Radar air-to-air missile semi-physical simulation system scheme

An Fengzeng, Wu Zhaoxin, Wang Haifeng, Ma Huimin, China Academy of Air-to-Air Missile Research

The development of a missile weapon system is an incredibly complex endeavor. It encompasses numerous specialized fields, and the integration of cutting-edge technologies has driven up the cost of individual missiles significantly. Conducting comprehensive flight tests to evaluate the performance of a missile's guidance system is both costly and time-consuming. Additionally, certain extreme boundary conditions can only be simulated in a lab setting rather than being replicated in the field. This is where simulation technology offers a practical solution, providing a cost-effective way to address these challenges.

With advancements in technology and evolving global defense strategies, the simulation of missile weapon systems has seen significant progress. Semi-physical simulations, in particular, have played a pivotal role in the evolution of missile development. Major countries like the United States and the UK have invested heavily in establishing advanced simulation facilities. For instance, the US Army’s Advanced Simulation Center (ASC) and companies like Raytheon and BAE Systems have developed sophisticated labs to support their missile programs. The AIM-120 missile program, for example, has benefited greatly from these investments, which have accelerated technological progress.

The goal of designing a semi-physical simulation system for radar-guided missiles is multifaceted:

a. To facilitate the semi-physical simulation testing during the development phase of the missile's guidance system, offering tools for parameter tuning, model validation, and algorithm integration, while predicting outcomes for field trials;

b. To enable automated control over the entire simulation process, including self-diagnosis, missile state management, initiation, and termination;

c. To ensure real-time data acquisition from the simulation, including telemetry from the missile, trajectory data from the simulation model, and control information from the equipment, along with real-time and post-event visualization and analysis of results;

d. To monitor the simulation status in real-time and handle anomalies effectively.

After analyzing the system objectives and leveraging recent developments in simulation and computing technologies, the following design principles were adopted:

a. Utilizing a five-axis turntable as the core, complemented with essential simulation equipment, to create a radar-type missile semi-physical simulation system;

b. Employing computer-controlled simulation devices to automate the testing process;

c. Structuring the system into distinct subsystems based on functionality to simplify design complexity, reduce costs, and expedite development timelines;

d. Implementing a real-time network to enable distributed real-time simulations.

The aim of the radar-based air-to-air missile simulation system is to provide a highly realistic motion and electromagnetic environment for missiles. Such systems typically comprise the following elements:

a. Microwave anechoic chamber: Designed to provide a free space for electromagnetic wave propagation, housing a radio frequency target simulator at one end and a flight turntable at the other;

b. Target Simulator: Generates RF signals to mimic targets and backgrounds;

c. Target Signal Simulator: Produces RF signals representing target and background reflections;

d. Turntable: Mimics the missile's flight attitude;

e. Simulation computer system and software: Manages simulation equipment, solves models, and oversees test execution;

f. For composite long-range missiles, data link simulators are also incorporated.

4.1 Target Simulator Architecture

The choice of target simulator directly impacts the overall system configuration. Common types include mechanical, array, and compact field simulators.

a. Mechanical Target Simulator: Uses perpendicular guide rails and motors to move the target horn for position simulation;

b. Array Target Simulator: Employs a triad antenna array to control target positions via amplitude and phase adjustments;

c. Compact Field Target Simulator: Utilizes collimator principles to feed RF signals into a horn antenna at the focal point of a parabolic reflector, creating a plane wave to emulate far-field conditions.

While mechanical simulators offer lower accuracy and are now rarely used, array simulators boast high precision and can simulate multiple targets and diverse interference scenarios. However, they require large microwave chambers and numerous horn antennas, increasing costs. Compact field simulators, with their streamlined design and reduced infrastructure needs, are more cost-effective.

Therefore, the simulation system employs a compact field target simulator.

4.2 Computer Control Methods

With advancements in computer technology, air-to-air missiles are becoming increasingly intelligent, with onboard control algorithms executed by computers. Given the complexity of hardware-in-the-loop simulations, all equipment is controlled by computers to manage device operations and information flow seamlessly.

Control methods can be centralized or distributed. Centralized control suits smaller systems, while distributed control works better for decentralized functions. In radar-based missile simulations, both extensive computations and numerous devices necessitate high I/O demands, making centralized control impractical. Distributed control, favored by facilities like Boeing Aerospace and Raytheon's Patriot Missile Simulation Lab, offers better scalability and efficiency.

4.3 Real-Time Network Solution

Given the distributed nature of the simulation system, interconnectivity is critical. The missile simulation system demands data updates under 1 ms. Achieving this within such a tight timeframe presents significant challenges. Traditional local area networks lack the required speed and reliability.

Recent advances in real-time networking have led to solutions like VMIC's reflective memory network, which uses a ring topology with up to 256 nodes, ensuring ultra-low latency (<1μs) and high bandwidth. This meets the stringent requirements of radar-guided missile simulations.

4.4 Simulation System Composition

Based on the chosen target simulator, computer control method, and real-time network solution, the new RF simulation system features a five-axis turntable and missile guidance control system at its core. Key components include:

a. Five-axis turntable: Combines a three-axis turntable for missile attitude and a two-axis turntable for target movement;

b. Target Signal Simulator: Generates realistic target echoes, simulating Doppler shifts and interference;

c. Data Link Simulator: Mimics data link signals for trajectory correction;

d. Simulation Computer: Solves kinematic models for carrier, missile, and target;

e. Simulation Console: Manages system status and timing;

f. Real-time Network: Facilitates internal communication and data exchange.

Fig.1 Block diagram of a semi-physical simulation system for radar-based air-to-air missiles

The semi-physical simulation system using a compact field target simulator and integrated equipment provides a realistic motion and electromagnetic environment for active radar missiles. It supports optimization of guidance and control systems, model validation, and flight test predictions.

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