PROPRIETARY —Do not distribute Presented to: Date: OPTIMIZING DATA LINK PERFORMANCE FOR UNMANNED SYSTEM PAYLOADS C4 Robot Platforms & Sensors Exposition & Conference “The Payload – Cameras, Sensors & Weapons” Mike Kulinski Enerdyne Technologies, Inc

Page 2 “You never have enough ISR” –Small tactical unmanned systems are cost effective ISR solutions –Full Motion Video is a means to quickly improve high value target tracking and locating capabilities –A reliable, high-performance data link is a critical system element for operational success “Unmanned assets are truly systems” –Platform –Communications Data Link Ground Systems –People GPS is a key enabler of UAS technology –Operators control the platform, not fly it Unmanned System Challenge –Keep the cost down while being net centric Observations on UAS

Page 3 Supports a variety of sensors –EO/IR –SAR –CBRNE UAS design effort has been focused on the air frame and control The data link has now become a critical factor for mission success Tactical UAS is a Versatile Cost Effective Platform for ISR Missions

Page 4 Platform limit on size, weight and power Ground systems need to be minimal and logistics support simple Importance of bandwidth efficiency is growing Data Link needs to be robust (modulation and FEC) to counter interference and jamming Data Link needs to have high performance –Minimize PA power consumption –Simplify ground antenna Digital Video transmission requires efficient compression –Low bit rate –Low latency –Resistant to errors –Low computational complexity Small Tactical UAS Data Link Design Issues

Page 5 Range –LOS 1200 m –NLOS 600 m Unmanaged RF environment –Jamming (intentional and unintentional) –Multipath fading (frequency & time) –Rapid changes in signal level –Frequency agility and adaptive behavior are mandatory Ability to carry both C2 and video information simultaneously Flexible –Multi-sensor payloads –Save payload data in real time with multiple users –IP protocol is paramount Cost and operationally effective –Size –Weight –Power EOD Robot Datalink Design Issues

Page 6 Multipath –Waveform design Antenna space diversity Forward error correction and interleaving Interference and Jamming –Spread spectrum techniques –OFDM Replicate data on multiple carriers Video Processing –Use H264 for high frame rate, full-motion video in good channels –Switch to MJPEG with reduced frame rate for heavily degraded channels –Still image capture and transfer for high-resolution images Datalink Solutions for Robot EOD Mission

Page 7 Comprehensive Software Defined Data Link Platform Versatility and Performance to Meet Current & Future Program & Mission Requirements EnerLinks