AECM, an AF tool to generate I/Q for simulators or real radar processors

Abstract

This paper describes a unique way to generate digital I/Q for input to either a simulated or real radar signal processor, by the use of a USAF Wright Laboratory (WL/AARM-3) simulation tool: The Airborne Radar Electronic Countermeasures (AECM) Vulnerability Assessment Model. AECM is a high fidelity, extensively detailed, pulse-to-pulse simulation of an airborne air intercept radar (air-to-air) in an electronic countermeasure (ECM) environment. Scenarios can be setup with single or multiple targets that fly straight or curved segments with constant or variable velocities and altitude changes within the segments. Multiple segments can be used with either curved or straight choices. After the scenario is entered, 13 modules comprising a complete radar model are inputted with the radar parameters. These modules encompass all antenna, transmitter, receiver, waveform, and processing parameters. The received signal I/Q can be obtained from the analog processor or the preprocessor after the A/D conversion. The resulting I/Q is that for both the mainbeam and the guard channel if the guard is modeled. The I/Q within a dwell is coherent. A random number seed determines the phase of the first return pulse within a dwell. The succeeding pulses change phase with both time and Doppler. Subsequent dwells are processed similarly, with their own first-pulse seed. The parameters effecting the I/Q such as the target RCS (Radar Cross Section), can be easily varied. Multiple or single targets with or without jamming can be used with the variable power ECM on the jammers. The effect of these variations can be used to evaluate tracking as well as detection performance of the radar. >