EAGER: Bio-inspired Low Probability of Detection Secure RF Waveform Design

本项目的目标是研究和开发一种新型的保密通信波形设计技术，其中不仅通信的数据是安全的，而且通信本身的存在也是隐藏的。通过利用生物启发的方法，将设计出一种新的射频波形，以服务于多种目的，并同时包含多层信息。开发的射频波形没有任何特征可以被对手利用来通过时域分析、频域分析或循环平稳分析来检测其存在。该项目利用雷达和通信界的最新进展，将它们协同起来，开发出前所未有的低检测概率、安全的射频波形设计。当引入诸如循环平稳分析的新的高级检测方案时，现有的低检测概率波形不能提供真正的低检测概率和安全能力。该项目采用了一种新的仿生射频隐写方案来隐藏雷达信号中的通信信号。这种新设计的信号仍然是一种有效的雷达信号，为其操作员提供了正常的雷达能力，如距离测量；但它也携带了用于指定接收器的安全数字通信。新设计的波形不是为了避免被对手发现而限制信号的传输功率，而是以最大功率广播。然而，敌手没有检测到嵌入在混合信号中的数字调制的存在，因为当受到时域分析、频域分析或循环平稳分析时，该混合信号没有表现出任何特征。该项目具有变革性，因为它为设计低检测概率和安全通信和射频系统提供了一种全新的方法，也为未来开发通用认知射频平台铺平了道路，在该平台中，所有射频系统(如通信、雷达和导航)都经过联合设计，以优化其性能和频谱效率。

The goal of this project is to conduct research and development of a novel secure communication waveform design technique in which not only the data of the communication is secure but the very existence of the communication itself is hidden. By exploiting a bio-inspired approach, a novel radio frequency waveform will be designed to serve multiple purposes and contain multiple layers of messages simultaneously. The developed radio frequency waveform exhibits no feature that can be exploited by the adversary to detect its existence through time domain analysis, frequency domain analysis, or cyclostationary analysis.This project takes advantage of recent progress in the radar and communication communities and brings them together synergistically to develop an unprecedented low probability of detection, secure radio frequency waveform design. Existing low probability of detection waveforms do not provide a true low probability of detection and security capability when new advanced detection schemes such as cyclostationary analysis are brought to bear. This project employs a novel bio-inspired RF steganography scheme to obscure the communication signal within a radar signal. This newly designed signal remains an effective radar signal providing normal radar capabilities such as range measurement to its operators; but it also carries secure digital communication intended for designated receivers. Instead of limiting the transmission power of the signal in hopes of avoiding detection by the adversary, the newly designed waveform is broadcast at maximum power. However the adversary does not detect the existence of digital modulation embedded in the hybrid signal because it does not exhibit any feature when subjected to time domain analysis, frequency domain analysis, or cyclostationary analysis. This project is transformative because it provides a brand new way to design low probability of detection and secure communication and radio frequency systems, and it also paves the way to future development of a universal cognitive radio frequency platform where all radio frequency systems such as communication, radar, and navigation are designed jointly to optimize their performance and spectrum efficiency.