A PORTABLE JAMMING SYSTEM TO EVALUATE THE PERFORMANCE OF L BAND RADIO SYSTEMS IN AN EW ENVIRONMENT

Abstract

This paper describes a system which has been developed to simulate a number of potential EW environments. The system consists of a net of portable jammers remotely controlled from a single command and control center. Each portable jammer can be adapted for ground or air utilization and each unit includes various types of noise sources, a power amplifier and an integral transmit antenna. The paper provides a detailed description of the jammer hardware. The antenna is a specially developed conical horn back helix. An 80 Watt nominal solid state power amplifier is described along with the control system which allows precisely controlling and monitoring the RF Output power level. Circuitry to develop noise modulation is explained as well as the AC/DC Power System which allows the jammer to be used with a variety of Power Sources. Control of the jammer via a centrally located RF transmitter addressing individual remote receivers is discussed. Overall system performance in terms of Noise Power Spectral Density, level variations and control of spectrum are described. Finally, a description is given of the use of the portable jammer system to emulate possible jamming environments which could be encountered in tactical GPS applications.