The Design of a Multi-Function Radar Simulator for the Identification of Friend or Foe(IFF) in the Mode-5 Product Improvement Program

Younghwan Jeong, Chansu Kim, Jungin Oh, Wonsik Lee, Sounghyouk Wi

http://doi.org/10.5626/JOK.2020.47.6.622

Identification of Friend or Foe(IFF) is a function of military surveillance system used to identify whether the monitored object is an ally or an enemy, these system are installed in fighters, ships, and interceptors among others. The United States plans to suspend the Mode-4 identification system and apply Mode-5 from July 2020 forward. The transition to Mode-5 is inevitable as it ensures the interoperability of peer identification systems used in the Republic of Korea’s military operations with the US as well as other NATO member states. If the IFF function found in control centers and multi-function radars is changed in regional air defense weapons systems, revalidation of these weapons systems is required to ensure stability and correct function. Therefore, a multi-function radar simulator is vital use in interface verification, unit tests, and integrated tests before evaluation of the new systems can be completed. This paper presents the design of a simulator for mode-5 performance testing and improvement.