Downed aircrew have used the AN/PRC-90-2 (a tri-service, handheld, portable, AM, service, survival radio) for rescue purposes. It provides two-way half-duplex voice communication capability on either of two fixed frequencies (243.0 MHz and 282.8 MHz), and it also has a distress beacon capability.

Recent conflicts emphasize the need during wartime for multi-channel radio flexibility to support covert rescue operations in enemy territories. Pilots have used the AN/PRC-112 radio instead of the AN/PRC-90 series radio because of the AN/PRC-112's multi-channel capability. However, its cost is significantly higher than the AN/PRC-90.

Consequently, the U.S. Air Force (USAF) contracted Southwest Research Institute (SwRI) to investigate the potential for developing a cost-effective new design replacement radio for the AN/PRC-90-2.

The proposed replacement radio design will survive the projected operating and storage environments, and provide:

Programmable multi-channel / mode operation
Microprocessor control
Self testing

The new design replicates the AN/PRC-90 functionality to facilitate a gradual conversion of the USAF inventory, if desired.

Some of the many design aspects and features considered included:

Agile UHF range and modes of operation
Transmit power
Transponder capability
Search and rescue system parameters
Antenna form
Battery form and composition
Microprocessor power
Programmability of channels and operating modes
Reconfiguration of stored channels and modes by an external computer
Field capability to transfer configuration from radio to radio (cloning)
Throw-away concept
Use of application specific integrated circuits
Material choices
Size and weight, goals, and constraints
Built-in self test to eliminate the need for a field tester
Human factors concerning injured aircrew and ease of use
Actual storage and operating environmental requirements
A capture feature which allows the operator to render the radio useless
Optimum layout of controls

For more information about survival radio replacement (AN/PRC-90-2) capabilities at SwRI, or how you can contract with SwRI, please contact Tom Untermeyer at tuntermeyer@swri.org or (210) 522-5040. We can offer you the best approach for solving your communications device development problem.

Contact Information

Tom Untermeyer

Communications Engineering

(210) 522-5040

tuntermeyer@swri.org

Related Terminology

communication devices

communication networks

radar systems

communication systems

RF systems

radio frequency engineering

RF engineering

analysis

specification development

circuit design

fabrication

consulting

COTS integration

custom instruments

test systems

prototype development

modeling

simulation

reverse engineering

replacement engineering

communications engineering

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Southwest Research Institute® (SwRI®), headquartered in San Antonio, Texas, is a multidisciplinary, independent, nonprofit, applied engineering and physical sciences research and development organization with 11 technical divisions.

April 22, 2009