THE PR4G VHF ECCM SYSTEM:
EXTENSIVE TACTICAL COMMUNICATIONS FOR THE
BATTLEFIELD
PASCAL LAGARDE
French Ministry of Defence, DClCgation GCnCrale pour l'Armement, Direction des Armements Terrestres
Fort dIssy, 18 rue du Docteur Zamenhof, 92131 Issy Les Moulineaux cedex, FRANCE
SYLVIE GHEZ DI PASQUALE
THOMSON-CSF/RGS
BP 156,66 rue du FossC-Blanc, 92231 Gennevilliers cedex, FRANCE
A B S T R A C T PR4G1 is a new complete system of
ECCM2 VHF tactical radiocommunications. It has been
developed in France according to the requirements of the
French Army. Its characteristics, including enhancements
and integration into the French C31 systems, are presented.
The program and program management methodology are
described. Program management has used such techniques as
functional and value analysis, total quality, integrated
logistics support and design to cost. A pre-planned
enhancement program is under way, including new services
like Time Division Multiple Access, Packet Access Service
and low data rate vocoders.
I. INTRODUCTION
The PR4G program includes the development and
production of four types of radios (vehicular, manpack,
airborne and handheld) and a whole set of peripherals (fill
guns, tactical data terminals, frequency and key management
unit,...). This new family of equipments is intended to
replace all the older fixed-frequency VHF equipments fielded
in the French forces.
The first studies that would ultimately lead to the
development of the PR4G system began at the end of the
seventies. Some were to review the new emerging ECCM
techniques like frequency hopping, others were more
technology-oriented, examining such fields as agile filters,
quartz oscillators or microprocessors. After a competitive
technology demonstration process (1980 to 1985), the
development contract of the system was awarded to
THOMSON in 1986. Some parts of the system are still
under development, like the handheld transceiver, but the
production phase has already begun with the fielding of the
first manpack and vehicular transceivers at the end of 1991.
Some improvements to the basic CNR sytem are under
study or development. They are intended to lead to a new
version of the PR4G family that could be fielded in 1996.
These enhancements include new radio integrated data
protocols, a new technology and new user services.
PR4G is currently fielded in the French Army, and
will be procured by the French Navy, Air Force and
Gendarmerie too. At the end of 1992, after an international
Poste Radio de 4bme GCn6ration: 4th generation radio set,
refers to previous generations in French Army service.
Electronic Counter Counter Measures.
28.3.1
0662 0-7803-0585-X/92 $3.00
competition, The Netherlands have selected the PR4G for
their Army.
11. SYSTEM CHARACTERISTICS
The operational requirements for the development
of the PR4G system were the typical requirements for a
tactical VHF CNR with new and unique features:
ECCM protection against jamming, listening-in,
spoofing %d direction finding;
- EMP protection;
- new user services (alerts, selective calling, break
in...);
- full data transfer capability for C31 systems;
- optimum use of frequencies;
- CNR13 and SCRA4access to WAN5;
interoperability with other countries and fixed
frequencies radios;
wide range of users and platforms (including foot
soldiers,-tanks, helicopters, armoured wheeled vehicles,
artillery vehicles, aircrafts, ships...).
These requirements were translated into technical
solutions during the definition phase, when the major
technical options were taken. The PR4G system is built
around a family of four protected and secure VHF tactical
radio transceivers, intended for both voice communication
and data transmission for most C31 and weapon systems
operational within the French forces. The transceiver family
includes four basic versions:
vehicle mounted: 40 W with integrated highly
agile colication selective filters;
- manpack 4W with high endurance (> 24h);
- airborne: 1OW;
handheld: 1W.
All theseversions are interoperable and share the following
characteristics:
- frequency range: 30-88 MHz;
functioning either in rapid frequency hopping ,
free channel search or autoadaptive mode (where the calling
radio selects automatically the frequency hopping or free
channel search according to its knowledge of the radio
environment). Frequency hopping and free channel search are
two interoperable and complementary modes against the
Combat Net Radio Integration.
Single Channel Radio Access.
Wide Area Network.
0 1992 IEEE
threat. PR4G fast frequency hopping is indeed able to
counter direction finders, follower-jammersand narrow-band
jammers; and free channel search is the best response to
broadband ("barrage") jammers.
integrated voice and data encryption up to the
level of Secret;
- integrated modem for data transmission with
FEC6;
- voice transmission 16 kbs-ldelta encoded;
interoperability in analog fixed frequency
(STANAG 4204), hailing (STANAG 4292) and NATO
digital crypto (VINSON KY57/58,except handheld version);
possible use of gateways between two nets of different
ECCM radios;
- user services:
selective call;
break-in (ability to interrupt a
communication);
authentication (ability to check
automatically the status of a correspondant);
link test
BITE^.
The PR4G system also includes a frequency and
key management system, which consists in:
a Frequency and Key Management Unit (FKMU),
which isiccomodated in a tactical shelter, manages all the
nets for a division according to operational data. It allocates
frequencies, TRANSEC* and COMSEC9 keys to the nets,
taking into account all the colocation problems and
optimizing the use of the band. The data generated by the
FKMU is loaded into one fill gun per regiment;
a Frequency and Key Copy Unit (FKCU), which
is used at the regiment level to copy the fill gun coming
from the division into eight other fill guns;
a fill gun used to automatically transfer the net
data to the radios.
The transceivers and frequency and key management
system of the PR4G family are completed by a set of
operating peripherals like:
the tactical data terminal used to send, receive and
store formatted or free-text messages;
the remote control allowing full remote control
of the radios from up to 3km away;
the operating handset with audio and partial
remotingfunctions.
111. PROGRAM MANAGEMENT
The program is run by the DGADAT'O in the
French Ministry Of Defence and the prime contractor is
THOMSON-CSF. Different subcontractors have been
awarded contracts for development and production of sub-
systems.
Since the beginning of the program, special
attention has been dedicated to reduce the life cycle cost of
Forward Error Correction.
Built-In Test Equipment.
TRANSmission SECurity.
COMmunication SECurity.
lo Dtltgation Gtntrale pour 1'Armement / Direction des
h e m e n t s Terrestres.
28.3.2
the system. In order to achieve this, some stringent cost
control procedures have been established, like value analysis
and design to cost. Value analysis is a process of systematic
re-evaluation of the definition of a system, in order to ensure
that it will satisfy the true requirements at the best cost.
This process begins with a functional analysis, where the
system is very precisely described in terms of functions
requirements. Each function is then rated in terms of level of
importance and costed. Then, they
given function is needed, could b
or is too expensive given its
cost was cut by 10%using suc
quite an effective method in radiocommunication programs,
where quantities are very high and technologies close to
civilian ones.
Integrated Logistics Support
developed in order to be able to
definition, reduce overall costs and
availability. A logistics management center is being
developed. This database will be able to manage logistics
data and relationships, users feeback and in-service logistics.
It is based on a central database connected to industrial
databases, users and logistics support organizationsand uses
bar codes.
IV. PR4G IN C31 TACTICAL
These local communications are exchanges
computerized entities less that 30km aw
a TDMA12 protocol, allowing to send short
messagesin a very short time;
messageswith less stringent requiremen
a mixed acknowledged m
As PR4G in ECCM mode is
Command Post.
l2 Time Division Multiple Access.
l3 Reseau Integre de Transmission Automatique: French
tactical WAN, similar to MSE
-_ 0663
connections to the French SYRACUSE I1 satellite and the
NATO MIDS l4 system.
In order to address these new and changing
requirements, PR4G has been designed as an evolutive
system, embodying a growth potential thanks to spare
memory and processor capacity and the existence of a spare
module slot in the vehicular version. A first series of
improvements is already firmly planned to be fielded in the
post 95 period:
rapid TDMA mode for optimised data exchanges
between ground to air artillery subscribers;
- SCRA to the RITA network;
- Packet Access Service, an ALOHA-type access
protocol.;
Packet message switching.
Other enhancements are still under consideration:
- low rate vocoders (800,2400 and 4800 bs-l);
- low rate spread spectrum;
GPS integration.
A technology change of the manpack, vehicular and airbome
versions, based on the new handheld technology, is
envisaged for the post 1997 period. This modification would
reduce the cost, increase the reliability and the evolution
potential of the radios. It will consist in new form, fit and
function compatible modules for the radio sets.
V. PR4G TECHNICAL PRESENTATION
Transmission Modes
Aside from transmissions in analog fixed frequency
which ensure interoperability with other NATO radios and
previous generation radios, the PR4G offers three digital
transmission modes: digital fixed frequency, frequency
hopping (FH), and free channel search (FCS). In FH, the
frequency hops take place in the whole spectrum (30-88
MHz) or in up to 16 programmable sub-bands, with a
maximum hop set of 2320 frequencies. In FCS mode, the
main purpose of which is to provide protection against
broadband jammers, an adaptive frequency search takes place
at each Push-To-Talk (PTT), allowing communications
even when large portions of the spectrum are unusable. The
waveform is the same for these three modes, resulting in a
uniform over-the-air signature.
The FH and FCS modes are completely
interoperable,meaning that a user in either mode can receive
a call from a user in the opposite mode (the transmitter
imposing its mode to the receiver, with a preamble at the
start of the PTT indicating the transmission mode).
Either FH or FCS can be programmed as the
default mode in the initial elements of the network, leaving
the possibility to override this choice manually at any time.
Moreover there exists an autoadaptive mode in which the
radio automatically determines the best mode at each PTT
according to a record of link quality measurements on the
whole portion of the spectrum used. The decision is made as
follows. Any radio which is not transmitting measures the
received power on each frequency dwell and thus keeps a
record of the jammed frequency rate on the last 100
frequencies scanned. If less than 20 % of those were
jammed, then the FH mode is chosen, otherwise FCS is
l4 Multifunctional Information Distribution System
28.3.3
used. However, after a jammed FCS transmission, FH is
chosen for the next five PITS.
The Signalling Channel
The PR4G modulation rate is 24 kb/s, resulting in
an actual over-the-air rate of 18 kb/s. Only 16 kb/s are
available to the user, meaning that one dwell out of nine can
be used for other functions. This allows two auxiliary
channels to be used through time multiplexing, a feedback
channel and a forward signalling channel.
The feedback channel is used to send signalling in
the direction opposite to the transmission. This allows
break-in, which is a preemption of the channel for high
priority calls. If the synch master sends a break-in call on
the feedback channel, then all transmissions are interrupted
and the network is forced back to silent scanning for 1.5
seconds. If it is a subordinate who sends a break-in call,
then the user who is transmitting receives a signal
indicating that a subordinate would like to preempt the
channel, but there is no actual channel preemption.
The signals sent on the forward channel allow
among other things
continuous resetting of the receiver's
clock on the transmitter's clock during transmission;
retum to standby even when the end of
message preambleis not detected;
late traffic entry for radios which did not
receive the link establishment call, by periodically
transmitting the characteristics of the PTT (voice or data,
data rate, FH or FCS).
The existence of these two signalling channels
contributes to the evolution potential of the PR4G.
Data Transmission
The PR4G has two interfaces for data transmission,
a synchronous data interface, and an asynchronous data
interface. Both offer a highly protected transmission service
with integrated error correction. For instance, for
synchronous data transmission on a link with 25% jammed
hops and 10% error rate on non jammed hops, the BER is
less than at 300 b/s, and less than 7 at 1200 b/s.
Synchronous Data Transmission
The PR4G offers on its V24/V28 synchronous
interface a series of standard data rates ranging from 50 b/s
to 4.8 kb/s. (A 16 kb/s rate is also available, but there is no
data processing whatsoever at that rate, and in particular no
error correction). There is no protocol on this interface, the
radio set behaving like a half duplex modem. Error
correction includesrepetition and interleavingwith moreover
an RSBCH code for rates of 1200 b/s and above. Before
starting transmission, the transmitter and the receiver must
agree on the selected data rate, which is 1200 b/s by default.
Asynchronous Data Transmission
The PR4G offers a V24/V28 asynchronous
interface for which the basic data rate is 4.8 kb/s. It is a
"smart" interface with a protocol stack called SYCOMORE
which provides link layer and partial network layer services.
This interface allows the transmission of messages as well
as the remote control of basically all the radio parameters.
Before each message transmitted on this interface comes an
preamble indicating its length and rate. All peripherals are
connected to this interface. Asynchronous data has two
levels of protection, first redundancy and interleaving as for
synchronous data, and then a BCH coding.
The PR4G as a Svstem
The PR4G has been conceived as a global system,
with a modular design.
The IF/AF module, the synthesizer, and the
security module are the same for all radios except the
handheld. The filters and the RF head are interchangeable
between the vehicle and the airborne roles. Finally, the
vehicle and the manpack share a common front panel
management.
A unique protocol implemented on the
asynchronous data interface, called "SYCOMORE", is used
to communicate with all the peripherals: tactical data
terminal, remote control, operating handset, and so forth.
SYCOMORE allocates a logical address to each piece of
equipment, controls whether an equipment is allowed to
connect, and controls the messages exchanged according to
the topology in order to avoid conflicts between functions
which are remoted and functions which remain directly
accessible from the equipment. SYCOMORE can manage
up to three different equipments connected in series.
Common characteristicsof the new data modes
Among the PR4G enhancements, two data
transmission procedures, the PAS (Packet Access Service)
mode and the TDMA mode, are presented below in some
details. Both procedures are implemented in the radio itself
in order to improve performances: the radio synchronization
is directly available for data transmission functions,
resulting in performances 2 to 5 times better than those
obtained with the procedures outside the radio.
However by integrating the data procedures in the
radio set, modifications become more difficult and more
expensive. The following principle was therefore applied:
only the core transmission functions were implemented in
the radio, whereas all the functions which could be
application dependent were implemented in a computer
connected to the PR4G asynchronous data interface. Data
exchanges between the radio and the computer use the
SYCOMORE protocol.
For instance, the PAS mode provides only fixed
relaying thanks to routing tables, and the way these routing
tables are updated is left to the application and implemented
in the computer. In the case of the PRNET application, a
dynamic decentralizedprocedure has been developed.
Physical Layer
In PAS mode, the radio may transmit only in FH.
Aside from the ECCM protection it provides, the FH
pattern is used to derive slots on the time axis, resulting in
a more efficient random channel access. FH also allows
simultaneous use of several pseudo orthogonal channels,
resulting in further throughput improvements (see below).
The PAS mode being completely decentralized, it
requires a different synchronization scheme from that of the
basic CNR mode. It is such that:
- all stations have an equal role,
synchronization is maintained regardless of user
mobility (in particular even if users are not all within radio
Link Layer
The link layer offers three types of transmission
services
- point to point with acknowledgement,
point to multipoint with selective
acknowledgement,
broadcast (transmissionwith no addressees and no
acknow1e;igements).
Except for the broadcast service, a retransmission procedure
ensures the reliability of link level transmissions. At each
retransmission attempt, a different relay may be chosen,
thus greatly enhancing the resilience of the system.
PAS offers two slotted channel access schemes
a random access scheme, based on slotted
ALOHA-
called the common channel, which is the sam
as in the basic CNR mode, with the on1

The PAS mode and its applications attempted on the common channel.
The basic version of the PR4G can send short
operational messages from a tactical terminal, using its
asynchronous data interface. For more demanding the packet, with no waste of time and no collisions.
applications, a high performance data only packet radio Network layer
mode has been designed. This mode, called PAS, provides
the PR4G with all the basic communication functions
necessary for data packet transmission, up to OS1 layer 3. It
is not meant to be used alone but to provide core
transmission functions to various;,applications. One such
application, PRNET, is described later on.

28.3.4
0665
 An application example: PRNET
PRNET is one of the applications available today
using PAS. It provides point to point transmission of data
messages in a mobile network of up to 60 radios. The
random channel access is adaptive, meaning that the channel
access probability varies as a function of the estimated
collision rate, ensuring graceful degradation of performances
as the net load increases. PRNET offers a fully distributed
dynamic routing algorithm which automatically adapts to
network topology changes. At each hop, the best relay is
chosen both in terms of shortest path and of load
distribution, resulting in a very efficient procedure. Periodic
routing table exchanges take place using the reservation
channel access. A transport layer provides a connectionless
service with acknowlegements, as well as message
segmentation and reassembly.
The TDMA mode
The TDMA mode of the PR4G provides each user
with a deterministic access to the channel. It guarantees
contentionless transmissions, and short transmission delays.
The service offered corresponds to the first two layers of the
OS1 model.
Physical Layer
At the physical layer, the TDMA mode is based on
FH transmissions. The channel is slotted exactly in the
same way as for the PAS. A hierarchical synchronization
procedure is used, in which synch beacons are periodically
transmitted by a synchronization master (which is the same
as the CNR synch master) and relayed by secondary masters.
Beacon transmission times are pseudo random, so as to
generate no over-the-airsignature.
To increase operational flexibility, two orthogonal
TDMA channels are offered simultaneously, with
synchronized slots.
Link Layer
A given slot may be dedicated to synch beacon
transmission ,to user data transmission, to simple reception
or to reception with relaying.
A "Structure" is defined to be a group of adjacent
slots allocated to a given user. The type of structures used in
the TDMA cycle must be defined in the net initial data by
specifying for each structure:
- its length in slots,
- whether it is dedicated to transmission or to
reception,
- the TDMA channel used (1 or 2),
whether it has a CRC or not.
In addition, there must be a description of the sequence of
structures. This sequence, called the user cycle, is then
repeated cyclically and forms the TDMA cycle.
The synch beacons are inserted in the user cycle
whenever they are emitted, only resulting in a fixed extra
length at the end of that cycle (the synch cycle and the user
cycle thus being independent).
A structure is composed of a header, of a useful data part
protected by an RSBCH code, and of an optional CRC.
When passing a block of data to the radio set, the
computer specifies how it should be transmitted. There are
two possibilities
28.3.5
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the A mode: the data is transmitted in the fist
structureavailable;
the B mode: the data is transmitted exactly in the
slot spec&d by the computer.
Low Rate Vocoders
In the basic version of the PR4G, voice is encoded
with a standard 16 kb/s CVSD codec (STANAG 4380). In
addition, the following vocoders are considered for
integration in the PR4G:
- a 4800 b/s ACELP vocoder,
a 2400 b/s LPC 10 vocoder compliant with
STANAG 4198,
an 800 b/s vocoder based on the same principles
than the 2400 b/s vocoder.
Successfulfield trials have been recently conducted with two
PR4G vehicular radio sets.
Bandwidth saving is the most obvious benefit
gained from using these vocoders, but their main purpose is
really to provide new services, as listed below.
a) Better resilience to jamming I Longer radio range
Considering that the full 16 kb/s bandwidth is still
available, then error correction coding can be added to obtain
considerable resilience to jamming. In particular,
experiments show that the 4800 b/s vocoder used in this
way provides a better voice quality than the delta codec,
besides of course much better resilience to jamming. The
800 bls vocoder used in the 16 kbls channel can provide a
last ditch voice service. In undisturbed conditions, the
benefit obtained is a range increase.
b) Voice and data multiplexing
The extra rate gained by using the vocoders can be used
partly to increase the voice resilience to jamming and partly
to transmit data. For instance this could be done with the
TDMA mode, allocating 12 kb/s to voice and 4 kb/s to data
transmissions.
c ) Duplex links
As mentioned earlier, the PR4G provides only half duplex
transmissions. The bandwidth saved could allow full duplex
transmissions through time multiplexing.
d ) Multimedia interoperability
Choice of the proper vocoder rate will allow interoperability
with other transmission media which cannot provide a full
16 kb/s rate. For instance, a gateway is currently being
developed between the PR4G nets and the French satellite
SYRACUSE, which offers only full duplex 2400 b/s
channels on some stations. The 2400 b/s vocoder will
provide end-to-end voice communications.
VI. CONCLUSION
The fielding of the PR4G system is a major change
in the C31 architecture of the French Army. It offers a
completely new and extensive set of user services, while
being highly protected against electronic warfare. These
features will greatly increase the reliability, efficiency and
mobility of all major weapon systems and units in the
Army. The PR4G, thanks to its improvement capability,
will also be able to adapt to the future requirements of its
users.