WHITE PAPER
Processing Evolution for the Future Electronic Battlespace
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THE AIRBORNE ELECTRONIC BATTLEFIELD
IS EVOLVING QUICKLY
A rapidly emerging need in today 's complex battlefield
is support for multi-function RF (MFRF) apertures. The
versatility of multi-function apertures helps enable multi-
mission systems in SWaP-constrained platforms. As an
example, a single phased array antenna that can be used
for radar, EW and communications. However, there are
also challenges with multi-function RF systems, including
the significant increase in sensor data volumes.
Future RF subsystems will need more powerful processing
to deal with the substantial leaps in sensor data
generated by higher sampling rates and multi-channel
configurations. In addition, stringent latency requirements
mean that processing must be deployable near the RF
apertures in rugged, SWaP-optimized packages.
Emerging AI-based capabilities offer tremendous promise for
dealing with the increasingly challenging battlespace (e.g.,
adversary RF advances, new tactical missions, etc.). To be
effective AI-based capabilities must operate in near-real time,
requiring a huge leap in rugged edge compute power and further
extensions for heterogeneous computing architectures.
For the multi-function apertures, and for other multi-channel
systems, direct digitization by ADC/DAC components is
critical to completing the SWaP-optimized RF system
design. Because they implement a simpler RF signal chain
with fewer analog components, subsystems using direct
digitization are smaller and use less power than those with
traditional architectures and must integrate seamlessly
with next-generation sensor processors at the edge.
Electronic battlefield complexity is a growing challenge. To operate successfully in
contested environments, rapid development and deployment of new, more sophisticated RF
processing capabilities is essential.
