Intersoft Electronics RIM782 User manual

Radar Interface Module - RIM782
User Manual
Edition: 002
Date: 26-Mar-10
Status: Released Issue

Radar Interface Module - RIM782 Edition Date: 26-Mar-10
DOCUMENT CHARACTERISTICS
General
Radar Interface Module - RIM782
User Manual
Edition 002
Edition Date 26-March-2010
Status Released Issue
Keywords User manual RIM782 Radar Interface Module
Abstract This user manual describes the use of the RIM782.
Contact Information
Author Elke Vanuytven
Editor Elke Vanuytven
Contact Person Niels Van Hoef
Tel [phone]
E-mail Address [email protected]
Document Control Information
Document Name IE-UM-00168-003 RIM782 User Manual.odt
Path C:\Documents and Settings\elke\Desktop\RASS-S User
Manuals\RIM782\
Host System Mac OS X 10.6.1
Software OpenOffice.org 3.1.1
Size 4 600 040Bytes
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Radar Interface Module - RIM782 Edition Date: 26-Mar-10
DOCUMENT CHANGE RECORD
Revision Date Reasons for change Pages
Affected
Approved
by
001 13-Oct-09 New Document All EV
002 9-Nov-09 Minor changes during review 18 21 NVH
003 26-Mar-10 Data recording section added 39-47 EV
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Radar Interface Module - RIM782 Edition Date: 26-Mar-10
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1. TECHNICAL MANUAL RIM782.....................................................................................10
1.1. General Introduction.........................................................................................................................10
1.2. Hardware Description.......................................................................................................................11
1.2.1. Block Diagram.............................................................................................................................11
1.2.2. Connectors..................................................................................................................................11
1.2.2.1. Video Board.............................................................................................................................12
1.2.2.2. USB Data Recorder (UDR)......................................................................................................13
1.2.2.3. Global Positioning System (GPS450)......................................................................................16
2. DOWNLINK MEASUREMENT...........................................................................................17
2.1. Theory................................................................................................................................................17
2.2. Software.............................................................................................................................................17
2.2.1. Getting Started............................................................................................................................17
2.2.2. Making a Recording....................................................................................................................18
2.2.3. Analysis.......................................................................................................................................20
2.2.4. View HPD Logfiles......................................................................................................................20
2.2.5. User Defined OTD Limits............................................................................................................22
3. SECTORIAL VIDEO RECORDING.....................................................................................24
3.1. Theory................................................................................................................................................24
3.2. Software.............................................................................................................................................24
3.2.1. Getting Started............................................................................................................................24
3.2.2. Making a Recording....................................................................................................................25
3.2.3. Advanced Settings......................................................................................................................26
3.2.3.1. Graph Palette: Zoom/Select function.......................................................................................26
3.2.3.2. General Settings......................................................................................................................27
3.2.3.3. Display Settings.......................................................................................................................28
3.3. Analysis Sectorial SSR Video Viewer............................................................................................29
3.3.1. Introduction.................................................................................................................................29
3.3.2. Getting Started............................................................................................................................29
3.3.3. Sectorial Video Viewer................................................................................................................30
3.3.4. Advanced Settings......................................................................................................................31
3.3.5. Different Viewing Modes/Processing/Analysis Methods.............................................................32
3.3.5.1. X Window – X Video View/Y Video View.................................................................................32
3.3.5.2. X Window – Interrogation View................................................................................................33
3.3.5.3. Y Window – Y Video View........................................................................................................33
3.3.5.4. Y Window- Reply View.............................................................................................................34
4. SECTORIAL EXTRACTOR..............................................................................................35
4.1. Theory................................................................................................................................................35
4.2. Software.............................................................................................................................................35
4.2.1. Getting Started............................................................................................................................35
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4.2.2. Sectorial Extractor Software.......................................................................................................36
5. DATA RECORDING USING THE RIM782..........................................................................39
5.1. Introduction.......................................................................................................................................39
5.2. Recording Software..........................................................................................................................39
5.2.1. Getting Started............................................................................................................................39
5.2.2. Making a Recording....................................................................................................................40
5.3. Conversion Software........................................................................................................................42
5.3.1. Convert Bit Recording.................................................................................................................42
5.3.1.1. Single Conversion....................................................................................................................43
5.3.1.2. Batch Conversion....................................................................................................................45
5.3.2. Convert Data Recording.............................................................................................................46
5.3.2.1. Single Conversion....................................................................................................................46
5.3.2.2. Batch Conversion....................................................................................................................47
6. DATA ANALYSIS.........................................................................................................47
7. ANNEXES.................................................................................................................48
7.1. Annex 1 Critical Parameters of SSR Antennas.............................................................................48
7.2. Annex 2 Downlink Connection Diagram........................................................................................49
7.3. Annex 3 Sectorial Video Recording Connection Diagram...........................................................50
7.4. Annex 4 Sectorial Video Mode-S Recording Connection Diagram..............................................51
7.5. Annex 5 RIM782 Data Recording Connection Diagram................................................................52
7.6. Annex 6 Configuration List RIM782..............................................................................................53
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TABLE OF FIGURES
Figure 1: Block Diagram RIM782.................................................................................................................11
Figure 2: Rear panel RIM782 – Video Board connectors..........................................................................12
Figure : Rear panel RIM782 – UDR connectors........................................................................................14
Figure 4: Downlink software........................................................................................................................17
Figure 5: Load Receiver calibration file window........................................................................................18
Figure 6: Scope Window..............................................................................................................................18
Figure 7: Downlink example of Didactical Test Interrogator....................................................................19
Figure 8: Downlink HPD example................................................................................................................20
Figure 9: Layer tabs and selectors.............................................................................................................21
Figure 10: Antenna diagram data in TAB-separated file...........................................................................21
Figure 11: Calculate OTD Parameters window...........................................................................................22
Figure 12: OTD Definition File.....................................................................................................................22
Figure 1 : Make Default File checkbox.......................................................................................................22
Figure 14: Sectorial Video Recorder software...........................................................................................24
Figure 15: Sector settings...........................................................................................................................25
Figure 16: Recording settings.....................................................................................................................25
Figure 17: Example sectorial recording of scenario.................................................................................26
Figure 18: General Settings window...........................................................................................................27
Figure 19: Display Settings window...........................................................................................................28
Figure 20: Sectorial Video Viewer - example.............................................................................................. 0
Figure 21: X Video View............................................................................................................................... 2
Figure 22: Y Video View in X window.......................................................................................................... 2
Figure 2 : Interrogation View......................................................................................................................
Figure 24: Y Video Display...........................................................................................................................
Figure 25: Reply data extracted from video............................................................................................... 4
Figure 26: Sectorial Extractor software...................................................................................................... 6
Figure 27: Source Folder Info...................................................................................................................... 6
Figure 28: Destination Folder Info.............................................................................................................. 7
Figure 29: Load Rx Calibration File window.............................................................................................. 7
Figure 0: Preview Window......................................................................................................................... 8
Figure 1: Converting Sectorial Recording to Pulses............................................................................... 8
Figure 2: UDR Control software................................................................................................................ 9
Figure : UDR Control software................................................................................................................40
Figure 4: UDR Recording...........................................................................................................................42
Figure 5: Convert Bit Recording software................................................................................................4
Figure 6: PPI Display..................................................................................................................................44
Figure 7: Hexadecimal display of converted data...................................................................................45
Figure 8: Batch Process section of Convert software............................................................................45
Figure 9: Convert Radar Data software....................................................................................................46
Figure 40: Hexadecimal display of converted data...................................................................................47
Figure 41: Downlink Connection Diagram.................................................................................................49
Figure 42: Sectorial Video Recording Connection Diagram.....................................................................50
Figure 4 : Sectorial Video Mode-S Recording Connection Diagram.......................................................51
Figure 44: RIM782 Data Recording Connection Diagram.........................................................................52
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Radar Interface Module - RIM782 Edition Date: 26-Mar-10
TABLE OF TABLES
Table 1: Video Board Connectors...............................................................................................................12
Table 2: Differential ACP/ARP DB9 connectors pin layout.......................................................................12
Table : RASS DB15HD connector pin layout............................................................................................1
Table 4: UDR Connectors............................................................................................................................14
Table 5: Serial Data 1/2 DB15 connectors pin layout................................................................................15
Table 6: RS 2 2 C Receivers (compatible with RS2 2C standard)...........................................................15
Table 7: RS 2 2 C Drivers (compatible with RS2 2C standard)...............................................................15
Table 8: RS422 Receivers (compatible with RS422 standard)..................................................................15
Table 9: RS422 Drivers (compatible with RS422 standard)......................................................................15
Table 10: GPS Connectors...........................................................................................................................16
Table 11: Zoom/select functions sector recording....................................................................................26
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Radar Interface Module - RIM782 Edition Date: 26-Mar-10
CONVENTIONS USED
Note: This icon to the left of bold italicized text denotes a note, which alerts you to
important information.
Caution: This icon to the left of bold italicized text denotes a caution, which alerts you to
the possibility of data loss or a system crash.
Warning: This icon to the left of bold italicized text denotes a warning, which alerts you to t
he possibility of damage to you or your equipment.
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Radar Interface Module - RIM782 Edition Date: 26-Mar-10
GLOSSARY OF TERMS
ACP Azimuth Change Pulse
ARP Azimuth Reference Pulse
ATC Air Traffic Control
CPU Computer Processing Unit
CW Continuous wave
dB Decibel
Downlink The signal path from aircraft to ground
FRUIT False Replies Unsynchronized In Time unwanted SSR replies
received by an interrogator which have been triggered by other
interrogators
GPS Global Positioning System
HPD Horizontal Polar Diagram
IE Intersoft Electronics
IF Intermediate Frequency
I/O Input/Output
LAN Local Area Network
LVA Large Vertical Aperture (antenna)
Monopulse Radar-receiving processing technique used to provide a precise
bearing measurement
MSSR Monopulse Secondary Surveillance Radar
OTD Out of Tolerance Detection
Plot extractor Signal-processing equipment which converts receiver video into
digital target reports suitable for transmission by land lines
PPI Plan Position Indicator
PRF Pulse Repetition Frequency
PSR Primary Surveillance Radar
Radar Radio Detection And Ranging
Radome Radio-transparent window used to protect an antenna principally
against the effects of weather
RASS-R Radar Analysis Support Systems – Real-time measurements
RASS-S Radar Analysis Support Systems – Site measurements
RF Radio Frequency
RTQC Real Time Quality Control
RX Receiver
SLS Side Lobe Suppression a technique to avoid eliciting transponder
replies in response to interrogations transmitted via antenna
sidelobes
SSR Secondary Surveillance Radar
STC Sensitivity Time Control
Uplink Ground-to-air signal path
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Radar Interface Module - RIM782 Edition Date: 26-Mar-10
1. TECHNICAL MANUAL RIM782
1.1. General Introduction
The Radar Interface Module RIM782 can be divided in two parallel running systems: data recorder and
video recorder. The RIM782 contains all the necessary hardware to digitize the radar video and/or data and
provide this data to the PC over a standard USB interface.
The video recorder functionality of the hardware interface is performed by 6 video channels 2 trigger signals
and 2 rotation interfaces (ARP-ACP signals both single ended and differential). The RIM782 can sample 2
analog video inputs simultaneously. The digitized video will be sent over a USB connection to a PC (USB
Video) and can be used in several RASS-S applications. For instance the RIM782 can record all types of
SSR or Mode S radar video signals using the sectorial recording software.
The data recorder has two bidirectional digital RS232/RS422 synchronous serial data ports for inputting or
outputting serial data. The RIM782 can both record and replay data. If more than two channels are required
multiple RIM782s can be "stacked" (or combined with a RDR803). The additional inputs azimuth and time
(GPS450) make it a real radar evaluation tool.
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1.2. Hardware Description
1.2.1. Block Diagram
1.2.2. Connectors
Based on the functioning we can split up the RIM782 in 3 main parts:
•The video recorder functionality or Video Board
•The data recorder functionality or simply USB Data Recorder (UDR)
•The GPS connection
The different connectors are described in the next paragraphs according to their functionality as explained
above.
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Figure 1: Block Diagram RIM782

Radar Interface Module - RIM782 Edition Date: 26-Mar-10
1.2.2.1. Video Board
The Video Board in the RIM782 has 6 analogue video signal inputs. These are suitable for PSR video
signals SSR video signals and weather radar video signals. The connectors are described in the following
table:
Table 1: Video Board Connectors
Name Specification Connector Type Value
Ch1/2/3/4 Video Video input 4x BNC -2V +2V 10kΩ
I/Q Video I/Q input 2x BNC -2V +2V 10kΩ
ACP1/2 ARP1/2 Single ended ACP or ARP input 2x BNC TTL
Differential ACP1/2 ARP1/2 Differential ACP/ARP input 2x DB-9 female TTL
Trigger 1/2 Trigger input 2x BNC TTL
RASS Input: Mode-S Clock Mode-S
Data trigger
Output: ACP ARP event trigger
DB15HD female TTL
USB Video USB Video USB USB2.0
The separate USB video connector is intended for dedicated video stream bandwidth. The above listed
connectors correspond to the following parts of the rear panel :
The pin layout of the differential ACP/ARP DB9 connectors is shown in the table below:
Table 2: Di erential ACP/ARP DB9 connectors pin layout
Name DB9(f) on RIM782
NC (not connected) 1
ACP + 2
NC 3
ACP - 4
NC 5
ARP + 6
NC 7
ARP - 8
NC 9
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Figure 2: Rear panel RIM782 – Video Board connectors

Radar Interface Module - RIM782 Edition Date: 26-Mar-10
The pin layout of the RASS DB15HD connector is shown in the table below:
Table 3: RASS DB15HD connector pin layout
Name DB15HD(f) on RIM782
RASS ARP (output)
(red connector on Interso t DB15HD male cable to 5xBNC)
1
RASS ACP (output)
(green connector on Interso t DB15HD male cable to 5xBNC)
2
RASS PPS (output)
(blue connector on Interso t DB15HD male cable to 5xBNC)
3
Reserved or uture use 4
Reserved or uture use 5
GND 6
GND 7
GND 8
-12V 9
GND 10
Reserved or uture use 11
RASS Mode-S data (input) 12
RASS Trigger (output)
(grey connector on Interso t DB15HD male cable to 5xBNC)
13
RASS Trigger (input)
(black connector on Interso t DB15HD male cable to 5xBNC)
14
RASS Mode-S Clock (input) 15
1.2.2.2. USB Data Recorder (UDR)
The RIM782 has 2 serial communication channels for active and passive recording. They can handle
transmission speeds up to 128 Kb/s. Two electrical standards are supported: RS232 (single ended) and
RS422 (differential). The serial data is fed to the recorder using a female DB15 connectors (alike X.21
connections) on the rear panel of the RIM782. The unit is supplied with 2 RS232 Probe modules for
connection of the DB15 to DB25 standard RS232 connection. A whole range of synchronous protocols is
supported and others can be programmed upon request.
The following passive protocols (up to 128k) can be handled by the RIM782:
•HDLC: Passive recording of HDLC bases protocols including Lap-B and X25.3 Passive monitoring.
(E.g. ASTERIX RDIF)
•LINK 1: Passive recording of Military LINK 1 protocol
•SYNC 13: Passive recording of most bit protocols as implemented on US radars (CD1 CD2 ASR9
etc...)
•Aircat 500: passive recording of Thales specific protocol
•TVT2 military protocol
•EV760 protocol
•Output U-HDLC and bit protocols
•Bit Recording Protocols (9600 BAUD):
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◦AIRCAT 500
◦ALENIA
◦AUSTRO
◦BMIL
◦ERICSSON
◦EUROCONTROL
◦FPS 117
◦HUGHES
◦SVE
◦TOSHIBA
◦CUSTOMER SPECIFIC
As mentioned above the UDR in the RIM782 has 2 serial synchronous ports. They can be used either as
input or output. The connectors are described in the following table:
Table 4: UDR Connectors
Name Specification Connector Type Value
Serial Data 1/2 Serial Data 1/2 2x DB15 female Synchronous serial input
RS232/RS422
USB Data USB data USB USB2.0
The above listed connectors correspond to the following parts of the rear panel :
Radar data passed over LAN (TCP UDP) will be fed directly into the PC via the Ethernet adapter without the
need of the RIM782.
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Figure 3: Rear panel RIM782 – UDR connectors

Radar Interface Module - RIM782 Edition Date: 26-Mar-10
The pin layout of the Serial Data 1/2 DB15 connectors is shown in the table below:
Table 5: Serial Data 1/2 DB15 connectors pin layout
Name DB9(f) on RIM782
Gnd 1 8
TxD+ 9
TxD- 2
RxD+ 11
RxD- 4
RxC+ 13
RxC- 6
TrxC+ 14
TrxC- 7
TxC+ /
TxC- /
-10Volt 12
+10Volt 5
+5Volt (USB4.2V) 15
The specifications of the serial inputs/outputs are listed in the following tables:
Table 6: RS 232 C Receivers (compatible with RS232C standard)
Input resistance 3kΩ min. 5kΩ typ. 7kΩ max.
Low threshold 1.2V typ. 0.8 min.
High threshold 1.7V typ. 3.0 max.
Impedance 5kΩ typ. (+15V to -15V)
Table 7: RS 232 C Drivers (compatible with RS232C standard)
High Level Output +5V min. +15V max.
Low Level Output -15V min. -5V max.
Short Circuit Current ± 100mA
Power off Impedance 300Ω
Slew Rate RL=3K CL=50pF 30V/µs
Table 8: RS422 Receivers (compatible with RS422 standard)
Input resistance common mode 15kΩ typ. (-7 to +12V)
Receiver sensitivity ± 0.2V typ.
Common mode range -7.0V min. +7.0V max.
Table 9: RS422 Drivers (compatible with RS422 standard)
Short Circuit Current 150mA
Transition Time 40ns max. (10-90%)
Output Current 28mA min. (RL=54Ω)
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Radar Interface Module - RIM782 Edition Date: 26-Mar-10
1.2.2.3. Global Positioning System (GPS450)
Intersoft Electronics’ GPS450 can be connected to the RIM782 so that the recordings made will be UTC time
stamped. There is one GPS450 connector on the rear panel foreseen:
Table 10: GPS Connectors
Name Specification Connector Type Value
GPS450 GPS RJ45 Intersoft proprietary
The GPS data is distributed to the UVR and UDR sections of the RIM782.
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Radar Interface Module - RIM782 Edition Date: 26-Mar-10
2. DOWNLINK MEASUREMENT
2.1. Theory
The Downlink measurement enables the user to measure the HPD antenna pattern at reception. It uses the
Radar Interface Module to sample the video level signals of the input channels. The measurement uses a
sampling window which is selected by the user. In this sampling window the software determines the mean
amplitude of the CW signal (or synchronous pulses) received from the uplink (field) setup. The sampling
window can be shown at all times continuously updated with the sampled data.
The measured amplitudes are then converted to the received RF power at coupler level using the receiver
calibration file. The receiver calibration file is a table describing the radar receiver output voltage vs. the RF
input power and needs to be measured before the downlink measurement can be performed.
2.2. Software
2.2.1. Getting Started
Note: First of all make sure the receiver calibration file is available in the active campaign
folder. After the receiver calibration was performed with the RFA641, the file should be
copied to the computer used for the downlink measurement. It must be present in the
(M)SSR\CALIB subdirectory of the selected campaign folder.
Once it is sure the calibration file is present the RFA641 can be packed for the field setup to be prepared at
the uplink site. The RFA641 field set-up is explained in the RFA641 User Manual. Make the RIM782
Downlink connections as shown in the connection diagram (Annex 7.2. ).
The RASS-M Downlink application can be loaded using the Downlink button on the RASS-S Toolbox.
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Figure 4: Downlink so tware

Radar Interface Module - RIM782 Edition Date: 26-Mar-10
2.2.2. Making a Recording
1. The first step is to load the receiver calibration file (which can be created using the RFA641 this
calibration is described in the RFA641 User Manual). Click the Load Rx Calibration Table
button to be able to select the correct calibration file.
The calibration file is used to convert the measured voltages to the received RF power at coupler
level. When the user chooses not to select a Rx Calibration File the default curve will be used.
Select Done to return to the main Downlink window or cancel to return without making changes.
2. Click the Scope Preview button to open the Scope window allowing you to select the
measurement window.
3. Select the preferred trigger method.
4. Set the cursors of the measurement window outside the STC period and within the range (as shown
in figure 6). The HPD signals in the polar diagram of the main downlink window are updated
automatically each time a cursor is moved. The mean value between the cursors will be calculated
and used for the measurement.
5. Set the parameters on the front panel according to the radar type and connections.
6. Before logging the measurement data you can enter some comments in the Info field. These
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Figure 5: Load Receiver calibration ile window
Figure 6: Scope Window

Radar Interface Module - RIM782 Edition Date: 26-Mar-10
comments are stored with each scan so in case you make changes between successive ARPs the
new info entered is stored together with the recorded HPDs. E.g. if the recording is intended for a 3D
measurement the beam elevation can be entered.
7. Depending on the Absolute/Relative switch the graph is shown in an absolute dBm scale or a
relative dB scale.
8. Verify normal operation of the measurement:
◦ACPR should correspond to the number of ACPS according to the resolution of the encoder.
◦IPR indicates the number of interrogations per revolution.
9. Now set-up the RFA641 as CW source (both set-up and software are described in the RFA641
user manual but will be described briefly in this paragraph as well). The set-up of the RFA641 is also
shown in the Downlink set-up (annex 7.2. ). When the RFA641 is set-up open the Uplink software
program and switch the running tool to Transmit mode. The HPD Preferences window will open
automatically change the Tx type to CW and click OK. As soon as the CW signal is available the
downlink antenna diagram will be visible in the polar diagram on the front panel.
10. The HPD signals are shown in the polar diagram. The antenna diagram window should be at the
noise level of the receiver as long as no signal is sent from the uplink side. The two (or single)
channel(s) to be recorded can be selected with the parameters on the Downlink front: Σ Δ Ω are
respectively shown in red blue and green.
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Figure 7: Downlink example o Didactical Test Interrogator

Radar Interface Module - RIM782 Edition Date: 26-Mar-10
11. Start recording using the Record button.
12. When the recording is stopped (Stop button) a dialog box will pop up to select a logging file. The
software will suggest a default file name (Downlink-yyyymmdd-time). One can also save the data to
file using the Save button.
2.2.3. Analysis
2.2.4. View HPD Logfiles
To view the measured antenna diagrams RASS-S contains a universal tool called View HPD Logging. The
program is capable of reading recognizing and displaying Uplink and Downlink HPD logfiles of both (M)SSR
and PSR measurements.
1. Open the View HPD Logfiles program from the Downlink button on the RASS-S toolbox.
2. Use the Load button to select a downlink logfile select the file of interest and click the OK
button. The selected file will be displayed in the active layer and its file name will be presented in the
Layer info sub-window the date and time of the recording is shown and diagram parameters of the
selected logging are displayed.
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Figure 8: Downlink HPD example