JP2043 High Frequency Modernisation (HFMOD) Project

The Australian Defence Force (ADF) is upgrading its long-range high frequency communications system.

As prime contractor for the High Frequency Modernisation (HFMOD) Project, Boeing Australia is responsible for the design, build and delivery of the new Modernised High Frequency Communications System (MHFCS) for the ADF; a system that will lead the world in HF communications and systems integration.

Need for the Project

Currently, the Australian Army, Royal Australian Navy and Royal Australian Air Force operate their own HF communications systems, with some components of these systems having been in operation for more than 40 years. Modern combat forces however require detailed, accurate information in the form of voice, data and image transfer; which current Defence HF systems cannot fully support.

Rather than continuing to upgrade each of the three Services' communications networks individually, the Australian Defence Force decided in 1993 to combine the three systems into one, covering all of continental Australia and up to 2000 nm out to sea. Communication with Australia's deployed forces will be achieved by improving and automating the radios on ships, planes and vehicles used by the Navy, Army and Air Force; providing facilities similar to a public telephone system.

The New System

The Modernised High Frequency Communications System (MHFCS) Wide Area Network provided by the HFMOD Project will enhance command and control of the Australian Defence Force by linking command centres and deployed aircraft, ships and land forces.

The new system will consist of four radio stations, called nodes, located at North West Cape (WA), Darwin (NT), Townsville (QLD) and in the Riverina region (NSW). These will be connected to two purpose-built control centres in Canberra (ACT).

Redundancy will be built into the MHFCS to allow it to provide the required level of service in the event that one or more stations are not operational.

Benefits for the Defence Community

The purpose of the Modernised High Frequency Communications System is to enable enhanced command and control of the Australian Defence Force.

The new system will offer significant benefits, including:

• Enhanced quality of service over the area of operations
• Enhanced security and reliability
• Faster speed of service
• Additional services such as email, data transfers and TCP/IP
• Reduced operating costs by reducing manpower and applying new technologies
• Significantly reduced power requirements

 

Modernised High Frequency Communications System Capabilities

• Voice, data, facsimile and e-mail to the desktop over HF services
• Wide Area coverage to ships, aircraft and land forces
• Real time frequency management to find channels for 4.8kbps skywave operation
• Modelling to show effectiveness of provision of upgrades
• Network management and operation
• A network of four transmit and receive sites, managed from a central management facility in Canberra

 

System Features

The Modernised High Frequency Communications System will provide:

• Substantial elements of COTS/NDI hardware and software to minimise development and support risk
• Interoperability with US, UK, NATO and Allied forces
• Long-haul communications using broadband directive antenna to improve link margins with mobile platforms
• New services with ALE and equipment control between the Fixed Network and mobiles to establish and exchange the new traffic information
• Modification kits to selected mobile platforms to enable the new technologies
• Simultaneous connectivity for legacy mobiles and international systems in addition to the new ALE services provided to modified platforms
• Full redundancy with automatic substitution
• Software architecture which supports Network Management, Traffic Handling, Communications Control and Real Time Frequency Management Systems on a distributed computer network
• A new wide area network (WAN) infrastructure to support future traffic needs
• Expansion capacity required for future equipment and network additions over a 15 - 20 year life of type
• A System Performance Model (SPM) for HF network design, test, acceptance and upgrades

 

System Performance Modelling for HF Systems

A High Frequency System Performance Model (SPM) provides an ability to accurately predict the performance of HF network systems. The SPM is a discrete, event driven simulation program that provides an experimental vehicle for deriving comprehensive service level statistics and performing sensitivity analyses for HF system design, test, acceptance and upgrades. The SPM can also used to estimate the compliance with the Technical Specification which can be achieved by the HF System under prescribed operational scenarios and over a range of environmental conditions.

The SPM combines models of HF coverage with traffic congestion and management to allow observation of the full impact of environmental factors, particularly spectral congestion and the performance of HF Systems over diurnal, seasonal and solar cycle (11-year) epochs and under various traffic load conditions. The SPM enables forecasts of levels of service for different configurations of sites and hardware. For example, the diagrams below show coverage variations for a North Atlantic based system. The impact of changes can be presented in clear concise and accurate terms.

The SPM allows for modelling of varying detail, including the specific modelling of over-the-air protocols which impact system design, and is used to provide assistance in the development of optimal solutions for design questions and acceptance of the system.

As an input to Life Cycle Cost modelling, current and future costs can be compared, and priorities established for upgrades, to ensure best value for money. Performance impacts can be predicted as upgrade options are considered, providing the system operator with an accurate assessment of the resources required to maintain operational capability.

The SPM is also useful in operational and exercise planning. By understanding coverage issues in relation to operations, the system may be tuned to assist a particular operational scenario.