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Silent Parrot Blue Force Tracking Repeater
Low-Cost Solution for Extending the Useable Range
of Blue Force Tracking Transmitters
Applications
- Range extension of line-of-sight receiver
- Greatly increasing in-theater position update
rates
- Multiple repeaters can downlink to a single
line-of-sight receiver
- Training range fixed installations
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The Silent Parrot repeater
receives MTX transmissions and re-transmits them to a line-of-sight
receiver to greatly extend the range of Blue Force Tracking
missions.
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Silent Parrot Repeater
The Silent Parrot repeater is a second-generation
device, based on the Commando Parrot, for repeating COBRA-compliant Blue Force
Tracking (BFT) signals.
A BFT line-of-sight (LOS) receiver was developed for
use on training ranges and exercise areas due to the reduced availability of
National Technical Means (NTM) for the collection and dissemination of BFT
beacon signals in the Continental United States (CONUS). This BFT receiver, as
its name implies, can collect the BFT signals for beacons that are within a
radio LOS of the receiver's antenna. Obviously, the larger the area that can be
"seen" by the receiver's antenna, the larger area is available for use in the
training exercise. When the receiver is placed on an aircraft and flown over a
sizeable exercise area, much more realistic training scenarios can be supported.
The Silent Parrot repeater is an inexpensive means of
collecting BFT assets signals from an airborne platform and relaying these
signals to the ground. The repeater receives the BFT signals and then
retransmits them on another frequency to the LOS receiver, which can remain on
the ground in a controlled environment.
The repeater does not recover any data from the
received signals and, therefore, no classified data is generated. Since the
repeater does not extract any information from the signal but only translates
the signal in frequency, there are no security issues associated with its use.
Loss or capture of a repeater will not compromise the current BFT signal
collection and dissemination architecture. The repeater is also equipped with a
tamper detection mechanism.
The Silent Parrot repeater includes a capability to
detect the BFT beacon waveform and retransmit it only when that waveform is
present. This allows for OCONUS operation.
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The repeater is housed in a rugged
aluminum enclosure and has no operator controls.
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Each repeater is supplied as a kit with
a users’ manual, configuration software install CD, USB cable, and
flying-lead power cable packaged in a rugged transport case.
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Features and Benefits
- Low Cost - Compared to the currently available
line-of-sight (LOS) receiver, the CP repeater provides an affordable
solution for extending BFT range.
- World-Wide Operation - The repeater is approved
for either CONUS or OCONUS operation with the LOS receiver.
- Rugged Construction - The repeater has undergone
extensive tests proving it suitable for either tower or manned/unmanned
aircraft environments.
- Low Electromagnetic Emissions - The repeater has
been extensively characterized in accordance with MIL-STD-461 guidelines.
- Simple Configuration - Main repeater functions
are configured using a simple PC-compatible graphical user interface (GUI).
Connection to the configuration computer is via a standard USB interface.
- Suitable for Multiple Platforms - The simplicity
of the repeater allows it to be built into a form factor that can be hosted
on a variety of aircraft, both manned and unmanned.
Technical Specifications
- Dimensions - 6.2 x 4.2 x 6.75 inches (including
connectors)
- Weight - 5.1 pounds
- Power - 10 to 36 VDC (28 V nominal)
- Operating Temperature - -40 to +55 degrees C
- Altitude - Tested to 25,000 feet ASL
- Humidity - 5 to 95 percent (non-condensing)
- Mounting - On repeater bottom using 4 each 10 x
32 screws
- Nominal Range - 100 nautical miles at a repeater
height of 10,000 feet above ground level (typically the limitation is RF
line-of-sight)
- Transmitter Power Output - 200 mW or 1 W,
selectable during configuration by the user
- Receiver Noise Figure - 5 dB
- Transmit (Downlink) Frequency - 800 to 810 MHz
in 100 kHz increments
- Receive (Uplink) Frequency - 345 to 356 MHz in
100 kHz increments
For more information,
contact
James A. Moryl,
Director, Surveillance and Geolocation Department.
Surveillance and Geolocation
Signal Exploitation
and Geolocation
SwRI Technical Divisions
 SwRI
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November 18, 2009
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