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A decision support system for locating VHF/UHF radio jammer systems on the
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Article  in  Information Systems Frontiers · March 2008

DOI: 10.1007/s10796-007-9046-3 · Source: DBLP

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Inf Syst Front (2008) 10:111–124
DOI 10.1007/s10796-007-9046-3
A decision support system for locating VHF/UHF radio
jammer systems on the terrain
Cevriye Gencer & Emel Kizilkaya Aydogan &
Coskun Celik
Published online: 6 September 2007
# Springer Science + Business Media, LLC 2007
Abstract In this study, a mathematical model is suggested
concerning the location of VHF/UHF frequency radio
jammer systems to the terrain parts to conduct single
frequency or sequential frequency jamming, and then a
decision support system (DSS), based on the suggested
model, is formed. Location problem is modelled by the
maximum covering location problem and LINGO-8 package
program is used to solve the model. Interaction with the
user is provided via the MS-Excel program in the DSS. In
the application part of the study, a scenario was set up and
the model was run for the two cases, weighted and equally
weighted situations of the targets. With the same scenario,
backup positions for the jammer systems were tried to be
determined and solutions for the scenario were evaluated.
Keywords Covering location problem .
Maximum covering location problem .
Decision support system . VHF/UHF radio jammer
C. Gencer
Department of Industrial Engineering,
Faculty of Engineering and Architecture, Gazi University,
Ankara, Turkey
E. K. Aydogan (*)
Department of Industrial Engineering,
Faculty of Engineering, Erciyes University,
Kayseri, Turkey
e-mail: ekizilkaya@gazi.edu.tr
C. Celik
Department of Operational Research, Defence Sciences Institute,
Turkish Military Academy,
Ankara, Turkey
1 Introduction
Electronic attack (EA) can be defined as the offensive part
of electronic warfare (EW). One of the components of EA
is electronic jamming. Electronic jamming applied to radio
communication systems of the enemy is called radio
jammer. In radio jammer, purpose is to exert influence
over enemy radio receivers via jamming systems and thus
weaken or totally destroy the communication ability of the
enemy.
Land mobile VHF/UHF radio jammer systems gener-
ally have two types: vehicular or portable. These systems
must be placed on terrain areas where they can have
maximum impact on enemy radio systems during battle.
Therefore, at the planning phase, it is very important to
perform the jamming activities after identifying the most
effective areas taking into account the technical and
tactical capabilities of the systems (Naval Air Systems
Command United States Navy 1997; Journal of Electron-
ic Defense 2003; Kennedy and Davis 1992; Neri 1991;
Adamy 2003, 2004).
Facility location problems, which have a wide area of
application in the literature, study where a source or
cluster of facility should be placed physically, in a way
to minimize the necessary cost to meet some demands or
requests of client clusters under specific criteria. These
problems address studies on how to decide on the best
configuration for one or more facilities that will be
established. In this scope, some applicable methods and
models have been suggested by scientists (Hale and
Moberg 2003; Owen and Daskin 1998; Revelle and Eiselt
2004; Current et al. 2002; Daskin 1995; O. Karasakal and
E. Karasakal 2004; Gleason 1975; Araz et al. 2007;
Sugihara and Ito 2006; Shavandi and Mahlooji 2006).
112
Basic location models are as follows:
(a) Covering Model,
1. Cluster Covering Model,
2. Maximum Covering Model,
(b) P-Centre Model,
(c) P-Diffusion Model,
(d) P-Median Model.
In the problem analyzed under the scope of the study,
there are candidate location points identified for placing a
certain number of jamming systems aiming to intercept the
target radio systems the tactical placements and some
technical properties of which are known. The purpose is
to select the points that can have an impact on the
maximum number of targets among candidate points
identified for jamming systems. In this sense, the problem
is addressed as a maximum covering problem, which is
included under the scope of facility location problems.
In the study, a deployment model is suggested for the
purpose of performing single (point jamming) or sequential
frequency jamming on the VHF/UHF frequency band, for
ground-based radio jammer systems operating as per princi-
ples of line-of-sight (LOS) warfare accepting a fixed antenna
beam width. A decision support system (DSS) based on the
suggested model has been created so as to enable us to present
to the users various alternatives related to deployment for
different values of program parameters and to address
different scenario conditions (Bhargava and Power 2001).
2 Creating the mathematical model
In the problem studied within the scope of this paper, there
are candidate deployment points identified in order to place
a certain number of jamming systems aiming to exert
influence over target radio systems (demand) and those
radios whose tactical deployment and some technical
characteristics are known. The purpose is to select the
points, which have the potential to take under control the
maximum number of targets for jamming systems among
existing candidate points. In the problem, the covering
criteria taken into consideration are: firstly, availability of a
direct line of sight to the targets from the candidate point,
and secondly that the targets are included within the
antenna beam width of the jamming system, and thirdly,
that the signal power required as per jamming signal rate
calculations can be generated by the jamming system.
2.1 Candidate points
In the problem, identification of candidate points is left
entirely to the user. While determining candidate points, the
Inf Syst Front (2008) 10:111–124
jamming system location principles should be taken into
consideration, and care should be taken to ensure that the
selected points are in secure areas and in conformity with
the other plans of the operation. The user should ensure that
the selected candidate point is in an accessible zone, taking
into account the portability features of the system that will
be deployed. Due to the general structure of covering
problems, it should be endeavoured to ensure that the
number of candidate points is more than the number of
demand points, so as to provide the best solution. It is also
necessary is that the number of candidate points should be
higher than the number of jamming systems that will be
deployed.
In the suggested DSS, the user can mark candidate
points on a digital map.
2.2 Demand (target) points
In the problem, the user determines the locations of target
receivers that constitute the demand points. During battle, it
is very difficult to identify the point coordinates of the
targets. However, with today’s advanced communication
tools (locator systems, unmanned aerial vehicles etc.) it is
possible to acquire location information that is very close to
the truth. For targets the exact location of which is not
known, the user can mark more than one position provided
that he uses the same technical parameters.
2.3 The number of systems that will be deployed
The number of systems to be deployed is one of the
determinant elements in the model. In the suggested DSS,
the number of systems to be deployed is a parameter
entered by the user. After entering the available number of
systems, the covering rates for the current status can be
observed, and also, the user can monitor the changes in
covering rates by getting new solutions after making
changes in the number of systems. For example, solutions
are acquired by increasing the system number until 100%
coverage is achieved; and changes both in the number of
systems and in the covering rate can be monitored.
2.4 Target priorities and weights
According to military technical manuals, there are three
priority degrees for targets in the radio jammer target lists.
These are the first, the second and the third degree priority
targets. Determining the priorities is entirely under the
responsibility of the user. After determining the targets that
are desired to be jammed in accordance with the existing
operational situation, the user must give a priority value
(degree) to each target in consideration of their effects on the
operation. In the maximum covering model, it becomes
Inf Syst Front (2008) 10:111–124 113

necessary to give weight scores for target points in accordance
with the identified priorities, in terms of selectivity among
covered targets. In the study, the weighing of the priorities was
found in accordance with the results of many tests carried out
to obtain the values that may be sufficient to make a
preference between priority degrees. In the established
scenario conditions, the model was tested numerous times,
with weight scores in different values from 10 to 100, based
on the importance of each priority degree starting from equal
weights.
After the examinations carried out, the weight scores that
can be selected to ensure ability to make a preference
between target priorities in the model are given in Table 1.
When the user does not want to determine a priority
degree between targets, it is sufficient to give an equal
weight score for each priority. For example, weight score 1
can be given for each priority degree. In that case, the
model tries to identify the system candidate points that will
cover the maximum target, without making any preference
between target priorities.
In the DSS, the user is given the opportunity to give
different weight scores to target priorities.
2.5 Covering criteria
In the formulation of the model, two criteria were taken into
consideration: direct LOS within the given antenna beam
width, and the signal power capacity. The first criterion
describes the LOS status of the jamming system within
antenna beam width between the candidate point and the
targets. This criterion is provided via Geographical Infor-
mation System (GIS) interface program that is created using
the C++ programming language. With a code written in this
program, an area of 360 degrees from each candidate point
are scanned in the antenna beam width given with one
degree intervals; and the target points seen, g, are listed as a
data matrix. The rows of this matrix consist of the
alternative angles of candidate points in the antenna beam
width, whereas the columns consist of the target points. In
the matrix, the value 1 is related to points, which have a
direct line of sight; and 0 is used where there is no direct
LOS. In Table 2, under the condition where there are
8 candidate points and 10 targets, a g data matrix reflecting
the alternative LOS from candidate points to target points
for an antenna beam width of 120 degrees is given as an
example.
In Table 2, for example in candidate points 1, 2, 4, 5, 7,
the angles are not specified since there is no LOS and the
matrix values are zero; it is also seen that at the 3rd the 6th
candidate points, there is only one angle range for line of
sight; and at the 8th candidate point, there are 5 alternative
angle ranges.
The second covering criterion is to determine whether
the signal power requirement is in line with the system
capacity. In order to do this, the system output power
necessary for the jamming system to exert influence over
the target is calculated; if the calculated signal power is
within the range of power that can be generated by the
jamming system, it is assumed that it is covered as target
signal power.
The signal power and antenna gain parameters of the
enemy transmitter are obtained from technical intelligence
information related to the enemy. In the DSS, the user is
asked to enter the values for these parameters separately for
each target. The VHF/UHF radio systems used in the tactical
field generally have a signal output power of 30–50 W.
The antenna gain of the jamming system is assumed as
the average antenna gain written in the technical manual of
the jamming system being used. It is assumed that the user
knows this value. The distance between the jamming
system and the target is calculated automatically by
marking the locations of candidate points and targets on
the digital map via the GIS interface program, and then
transferred to the DSS as data.
The distance between the enemy transmitter and the
target receiver is an input, which must be entered by the
Table 2 Example for a LOS data matrix
Candidate Angle ranges H1 H2 H3 H4 H5 H6 H7 H8 H9 H10

1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Table 1 Weight scores of target priorities 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
3 213°–333° 0 0 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0
Target priority degree
4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
1 2 3 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
6 0°–120° 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Weight score 5 3 1 7 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
8 5 2 8 0°–120° 1 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0
10 7 3 8 87°–207° 0 0 0 1 0 1 0 1 0 0
50 30 10 8 88°–208° 0 0 0 1 1 0 1 0 0 0
60 40 20 8 327°–447° 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0
90 60 30 8 328°–448° 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1
114
user. The user can use the exact value if he has exact
information on this distance; for other cases, he can use
other values, which he will designate according to the worst
scenario. If the distance is short, the jamming system will
have to broadcast with a higher output power; therefore,
short distance values can be used for values that are not
known for certain (e.g. 1–2 km etc.).
Another input that must be entered in the DSS is the
signal output power of the jamming system. The user, in
accordance with the capacity of the jamming system that
will be deployed, enters this value.
In accordance with the values of the above-mentioned
inputs, the signal power requirement from each candidate
point to the target point is calculated, and the calculated
values are compared to the jamming system capacity. A
signal power covering matrix c is made where points within
the jamming system power are given the value 1, and where
0 is given for other conditions. In this matrix, rows indicate
candidate points and the columns indicate target points.
The condition necessary for a candidate point to cover
the target is the condition where the relevant value of both
data matrixes (g and c) as explained above is one (Eq. 1). In
other words, the candidate point must be in LOS with the
target in the given antenna beam width, and the required
signal power must be achievable by the system.
2.6 Assumptions related to the suggested model
The assumptions related to the suggested mathematical
model are as follows:
& It is accepted that the candidate deployment points
identified for the jamming systems and the coordinates
of the target radios are known and that the target radios
are in a fixed position on the field.
& Target radio systems and jamming systems operate on
the VHF/UHF frequency band, in accordance with the
LOS principle; free space form is accepted in signal
transmission. The transmission environment losses are
not taken into consideration.
& Jamming systems for which locations have been
determined use directed antennas. The suggested model
addresses the situation where the jamming system jams
a single frequency (point jamming) or sequential
frequency on a specific horizontal antenna beam width.
According to this, the antenna beam width is accepted
as a fixed angle despite the changing frequency values.
For angle, the value included in the technical manual of
the jamming system is taken.
& The antenna gain value of the jamming system is
accepted as the average value included in the technical
manual, and it is assumed that the gain is fixed within
the antenna beam width.
Inf Syst Front (2008) 10:111–124
& The antenna heights of the jamming system and the
target radio are not included when analyzing the LOS
from candidate points to targets. The LOS analysis is
carried out between topographical land points.
& The mathematical model has been developed for jamming
systems, which have the same technical characteristics
(antenna gain, beam width, signal power etc.); it is not
suitable for simultaneous deployment of jamming systems
that have different technical specifications.
& After performing the jamming activity, the jamming
systems must be relocated to protect them against
detection or destruction by the enemy. To this end,
back-up positions must be chosen. In the suggested
model, the number and positions of the target radios is
accepted as fixed; and the back-up locations are
determined by rerunning the model according to the
remaining candidate points after eliminating the candi-
date points selected in the first deployment.
& Systems that use different ranges of the electromagnetic
spectrum such as the non-communicational EA systems
(radar, electro-optics etc) included in EA systems were
not included in the scope of the study.
& The DSS presented is a real application of Defence
Systems. It is decided based upon on expert opinion that if
the loss is smaller than 10 dB, there exists a LOS of [0.32–
1]; otherwise there doesn’t exist a LOS of [0–0.32).
2.7 Formulation of the suggested model
In the light of the identifications given above, the jamming
system location problem is modelled based on the maximum
covering model. The inputs used in the model are as follows:
I Demand (target) points (i=1,2,...,m),
j candidate system points (j=1,2,...,n),
a Jamming system antenna beam width (degree),
k LOS alternatives for each candidate point j according
to the given antenna beam width (k=1,...,K),
S number of jamming systems to be deployed,
wi the weight score given as per the priority degree of
the target i,
dji distance from candidate point j to target point i (km),
dti distance of enemy transmitter broadcasting to target i
(km),
Gj jamming system antenna gain (not dB),
Gti antenna gain of the transmitter broadcasting to target i
(not dB),
Pti output power of the enemy transmitter broadcasting to
target i (watt),
Pji minimum device output power required to jam target i
from candidate point j (watt),
J/ jamming signal rate desired to be applied to target I,
Si
Inf Syst Front (2008) 10:111–124 115

Fig. 1 Digital map application

interface program

J/ (Pji ×Gj ×d2ti )/(Pti ×Gti ×d2ji ), Data matrixes:

Si
& c=[ ]nxm, is the signal power covering status data
Pji (J/Si ×Pti ×Gti ×d2ji )/(Gj ×d2ti ),
matrix. The members of this matrix consist of 0–1s as
Ps signal output power capacity of jamming system
defined below:
(watt), 
1; if Pji  Ps
Decision variables: cji ¼
0; otherwise:
8
<1; if the system is located at kth alternatives antenna & g ¼ ½ nðkÞ x m , LOS condition data matrix, (k=1,...,K),
xj k ¼ beam width of jth candidate points: K: is a different number for each j. The members of this
:
0; otherwise:: matrix are defined as follows:

 8
1; if target points i is covered <1; if LOS exists at ith target pointsof kth alternatives
zi ¼ gkji ¼ of jth the candidate points:
0; otherwise: :
0; otherwise:

Fig. 2 LINGO solver status

menu and solution alert
116 Inf Syst Front (2008) 10:111–124

Fig. 3 Application scenario

digital map status

the g matrix is demonstrated in open form as follows: The formulation of the suggested mathematical model in
accordance with the inputs defined above is as follows:

X
m
Max wi zi ð1Þ
i¼1

Constraints:
X
n X
K
gjki cji xjk  zi for 8i; K : for 8j ð2Þ
j¼1 k¼1

X
K
xjk  1 for 8j; k ¼ 1; 2; . . . :; K ð3Þ
k¼1

n X
X K
xjk ¼ S K : for 8j ð4Þ
j¼1 k¼1

Table 3 Number of LOS alternatives of scenario candidate points

Candidate LOS Candidate LOS Candidate LOS xjk 2 f0; 1g zi 2 f0; 1g ð5Þ
point alternatives point alternatives point alternatives
(K) K) (K) In this model, the purpose function 1 is to try to
maximize the number of targets covered, according to the
1 6 10 13 19 17
2 4 11 1 20 8
Table 4 Equally weighted solution table of the scenario
3 11 12 10 21 10
4 1 13 3 22 13 Jamming system Total targets Coverage Selected
5 9 14 3 23 5 number covered rate (%) candidate points
6 11 15 9 24 1
7 1 16 5 25 3 1 9 47 19
8 7 17 14 26 7 2 16 84 17, 19
9 5 18 7 3 18 95 8, 17, 19
Total 184 4 19 100 3, 8, 17, 19
Inf Syst Front (2008) 10:111–124 117

100
3.1 Operating the DSS program
Coverage Rate

80
60 The main program where the DSS runs is named “Karsis.
40 xls”. On the introduction sheet, there is a program user’s
20 guide, together with entry and exit buttons. When the user’s
0 guide button is clicked, the program menus and short cuts
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 are displayed together with a sheet including detailed
System Number information. When the enter button is clicked, the main
Fig. 4 Coverage rate change in equally weighted solution menu of the program will be displayed. The exit button
must be clicked in order to exit the program.
weights determined in consideration of the priority degrees.
Criterion 2 ensures covering. According to this, if at least 3.2 Program menus and functions
one system candidate point is selected which can cover in
terms of signal power and which can ensure LOS in the kth When the program is run, the main menu is displayed on the
alternative of any candidate point j for any target point i, it screen. The displayed menu asks the user to enter the number
is assumed that target i is covered. Criterion 3 ensures that of candidate points and target points. The numbers can be
only one of the K angle range alternatives of each candidate entered directly in the cells or via the buttons displayed on
point is selected, thereby ensuring that maximum one the side. An important point that needs attention is that the
jamming system is placed on the candidate point. Criterion numbers entered here must be the same as the number of
4 indicates the total number of jamming systems that will points that will be marked on the digital map. Additionally,
be deployed. Criterion 5 is dual decision variables. the main menu features the following buttons:
& Digital Map,
& Load Digital Map Information,
3 Creating the DSS
& Enter System Information,
& Enter Target Information,
The DSS related to the problem was prepared on Microsoft-
& Create Solution,
Excel with Visual Basic applications. Interaction with the
& Exit Program
user takes place in the Excel environment. Excel also works
as a database where parameter values entered by the user
are stored and processed. Calculations related to model
parameters and the procedures to generate the data matrixes
that will be used in the model are performed on Excel.
Another database element is the digital map, which houses
Table 5 Targets covered by candidate points in equally weighted
the information on positions of the candidate and target solution
points. The digital map is used for candidate point–target
point distance calculations and for LOS analysis as per the Jamming system Selected candidate Angle Covered
given beam width. Via the GIS interface program created number points ranges targets
using the C++ programming language, an interaction 1 19 130°–250° 1, 2, 5, 6, 7,
between the user and the digital map environment, and 9, 11, 12, 16
the transfer of the digital map data to the Excel file is 2 17 102°–222° 4, 8, 10, 14,
ensured. 17, 18, 19
In the GIS interface program created to acquire the 19 130°–250° 1, 2, 5, 6, 7,
digital map data, in order to obtain the data matrixes for 9, 11, 12, 16
3 8 164°–284° 13, 15, 16
model-related candidate-target point distance and LOS
17 102°–222° 4, 8, 10, 14,
analysis, an artificial map in bitmap format, where 17, 18, 19
horizontal position (coordinate) and height data are stored, 19 130°–250° 1, 2, 5, 6, 7,
is used. 9, 11, 12, 16
As model solver, the LINGO-8 package program was 4 3 56°–176° 1, 2, 3
used. Via the program code written under the scope of 8 164°–284° 13, 15, 16
Microsoft-Excel Visual Basic Applications, the model 17 102°–222° 4, 8, 10, 14,
solution is ensured by interacting with the LINGO- 17, 18, 19
19 130°–250° 1, 2, 5, 6, 7,
8 program in the Excel environment, and the solution
9, 11, 12, 16
results can also be displayed in Excel.
118 Inf Syst Front (2008) 10:111–124

Fig. 5 Full coverage status map

display for equally weighted
solution

3.2.1 Digital map sub-menu
When the “Digital Map” button is clicked on the main
menu, the digital map interface program “VisAn.exe” will
open automatically. The program has two viewing sheets:
“Map” and “Results”. A viewing from the interface
program is given in Fig. 1.
The shortcut buttons used in the digital map interface are
described below:
& Load Map: Provides access to the bitmap-format map
that will be used.
& Candidate Button: Used to mark the candidate points on
the selected map. In order to mark the candidate point,
first this button is clicked, and then the cursor is moved
onto desired coordinates and double-clicked with the
mouse. Meanwhile, the coordinate and elevation infor-
mation and number of the marked candidate point are
displayed on the left-hand bottom corner of the screen.
& Target Button: Used to mark the target points on the
selected map. In order to mark the target point, the cursor
is moved on the desired coordination and then double-
clicked with the mouse, as in the candidate button.
& Clear objects button: When clicked on this button, all
markings made on the displayed map are erased.
& Save Objects Button: This button enables saving of the
markings made on the map, for future reference.
& Load Objects Button: This button is used to load the
map and markings previously saved with the “Save
Objects” button.
& Angle Range Option: The user can enter the antenna
horizontal beam width (angle) of the jamming system,
using the control arrows in this section.
Table 7 Targets covered by back-up positions in equally weighted
status
Jamming system Back-up Angle ranges Covered targets
number position

1 10 101°–221° 1, 2, 4, 5, 8, 10, 17
Table 6 Back-up positions in equally weighted status
2 10 101°–221° 1, 2, 4, 5, 8, 10, 17
Jamming Total targets Covering Selected candidate points 15 160°–280° 3, 6, 7, 13, 16
system covered rate (%) (back-up position) 3 6 130°–250° 2, 7, 9, 11, 12, 13
number 10 88°–208° 1, 4, 5, 8, 10, 17
15 148°–268° 3, 6, 7, 16
1 7 37 10 4 6 194°–314° 9, 11, 12, 13
2 12 63 10, 15 10 101°–221° 1, 2, 4, 5, 8, 10, 17
3 15 79 6, 10, 15 15 160°–280° 3, 6, 7, 13, 16
4 17 89 6, 10, 15, 23 23 72°–192° 14, 18
Inf Syst Front (2008) 10:111–124 119

Fig. 6 Map display of original

and back-up positions in equally
weighted solution

& Create Results Button: This button is used to create the
distance and LOS analysis data matrixes of the
mathematical model after completing the candidate
point-target point markings on the map. When only
this button is clicked on, the data in question arc listed
on the second sheet of the interface (Results). After
completion of applications related to digital map, the
user is returned to the main menu in Excel.
3.2.2 Load digital map information button
This button is clicked after making the relevant markings on
the digital map and saving the data file in Excel format. When
clicked on this button, an “open file” dialogue box appears.
Here, the user should find the Excel file where he saved the
digital map data, and click on the “Open” button. As the file
opens, the digital map data are automatically transferred to
Karsis.xls, and the user is returned to the main menu.
be deployed, the signal output power of the system used,
the system antenna gain and the antenna beam width. After
making the relevant entries, the user can access the main
menu by clicking on the “Click to Continue” button.
3.2.4 Enter target information button
On the target information sheet, the following data related
to the target radio system used by the user in the
mathematical model can be entered:
& Operation frequency,
& Target priority (1–2–3),
& Distance of enemy transmitter to target receiver −dt (km.),
& Signal power of enemy transmitter Pt (watt),
Table 9 Targets covered by candidate points in weighted solution
Jamming system Selected Angle Covered targets
number candidate points ranges

3.2.3 Enter system information button 1 19 130°–250° 1, 2, 5, 6, 7,

9, 11, 12, 16
When this button is clicked on, the sheet on which the 2 17 102°–222° 4, 8, 10, 14,
17, 18, 19
information related to the jamming system is to be entered
19 130°–250° 1, 2, 5, 6, 7,
is displayed. On the page that is displayed on the screen, 9, 11, 12, 16
the user can enter the number of jamming systems that will 3 17 102°–222° 4, 8, 10, 14,
17, 18, 19
19 130°–250° 1, 2, 5, 6, 7,
Table 8 Weighted solution table for the scenario
9, 11, 12, 16
Jamming system Total targets Covering Selected 20 78°–198° 2, 3, 13
number covered rate (%) candidate points 4 4 13°–133° 3
8 164°–284° 13, 15, 16
1 9 47 19 17 102°–222° 4, 8, 10, 14,
2 16 84 17, 19 17, 18, 19
3 18 95 17, 19, 20 19 130°–250° 1, 2, 5, 6, 7,
4 19 100 4, 8, 17, 19 9, 11, 12, 16
120 Inf Syst Front (2008) 10:111–124

Fig. 7 Weighted solution full

coverage status map display

& Antenna gain of enemy transmitter −Gt (dB), covered and the coverage rate, and the covering rates of the
& The jamming signal rate desired on target receiver (J/S), targets as per their priority degrees on this sheet.
On the report sheet, the candidate points selected for
jamming system deployment and the targets covered in the
There is also a weighing section for priority degrees on optimal angle range as per the antenna beam width are
this sheet. In this section, the user can enter the weight given in numerical order. And the minimum signal power
scores recommended for three priority degrees. After required to intercept the relevant target from the selected
entering the required data on this page, the user is returned candidate point is given in the cell under each target.
to the main menu. In addition, the targets that could not be covered are also
indicated on this sheet. On the report sheet, there is a “main
3.2.5 Create solution button menu” button which allows the user to access the main
menu for a new solution, a “system information” button to
After completing the digital map procedures and entering access system information sheet in case the user wants to
the target and system information, this button is clicked on increase the number of systems in order to improve the
to solve the mathematical model generated with regard to solution, and a “target information” button for access to
the problem. Due to the written code, the LINGO-8 package “target information” sheet if the user wants to make
program automatically starts to run after clicking on this changes in target information.
button, and its own solver menu (solver status) will be
displayed on the Excel sheet.
LINGO solver status menu and the “solution found” Table 11 Weighted status, targets covered by back up positions
alert are shown in Fig. 2.
Jamming system Selected candidate Angle Covered
number points ranges targets
Solution Sheet and Covering Status Report After the
solution is found, the results obtained in the Solution 1 10 101°–221° 1, 2, 4, 5,
(Report) sheet are reported. It is possible to monitor the 8, 10, 17
number of deployed systems, the total number of targets 2 10 101°–221° 1, 2, 4, 5,
8, 10, 17
15 160°–280° 3, 6, 7, 13, 16
3 6 181°–301° 7, 9, 11, 12, 13
Table 10 Back-up positions selected in weighted status
10 101°–221° 1, 2, 4, 5, 8,
Jamming system Total targets Covering Selected 10, 17
number covered rate (%) candidate points 15 160°–280° 3, 6, 7, 13, 16
4 6 194°–314° 9, 11, 12, 13
1 7 37 10 10 101°–221° 1, 2, 4, 5, 8,
2 12 63 10, 15 10, 17
3 15 79 6, 10, 15 15 160°–280° 3, 6, 7, 13, 16
4 17 89 6, 10, 15, 23 23 72°–192° 14,18
Inf Syst Front (2008) 10:111–124 121

Fig. 8 Weighted solution origi-

nal and back-up position map
display

Exit Program Button When the exit program button includ- As can be seen in Table 4, as the numbers of systems
ed in the main menu is clicked, the program automatically increase, the rate of coverage also increases, after full
saves the current transactions and shuts itself down. coverage is achieved at a specific value, increasing the
number of systems does not have any effect. This situation
is shown with a graphic in Fig. 4.
4 Empirical study and assessment of the results The angle ranges of the candidate points selected in
equally weighted solution, and the targets they cover are
In the application section of the study, a scenario including given in Table 5.
26 candidate points and 19 targets was created. This In the equally weighted solution, it is seen that 4
scenario was examined as equal-weighted and weighted. jamming systems are required in order to achieve full
The input values used in the scenario are given below: coverage. The target distribution by system candidate
points where 100% coverage is achieved is given in
Gj 1 dB
Fig. 5.
Gt 1 dB
Pti 50 W, ∀i
4.1.1 Determining back-up position in equally weighted
J/Si 1 ∀i
status
Ps 500 W
dti 2 km ∀i
As explained in the model assumptions, in order to
dji distance matrix
determine back-up positions for jamming systems, the
a 120 degrees
model was re-run to select the configuration which would
g LOS analysis data matrix
enable the best coverage among remaining candidate points
after the first deployment of the systems, provided that the
The created DSS was run; Fig. 3 shows how the scenario number of targets remains the same. The solutions obtained
where the entered candidate and target points are marked is are given in Table 6, whereas the angle ranges of the
displayed on the digital map. selected back-up positions and the targets they cover are
When the digital map data of the scenario were examined, given in Table 7.
it was seen that the candidate points had LOS alternatives in When the coverage rates of Table 4 and Table 6 are
numbers shown in Table 3. Although the determined examined, it is seen that back-up position solutions with the
number of candidate points was 26, the model chooses same number of systems do not provide as much coverage
from among LOS statuses at 184 alternative angle ranges, as the original positions. Since the purpose behind selecting
as it evaluates the LOS alternative of each candidate point. back-up positions is, first, of all to change position and then
to exert influence on as many targets as possible in the new
4.1 Equally weighted solution position, it is natural that the obtained solution does not
have 100% coverage.
Table 4 shows the solutions obtained by selecting equal Figure 6 shows the map display of the back-up positions
weight scores for target priority degrees in the generated suggested for deploying 4 jamming systems in equally
DSS. weighted status. In the figure, the original positions are
122 Inf Syst Front (2008) 10:111–124

Table 12 Equally weighted and weighted solutions

Jamming system number Selected points Angle ranges Covered targets Total targets covered Not be covered targets

Equally weighted
Original positions
1 19 130°–250° 1,2,5,6,7,9,11,12,16 9 3,4,8,10,13,14,15,17 18,19
2 17 102°–222° 4,8,10,14,17,18,19 16 3,13,15
19 130°–250° 1,2,5,6,7,9,11,12,16
3 8 164°–284° 13,15,16 18 3
17 102°–222° 4,8,10,14,17,18,19
19 130°–250° 1,2,5,6,7,9,11,12,16
4 3 56°–176° 1,2,3 19 0
8 164°–284° 13,15,16
17 102°–222° 4,8,10,14,17,18,19
19 130°–250° 1,2,5,6,7,9,11,12,16
Back-up
1 10 101°–221° 1,2,4,5,8,10,17 7 3,6,7,9,11,12,13,14,15,16,18,19
2 10 101°–221° 1,2,4,5,8,10,17 12 9,11,12,14,15,18,19
15 160°–280° 3,6,7,13,16
3 6 130°–250° 2,7,9,11,12,13 15 14,15,18,19
10 88°–208° 1,4,5,8,10,17
15 148°–268° 3,6,7,16
4 6 194°–314° 9,11,12,13 17 15,19
10 101°–221° 1,2,4,5,8,10,17
15 160°–280° 3,6,7,13,16
23 72°–192° 14,18
Weighted
Original positions
1 19 130°–250° 1,2,5,6,7,9,11,12,16 9 3,4,8,10,13,14,15,17, 18,19
2 17 102°–222° 4, 8, 10, 14, 17, 18, 19 16 3, 13, 15
19 130°–250° 1,2,5,6,7,9,11,12,16
3 17 102°–222° 4,8,10,14,17,18,19 18 15
19 130°–250° 1,2,5,6,7,9,11,12,16
20 78°–198° 2,3,13
4 4 13°–133° 3 19 0
8 164°–284° 13,15,16
17 102°–222° 4,8,10,14,17,18,19
19 130°–250° 1,2,5,6,7,9,11,12,16
Back-up
1 10 101°–221° 1,2,4,5,8,10,17 7 3,6,7,9,11,12,13,14,15,16,18,19
2 10 101°–221° 1,2,4,5,8,10,17 12 9,11,12,14,15,18,19
15 160°–280° 3,6,7,13,16
3 6 181°–301° 7,9,11,12,13 15 14,15,18,19
10 101°–221° 1,2,4,5,8,10,17
15 160°–280° 3,6,7,13,16
4 6 194°–314° 9,11,12,13 17 15,19
10 101°–221° 1,2,4,5,8,10,17
15 160°–280° 3,6,7,13,16
23 72°–192° 14,18

shown with circles, and 2 targets that could not be covered
from back-up positions are indicated with squares.
4.2 Weighted solution
For the weighted solution, the first eight of the 19 targets in
the scenario were given first-degree priority, the subsequent
6 targets were given second-degree priority, and the remain-
ing 5 targets were given third degree priority. In the weighted
solution, the values 90–60–30 given in Table 3 were used as
the weight score of the priority degrees. Table 8 shows the
solutions obtained as per different jamming system numb-
ers in the weighted status; Table 9 shows the angle ranges
of selected candidate points and the targets they cover.
Inf Syst Front (2008) 10:111–124
Table 13 Number of covered targets as per priority degrees
Jamming system number Total covered
EA
1st priority target
1 5
2 7
3 7
4 8
Total 8 When Table 12 is examined in terms of back-up
2nd priority target
1 3
2 5
3 6
4 6
Total 6 same, although they cover the same targets at different
3rd priority target
1 1
2 4
3 5
4 5
Total 5
Weighted solution also requires four jamming systems
for full coverage according to the determined priority
degrees. Figure 7 shows the candidate points selected in
100% coverage status, and the targets they cover.
4.2.1 Determining back-up position in weighted status
The back-up position solutions obtained for weighted status
are given in Table 10; the targets covered by selected back-
up positions are given in Table 11.
As in equally weighted status, back-up positions also fail
to achieve as much coverage as original positions in
weighted status. Figure 8 gives the map display of original
(in circle) and back-up positions obtained in 4 jamming
system deployment conditions for weighted status.
4.3 Evaluation of results
The scenario solutions in equally weighted and weighted
status are given in Table 12.
When Table 12 is examined, it is seen that there are no
differences in terms of selected candidate points, angle
ranges, covered targets and their numbers, in equally
weighted and weighted status for 1 and 2 jamming systems.
In cases where 3 jamming systems are tried to be deployed,
when the equally weighted and weighted statuses are
examined, it is found that 18 targets are covered in both
statuses, and that target no.3 in equally weighted status and
target no.15 in weighted status are not covered. This is
because the first priority value (90) is given to target no.3 in
123
weighted status. Since targets are given priority values, the
selected jamming system points show differences.
When we examine Table 12 for 4 jamming systems, it is
A observed that 100% coverage is achieved for the same
scenario in equally weighted and weighted scenario, and
5 that the total number of covered targets is the same. The
7 only difference is in the selected candidate points. Howev-
8 er, since the aim is to achieve 100% coverage, this
8 difference does not mean anything.
position, it is seen that there are no differences in terms of
3
candidate points, angle ranges, covered targets and their
5
6
numbers selected for 1, 2 and 4 jamming systems. For 3
6 jamming systems, the selected candidate points are the
angle ranges.
1 Table 13 gives the covered target numbers in equally
4 weighted and weighted conditions as per priority statutes.
4 When Table 13 is examined, it is seen that in cases
5
where the jamming system number is 1, 2 and 4, the total
number of covered targets is the same in equally weighted
and weighted solutions. In cases where the jamming system
number is 3, it is seen that out of the first 8 targets
identified with fist degree priority, 7 are covered in equally
weighted solution and 8 are covered in weighted solution;
and out of the 6 targets identified with second degree
priority, all are covered in both cases; out of 5 targets
identified with third degree priority, 5 are covered in
equally weighted solution and 4 are covered in weighted
solution. This table emphasizes the importance of the
weighting procedure.
5 Conclusion
Currently, two methods are used for terrain deployment of
VHF/UHF radio jammer systems in military exercises or
engagements. The first method is deployment based on
field reconnaissance; and the second is deployment based
on digital map. In some cases, a combination of these
methods is also used.
In deployments based on field reconnaissance, the terrain
is studied on-site by EW agents, the availability of LOS to
the targets is determined visually, and the deployment
points are selected. In deployments based on digital map,
the possible LOS to targets can be examined on computer
environment. In digital map scrutiny, there may be
challenges in combining the LOS of more than one
deployment points and seeing the whole picture (such as
whether the invisible target exists or not, or which targets
are seen as common targets). In both cases, it cannot be
determined whether influence can or cannot be exerted over
the targets with LOS in terms of signal power.
124
In the current study, when the digital map based
deployment method used for deployment of radio jammer
systems is compared to the suggested DSS, it is seen that in
both systems the LOS is determined on the digital map;
additionally, in the suggested system, LOS alternatives at
different angle ranges (antenna beam width) of candidate
points are demonstrated from among a higher number of
candidate points, and, the required signal power from
candidate points to targets is calculated. Of all these LOS
alternatives, those that exert the influence on the highest
number of targets are selected. Finally, it appears to be
more advantageous since optimal result is achieved in a
short time with the mathematical model used in the
suggested system.
In future research, this study could be extended in order
to reduce the computational burden. New algorithms may
be developed for the pre-process of the sparse matrix and
the results may be compared with suggested system.
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Cevriye Gencer received the B. Eng. degree in industrial engineering
from the University of Gazi, Ankara, TR, in 1987, and the M.S., Ph.D.
degree from the same university, in 1989, in 1993. She is a Professor
in industrial engineering at Gazi University. Her research interests
include location problem, decision support systems, integer program-
ming, project management, data mining, knowledge-based systems,
computational intelligence, rule-based classification.
Emel Kizilkaya Aydogan received the B. Eng. degree with honors in
industrial engineering from the University of Erciyes, Kayseri, TR, in
2001, and the M.S. degree in industrial engineering from Gazi
University, Ankara, TR, in 2003. She is currently pursuing the Ph.D.
degree in industrial engineering at Gazi University. She is Research
Assistant in Gazi University. Her research interests include loaction
problem, decision support systems, data mining, knowledge-based
systems, computational intelligence, rule-based classification.
Coskun Celik received the B.S. degree from the University of Turkish
Military Akademy, Ankara, TR, and the M.S. degree in defense
sciences institute at the same university. His research interests include
location problem, decision support systems.