Examining the Effects of AWGN Jamming on a Tactical Data Link Communication System

Abstract: This master thesis investigates the jamming of Tactical Data Links (TDLs). The goal is to make a model that is capable of giving an overview of a communication system under jamming conditions, offering the user a suggestion for the best coding scheme and modulation to use in any given situation. Investigation is primarily focused on the High Frequency (HF) band and its accompanying Beyond Line Of Sight (BLOS) capabilities. With this model, time and resources can be saved by eliminating the need to test for these parameters. After this model is made, based on information found on jamming types, the question is asked whether Additive White Gaussian Noise (AWGN) jamming can be approximated in a simpler way, specifically by looking at the results of an un-jammed system with a higher noise floor. Results show that for fast switching pulsed jammers this is possible, but there is a dependency on the modulation used. For slow switching jammers, this is not possible. The model presented can later be used as a basis to answer more operational questions.