Time-Triggered Networks – An Implementation for Distributed Sensor Electronic Support Measures (ESM) Systems

Abstract

Time is an important attribute of an intercepted RF signal and has been used extensively for locating an emitter using multiple geographically distributed Sensors. Sensors can be built as a simple, covert interception system with no Direction Finding (DF) capability or as a high-end ESM System with high accuracy DF and Radar Finger Printing capability, supplying azimuth information and other Radar intra-pulse and inter-pulse parameters. The common thread running across the Sensors is the time stamping of the intercepted signals against a synchronized global clock located at each Sensor. The accuracy with which the Global Clock needs to be synchronized across geographically distributed Sensors may range from a few nanoseconds to tens of nanoseconds. This paper brings out the configuration of a real-time, Time-triggered distributed Radar Sensors Network (TTN). The generation of the accurate, synchronized Global Clock, network management and achieved practical results have been brought out.