Multi-Functional Applications in Electromagnetic Battles

Need of the IBFD technology implementation in the military environment is important as it enables enhanced spectral efficiency and solved hidden node problem which is common problem in MANETs.

The following sections analyze potential defensive and offensive scenarios where the IBFD mode can be applied. The first section focuses on defensive perspective where IBFD transceiver aims to protect the allied team’s tactical communication from the opponent.

Also, in the latter section, offensive usage of the IBFD mode is considered where several examples related to the EA are narrated.

3.3.1 Defensive Applications

This thesis explores the possibility of using the IBFD technology for EP purposes and thus for defensive purposes. Hence, separate EP functionality for the MFR can be considered. In connection with the topic, several scientific papers [58,59,61] are written around military IBFD radios. Here, so-called radio shield can be generated, and battlefield scenario related to the functionality is illustrated in Fig. 3.4. In this scenario, two opposing teams, blue and red, perform tactical information transfer on the same frequency band. The basic idea here is successfully receiving the tactical information from the blue team’s transmitter (TX) while jamming the red team’s receiver (RX). The IBFD transceiver, used by the blue team, is examined as it can prevent the red team’s interception. It should also be mentioned that the HF/UHF bands, which are used by the TDLs, can be potentially utilized. The jamming from the blue team’s IBFD transceiver act as the above-mentioned radio shield, and therefore it can be utilized for the defensive purposes for the blue team’s benefit.

TX

IBFD

RX

Tactical Communication Intercepting

SI

Figure 3.4. A model of the battlefield scenario, where the blue team possess the IBFD transceiver which is used for the radio shield purposes while receiving tactical information

from the own team’s transmitter.

For example, radio-controlled explosive device’s, and unmanned aerial vehicle’s function can be prevented with the radio shield’s usage. Often these devices utilize 2.4 GHz ISM band which can be jammed if the allied team’s simultaneous tactical communication occurs at the same ISM band.

Idea of the EP functionality can be easily linked to the previously mentioned EW tasks in Table 2.3. The tasks EP 1 and EP 2 are related to the protecting equipment against the opponent team’s electronic attack operations, thus enabling the allied team’s spectrum usage. With the use of the radio shield, this requirement level can be maintained. The task EP 5 is related to maintenance of EW’s capability meaning adaptation to the changed situation on the battlefield and hence modify tactics and strategies accordingly. The EP functionality, of course, enables this task if the tactical communication between the allied team can be maintained. It should be mentioned that cognitive characteristics of the MFR would also allow such adaptation to the environment, which was already discussed in the previous section. However, utilizing the IBFD mode would be significant facilitator in this situation. Hence, the final task EP 6 is related conducting EW strike warning forward meaning that when EA operations from the opponent occur, allies have knowledge of this and hence they may prepare accordingly. As a conclusion, the EP functionalities can be exploited against the opponent’s offensive EA operations while giving a significant tactical lead over the opponent.

3.3.2 Offensive Applications

Research is also being carried out in connection with the EA functionalities in the MFR.

Thus, several scientific articles [58–62] are written based on military IBFD radio utilization for offensive purposes. These can be combined which allows the EA functionalities to be used in the MFR. Let us examine a battlefield scenario shown in Fig. 3.5, where two opposing teams, the blue and the red, perform tactical information transfer on the same frequency band. For example, HF and UHF bands, that are often used in the military environment, can also be used in this scenario for transferring the tactical information including, voice, data, and videos. Here, the blue team has the IBFD transceiver which is used for receiving tactical information from ally transmitter (TX). We assume that the red team does not possess such IBFD technology and there is HD link between two enemy groups (TX/RX). Next, we look at the benefits that the utilization of the IBFD technology brings to the military environment.

TX

IBFD

TX/

RX

Tactical Communication

SI TX/

RX

Intercepting

Tactical Communication

HD link

Figure 3.5. A model of the battlefield scenario, where the blue team possesses the IBFD transceiver for receiving the tactical information from the own team’s transmitter. The blue team’s IBFD transceiver is used, for example, for jamming and intercepting purposes

against the red team’s HD link.

The IBFD technology can be utilized in jamming against communication scenario where the IBFD transceiver is capable of jamming both of the red groups (TX/RX) if they use the same frequency for receiving information where the jamming occurs. This means that the IBFD mode can be utilized for transmitting the jamming signal to cause additional interference to the both red team’s receivers. Also, the MFR can be used for simultaneous

interception and jamming purposes where the IBFD transceiver is capable of intercepting the tactical information transmitted between two red team’s groups while jamming them. This intercepted tactical information can be utilized for ES and thus for the EP and EA purposes.

Finally, there might be a scenario of simultaneous interception and communication where the blue team’s IBFD transceiver needs to receive the tactical information from an ally transmitter while intercepting the red team’s receivers. In this case, no jamming is taking place, which in turn prevents exposing the proximity of the blue team to the red team. Thus, this may allow an interception from the red team’s side.

Also here is link to EW tasks, and particularly to EA tasks mentioned in Table 2.3, can be dragged. The task EA 1 is related to performing defensive EA operations to protect allied equipment, personnel, and systems. For example, with the use of the EA functionalities in the MFR, a link to the allied team’s defensive explosive devises and other self-protection systems can be obtained. The tasks EA 3 and EA 5 are mainly implemented against the tactical communication between opponent nodes, for example, tactical radios. The EA 3 is for suppressing the opponent’s EW capability and, hence its biological, nuclear, chemical, and radiological capabilities. This can be achieved by implementing different jamming strategies to the MFR where correct jamming techniques against different systems can be employed. Also, the task EA 5 is related to physical-layer jamming where the same jamming strategies can be applied. Here, the opponent’s GPS signal can be jammed while receiving the tactical information from an allied radio. As a conclusion here, by exploiting the EA functionalities in the MFR, a significant tactical lead over the opponent can be achieved.