Communication, Navigation and Identification (CNI)
“...Battle
in the
Box!”
Benefield Anechoic Facility
BAF CNI systems provide the test capability and visibility to understand a system's utility and performance in
dense, system-of-systems (SoS), family-of-systems (FoS) operationally representative free-space (for true
end-to-end test) RF environments with coherent, secure (supports all program classifications), known, and
repeatable test conditions. The CNI suite consists of the Joint Communications Simulator (JCS) for friendly and
hostile RF signals, the Commander’s Tactical Terminal (CTT) for friendly situational awareness information, a
Link-16 Simulation and Stimulation Suite for high fidelity Link-16 network testing, and the Global Positioning
System Simulator (GPSS). A Global System for Mobile (GSM) Cell network is also available. The Link-16 suite,
the KU-Band SatCom Link and Digital Integrated Air Defense System (DIADS) systems enable, respectively,
network-centric, external, and threat-based distributed test operations.
The JCS system provides customers with a programmable, scenario-based, complex signal, information
coherent RF generation system capable of creating a dense and realistic CNI RF environment. Pulsed signals
such as IFF signals can be time shared providing RF emitter densities well in excess of 100's of signals and both
interrogations and replies are available. It also provides FRUIT (friendly replies unsynchronized in time) for a SUT
interrogator to experience an even more realistic or stressing environment. The JCS has a portable capability and
AIMS certification is expected in 2014. AIMS-certified portable test sets augment the environment. Most impor-
tantly, the data content of SUT IFF interrogations and transponder responses can be decoded and deciphered by
the JCS' SUT Data Capture capability.
The CTT provides a scenario-based, computer controlled radio/simulator with operational multi-channel UHF
radios providing real world broadcasts of selected line-of-sight or satellite communications tactical data links. This
creates a realistic joint battlefield environment for evaluation of system performance, interoperability, off-platform
cueing, and situational awareness. Presently, the unit provides the Tactical Information Broadcast System (TIBS)
or Integrated Broadcast Service – Interactive (IBS-I).
The suite used to generate, monitor, test, assess, and document Link-16 equipment, platforms, and networks
for interoperability or performance in dense environments is the Advanced Communication Environment (ACE) /
Faithful Timeslot Messaging (FTM). It renders a high-fidelity, operationally representative Link-16 network test
environment with precise timeslot by timeslot signal time of arrival, signal strength, and message content per the
network design and scenario. It delays signal arrival based on separation distance and attenuates the signal
based upon sender’s transmitter power, separation distance, and antenna patterns of the SUT and sender. Line
of Sight (LOS) terrain occlusion or below the horizon conditions are programmable.
The Multi-Link System Test Training Tool (MLST3) presents a comprehensive RF rest-of-the-world simulation
for testing Link-16 terminals and their platforms in fully populated, dynamic L-Band RF environments. The MLST3
and ACE-FTM may operate together as an actual network and have the ability to interactively exchange Link 16
messages in a distributed environment and also introduce Link 16 message errors.
The Link Environment Gateway Simulator (LEGS) provides an additional Link-16 simulation capability as well
as providing Link 16 terminal operational insight and recording. A Link-16 Management System (LMS-16)
provides independent data capture of Link-16 RF transmissions.
The BAF’s near-real world electromagnetic environment (EME) is used to characterize and test the system
to enhance flight test or operational efficiency. Full up SoS and FoS tests with friendly and hostile scenarios are
possible.
Benefield Anechoic Facility (BAF)
Communication, Navigation and identification (CNI)
Interactive Simulation
Joint Communications Simulator (JCS) Data Link Capabilities (cont’d)
• 72 simultaneous RF emitters (pulsed signals timeshared) • Link-16 Environment Gateway Simulator (LEGS)
• 2000 emitters in a scenario
• Large gaming area - Simulates threats from 20 to 200+ miles JCS Free-space RF signal generation
• IFF: • Frequency range: 500 KHz – 18GHz
• Interrogations: Modes 1, 2, 3/A, C, • ERP: 0 to -20 dBm (simulator output)
Mode S (all uplink formats), • Power levels to represent 50 dBm signal @ 30 NM
Mode 5 (Levels 1 & 2) • Adjustable antenna height: 7 to 35 feet
• Interactive Replies: Modes 1, 2, 3/A, C, and 4 • Aircraft Position: up to ~50 feet above floor on hoist or on
• AIMS Certification (JCS): 2014 turntable
• Extensive waveforms & modulations: • 18 Free-space locations - Tests all quadrants/sectors of
AM, FM, PM, PSK, FSK, MSK, frequency hopping an aircraft
Doppler, frequency agility, chirp, • 72 Source channels – 3 Mixer bands
• Antenna modeling: omnidirectional, dipole, fixed, conical, • 4 High band (2-18 GHz)
sector, circular, • 10 Mid band (400MHz - 2 GHz)
• 4 Low band (500 KHz – 400 MHz)
Other Radios and Test Sets • Dynamic range: 60 dB for both high and low power
• IFF (AIMS Cert): IFF-45TS, AN/USM-719, (all modes interrogation and replies) sources
T-47G (SIF Only) • Spurious signals better than − 60 dBc
• Military/Civil: ARC-210, PRC-117 available • Minimum SNR: 60 dB (1 MHz bandwidth at rated power)
• Inter-pulse noise floor: − 100 dBm/MHz
Data Link Capabilities
• Link-11/16 Multi-Link System Test & Training Tool (MLST3) JCS Phase Angle of Arrival Available
– includes error message generation • Frequency range: 20 MHz – 2 GHz
• Link-16 Advanced Communications Environment – • Directly connects to SUT antenna connections
Faithful Timeslot Messaging (ACE-FTM) • 16 channels (simultaneous), 32 ports
• Link-16 Management System (LMS-16) - includes data • Max ERP: -40 dBm (simulator output)
capture of RF transmissions • Provides dynamic AOA (10 ms, framebased)
• Commander’s Tactical Terminal (CTT) Integrated • SUT receive antenna characteristics
Broadcast Service – Interactive (IBS-I) • All 72 free-space signals can be added as background
JCS - One of the key CNI Interactive Simulators at the BAF System Under Test (SUT)
Simulation Controller
Graphical User Interface External Control
and Displays
Real-Time Control
Output Data
External Control
CNI Signals Free-space
radiation
SUT RF1 through RFN
Interrogations, Responses NOTE: RF can be
hard-wired also
Real-Time Processing RF Signal Generators Signal 1 RF Network and Control
Scenario Geometry Background Signals Amplitude
Processing Signal 2
Communication Signals Frequency
Signal Events Generator Signal 3
Identifications (IFF) •
•
Phase
•
Resource Control •
• RF Routing, Switching
and Allocation Navigation Signals •
and Summing
Signal N
412TW EWG
772d Test Squadron, 30 Hoglan Ave. Edwards AFB, CA. 93524
661-277-8607 (DSN 527-8607) [email protected]
140499B
EWCO-161 AFTC PA 412TW-PA14105
