NTIA Report TR-94-304

An Investigation of Federal Standard 1045 High-Frequency ALE Radio Performance in the Southern Trans-Auroral Zone

March 1994

P.C. Smith, R.T. Adair, and D.F. Peach

Abstract: This report presents the results of two weeks of bi-directional high-frequency radio path soundings in a trans-auroral environment between Christchurch, New Zealand, and the U.S. station, McMurdo (Black Island), Antarctica, during mid-January, 1992. The work was commissioned by the Naval Undersea Warfare Center, New London, CT, for the National Science Foundation. This investigation demonstrated the value of ALE adaptive radio systems as a real-time frequency management tool. Based on the results observed, the authors recommended that NSF consider the acquisition of a 1-kW ALE radio system to be used, primarily as an oblique ionospheric channel sounder, with their existing communications system. This addition would provide significant improvement to the NSF frequency management capability.

Keywords: adaptive radio; ALE; Antarctica; automatic link establishment; communications; frequency management; high frequency; high latitude; radio

• Title Page; Preface; Contents; Figures; Tables; Acronyms and Abbreviations

• Chapter 1: Introduction; Chapter 2: U.S. Navy Support Facility - New Zealand Communications Site Surveys

• Chapter 3: Federal Standard 1045 Automatic Link Establishment (ALE) Circuit Performance

• Chapter 4: Summary; Chapter 5: Recommendations for Improving HF Link Reliability; Chapter 6: Conclusions;
  Chapter 7: Acknowledgements; Chapter 8: References;
  Chapter 9: Bibliography

• Appendix A: January 1992 Solar and Geomagnetic Data

• Appendix B: Results of Daily ALE Soundings

• Appendix C: Pattern of U.S. Navy Comsta Frequency Selection

Disclaimer: Certain commercial equipment, components, and software are identified in this report to specify adequately the technical aspects of the reported results. In no case does such identification imply recommendation or endorsement by the National Telecommunications and Information Administration, nor does it imply that the equipment or software identified is necessarily the best available for the particular application or uses.

To request a reprint of this report, contact:
Margaret Luebs, Publications Officer
Institute for Telecommunication Sciences
Voice: (303) 497-3572
info@its.bldrdoc.gov

For technical information concerning this report, contact:
Frank Sanders, Electronics Engineer
Institute for Telecommunication Sciences
Voice: (303) 497-7600
fsanders@its.bldrdoc.gov