UNIT - V

SURVEILLANCE & COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEMS

  HF, VHF, UHF, Microwaves Signals and Noise, Modulation
and demodulation, Antennas, propagation, data links,
Syllabus Telemetry, Transponders, Typical Systems in Aircrafts, Basic
Radar Systems and types, ATC Electronic Warfare Basics
  Frequency Bands and Signals:
 HF (High Frequency)
 VHF (Very High Frequency)
 UHF (Ultra High Frequency)
 Microwaves Signals
 Signal Processing:
 Noise
 Modulation and Demodulation

Categories
 Communication Systems:
 Antennas
 Data Links
 Telemetry
 Transponders
  Aircraft Systems:
 Typical Systems in Aircraft

 Radar Systems:
 Basic Radar Systems
Categories  Types of Radar Systems

 Air Traffic Control (ATC):

 ATC
 ATC Electronic Warfare Basics
• HF (High Frequency): Radio frequency band used for long-distance communication.
FerquencyBandasndSginas:l

• VHF (Very High Frequency): Radio frequency band commonly used for line-of-sight
communication.
• UHF (Ultra High Frequency): Radio frequency band used for satellite communication,
GPS, and other applications.
• Microwaves Signals: Electromagnetic waves with frequencies ranging from around 1
gigahertz (GHz) to 30 gigahertz (GHz), commonly used in radar and satellite
communication.
Electromagneti
c Spectrum
1.Radio Waves:
1. Frequency Range: From approximately 3 Hz to 300 GHz.
2. Applications: AM/FM radio broadcasting, television broadcasting, mobile communication, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, radar, satellite
communication.
2.Microwaves:
1. Frequency Range: From approximately 300 MHz to 300 GHz.
2. Applications: Radar systems, satellite communication, microwave ovens, wireless LANs (Wi-Fi), point-to-point communication
links.
3.Infrared (IR) Radiation:
1. Frequency Range: From approximately 300 GHz to 400 THz (terahertz).
2. Applications: Thermal imaging, remote controls, infrared communication, heat lamps, infrared spectroscopy.
4.Visible Light:
1. Frequency Range: From approximately 400 THz to 800 THz.
2. Applications: Vision, photography, optical communications, lasers, spectroscopy.
5.Ultraviolet (UV) Radiation:
Frequency Range: From approximately 800 THz to 30 PHz (petahertz).
Applications: Sterilization, black lights, tanning beds, fluorescence, ultraviolet spectroscopy.
6.X-Rays:
Frequency Range: From approximately 30 PHz to 30 EHz (exahertz).
Applications: Medical imaging (X-ray radiography), airport security screening, industrial inspection, X-ray crystallography.
7.Gamma Rays:
Frequency Range: Above 30 EHz.
Applications: Medical therapy (radiation therapy), nuclear medicine, sterilization, gamma-ray astronomy.
  RF refers to electromagnetic waves with frequencies ranging
from 3 kilohertz (kHz) to 300 gigahertz (GHz).
 RF is commonly used for various wireless communication
applications, including AM and FM radio broadcasting,

Radio television broadcasting, mobile phones, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and

satellite communication.
Frequency  RF signals have relatively longer wavelengths compared to
(RF) microwave frequencies. They are suitable for long-distance
communication and can penetrate obstacles like walls and
buildings better than microwaves.
 RF technology is widely used in everyday applications and
consumer electronics due to its versatility and relatively low
cost.
  Frequency Range: HF signals typically range from 3 MHz to 30
MHz.
 Significance:
 Long-Distance Communication: HF signals can propagate over
long distances by reflecting off the ionosphere, making them
suitable for long-distance communication, especially in situations
where line-of-sight communication is not feasible.
HF (High  Global Coverage: HF communication is often used in applications

Frequency) requiring global coverage, such as maritime communication,

aviation, military communications, and amateur radio.
 Resilience to Terrain: HF signals can penetrate obstacles like
buildings, terrain, and atmospheric disturbances, allowing for
reliable communication over diverse geographical regions.
 Shortwave Broadcasting: HF bands are utilized for international
shortwave broadcasting, enabling radio stations to reach
audiences worldwide.
  Frequency Range: VHF signals typically range from 30 MHz to
300 MHz.
 Significance:
 Line-of-Sight Communication: VHF signals primarily propagate in a
VHF (Very straight line and are suitable for line-of-sight communication over
relatively short to medium distances.
High  FM Radio and Television Broadcasting: VHF bands are extensively

Frequency)
used for FM radio broadcasting and television broadcasting due to
their ability to carry high-fidelity audio and video signals over
relatively long distances.
 Air Traffic Control: VHF communication is widely used in aviation
for air traffic control, aircraft-to-aircraft communication, and
ground-to-air communication, especially in the terminal area.
  Frequency Range: UHF signals typically range from 300 MHz to
3 GHz.
 Significance:
 Short-Range Communication: UHF signals are well-suited for short-
range communication due to their relatively high frequencies and

UHF (Ultra shorter wavelengths.

 Two-Way Radio Communication: UHF bands are commonly used

High for two-way radio communication in various applications, including

public safety, emergency services, land mobile radio, and private

Frequency) mobile radio.

 Satellite Communication: UHF bands are utilized in satellite
communication systems for both terrestrial and space-based
applications, including satellite broadcasting, satellite phones, and
satellite internet services.
  Microwaves are a specific subset of RF, with frequencies
typically ranging from 1 gigahertz (GHz) to 300 gigahertz
(GHz). Some definitions extend the microwave range down to
300 megahertz (MHz).
 Microwave frequencies are commonly used in various
applications, including radar systems, satellite communication,

Microwave microwave ovens, wireless LANs (Wi-Fi), and point-to-point

communication links.
Frequency  Microwaves have shorter wavelengths compared to RF, which
allows for higher data transmission rates and more precise
directional control.
 Microwave technology is particularly useful for line-of-sight
communication, where direct visibility between transmitter and
receiver is necessary. It's often used in applications where high
bandwidth and low signal loss are essential.
  Frequency Range: RF encompasses a broader range of frequencies,
including those used for radio broadcasting and mobile
communication. Microwaves are a subset of RF, with higher
frequencies typically used for more specialized applications.
 Wavelength: RF waves have longer wavelengths compared to
microwaves. Microwaves have shorter wavelengths, allowing for
higher data rates and more precise directional control.
Key  Applications: RF is used for various wireless communication
Differences applications, while microwaves are often employed in radar
systems, satellite communication, and high-speed data
transmission.
 Penetration and Range: RF signals can penetrate obstacles better
than microwaves, making them suitable for long-distance
communication. Microwaves are often used for line-of-sight
communication and can be affected by obstacles such as buildings
and terrain.
  Signal Processing

Signals  Noise
 Modulation and Demodulation
  In the context of electronics and communication, a signal is a
physical quantity that varies with time, conveying information.
Signals can take various forms, such as electrical voltage,
current, electromagnetic waves, or acoustic waves.
 Signals can be classified based on their nature (analog or
Signals digital), their domain (time-domain or frequency-domain), and
their modulation (modulated or unmodulated).
 Examples of signals include audio signals, video signals, radio
waves, and digital data streams.
  Signal processing involves manipulating signals to extract useful information,
enhance features, or remove unwanted components.

 It encompasses both analog and digital processing techniques, including filtering,

amplification, modulation, demodulation, encoding, decoding, compression, and
analysis.

 Signal processing techniques are widely used in various fields, including

telecommunications, audio processing, image processing, radar, medical
Signal imaging, and control systems.

Processing &  Noise refers to unwanted random signals or disturbances that interfere with the
Noise transmission or reception of useful information.

 Noise can originate from various sources, including electrical interference,

thermal noise, atmospheric disturbances, and external electromagnetic radiation.

 It can degrade the quality of communication, reduce signal-to-noise ratio (SNR),

introduce errors in data transmission, and limit the performance of electronic
systems.

 Noise mitigation techniques include filtering, shielding, error correction coding,

and modulation schemes designed to minimize the impact of noise.
  Modulation is the process of impressing information onto a
carrier signal by varying one or more properties of the carrier
wave, such as its amplitude, frequency, or phase.
 Demodulation is the process of extracting the original

Modulation information from a modulated signal at the receiver.

 Modulation techniques include Amplitude Modulation (AM),
and Frequency Modulation (FM), Phase Modulation (PM),

Demodulation Quadrature Amplitude Modulation (QAM), and Pulse

Amplitude Modulation (PAM).
 Demodulation techniques vary depending on the modulation
scheme used and typically involve reversing the modulation
process to recover the original signal.
Flow Chart
Modulation and demodulation are fundamental processes in communication systems, including those used between aircraft and ground stations.
Here's an overview of how these processes work in such systems:
Modulation in Aircraft:
• In aircraft communication systems, modulation is the process of impressing information onto a carrier signal to transmit it effectively.
• Voice Communication: In analog voice communication, the microphone picks up the pilot's voice, which is then converted into an
electrical signal. This signal modulates a carrier wave using techniques like Amplitude Modulation (AM) or Frequency Modulation
(FM). The modulated signal contains the voice information.
• Data Communication: For digital data communication, such as Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B), various digital
modulation schemes like Pulse Position Modulation (PPM) or Pulse Code Modulation (PCM) are used to encode data onto the carrier
wave. This allows the transmission of information such as aircraft position, velocity, and identification.
Transmission from Aircraft to Ground Station:
• The modulated signal, containing voice or data information, is transmitted from the aircraft's communication system via an antenna.
• The transmitted signal propagates through the atmosphere and is received by ground-based antennas located at air traffic control centers
or communication facilities.
Demodulation at Ground Station:
• At the ground station, the received signal is picked up by antennas and fed into the ground-based communication equipment.
• Demodulation is the process of extracting the original information from the received modulated signal. This is achieved by reversing the
modulation process applied at the aircraft.
• For voice communication, the demodulator separates the voice signal from the carrier wave, allowing air traffic controllers or ground
station operators to hear the pilot's voice.
• For data communication, the demodulator decodes the digital information encoded on the carrier wave, retrieving data such as aircraft
position, identification, and other relevant information.
Communication between Ground Station and Aircraft:
• Similarly, communication from ground stations to aircraft follows a similar process of modulation and demodulation.
• Ground-based communication systems modulate voice or data signals onto carrier waves, transmit them via antennas to aircraft.
• Aircraft communication systems receive the modulated signals, demodulate them to extract the original information, and present it to
the pilot or relevant avionics systems.
  Types of Antennas

Communicatio  Data Links

n Systems  Telemetry
 Transponders: