Microwave-photonics direction finding system for interception of low probability of intercept radio frequency signals

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Authors
Pace, Phillip Eric
Tan, Chew Kung
Ong, Chee K.
Subjects
direction finding
low probability of intercept signals
minimum Euclidean distance detection
microwave-photonics
Mach– Zehnder modulator
angle of arrival.
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Date of Issue
2018-02
Date
2018-02
Publisher
SPIE
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Abstract
Direction finding (DF) systems are fundamental electronic support measures for electronic warfare. A number of DF techniques have been developed over the years; however, these systems are limited in bandwidth and resolution and suffer from a complex design for frequency downconversion. The design of a photonic DF technique for the detection and DF of low probability of intercept (LPI) signals is investigated. Key advantages of this design include a small baseline, wide bandwidth, high resolution, minimal space, weight, and power requirement. A robust postprocessing algorithm that utilizes the minimum Euclidean distance detec- tor provides consistence and accurate estimation of angle of arrival (AoA) for a wide range of LPI waveforms. Experimental tests using frequency modulation continuous wave (FMCW) and P4 modulation signals were con- ducted in an anechoic chamber to verify the system design. Test results showed that the photonic DF system is capable of measuring the AoA of the LPI signals with 1-deg resolution over a 180 deg field-of-view. For an FMCW signal, the AoA was determined with a RMS error of 0.29 deg at 1-deg resolution. For a P4 coded signal, the RMS error in estimating the AoA is 0.32 deg at 1-deg resolution.
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Article
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The article of record as published may be found at http://dx.doi.org/10.1117/1.OE.57.2.024103
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Phillip Eric Pace, Chew Kung Tan, Chee K. Ong, “Microwave-photonics direction finding system for interception of low probability of intercept radio frequency signals,” Opt. Eng. 57(2), 024103 (2018), doi: 10.1117/1.OE.57.2.024103.
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This publication is a work of the U.S. Government as defined in Title 17, United States Code, Section 101. Copyright protection is not available for this work in the United States.
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