Prof. Ing. Andrej Luc, PhD. - Cpt. Ing.

Milan Janicek, PhD,

VA Brno - MTIP Brno

Comparison of Frequency Hopping systems

jamming resistible, interception and security
transmission
Definition of Subject
In this paper we will discuss and compare Frequency Hopping (FH)
communication systems and stations, which are in our market. The
paper will help to compare the FH stations, which are offering to
Europe (NATO) countries.
We will discuss the fundamental principles of FH systems, which are
important for jamming resistible, secure transmission and
interception of these systems with respect to other communication
systems, reconnaissance and jamming systems. We can remark that
to compare the all properties of FH systems for any user is very
complicated and it cannot be do in one paper.
Spread Spectrum (SS) signal consists of carrier, information and
address signal [1]. SS signal is a standard signal modulated one
more by address signal. FH signal does not contains address signal,
for this reason it is pseudo spread system and this FH system can
be jammed.
Frequently times, there are offered the station from firm
THOMSSON, RACAL, ERICSSON, ROHDE&SCHWARZ and
TRANSWORD.

Comparison of Frequency Hopping Systems

We will consider a Slow FH (SFH) systems only, fast FH systems are
not used for tactical communication. But, we must discuss FH+DS

system (see MRR200 ERICSON) and to compare this system with

respect to pure FH systems.
A block diagram of SFH to the evaluation of fundamental
parameters and to the comparison of FH systems is in Fig.1. From
block diagram we can see the following stage can be evaluated :
1. Error correction of code. Using of Reed-Solomon codes can be
evaluated very positive.
2. Ciphering (COMSEC) and transmission (TRANSEC) keys.
Independent determination of COMSEC and TRANSEC is much
better for a security of systems. When TRANSEC is determined
by COMSEC, then it can happen the situation, at which the
deciphering can be more easy.
3. The number of COMSEC and TRANSEC keys is important too. It
can be in the range 825 up to 848.

4. Types of PN address code and its length. The length of codes is

usually several days.

5. Type of modulation is very important for jamming resistible and

radio range. I/Q modulation can be recommended (MRR200
ERICSSON GMSK, PR4G THOMSON RC modulation).
6. Selection of modes : - FH, frequency adaptive mode (ALE, FCS),
general and channel hailing,
7. Synchronisation circuits acquisition and tracking systems. This
sensitive problem will be discuss latter.
8. User properties form and configuration of radio nets, radio
direction, alarms, priority of commander, , emergency clearing.
9. Data transmission : - synchronous, asynchronous system, - static
and triggering TDMA mode.
10. Interoperability in fixed frequency with old radios in clear
voice mode (STANAG 4203). Interoperability of FH system with
interception and jamming systems will be discuss later.
Each above point represents separate paper. More detail we can
analysed synchronisation and interoperability only.

Jam resistible of Synchronization Systems

Synchronisation system can be very sensitive to the jamming. Very
important is a fine synchronisation at each starting of transmitting
(push and talk). Fig.2 shows starting waveform of the transmitted
signal of three real stations. The first waveform keeps the fix
frequency longer time. During short time (several 10-th msec)
interception system will be able to determine the hop frequency and
the jammer can jam this FH system. The interception of second
waveform on Fig.2 is a more difficult and the time for interception is
short. The best starting waveform is third waveform on Fig.2.

Figure 2. The beginning of transmitted waveform of three various

stations

Interoperability of FH Systems with

Interception and Jamming Systems
After establishing of FH stations for all arms. The radio situation will
be much more complicated. The interception receivers will receive a
short frequency hops, but this receivers will not be able to
distinguish own hops form the enemy hops. Also, these receivers
will not know in radio space if there is same hops of enemy in our
area (radio space).
Interoperability with the Interception Systems.
A reconnaissance can be successful only if the carrier frequency of
our communication systems are known in each time (each
milisecond).
Our FH signals and also the enemy FH signals can be in the
difference or in the same frequency range and also the structure of
hops can be the difference or the same. Clearly, the worse case for
distinguish is if our and enemy FH signals are the same (when we
use the same stations). Our interception receivers must be
synchronised to our FH signals and also they must know the
instantaneous hop frequency. This synchronisation can be reached
by the following operations, Fig.3:

Interoperability with Jamming Systems

The received signal we can jam only if we are sure that this signal is
enemy signals. We must know our hop frequencies and these
frequencies will be determined as time forbidden frequency. This
concept is equivalent to the concept forbidden frequency, which
was use in standard continuos jamming systems. A complete
jamming system consist of the interception, analyser and jamming
system, as it shown in Fig.4.
The controller of jamming system must be synchronised by own
radio nets and simultaneously it must be able to generate time
forbidden frequencies. Also, the controller of jamming system must
be also synchronised to the enemy FH signal so that interception
receivers must be synchronised to the starting of each hops of
enemy signal. The both synchronisation can be reached by the
following operations, Fig.4:

A control device (PC) of our interception receivers must be

loaded by our fill gun, where is all information about our radio
nets.
A control device must require by code a synchronisation through the
radio station, see Fig.4.

To block the operation of jammer in the time of our hops,

when frequency of jammer is equal to the frequency of hop.

 To reach the synchronisation of PC controller to the enemy FH

signal by interception receivers.
Start of interception must be synchronised by the PC controller
to the start of jammed hops.
Above measures show only fundamental steps, which must be done.
Radio stations must enable above operations.

References
[1] VOSICKY, V., LUC, A.: Spread Spectrum Systems as AntiJamming and Hidden
Communication Systems. Coneferce EW, NDU Budapest 1999.
[2] JANICEK, M., LUC, A.: Recognition and Jamming Frequency
Hopping Systems.
Communication Systems. Coneferce EW, NDU Budapest 1999.