Soviet designers have developed a new class of digitally controlled phased array radars. With the introduction of these new multi-mode radars, us aircraft now face a formidable addition to the threat environment. Hostile multi-mode phased array radars may constitute a significant portion of the new electronic environment that us forces can expect to encounter in future engagements. Because phased array radars are programmed to step from mode to mode, a set of EW signatures which are generic to each mode of operation has been defined. The speed at which computer controlled radar functions are performed will impace the speed of response requirements for future electronic countermeasure systems. Since the new multi-mode phased array radars are computer controlled, they can utilize optimal waveforms for each of the radar's mode of operation by the proper choice of signal parameters. These parameters-agile radars present new challenges for signal sorting and pulse train identification. It should be pointed out that these radars have rigid requirements for signal parameters in each mode of operation, and are not truly parameter agile as as ECCM feature. Present EW management systems utilize fixed signal parameters and are goal-driven to identify and track specific, well-known hostile threats. From preliminary tests, the proposed knowledge-driven system appears to be capable of solving the radar mode identification problem. If implemented, this concept will place new requirements on the receiving subsystem and on its pulse or pulse-train descriptor work outputs. These receivers will be required to be responsive to commands from the knowledge-driven system to perform special signal searches, and to make additional measurements aimed at increasing the confidence level of critical decisions made by the system. In addition, pulse trains will need to be deinterleaved using angle of arrival, amplitude and frequency data on individual pulses in order to link fragmented signal measurements so that decisions can be made as swiftly and accurately as possible.
Keywords: Electronic Warf Artificial Inte Systems Managem Electronic Coun Radar Signals Tracking Signal Process
