Small unit operations situation awareness system (SUO-SAS) radio architecture and system field testing results

Abstract

SUO-SAS was developed by ITT A/CD under contract to the Defense Advanced Programs Research Agency (DARPA) to establish the operational benefits of an integrated suite of advanced communication, navigation, and situation awareness technologies. SUO-SAS employs a JTRS bus based radio architecture that utilizes advanced RISC processors functioning as general purpose processors (GPP) and fixed point digital signal processors (DSP). The SUO-SAS radio employs a suite of waveforms combined with advanced networking techniques to provide an ad hoc, mobile network capability and reliable voice and data communications in hostile battlefield environments. In addition, SUO-SAS provides a navigation function utilizing RF ranging techniques and other sensors to provide very high accuracy even within urban canyons and buildings where GPS reception is not possible. This paper provides an overview of the SUO-SAS radio functions, architecture, and results obtained from the extensive system field testing.