6 - Electronic Warfare II: Receivers

Abstract

Receivers are a very important part of modern electronic warfare (EW) systems. The study and development of modern electronically controlled, directed, and commanded weapons has caused great expansion in the field of electronic warfare systems. The basic concept of EW is to have the capability to explore the electromagnetic emissions from enemy aircraft in specified parts of the electronic spectrum. The information derived from these observations provides strategic intelligence on the enemy, revealing their intentions and capabilities. This information is used to invoke countermeasures that deny the effective use of enemy communications and weapon systems, thus protecting one's own use of the same spectrum. The most common signals detected are those from radars designed to guide modern electronic weapons. Radars are used today in commercial applications such as the guidance systems for airplanes and ships to detect impending weather conditions when there are stormy weather and poor visibility conditions. Thus, there are many commercial applications for military EW receiver technology. Detection of radar signals by EW receivers is relatively easy since the signal received is much stronger than after it is received back at the radar. While radar signal detection is straightforward, the electronic signal environment has become very complicated as radar technology has improved. Today's receivers have to handle millions of processes per second. This has imposed serious constraints on receiver technology, forcing significant improvements over the past few years.