Introduction To RWR PDF

2/23/2009
Introduction to
Radar Warning Receivers
Robins AFB
February 24, 2009
Presenter: Kim Cole
GTRI_B-1
Copyright by Georgia Tech Research Corporation, 2009
What is a Radar Warning Receiver?
• A Radar Warning Receiver (RWR) is a passive EW

system that does the following:
• Detects RF signals transmitted by radar systems
• Identifies the signal by radar type
• Manages detected signals
• Generates visual and audio cues to pilot
• Manages interfaces to other systems
GTRI_B-2
What the Pilot Sees
GTRI_B-3
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ALR-69 System Block Diagram

CVR SUBSYSTEM CVR CVR
135 45
AM-423 J1 J1
45 CM-479
E, G, I E, G, I
(135) (45)
J2 J2 ALQ-213 CMSP
J3 J3
AM-423 IP1310
135 CVR CVR F1 J3
225 315 2X 2Y J1
J1 J1
E, G, I E, G, I J4 J2
F2
AM-423 (225) (315)
Diamond Audio
225
J2 J2
J3 J3
E, G, I Band Video (45, 135, 225, 315)

AS-3305 AM-423 C/D Band Video (45, 135, 225, 315)
315 Omni Video
(45) J1 AM-6971
J6 J3 J1
(135) J2
(Omni) J5 J5 HSDB
(315) J4 J4 J2
(225) J3
N1
ANT7 J7
FSRS Subsystem C/D, E, G, I Band Static Video (TTL)

J2 Antenna Control (0-3) C-10373
AM-423 F1 F3
135 AM-423 J1
SA-2263 R-2094
(FSRS) 45 F2 J1
J5 J1 J3
(FSRS)
J6 J2 J5 J2
AM-423 J3 J3 J4
225 AM-423
315 J4
(FSRS) RI/D, Control (0-3), CW Strobe, PRF Window
(FSRS)
Rec. Int., Discrimn. Video, Bandpass Video
GTRI_B-4
ALR-69 System
GTRI_B-5
What the Pilot Sees
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(Very) Brief History of RWR
• RWRs have been around for about 40 years.
• First-generation RWRs were used by the US Air Force

during the Vietnam War in response to Russian radar-
guided SAMs deployed in North Vietnam.
• The Israelis suffered heavy losses to radar-directed

AAA and SAMs during the 1973 Yom Kippur War.
GTRI_B-7
Example USAF RWR Installations
RWR Type Aircraft

ALR-56C F-15
ALR-56M F-16, C-130, B-1
ALR-69 B-52, A-10, C-130, F-16, C-130
ALR-94 F-22
APR-39 C-130, V-22
GTRI_B-8
How Does an RWR Work?

• Hardware handles detection
• Hardware detects radar pulses and converts pulse parameters to
digital format
• Major hardware components: antennas, RF cables, receiver,
signal processor, user I/O devices
• Software handles identification and aircrew interface

• Software processes digital data to determine what type of radar
system is illuminating the aircraft and then provides aircrew cues
• Major software components: operational flight program and
mission data file
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Why Do You Need an RWR?
• The enemy is out there!
• The enemy has air defense systems that are very

dependent on radar and RF-guided weapons.
• They have surface-to-air-missiles (SAMs), anti-aircraft
artillery (AAA), and air-to-air missiles that are
cued/targeted/guided by RF signals.
• When an enemy radar points at a USAF aircraft, we

can detect that signal and warn the aircrew of the
presence of that weapon system.
GTRI_B-10
Typical Air Defense System Encounter
MISSILE
LAUNCHER
MISSILE COMMAND
TRACKER STATION
COMPUTER
VAN
TARGET
TRACKER
GTRI_B-11
SA-2 Surface to Air Missile
GTRI_B-12
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RWR Operational Concept
0 7
8
0 8
Processor
GTRI_B-13
How Do We Measure RWR Performance?
• Typical RWR measures of performance (MOPs) are:
• Detection range
• Response time
• Correct ID
• DF accuracy
• Age out
• Performance is usually measured by conducting a

flight test on an open-air range.
GTRI_B-14
Simplified RWR Processing Flow
Input
Emitter
RF Buffer
Track
Signal Signal File Manage
Detection Processing Interfaces
Hardware Software Software
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Origin of RWR Input
GTRI_B-16
RWR Frequency Coverage
• A typical RWR detects pulsed radar signals in the

0.5-18 GHz frequency range.
• Frequency is measured in “Hertz”
• Hertz is a unit of frequency of one cycle per second.
6 Hertz
3 Hertz
One second
GTRI_B-17
GTRI_B-18
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GTRI_B-19
GTRI_B-20
Types of Radar Signals
• Continuous Wave
• Pulsed
GTRI_B-21
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Quick Word About Notation for Pulsed Signals
All meant to
illustrate
the same
concept.
Time
GTRI_B-22
What Measurements Does an RWR Make?
• For each CW signal the RWR will measure:

• Frequency, angle of arrival, and power
• For each pulse in a pulsed signal the RWR will

measure:
• Frequency or frequency band, time of arrival (TOA),
angle of arrival (AOA or DF), pulse width, and power
• For CW or pulsed signals outside the RF coverage
of the RWR, no measurement is made.
GTRI_B-23
First Step: Detect Signal with Antenna
E/J Band antenna - C/D Band antenna -

Four per aircraft One per aircraft
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First Step: Detect Signal with Antenna
315° 45°
Four E/J band antennas are

installed at quadrant locations
around aircraft.
225° 135°
GTRI_B-25
F-16 Forward Antenna Installation
GTRI_B-26
F-16 Aft Antenna Installation
GTRI_B-27
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Converting RF Pulse to Digital Data

Quadrant antennas
Pulse
Receiver Measurement
Data
To software
For
Signal processing
GTRI_B-28
Basic Analog Receivers1 (1/2)

Receiver Advantage Disadvantage
Wideband Crystal Simple; Inexpensive No frequency resolution
Video Instantaneous Poor sensitivity
High POI in frequency range Poor simultaneous signal
Tuned RF Crystal Video Simple Slow response time
Frequency measurement Poor POI
Higher sensitivity than wideband
IFM Relatively simple Simultaneous signal problem
Frequency resolution Relatively poor sensitivity
Instantaneous; High POI
Narrow Band Scanning High sensitivity Slow Response
Superhet Good frequency resolution Poor POI
No simultaneous signals Poor against freq agility
problem
Wideband Superhet Better response time Spurious signals generated
Better POI Poorer sensitivity
GTRI_B-29
Basic Analog Receivers1 (2/2)

Receiver Advantage Disadvantage
Channelized Wide bandwidth High complexity, cost
Near instantaneous Lower reliability
Moderate frequency resolution Limited sensitivity
Microscan Near instantaneous High complexity
Good frequency resolution Limited bandwidth
Good dynamic range No pulse modulation
Good simultaneous signal capability
information
Critical alignment
Acousto-optic Near instantaneous High complexity
Good frequency resolution New technology
Good simultaneous signal capability
Good POI
1 Electronic Warfare And Radar Systems Engineering Handbook, NAWCWPNS TP 8347, April 1, 1999
GTRI_B-30
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Most Common RWR Receiver Architectures
Crystal Video Receiver Tuned Narrowband Superhet

RF Compressive
Amplifier Video IF
Amplifier Amp
Log
Band 1 RF IF
Video Video
Video Filter Filter
Amp
Multi- Band 2
plexer Video Tuning
Local
Band 3 Oscillator
Video
Copyright by Georgia Tech Research Corporation, 2009 Filename - 31

GTRI_B-31
Narrow-Band Superheterodyne Receiver
• Narrow bandwidth
• -90 dBm sensitivity
• Low probability of intercept (POI)
• Good signal separation
• Measures frequency, PW, power, and AOA
• Excellent CW Capability
• Medium cost
• Medium volume
GTRI_B-32
Wideband Crystal Video Receiver

• Wide instantaneous bandwidth
• - 45 dBm sensitivity
• High probability of intercept
• Poor signal separation
• Measures frequency band, PW, power, and AOA
• Poor CW Capability
• Low cost
• Small volume
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Input Scheduling
• Another important RWR term is input scheduling.
• Both superhet and CVR architectures require

sophisticated input schedulers.
• The input schedule is usually defined in the mission
data file.
• We have said that a typical RWR covers the 0.5-18

GHz frequency range, but they typically do not
collect inputs from the entire range at one time.
GTRI_B-34
CVR Input Scheduling
• A typical CVR RF signal is fed to an

amplifier/detector that splits the covered RF range
into multiple frequency bands.
• A typical CVR looks (collects input) from a single RF
band at a time.
• Example band breaks are shown below.
Band 0 Band 1 Band 2 Band 3
0.5 GHz 2 GHz 8 GHz 12 GHz 18 GHz
GTRI_B-35
Example CVR Input Schedules

More realistic schedule
Really simple schedule
Band Look Time
Band Look Time 0 10 ms
0 25 ms 1 12 ms
1 25 ms 2 15 ms
2 25 ms 3 15 ms
3 25 ms 0 50 ms (conditional)
2 1 ms
3 1 ms
1 20 ms
3 25 ms
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Simple Probability of Intercept Example
Scanning threat radar
RWR input scheduler
Band 0 Band 1 Band 2 Band 3 Band 0
Copyright by Georgia Tech Research Corporation, 2009 Filename - 37 GTRI_B-37
Emitter Transmitted
Frequency Range
Threat ID
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
H
I
J
K
L
M
N
O
P
Q
R
2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18
RF (GHz)
GTRI_B-38
Superhet Input Scheduler

• The input schedule for a superhet receiver is much
more complex than the input schedule for a CVR.
• This is because the superhet is a narrow-band
receiver, i.e. the total frequency range is broken into
many smaller segments that must be covered.
• Superhet input schedulers contain more numerous,
shorter looks.
0.5 GHz 2 GHz 8 GHz 12 GHz 18 GHz
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Pulse Measurements
• If the RWR detects a pulse, it collects a set of data

for that pulse.
• The formats differ among various RWRs, but this
pulse data is generally called a pulse descriptor
word (PDW).
• The PDW contains all data collected for a single RF
pulse.
GTRI_B-40
Pulse Descriptor Word
• A typical PDW contains time of arrival (TOA), angle,

pulse width, power, and frequency (superhet) or
frequency band (CVR).
• The ALR-69 PDW format is shown below:
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15
TIME OF ARRIVAL (16 LSBs)
PULSE WIDTH TIME OF ARRIVAL (8 MSBs)
POWER ANGLE
IP PP FO1 FO2 PRI DT RB1 RB2 DCB COR CDM B0 B1 B2 B3 B4
GTRI_B-41
Key Pulse Parameters

Frequency
Pulsewidth
Power
PRI
“PRI” is Pulse Repetition Interval.

Time
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Input Buffer
• The final output of the Signal Detection component

of the RWR is an Input Buffer.
• An Input Buffer is a series of PDWs that were
collected during a single look.
• The Input Buffer is processed by the RWR software
to determine what type radar (or radars) transmitted
the pulses.
GTRI_B-43
Input Emitter
RF Buffer Track
File
Signal Signal Manage
GTRI_B-44
OFP and MDF
Operational Flight Program (OFP) Mission Data File (MDF)
• Executable code • Data (no executable

code)
• Input scheduler
• Input schedule
• PRI deinterleaver
• Threat identification
• Track file management
• Threat information
• Missile guidance
algorithms • Ambiguity resolve tables
• Interface management • Missile guidance data

GTRI_B-45
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Major Signal Processing Components
Emitter
Input Track
Buffer File
PRI Ambiguity Track File
Deinterleave
Threat ID Management
Resolve
PRI Deinterleaving Algorithm
• Many years of research have been done regarding

PRI deinterleaving algorithms.
• The PRI deinterleaving algorithm is the most
complex algorithm, and uses the most processor
time, of any function in an RWR OFP.
Pulse train statistics:
Frequency/band
Input PRI PRI
Buffer Deinterleave Power
Angle
Pulse width
PRI agility info
Quality statistics
GTRI_B-47
PRI Agility
Stable
• For a “stable PRI” emitter the interpulse period is
the same for every pulse.
175 175 175 175 175 175 175 175 175 175 175 175 175 175 175 175 175 175 175 175 175 175
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PRI Agility
Stagger
• For a “staggered PRI” emitter, a set of interpulse
periods are repeated continuously.
• 2-level stagger
150 175 150 175 150 175 150 175 150 175 150 175 150 175 150 175 150 175 150 175 150 175
• 3-level stagger
150 175 225 150 175 225 150 175 225 150 175 225 150 175 225 150 175 225 150 175 225 150
• 4-level stagger
150 175 125 200 150 175 125 200 150 175 125 200 150 175 125 200 150 175 125 200 150 175
GTRI_B-49
PRI Agility
Cycler
• For a “cyclic PRI” emitter a stable PRI is generated
for N pulses followed by another stable PRI for N
pulses, etc.
• For example, this cycler generates a PRI of 175 for
seven pulses and then a PRI of 150 for four pulses.
175 175 175 175 175 175 175 150 150 150 150 175 175 175 175 175 175 175 150 150 150 150
GTRI_B-50
PRI Agility
Jitter
• For a “jitter PRI” emitter, the interpulse period
varies between every pulse usually within a known
percentage range.
• For example, the pulse train below is a 200 +/- 10%
jitter pulse train, i.e. the interpulse periods vary
randomly between 180 and 220.
200 183 182 201 199 185 217 216 209 188 181 199 207 207 187 183 184 218 203 204 200 181
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PRI Deinterleaving
Radar Signal A
Radar Signal B
Radar Signal C
Interleaved Signal

GTRI_B-52
PRI Deinterleaving - Sorting
Hardware Measurement Useful for Sorting?

Frequency or Frequency Band Yes
Time of Arrival Yes
Angle of Arrival Yes
Power No
Pulse Width Not so much
GTRI_B-53
Emitter
Input Track
Buffer File
Deinterleave
Resolve

GTRI_B-54
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Threat Identification
• Initial threat identification is usually a very simple

process.
• The MDF assigns an initial threat ID based on
frequency/band and PRI.
• So, “threat ID” is simply finding the corresponding
entry in a table in the Mission Data File.
• Most initial threat IDs are ambiguous and require

ambiguity resolution.
GTRI_B-55
Emitter PRI Range

Threat ID
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
H
I
J
K
L
M
N
O
P
Q
R
0 500 1000 1500 2000 2500 3000 3500 4000

PRI (microseconds)
GTRI_B-56
Emitter
Input Track
Buffer File
Deinterleave
Resolve
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Ambiguity Resolution
• Initial threat ID is done based on frequency/band and
PRI.
• This usually results in an ID that says “this could be either Threat
A, Threat C, Threat D, or Threat H”.
• Additional measurements are used/required to resolve

ambiguities and determine which a unique ID.
• PRI agility (jitter, stagger, cycler)
• Multiband
• Scan type/rate
• Missile guidance
GTRI_B-58
Emitter
Input Track
Buffer File
Deinterleave
Resolve

GTRI_B-59
Track File Management
• All RWRs have some concept of a Track File. It may

be called different names in different RWRs, but the
concept is the same.
• The Track File is where the OFP stores all threat
information that is has measured/computed.
GTRI_B-60
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Track File Management (cont.)
• The Track File management software is almost as

complex as the PRI Deinterleaving software.
• The OFP updates the track file as new information
becomes available.
• There are many sources of new information:
correlation, missile guidance, angle, power, PRI
agility, etc.
GTRI_B-61
Track File Management (cont.)

• The Emitter Track File is the most important data
maintained by the RWR OFP.
• The ETF content affects operation of almost all
other OFP functions
• Pilot cues (audio and display)
• Initiates additional measurements for ambiguity

resolution
• Alters input scheduling
• The ETF is output to other systems in an integrated

EW suite and may drive their operation as well.
GTRI_B-62
Input Emitter
RF Buffer Track
File
Signal Signal Manage
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User Interface
• Buttons/Lamps
• CRT Display
• Audio
• Missile launch
• New guy
• Diamond
GTRI_B-64
Interface Management
• Besides the user interface the OFP also manages

other intrasystem and intersystem input/output.
• Intrasystem: Setting up pulse collection hardware,
messaging on intrasystem hardware interfaces,
messaging between OFPs within the RWR, etc.
• Intersystem: MIL-STD-1553B data bus (EW Bus and
Avionics Bus), blanking interface, etc.
GTRI_B-65
RWR “Challenges”
• There are many challenges to accurately and

effectively operating an RWR in a real-world
environment:
• High pulse densities
• Interference from other onboard systems
• Aircraft maneuvers
• Urban noise
• Antenna patterns
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ALR-69 System Block Diagram

CVR SUBSYSTEM CVR CVR
135 45
AM-423 J1 J1
45 CM-479
E, G, I E, G, I
(135) (45)
J2 J2 ALQ-213 CMSP
J3 J3
AM-423 IP1310
135 CVR CVR F1 J3
225 315 2X 2Y J1
J1 J1
E, G, I E, G, I J4 J2
F2
AM-423 (225) (315)
Diamond Audio
225
J2 J2
J3 J3
E, G, I Band Video (45, 135, 225, 315)

AS-3305 AM-423 C/D Band Video (45, 135, 225, 315)
315 Omni Video
(45) J1 AM-6971
J6 J3 J1
(135) J2
(Omni) J5 J5 HSDB
(315) J4 J4 J2
(225) J3
N1
ANT7 J7
FSRS Subsystem C/D, E, G, I Band Static Video (TTL)

J2 Antenna Control (0-3) C-10373
AM-423 F1 F3
135 AM-423 J1
SA-2263 R-2094
(FSRS) 45 F2 J1
J5 J1 J3
(FSRS)
J6 J2 J5 J2
AM-423 J3 J3 J4
225 AM-423
315 J4
(FSRS) RI/D, Control (0-3), CW Strobe, PRF Window
(FSRS)
Rec. Int., Discrimn. Video, Bandpass Video
GTRI_B-67
The Travels of “Joe Pulse”

Video Pulse Input
pulse packet Buffer
RF RF
AM-6639
Pre-amp
Antenna J1
Video
Processor DMA
Quadrant
Air RF cable J2
video signals (A5 CCA) FIFO A6 RAM
Input Process
Buffer Buffer
PRIDE Threat ETF
PRI Outputs Emitter ID Record
Pre-Process ETF Mgt
(PRE_PROC)
Deinterleave ID
(PRIDE) A6OFP (ETE) ETF
A6 RAM A6 RAM (EIDR) A6OFP
variables variables
CRT
ETF Display Refresh Drive IP-1310
Record A6 OFP File A4 OFP Buffer H/W
Display
Display Display
ETF A4 RAM A4 RAM Refresh I/O
Update Update
GTRI_B-68
23

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2/23/2009

What is a Radar Warning Receiver?

• A Radar Warning Receiver (RWR) is a passive EW

• Identifies the signal by radar type

• Manages detected signals

• Generates visual and audio cues to pilot

• Manages interfaces to other systems

What the Pilot Sees

ALR-69 System Block Diagram

E, G, I Band Video (45, 135, 225, 315)

FSRS Subsystem C/D, E, G, I Band Static Video (TTL)

What the Pilot Sees

(Very) Brief History of RWR

• RWRs have been around for about 40 years.

• First-generation RWRs were used by the US Air Force

• The Israelis suffered heavy losses to radar-directed

Example USAF RWR Installations

RWR Type Aircraft

How Does an RWR Work?

• Software handles identification and aircrew interface

Why Do You Need an RWR?

• The enemy is out there!

• The enemy has air defense systems that are very

• When an enemy radar points at a USAF aircraft, we

Typical Air Defense System Encounter

SA-2 Surface to Air Missile

RWR Operational Concept

How Do We Measure RWR Performance?

• Typical RWR measures of performance (MOPs) are:

• Performance is usually measured by conducting a

Simplified RWR Processing Flow

Hardware Software Software

Origin of RWR Input

RWR Frequency Coverage

• A typical RWR detects pulsed radar signals in the

• Hertz is a unit of frequency of one cycle per second.

Types of Radar Signals

Quick Word About Notation for Pulsed Signals

What Measurements Does an RWR Make?

• For each CW signal the RWR will measure:

• For each pulse in a pulsed signal the RWR will

First Step: Detect Signal with Antenna

E/J Band antenna - C/D Band antenna -

First Step: Detect Signal with Antenna

Four E/J band antennas are

F-16 Forward Antenna Installation

F-16 Aft Antenna Installation

Converting RF Pulse to Digital Data

Basic Analog Receivers1 (1/2)

Basic Analog Receivers1 (2/2)

Most Common RWR Receiver Architectures

Crystal Video Receiver Tuned Narrowband Superhet

Copyright by Georgia Tech Research Corporation, 2009 Filename - 31

Narrow-Band Superheterodyne Receiver

Wideband Crystal Video Receiver

• Another important RWR term is input scheduling.

• Both superhet and CVR architectures require

• We have said that a typical RWR covers the 0.5-18

CVR Input Scheduling

• A typical CVR RF signal is fed to an

Band 0 Band 1 Band 2 Band 3

0.5 GHz 2 GHz 8 GHz 12 GHz 18 GHz

Example CVR Input Schedules