Improved Radio Frequency (RF) Modeling for Correlated Environment Communication System Simulators with Sensor Simulators Navy SBIR FY2012.1 Sol No.: Navy SBIR FY2012.1 Topic No.: N121-011 Topic Title: Improved Radio Frequency (RF) Modeling for Correlated Environment Communication System Simulators with Sensor Simulators Proposal No.: N121-011-0977 Firm: Echo Ridge, LLC 100 Carpenter Drive Suite 100 Sterling, Virginia 20164 Contact: John Carlson Phone: (703) 348-3167 Web Site: www.echoridgenet.com Abstract: Echo Ridge proposes to develop real time RF modeling for a communications system simulator capable of accurately emulating the RF environments. The proposed simulator will increase the realism of the flight simulator by emulating the channel characteristics between intentional and unintentional RF devices including communications, sensing (i.e. radar), and navigation systems. The system will calculate these characteristics on-the-fly (OTF) as the pilot flies the simulator. A primary objective of the RF path simulation is to add as much realism as possible while minimizing latency so that the RF modeling simulation is correlated with the other flight simulator sensors and cockpit displays. This project will create a RF simulator ensuring that the RF signal-derived stimuli the pilot hears or sees in the cockpit displays matches and is synchronized with what he sees through the cockpit window, sees on his cockpit sensor displays from his other sensors, or feels through the motion simulator. Benefits: There exist commercialization opportunities for the proposed project technology in both the training and testing markets for the DoD and private sectors. The direct market for this technology is in the aircraft full flight simulator manufacturing market. This research will lead to more realistic communications simulation as part of the flight simulator industry. Flight simulators for manned and unmanned, fixed and rotary wing aircraft are an essential component to training aircrews and provide a cost effective alternative to being in the real aircraft. Realistic training environments require life-like synthetic war-fighting environments to properly train combat ready aircrews. Indirect benefits come from improved testing functionality that will serve the greater wireless industry.Wireless systems, for both the DoD and commercial market places, have increased functionality, applicability, capability, complexity and adaptability. Mobile ad-hoc networks with MIMO antenna technology and cognitive radio networks, capable of carrying voice and data through packet services, are a good example of the trends. There is an established and growing need to comprehensively test and evaluate the performance of these new devices and systems prior to general availability and approval for service use. Traditional test methods are increasingly stressed by the proliferation and diversity of the devices and systems. This project provides an improved testing environment for more realistic and reliable testing. Return