NAVAL SPECTRUM USE MANAGEMENT AUTOMATION

Abstract

The U.S. Navy makes heavy usage of all segments of the electromagnetic spectrum for such diverse applications as communications, control (positioning) of ships and aircraft, target identification, and passive and active electronic warfare. The density of emitters results in a severe electromagnetic interference (EMI) environment in even a moderate size Battle Force. This environment can preclude usage of spectrum resources unless sophisticated spectrum engineering is performed to alleviate the EMI problems and assure system performance. The Navy’s ability to perform this engineering function in the planning stage of a deployment is historically limited by a lack of data, engineering tools, procedures, and trained personnel with sufficient insight into the problem to perform the needed analyses. Similarly, the ability of the afloat spectrum user to re-engineer the spectrum allocation in the face of changing requirements cannot be accomplished during the operational phase of the mission because of the lack of time, experience, and engineering tools. Recent advances in the development of automated spectrum management tools, methodology, and data management have resulted in the fielding of several automated systems which solve parts of the overall spectrum management problem. The lessons learned from these fielded models, in turn, have led to the development of a set of validated operational requirements and architectures and a subsequent system design for an overall Navy spectrum management system. The architecture is based upon a division of functional responsibilities between ashore support activities performing area-wide management (ashore and afloat), and afloat users managing the actual assigned spectrum with a Battle Group. The SUMS system will have the ability to optimally and efficiently solve large sets of EMI, system performance, and spectrum use engineering problems. The prototype of the system will be fielded during 1982-83 for both ashore area-wide and afloat elements.