically Scanned Array (AESAs).

II. BACKGROUND: The next generation of military radar systems will require multiple transmit and receive channels to meet their performance objectives within a shrinking timeline. The Multichannel

Digital Receiver and Exciter (McDREX) will allow us to upgrade numerous existing Radar Division test assets to an architecture that will benefit testing and transitioning advanced radar technologies.

The McDREX contains a ruggedized, 8-channel receiver/exciter covering a bandwidth of 0.5-18

GHz that includes a tuner, narrow and wide-band filtering, software for waveform generation, as well as the overhead available for on-board DSP in the future.

III. SCOPE: McDREX+ will be a software/firmware upgrade to the existing FY24 McDREX hardware. McDREX+ gives us the firmware and software upgrades we need to allow for wideband data offload, arbitrary waveform generation, simultaneous transmit and receive capability and independent channel control to support advanced radar techniques. McDREX+ will also provide the software and firmware modules to command, control, and synchronize our existing Active

Electronically Scanned Array (AESAs).

IV. SPECIFICATIONS: The existing McDrex system comprises of the following components: (a) 8

TX and RX channels; (b)Instantaneous Channel Bandwidth of 1 GHz; (c) Tunable Frequency from

0.5GHz up to 18GHz; (d) 10 MHz narrowband Filter; (e) Interfaces are 100 GB ethernet as well as an AESA Interface

The firmware and software updates SHALL meet all of the following minimum technical and performance requirements:

Arbitrary Waveform Playback and Scheduling

The objective of waveform scheduling is to achieve maximal information extraction of the radar scene, which typically changes from one measurement to the next, by exploiting prior statistics and waveform diversity. Waveform playback refers to the capability to generate and transmit a pre-designed radar signal, essentially replaying a specific waveform to test and analyze the performance of a radar receiver or other components by simulating different target scenarios with customized pulse shapes, frequencies, and modulation patterns.

Streaming Data from Commanded Dwells

Dwell commands refers to an instruction that tells the radar antenna to focus its beam on a specific location for a set period of time, allowing it to gather detailed information about a target at that location before moving on to another area

SPECIFICATIONS FOR MULTICHANNEL DIGITAL RECEIVER EXCITER PLUS

C. Synchronized Tuner Frequency

This can include a variety of system operation capabilities such as:

1. Frequency hopping techniques to account for atmospheric effects, jamming, interference and detection avoidance

2. Changes of pulse width or modulation to improve target resolution

3. Staggered pulse repetition rate to avoid range ambiguity

D. Synchronous Control of FIRST RF AESA Systems

AESA antennas require several control interfaces to function correctly. NRL currently owns and operates

FIRST RF AESA antennas. This software/firmware upgrade will allow McDREX to provide all necessary control and signaling including:

1. Beam loading

2. Beam selection

3. Polarization control

4. Transmit and Receiving gating

5. Phase and amplitude tapering