The DRFM Advantage_ How Digilogic’s Radar Target Echo Simulator is Revolutionizing Radar Test & Evaluation

1. The DRFM Advantage: How Digilogic’s Radar Target Echo Simulator is Revolutionizing Radar Test & Evaluation Introduction: In modern warfare, radar technology is the backbone of situational awareness, enabling the detection, tracking, and identification of targets in complex and dynamic environments. However, the various research & production organizations face significant challenges in ensuring the evaluation and operational readiness of radar systems on the battlefield. The Real-World Challenges in Radar Evaluation Apart from operating in rugged environment conditions such as high-altitude locations, extreme heat/cold environments, storm/rain conditions, which tend to introduce variables such as clutter, multipath effects, and working in a hostile environment where electronic countermeasures (ECM) like jamming, spoofing can degrade radar performance. Testing radar systems in such conditions is logistically

2. complex, expensive, and often impossible to replicate consistently. Real-world testing requires access to aircraft, ships, or other targets, which are often exorbitant in cost, require coordination with multiple agencies, and pose safety risks. Moreover, replicating specific testing scenarios, such as multiple targets moving at varying speeds or heavy rain/storm conditions, is not often possible. Another pressing issue is the rapid evolution of radar technology itself. Modern radars, operating across L, S, C, X, and Ku bands, incorporate advanced signal processing algorithms and high-bandwidth capabilities to detect low-observable targets and counter sophisticated ECM. However, validating these systems under realistic conditions before deployment is a daunting task. The inability to thoroughly test radars and other RF Systems in diverse scenarios can lead to undetected vulnerabilities, potentially compromising the systems functionality in the field. For instance, a radar system that fails to distinguish a target from clutter or succumbs to ECM, such as range gate pull-off (RGPO), could result in catastrophic consequences. Why Advanced Simulation is Vital With such issues looming in the atmosphere, agencies that design, develop, and produce such complex systems are constantly on the lookout to find solutions that can help reduce their turnaround time, increase productivity, and help in rapid

3. prototyping and development of their systems and algorithms. This is where the need to create a testing method which could simulate, re-create real-world conditions, and provide a method to evaluate the system from the comfort of the lab was needed. For radar and RF systems, Digital Radio Frequency Memory (DRFM)-based simulation provided this breakthrough, fundamentally changing how these technologies are developed and tested. The limitations of live testing underscore the need for advanced simulation technologies that can replicate real-world battlefield conditions in a controlled, repeatable, and cost-effective manner. DRFM-enabled Echo Simulators offer a transformative solution to these challenges, enabling organizations to evaluate and optimize radar systems without the logistical and financial burdens of live tests. The Power of DRFM-Enabled Radar Target Echo Simulators Radar Target Echo Simulators (RTES) work by digitally capturing and retransmitting RF signals to mimic the behaviour of targets, clutter, and ECM in a laboratory or controlled field environment. Unlike live testing, RTES allows engineers to simulate a wide range of scenarios, including multiple targets with varying radar cross-sections (RCS), Doppler shifts, and jamming techniques. This capability ensures that radar systems are rigorously tested against realistic

4. conditions, such as high-speed targets, low-observable drones, or deceptive ECM, without the need for repeated field trials. DRFM also addresses the issue of repeatability. In field tests, environmental conditions like weather, terrain, or target behaviour make it difficult to repeat the test. A DRFM-enabled Simulator, however, provides precise control over parameters such as target range, speed, altitude, and RCS, allowing engineers to fine-tune algorithms and validate performance on demand. This enables designers to identify and resolve issues in their radar signal processing algorithms, ensuring that systems are reliable before deployment. Moreover, RTES significantly reduces costs and risks associated with testing. They also enable designers to test their units in a controlled environment without endangering personnel or equipment. For radar operators, simulators provide a practical training platform, enabling them to gain hands-on experience with realistic radar displays and controls, preparing them for complex battlefield scenarios. The use of DRFM based simulation further enhances the realism of an Echo Simulator. DRFM technology digitally captures RF signals, processes them on an FPGA, and retransmits them with precise modifications to simulate target echoes, clutter, and ECM. This approach ensures high-fidelity simulation, replicating the exact signal characteristics that a radar would encounter in the field. By integrating advanced signal processing algorithms, RTES can simulate complex phenomena like Clutter, Chaff, micro-Doppler signatures, and ECM techniques such as RGPO and velocity gate pull-off (VGPO), providing a comprehensive testing environment. Digilogic Systems: State-Of-the-Art Simulation for Next-Gen Radars Digilogic has developed a versatile, scalable, and user-friendly RTES that is revolutionizing radar testing and training for the defence and aerospace sectors

5. Key Features of Digilogic’s RTES 1.Realistic Target Simulation: Digilogic’s RTES delivers accuracy in replicating radar echoes, allowing users to simulate a wide range of targets like aircraft, ships, ground vehicles, and drones, under diverse environmental conditions. The system supports high-fidelity modelling of RCS, Doppler shifts, and clutter, ensuring that radar systems are tested against scenarios that mirror real-world complexities. 2. Comprehensive Scenario Control: The RTES features a user-friendly scenario generator that enables precise control over target parameters, including range, speed, altitude, and RCS. Users can create customized scenarios to test radar performance under specific conditions, such as dense clutter, multipath effects, or ECM like RGPO and VGPO, making it an ideal tool for both development and validation. 3. Variants Offered: Digilogic offers two variants of its RTES: a standard model, which is rack-mounted for testing high-performance radars with various features such as communication protocols, Analog and Digital Resources, etc., and a portable model for enabling testing applications on the go. Both variants cover L, S, C, X, and Ku frequency bands, offering options with Instantaneous Bandwidths up to 2 GHz, ensuring compatibility with a wide range of radar systems. 4. Scalable Architecture: Built on a modular PXI Express platform and powered by LabVIEW software, Digilogic’s RTES is highly scalable. The system can be expanded to include additional channels or upgraded to support Ku/Ka bands with minimal R&D effort, making it future-proof and adaptable to evolving radar technologies. 5. MIL-STD-1553B Integration: The RTES supports streaming of target parameters over the MIL-STD-1553B protocol, enabling seamless communication with radar systems under test. This feature ensures real-time feedback and integration with existing defence infrastructure.

6. 6. Portable and Field-Deployable: Digilogic’s portable RTES is designed for field deployment, with compact dimensions and a 2.4” display for local operation or remote control. This portability makes it an ideal solution for on-site testing and training, reducing the need for laboratory-based setups. DRFM-Based Technology: Leveraging DRFM, the RTES digitally captures and processes RF signals with high precision, retransmitting them to simulate realistic target echoes. This technology supports real-time signal processing on an FPGA, ensuring low latency and accurate simulation of complex radar scenarios. What Sets Digilogic’s RTES Apart?

7. Digilogic’s RTES offers a range of advantages that redefine the radar testing and training process, aligning with India’s defence modernization goals: Cost Efficiency: By eliminating the need for live targets and extensive field tests, the RTES significantly reduces testing costs. This is particularly critical for India’s defence sector, where budget constraints often limit the scope of live exercises. The simulator provides a cost-effective alternative without compromising on testing rigor. Enhanced Safety: Testing in a controlled laboratory or field environment eliminates the risks associated with live testing, such as accidents involving aircraft or personnel. This ensures safer validation and training processes. Training Excellence: The RTES serves as a powerful training tool, enabling radar operators to practice with realistic scenarios, including multiple targets, ECM, and varying environmental conditions. Features like detailed explanations, self-testing, and unlimited proficiency, ensuring readiness for real-world operations. practice enhance operator Accelerated Development Cycles: With its scalable architecture and rapid development capabilities, the RTES allows radar designers to test and optimize systems in as little as six months, as demonstrated by Digilogic’s development timeline using PXI Express and LabVIEW. Upgrades, such as adding ECM features like RGPO and VGPO, can be implemented in just one month, minimizing R&D time. Multi-Platform Compatibility: The RTES integrates seamlessly with a wide range of radar systems, making it a versatile solution for defence contractors, research institutions, and training facilities. Its compatibility with existing infrastructure ensures ease of adoption. Support for Emerging Technologies: The RTES is equipped to handle the demands of next-generation radar systems, including those used in autonomous vehicles, synthetic aperture radar (SAR), and advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS). This forward-looking design ensures relevance in a rapidly evolving technological landscape.

8. Conclusion: Leading the Future of Radar Test and Measurement As the world continues to strengthen its defence capabilities, Digilogic Systems stands as a trusted partner, delivering innovative solutions that empower radar designers, engineers, and operators. With its RTES, Digilogic is not only revolutionizing radar testing but also contributing to a safer, more self-reliant future for the test & measurement domain. Let’s connect. Our team is ready to support your radar testing with our Radar Target Echo Simulator. Phone: (+91) 40 4547 4601 Website: www.digilogicsystems.com Email: info@digilogicsystems.com Locations Head Office #102, 1st floor, DSL Abacus Tech Park, beside DSL Virtue Mall, Uppal, Hyderabad, Telangana-500039. Branch Office #216, 3rd Floor, Zareen Heights, Varthur Road, Nagavarapalya, C. V. Raman Nagar, Bengaluru, Karnataka – 560093.