EMA And IDS Working Together To Solve Complex EM Challenges At US DoD E3 Conference 2017

Spectrum Operations and Electromagnetic Environmental Effects (E3)

Spectrum operations are an important part of the overall information battle space. The work ensures that the decision makers have the essential information needed to obtain mission objectives. The work of spectrum management is further complicated by the increasing number of spectrum users, the increasing speed of operations and advancing capabilities of adversaries.

One of the key components of spectrum management is the compatibility of RF systems with the existing emitters and receivers in the environment. The environment includes ambient emissions, natural sources of interference, emitters on the same platform and other proximate systems or users of spectrum.

For the purposes of the US Defense Spectrum Organization, there is discipline referred to as electromagnetic environmental effects (E3), which concerns itself with:

• Study of the existing EM environment in various operational scenarios
• Management of spectrum to ensure interference-free operation in the environment
• Simulation and testing to identify and resolve any threats to operation
• Management to ensure compatibility of disparate systems

EMA                                                                              

EMA is a world leader in the analysis of electromagnetic environmental effects. Our aerospace and defense clients need their systems and equipment to be safe, functional, and compatible with the electromagnetic environment. EMA’s deep experience with advanced defense systems and our simulation and test support capabilities work together to make us a premier partner to aerospace and defense clients in the US.

EMA provides its clients with a full range of advanced EMC and RF consulting services – refined over nearly 38 years of experience supporting both government and commercial clients – and are known for our commitment to excellence and our outstanding achievements in quality, performance, and technical accuracy. With a focus on long-term, ongoing client relationships, many of our clients retain our services across multiple contracts, resulting in successful partnerships over many years.

EMA is the exclusive US representative of the IDS collection of advanced electromagnetic simulation tools, including the upcoming Galileo EMT toolkit .

DoD E3 2017 Conference

EMA and IDS are participating in the 20th DoD Electromagnetic Environmental Effects (E3) Program Review, which provides an information exchange forum for DoD Components, the Federal Government, and Industry E3 and Spectrum professionals. The DoD E3 Program Review will be held at the Lackland AFB in San Antonio, TX, the week of April 3-7, 2017.

Sponsored by the DISA's Defense Spectrum Organization (DSO), the DoD E3 PR promotes communication, coordination, commonality, and synergy among the DoD Components for E3 related matters. The Program Review is an information exchange forum for DoD Components, the Federal Government, and Industry E3 and Spectrum Management professionals to collaborate, network, and meet to discuss policy and regulations, acquisition trends, operational supportability, and emerging technology. It also features dozens of technical presentations, several training seminars, and many working groups, ad hoc meetings, and exhibitions.

EMA and IDS at DoD E3

EMA and IDS will be at the 2017 DoD E3 conference. We invite you to interact with us in the following ways:

1. Come by the EMA/IDS booth at the exhibition
2. Set up an individual meeting with EMA/IDS to learn about how we can help you with advanced simulation techniques. Email nils@ema3d.com to coordinate a time.
3. You are invited to the EMA/IDS reception dinner on Wednesday, April 5. Email nils@ema3d.com to RSVP.

Spectrum and E3 Tasks and IDS Capabilities

Spectrum and E3 tasks are supported by IDs in the following ways:

1. Site analysis and assessment - Spectrum and E3 teams must determine the local EM environment. The tasks include:

• Testing to determine the ambient fields
• Research in the area to determine potential sources of emissions
• Research users, including their frequency allocation or expected emissions if an adversary

IDS Contribution to this area – The IDS Aeronautics and Naval services groups have deep experience in this area. Our testing services group can perform site measurements for spectrum management.

2. EMI/EMC analysis of equipment, platform or the environment. The tasks include:

• Conduct analyses or engineering simulations for contingencies, equipment or sites
• Co-site antenna analysis
• Antenna modeling
• Frequency-dependent rejection calculations
• Frequency-distance predictions

IDS Contribution to this area – The Galileo EMT is a perfect match for modeling the antenna effects.

3. Communication equipment studies – Provide support to understand the RF link health for Tx/Rx pairs. The tasks include:

• Develop propagation predictions and signal coverage plots
• Model and consider the effects of transmitter output power, antenna gains, earth electrical properties, ambient noise and topographic data describing the area of operations

IDS Contribution to this area – Galileo EMT includes analysis of moving platform links and can consider link analysis.

4. Electronic Warfare and Directed Energy – Provide assessments of frequency/spectrum de-confliction tactics, techniques, procedures and supporting technology.

IDS Contribution to this area - The IDS aeronautics group has deep experience in modeling and simulating these phenomena.

5. Space and satellite analyses – Provide analysis of the ambient space RF environment. Determine and research upcoming missions. Perform propagation analysis to determine the threat based on known satellite ephemerides.

IDS Contribution to this area - The IDS space services group has specialized codes and deep experience in RF propagation and space systems.

1. Interference analysis and mitigation. The tasks include:
   • Link analysis for vehicles, satellites, aircraft and ground stations
   • Spectrum research
   • Intermodulation effects
   • Propagation predictions

IDS Contribution to this area - The Galileo EMT capabilities of the moving platform link is the best tool this purpose.

6. E3 or spectrum test and measurement. The tasks include:

• Antenna performance testing
• Testing on cavity coupling and shielding

IDS Contribution to this area - The IDS test services group supports these tasks.

7. HERO, HERP, HERF or RADHAZ analysis. Provide simulation and testing to ensure the safe and compatible operation of ordnance, personnel and fuels from RF systems.

IDS Contribution to this area – Galileo EMT can simulate the field coupling levels. Ship EDF is a comprehensive tool for these effects in naval applications. The upcoming cable harness integration of MHARNESS can support ordnance harness coupling.

1. Identification and analysis of inter- and intra-system and system-to-environment issues – Test and analysis used to evaluate the performance of the system and its compatibility with itself and with the environment. This effort includes full-wave EM simulation to predict adverse interference or EMI/EMC Issues.

IDS Contribution to this area – Galileo EMT is the best tool for this application.

8. E3 Measurements of Materials, Structures, Vehicles and Assemblies – Measurements must be performed on the following:

• Shielding of structures
• RE/RS and coupling to cables of vehicles

IDS Contribution to this area - The IDS test division can support this effort.

Prepared by Tim McDonald, PhD - tim@ema3d.com