EEE381B Aerospace Systems & Avionics

Communications Systems
Ref: Moir & Seabridge, Chapter 7 Dr Ron Smith

Outline
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Introduction RF propagation & modulation techniques Radio communications Data link In-class exercises

1. Introduction
Communications: The ability to communicate by either voice or data link with friendly forces (wingman, airborne command centre, ground troops ).

1.1 Communication Control Systems

Control of the aircraft suite of communication systems has become a complex task complicated by:
aircraft speeds, air traffic density and the wide range of communication types.

The communication control function is increasingly becoming integrated with the flight management system,
automatically selecting and tuning the communications required for each lag of the flight.

1.2 RF Spectrum[1]
Communication equipment:
High frequency radio (HF) Very high frequency (VHF) Ultra high frequency (UHF) Satellite (SATCOM) Data (Data links)

2. Propagation of radio waves

The number of antennas required to support communications on military and civilian aircraft is considerable.
This is further complicated by redundancy requirements.

The antennas must be strategically located so as to minimize interference and to optimize reception / transmission for all aircraft attitudes.

2.1 Propagation of radio waves[1]

2.2 Modulation techniques

Modulation is the process by which an underlying RF signal (carrier wave) is transformed so as to convey information.
This forms a communications channel.

Modulation is accomplished by varying a parameter of the carrier wave such as the amplitude, frequency or phase.

2.2.1 Why modulation?

A signal can quite easily be generated at a frequency comparable to voice, such as those used by a loudspeaker, or a telephone. However, to transmit such a signal through the atmosphere would require an antenna with the appropriate dimensions.

2.2.2 Why modulation?

For example, for an audio signal at 3kHz, the wavelength will be:
= c/f = 1 x 105 m = 100 km

Even using a quarter wavelength whip antenna, you would need to drag a wire 25 km long behind your aircraft!

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2.2.3 Modulated carrier waves

With a carrier wave defined as:
s(t) = A sin (t + )

it is possible to add an information signal to the carrier in amplitude, frequency, or phase:

s(t) = A(t) sin ((t) t + (t) ), where = 2f

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2.2.4 Modulation Possibilities

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2.3 Amplitude modulation

Amplitude modulation is perhaps the simplest technique for modulating a signal. It works by varying the strength (amplitude) of the carrier in relation to the signal being sent. Message: m(t) Carrier: cos (2fct)
Extra carrier added to make detection easier.

sAM(t) = m(t) cos (2fct) + A cos (2fct)

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2.3.1 Amplitude modulation

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2.3.2 Amplitude modulation

M(f) m(t) t
2A

-B

m(t) Message cos ct Carrier m(t)cos ct t

m(t)cos ct Modulated signal

fc-fm
2B

fc+fm

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2.3.3 Demodulation of AM
m(t)cos ct Received signal cos ct Carrier
m(t)cos(ct)cos(ct)
Low Pass Filter

m(t)/2 Message

-2c

2c

The Low Pass Filter allows the low-frequency message through, and stops the high-frequency side bands. 16

2.3.4 AM Detector / Demodulator[5]

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2.3.5 Other types of AM modulation

DSB-SC (double side band - suppressed carrier)
easiest to produce, but requires a local carrier with the same phase and frequency as the incoming carrier needs much less energy (~50%)

SSB (single side band)

more sophisticated receiver circuitry required, but much more energy is used to carry the message. as above - but susceptible to noise and uses 1/2 the bandwidth and ~1/6 the power

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2.4 Frequency modulation

A process by which the frequency of a carrier (sinusoidal wave) is varied in accordance with a modulating wave (data or analog message).

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2.4.1 Frequency modulation

The bandwidth of an FM signal is given by:

BFM = 2(f +B)

f is the frequency deviation (how much the carrier deviates from the carrier frequency) B is the bandwidth of the modulating signal (message)

So, the bandwidth required of an FM signal is at least twice the bandwidth of the message.

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2.4.2 FM detector / demodulator[5]

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2.5 FM versus AM?

FM modulation is more resistant to noise and jamming (spread spectrum).
Spread spectrum also makes FM a better choice for low probability of intercept operations.

FM does require a wider frequency band, but it achieves a higher efficiency as more of the energy is concentrated in the signal as opposed to the carrier.

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3. Radio communications
HF VHF UHF Satellite

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3.1 High Frequency (HF)

Covers the communication band between 2 and 30 MHz with 1kHz channel spacing. Very common communication band for air, land and sea.
Long range due to the reflection of waves off the ionosphere.
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3.1.1 High Frequency (HF) [1]

A number of factors affect transmission:
Solar radiation activity (sun spots) Atmospheric conditions Day / night Season

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3.1.2 High Frequency (HF)

Maps are produced that help predict which frequencies might give the best performance.

[http://www.ips.gov.au] 26

3.1.3 High Frequency (HF)

The performance of HF communications can be improved by transmitting the information in a digital form. Known as HF data link (HFDL), these digital systems encode the message with accompanying error-correction bits. Employing advanced modulation and frequency management systems, HFDL permit communications under adverse conditions when HF voice would be incomprehensible.
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3.2 Very High Frequency (VHF)

The most common voice communications band used by civil aviation is VHF. For aeronautical applications the band ranges from 118.000 to 135.975 MHz, with 25kHz wide channels. Recently, the channel spacing has been reduced to 8.33kHz to help decongest the spectrum and to better support digital communications (data link). The international distress frequency (VHF) is: 121.5 MHz

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3.2.1 Very High Frequency (VHF) [1,3]

For all bands higher than HF line of sight propagation applies, and maximal theoretical range is given by:

R = 12.7 H1 + 12.7 H 2
where: R is range in km H1 and H2 are the heights of the antennas in m.

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3.2.2 Very High Frequency (VHF)

Some systems evaluate each channel in realtime, automatically selecting the best frequency to use.
In practice the system measures the losses and the noise between the receiver and the other station continuously sweeping across all frequencies. The best frequency is then selected and negotiated between the sender and receiver.

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3.2.3 Very High Frequency (VHF)

AN/ARC-210

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3.3 Ultra high frequency (UHF)

Instead of VHF, most military aircraft use the UHF band for communications. The band covers 225 to 400 MHz. In general, civil aviation does not use UHF.

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3.3.1 Ultra high frequency (UHF)

AN/ARC-164

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3.4 Satellite communications (SATCOM)

International Maritime Satellite Organisation (INMARSAT) 11 geostationary satellites (2005)
Improved coverage over the original 4 satellites

Used for voice or data communications

SwiftBroadBand (432 kbps per channel) Swift 64 (64 kbps per channel) Aero (600 bps to 10.5 kbps per channel)

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3.4.1 SATCOM principles of operation[1]

Inmarsat-3 35

3.4.2 SATCOM coverage [1]

Inmarsat-3 36

3.4.3 Satellite communications

Inmarsat-3 37

4. Data link
Provides faster, more precise communications than voice Provides encryption and built-in error-correction

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4.1 Data link

Data link transmissions (packets) may include:
Present position reporting Surveillance results EW and intelligence Information management Mission management status

Two primary airborne data links include:

Link 16 (JTIDS) Link 11 (used primarily in naval operations)

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4.2.1 JTIDS frequencies

Shares the same frequencies as UHF
51 channels at 3MHz spacing Employs frequency hopping (jam-resistant)

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4.2.2 JTIDS architecture

URC-138

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4.2.3 JTIDS equipment

A system typically includes:
Secure voice Encrypted data Interfaced to the onboard 1553 bus Interacts with the radar, electro-optics, EW,

42 URC-138

4.3 Other data links

SATCOM HF data links (HFDL)
Used extensively by maritime and civil aviation Supplemented with encryption equipment, this is also used in military avionics

Local cooperative data links

Used for close proximity data link (formation) Example: F-22 Raptor

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5. In-class exercises

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5.1 Quick response exercise # 1

At what height do you have to install a tower antenna to maintain VHF/UHF communications up to a range of 250 km with airplanes at 10,000 feet or above?

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5.2 Quick response exercise # 2

Why was 243.0 MHz selected as the UHF international distress frequency?
Hint: do you recall what the VHF distress frequency is?

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References
1) 2) 3) 4) 5) 6) Moir & Seabridge, Military Avionics Systems, American Institute of Aeronautics & Astronautics, 2006. [Sections 2.6 & 2.7] Wikipedia Military Communication Systems, LFTSP course notes, ECE Dept, RMC, 2007 Air Power Australia, http://www.ausairpower.net/TE-NCWJanFeb-05.html. Georgia State University, hyperphsyics, http://hyperphysics.phyastr.gsu.edu/hbase/audio/bcast.html#c3 Mark A. Hicks, "Clip art licensed from the Clip Art Gallery on DiscoverySchool.com"

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