eagle close combat radio (ccr) - the ast group push to talk... · eagle close combat radio (ccr) 1...

Eagle Close Combat Radio (CCR)

1 In Strict Confidence Cobham TC&S

Cobham Tactical Communications and Surveillance

Asia Pacific VAR Conference 2012

Date 14h - 15th June 2012

Eagle Radio –Snapshot • Over 10,000 units sold

• Full Duplex 2.4GHz radio

• License free, ISM band operation

• AES 128 encryption

• Frequency hopping – 33 per second

• IP67 rated – Waterproof up to 1m for 30 mins

• Ad-hoc network radio

• Automatic re-broadcast up to 5 times

• Not dependant on fixed infrastructure

Extends Cobham’s Intercom for dismounted access

– ROVIS, AN/VIC-3, LV2 and TacG2

– Allows dismounted access to the Combat Net Radios in vehicle

A capable squad radio - Full Duplex for 6 simultaneous voice and data users

In Strict Confidence Cobham TC&S

Radio Controls


Controls and Menus

The Primary Control Switch (PCS) • All menus are accessed from one single rotary

/ push switch

– The PCS is accompanied by voice prompts, to

guide users through the menu structure and select the various functions.

• Menu options are selected by pushing down on the rotary control button switch.

• Once set up, few changes would be required except altering volume and Groups (channels).

• Voice prompts can be made available in the users language of choice.

Ease of use is a critical factor - Eagle has been designed to be simple to operate

in a high stress environments


Eagle Menu Link


Headsets

Provides users with clear spatial awareness whilst operating the Eagle Radio

• The adjustable, open cup headset fits under most helmets

• Open vents to improve ventilation and peripheral

awareness • Hearing protection is vital to all soldiers, provided by

ear defenders which fit over the top of the headset

– A noise-cancelling boom microphone is connected to the headset by a robust flexible boom arm with an IP67 microphone

• Other headset options are available

– Currently using ANR ‘in ear’ solution in Denmark

– This provides increased hearing protection and awareness


Remote Activation Unit (RAU)

– Acts as a secondary Push to Talk (PTT) unit – The RAU can be hand-held, weapon mounted or

mounted onto a secondary piece of equipment for ease-of-use and multi-tasking

– Each RAU includes a picattiny rail and/or strap for

mounting

– Paired with each radio

The RAU enables the user to access the PTT whilst handling a second piece of equipment and giving the same functionality as the standard PTT


Eagle Radio Rechargeable Battery

Rechargeable battery options

– Li-ion Battery Capacity: provides up to 12 hours operation between charges (at 20⁰C)

– Recharge: up to 500 cycles whilst retaining at least

90% of its initial charge capacity – Battery Life: Battery Pack shall have a useable life of

at least 3 years (if used correctly).

The equivalent in disposable AA cells would weigh over 43 kg

– NiMH cells can be offered as an option.

– 2.5 hour charge time

– Up to 900 Charge cycles


The battery gives a functional and cost effective way of extending the Eagle’s duration in comparison to 6 AA cells

Eagle Radio Battery Charger

Mil Spec charger for Vehicles and bases • The Eagle Battery Charger is a state-of-the-

art, high performance battery charger designed to be mounted to a vehicle

– capable of sequentially charging up to 8 battery packs or 24 AA cells.

– The charger can also be in HQ’s and Operating bases.

– The charger contains mounting brackets and is designed to be mounted onto the wall or other fixture of a vehicle.

– Battery Packs in under 4 hours and AA cells in 2.5 hours.

The battery charger provides a cost effective way of powering the Eagle Radio compared to disposable AA cells.


Software and Hardware designed for Ease of Use

Easy to use Human-Machine Interface (HMI)

• Eagle is a software definable radio enabling upgrades, modifications and tailoring to satisfy a given solution

– Menus can be tailored to meet roles of Commanders and soldiers.

– PC supports further software tailoring and upgrades

• A Voice Operated Transmit (VOX) mode allows users to pass instructions and orders as if they were standing next to each other

– This aids critical tasks - Hands Free

– Eases the burden of network discipline in a combat environment


Full Duplex Capability

Full duplex capability significantly eases the communication burden on users by eliminating the need for rigid voice procedure

• Duplex communications speed-up communication streams and lower stress levels for the users.

– fewer resends and misinterpretations

• Two way communication is vital for the understanding of instructions in the field

• The Eagle Radios allow for up to six simultaneous duplex users


Simultaneous Voice and Data Capability

• In addition to the advanced voice functions, simultaneous transmission and reception of data is also available

• Up to 128KBits of data whilst still maintaining two full duplex voice channels

• Each Eagle Radio incorporates an RS232 Serial Data interface.

• The data rate is selectable by the user menu with three data modes available:

– SA (GPS) - separate to other data modes - retransmitted as necessary around the network

– Low speed (6Kbit) rebroadcast - allowing small data files from C4i systems to be sent over a normal voice channel

– High speed (56.7Kbit) broadcast – allowing the transmission of larger files or images. It is not rebroadcast -this is be done via the C4i system

Simultaneous encrypted voice and data communications and throughout the network of users allow clear and concise communication streams


Eagle Radio Mounted – G310A

Eagle Radio and Cobham Intercom Link • The G310A acts as a gateway between the Eagle

Network and a Cobham intercom system with simple integration

• Powered by the vehicle intercom, the G310A

allows dismounted Eagle users to have full duplex access to the vehicle intercom system

– The G310A utilises Menu as the Eagle Radios

– This can be monitored from any crew position on the intercom or the headset connection on the G310A

– The Eagle users can monitor additional vehicle CNRs as selected by the crew.

The G310A provides dismounted Eagle users with access to both the vehicle intercom and vehicle Combat Net Radios (CNRs)


Integration Capability for Seamless C4i Communications

An ideal communications bearer for soldier systems at a tactical level of operations

• Eagle can be used as a communications bearer for C4I soldier, passing GPS positions of each soldier.

• Eagle provides an intra-team comms system and also a link to a Commanders network. • Linking Eagle to CNR provides additional (longer range) comms to each soldier by linking to

their radio over the Eagle network.


Operational Features

Main Group Sub-divide and Reform Automatically

Main Group

Sub-groups Form

Main Group

Reforms

Area Coverage using Auto Rebroadcast

Increased area coverage with up to 5

automatic rebroadcast links

Range Extension using Auto Rebroadcast

LPD provided by frequency hopping waveform. AES 128

Encryption prevents unauthorised monitoring and

group access

Increased linear range with up to 5

automatic rebroadcast links

AES Encryption and Frequency Hopping


Dynamic Network Controller

Eagle uses a Dynamic Net Controller (DNC)

• The nomination of DNC is automatic and is based on the radio that is at the centre of RF mass.

• As the network changes shape with movement, the DNC moves between radios automatically with no loss of communication

– The system automatically allocates a Dynamic Network Controller to any Group or Sub-group

– The DNC is formed at the centre of RF mass to maximise communications efficiency

– DNC moves and changes automatically with no user intervention

– If the current DNC is lost, for any reason, another radio takes over the role seamlessly

DNC ensures a reduction in vulnerability from that seen in a Master Controller networked system


Automatic Rebroadcast / Retransmission

Extending the communication range • Eagle has a line of sight range of 700m in open

terrain. Rebroadcast capability gives a linear range of 3,500m (5 x 700)

• When a radio loses full coverage a link is set up by the network to bring that radio into full coverage

• Up to five rebroadcast links can be set up within a network at any one time

• Automatic rebroadcast/retransmission improves operation communications in three main areas:

– Linear range

– Area coverage around obstacles

– Coverage in tactical positions

With five automatic rebroadcast links, Eagle Radio offers increased range coverage in urban, rural and mixed environments


Automatic Group Splitting and Reforming

Group security allows a group to be formed as secure or insecure and open or closed • When a Group splits into two or more Sub

Groups, Eagle automatically, forms autonomous networks with their own DNC.

• Upon reforming, the system automatically

re-connects the Sub Groups together seamlessly into a single Group.

• Sub automatically form their own network

without the need to change channels or alter their communications equipment.

Automatic Group Splitting and Reforming provides the best possible range and area coverage.


AES 128 Encryption and Frequency Hopping as standard

Encryption provides LPI and Frequency Hopping provides LPD

• AES 128 encryption provides low probability of intercept (LPI)

• There are three AES Encryption modes to choose

from:

– Fixed / Random (Default);

– Programmable / Random

– Programmable / Programmable

• Direct Sequence Spread Spectrum frequency hopping provides low probability of detection (LPD)

– The system utilises frequency hopping at a rate of 33

hops per second

Security and the prevention of unauthorised access to communications and information is of paramount importance in the tactical battlefield


Multiple Uses

Eagle Expansion Unit Can be promoted as an ‘up-sell’ to existing customers with Cobham Intercoms.

Encrypted wireless data link

Security guards / industrial use where a wireless mesh link is required

Currently being used in a mining

application as a local wireless connection to IP Mesh / NetNode


Summary


eagle close combat radio (ccr) - the ast group push to talk... · eagle close combat radio (ccr) 1...

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