Emitter Data Collection and Analysis
Using many foreign and domestic ELINT, Measurement and Signature Intelligence (MASINT) and Communications Externals (COMEX) systems, RAS founders have been instrumental in collecting data that now serve as the foundation for the National ELINT databases. RAS has continued this tradition by collecting data for the Army, Navy, and Air Force on several emitters of interest. Analysis on these emitters has resulted in new methods and algorithms to accurately measure, characterize, and identify these emitters.
Another investigation and collection effort for the Air Force involved research into the phenomenology and radio frequency (RF) signatures associated with wideband Unintended Radiated Emissions (UREs) from both low- / high-power laser devices. On this program, RAS planned and collected high-quality data within an anechoic chamber and at an outdoor test facility. RAS applied its in phase / quadrature (I/Q) equalization processing techniques to mitigate RF system distortion (magnitude and phase) in analyzing the MASINT signatures. Characteristic features within the data from each URE emitter were used to identify the emitter using a preliminary RF MASINT database; recommendations were made for developing an RF MASINT database similar to the KILTING / EWIR databases. On another program, RAS managed the collection and comparison of competing Specific Emitter Identification (SEI) techniques for the MUSKETEER DIXIE collections, which resulted in the choice of the algorithms currently used for SEI.