Presentations from SME Showcase event at DSEI 2015. For more information see: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/sme-showcase-at-dsei-2015

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2. IQHQ Communication Systems
Dr. N. Bourhill
Centre for Defence Enterprise

3. CDE Background
• Started out as CDE22852 Ultra High Bandwidth Doppler
Diversity T-CDL Systems
• With additional CDE programmes CDE35636, CDE35655 and
R&D funding from DSTL
• Research and Development Programmes to develop state-of-
the art military-grade radio communication systems
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4. Typical Operational Performance
Military wireless communication systems operate in difficult and
complex radio environments, such as:
 Unmanaged/partially managed spectrum.
 Hostile or unintended sources of interference
 Communications reliability can be variable and many data links
are vulnerable to environmental interference, which can impact
on mission successes
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5. Link Resilience Example
• Link interfered by signal at -10dBm CW
• Sensitivity of receiver greater than the
spectrum analyser (HP8563E)
• COFDM signal at noise floor of spectrum
analyser (30kHz Resolution BW)
• COFDM signal amplified by 30dB in order to
‘see’ it using spectrum analyser
• Interference power 50.1dB higher than
COFDM power
• measured on RMS power meter
• Link BER: 1×10-8
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6. Network Management Software
• Monitoring and locating electronic threats
• Network-wide spectrum management
• Link capacity analysis
• Remote network management over IP
ELGAR Software Control
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7. Complex Comb Spectrum Definition
• Spectrum management worldwide is moving
towards an increasingly dynamic model,
operating within a contested and uncongested
electro-magnetic environment (EME)
• Most military systems typically operate on fixed
frequency models, long planning cycles and
inflexible waveforms
• ‘Stitch’ spectrum around other users (white
space/fragmented spectrum)
• Reduced PAPR key enabling feature
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8. Advanced SDR
• Advanced SDR: covers 500MHz to 6GHz (10mW)
• 2 Receivers
• 1 Transmitter (10mW)
• 300,000LE Cyclone V
• 2 x 100Mbps PHYs, RS232, SPI
Cyclone V,
FPGA
85mm
118mm
• Integrated prototype of jamming
resilient receiver architecture
• Full duplex digital board with
integrated IF stages of ‘Smart
receiver’
• Controls up to 6 high power RF
front ends simultaneously
• Multi-channel radio coverage
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9. IQHQ Prototype Systems
1) Resilient Backhaul
• High bit-rate link (up to 200Mbps)
• Interference and threat detection
• Spectrum management
2) Unattended Sensor
• Medium range (5km)
• Imagery and control data
• Up to 8GHz operation
• Multipath resilient
3) Wideband SDR
• 500MHz to 5.5GHz operation
• Output 10mW. Higher power using modular RF
• High resilience to interference and multipath
• Spectrum management9

10. Drone Prototype System
• Design proving on airborne platform
• Flight trials currently in progress (S-band)
• Ground Station Vehicle Fit
• IQHQ Pod
• multi-camera
• GPS, AIS10

11. Conclusions
• CDE funding enabled IQHQ to develop high specification radio
systems designed to meet stringent military requirements
• The IQHQ smart receiver design and waveform are able to
withstand high power interference
• Prototype systems are being built at IQHQ, including:
• High Resilience Backhaul Systems
• Unattended Sensor Systems
• Wideband SDR Systems
• Airborne Drone Pod Systems
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