Technology
is composed of two-dimensional motioning hardware to
drive or fly the RF payloads and an azimuth and elevation
gimbaled dolly to aim the RF payloads. The RF measurement
system is composed of the RF payloads, a receiver chain, an
analysis component, the MJC software, and control segments.
The Navy and SKYCAM, LLC are jointly developing the
MJC system, with the Navy building the RF measurement
system and controls and working as the lead systems
integrator to interface with the
MPS. SKYCAM has adapted its
patented technology used in the
sports broadcasting and movie
industries for dynamic camera
motioning, as seen in Figure 3 on
previous page.
Each government-developed RF
payload will be housed in a dolly
integrated with a set of gimbaled
motors, an inertial measurement
unit (IMU) box, HD camera, and
control electronics. RF signals will
be converted to light with the
use of RF-to-fiber-optic converters,
which will minimize the RF
power losses to the receiver. The
MJC system will use wavelength
division multiplexing (WDM), the
latest technology in fiber optic
transmission. This technology
utilizes multiple wavelengths
(colors) of light on a single fiber
optic link. The use of the WDM will
allow the MJC system to maintain
coherent phase and amplitude
measurements between channels.
The MPS system is constructed
to minimize RF reflections in the
anechoic chamber — the system
rails, dollies, rope, and pulleys
are non-metallic. The remaining
winches and motors that drive the
position of the RF payloads will
be installed outside the anechoic
chamber walls.
This unique development
will improve the Department
of Defense's ability to perform
accurate real-time measurement
and characterization of modern
AESA-based systems, while
adding the new correlated freespace 3D dynamic stimulation
capability to support missionfocused capability-based test and
evaluation at installed system test
facilities.
Juan Monserrate is the MJC program manager and the lead for the
Electronic Warfare Integrated Systems Test Laboratory (EWISTL) for the
Department of the U.S. Navy. He has extensive experience in the development, operation, and maintenance of EW scenarios, emitter descriptions,
open-loop radar and communications simulators, data collection and analysis hardware and software, and special instrumentation.
Ray Solt is the investment lead for the Integrated Battlespace Simulation
and Test Department for the Department of the U.S. Navy. He previously
served as the MJC project lead and has expertise in the design and development of the MJC System.
Electronic Military & Defense
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