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“The next trade war will be on Spectrum and
the next World War for Water”
Davinder Kumar 1995 |
The world is witnessing a revolution in military
affairs (RMA)as a result of rapid technological progress. This has led
to a paradigm shift in planning and conduct of military operations
from legacy platform centric systems to network centric systems. This
transformation at strategic level is critically dependent on assured
availability, survivability and efficiency of communication-electronic
information infrastructure. However, the entire gamut of
communication-electronic equipment is affected by and affects the
overall electromagnetic operational environment. These interactions in
the electromagnetic domain lead to problems of electromagnetic
interference and incompatibility.
As density of emitters and receivers was less, resolution of such
problems was limited to management of the frequency spectrum, emission
control, long term spectrum planning and electronic warfare measures.
The problem, though serious, was not considered critical because of
the nature of battle. However, the erstwhile battlefield has evolved
into an intense, mobile, dynamic and dense battlespace. The allocation
of the frequency bands for the Defence Forces is also shrinking as
commercial demand for this critical natural resource increases. New
technical management procedures are required to manage this situation.
Concept of Electromagnetic Battlespace
Electromagnetic waves, like all other waves are characterized by their
frequency and intensity. The electromagnetic spectrum consists of
electromagnetic waves of all possible frequencies. This spectrum
extends from the very low frequency range used by submarines to
millimetric waves used by advanced radars. In fact, it is practically
defined till about 3000 GigaHertz. The United Nations (UN) defines the
spectrum as a sovereign natural resource of any nation state.
Electromagnetic waves interact with the physical environment and each
other. These interactions have long been exploited by the
Communicators community for planning radio communications. Affect of
distance and time on electromagnetic waves has also been studied and
researched by users and academia. These have been traditionally used
to manage the spectrum.
The subset of the overall battlespace in which all electromagnetic
systems operate is the electromagnetic Battlespace. It is interplay of
three dimensions. These are :
| (a) |
The frequency spectrum or spectral dimension, |
| (b) |
Geographic location or spatial dimension and |
| (c) |
Real time or temporal dimension. |
Characteristics of Electromagnetic Battlespace
This space is all pervasive and affects all communication-electronic
equipment. It is not possible to model the entire spectrum technically
using a single theoretical rule. It is silent, not directly
perceivable by humans and hence very difficult to visualise. Thus,
affect of mismanagement, though critical, is not obvious immediately.
As emissions are scarce during peacetime, the effects of all emitters
will only be felt during wartime, when there will be little time to
correct the situation.
Electromagnetic propagation does not respect manmade boundaries.
Consequently, the electromagnetic battlespace is shared by all
agencies, present in the space. The enemy is also part of this
battlespace and in future conflicts, operations for control of the
electromagnetic battlespace are likely to be the rule rather than an
exception.
Like real-estate, all parts of the spectrum do not have the same
value. Legacy systems of the Army were based on bands of the Spectrum
having best propagation characteristics. Thus, they were immune to
adverse effects of minor antenna mismatch, short term fading etc.
However, the civil sector has leveraged this information to force
military systems out of these so-called “beach-front property” bands.
Due to rapid technological growth, the Spectrum has assumed greater
commercial value than even before.
The electromagnetic spectrum can be easily polluted. Sources of
pollution being natural noise, unintentional electromagnetic emissions
from activities like heavy machinery, vehicles and intentional
pollution in terms of jamming and electromagnetic pulse.
There is a limitation on range of equipment due to emitter power, path
attenuation and receiver sensitivity. The propagation is also affected
by terrain, atmospheric and solar conditions. Therefore, it is
possible to judiciously re-use spectral resources with respect to
geographic locations.
In today’s dynamic battlefield conditions, there is an increased
reliance on ‘mobility’. This coupled with a high
communication-electronic equipment density make the electromagnetic
battlespace extremely dynamic. Thus, time is the third dimension of
the electromagnetic battlespace. The electromagnetic spectrum is not
depleted with time. However, in case it is not used at the present
moment, the resource is lost forever. As equipment cost decreases and
Spectrum cost increases, plans must be made to optimally utilise the
entire available Spectrum at all times.
Like real estate, occupation of the spectrum is on a first come first
serve basis. Due to commonality of the electromagnetic battlespace
between opposing forces, the force which maximises usage of spectrum
ab-initio and incorporates efficient protection mechanisms, will have
an upper edge.
It is possible to share spectral resources in time. This is commonly
called spectral scheduling.
As per some experts, the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of a country is
directly linked to the telephone density. The spectrum is critical not
only for the Defence Forces, but also for overall national growth. Due
to increased reliance and ubiquity of cellular communications, the
spectral space is becoming increasingly crowded. As spectrum demand of
civil industry increases, spectral needs of Defence Forces are likely
to be sidelined in a market driven economy. Thus, as the spectral
slice shrinks for Defence Forces, its management becomes critical.
Difficulties in Managing the Electromagnetic Battlespace
Lack of Management Models
Readymade models are not available for outright purchase or emulation.
The processes take time to develop and mature. This needs national
effort and top-down approach.
Non Tangible Nature
The electromagnetic battlespace is not tangible. Hence, its loss
or mismanagement is not directly perceivable. This leads to mis-perception.
In fact it is difficult to attribute failures to mis-management till
the time effective technical visualisation tools are in place.
Complex Technical Problem
Managing this space is not a trivial technical problem. Solutions
are not readily available and most developed nations are vastly
protective of their expertise in this area. Since most of the
solutions are empirical in nature, direct application is not easy.
Real Time Solution
The management requires real time or near real time granularity.
Thus use of automated systems is a necessity. The data to be processed
is so large, that this application may have to be run on super
computers for real time management.
National Effort
The electromagnetic battlespace cannot be managed in a piece meal
manner. It is an all or none proposition. With plethora of agencies
being part of the electromagnetic battlespace, coordination and
commonality of approach between all constituents of the battlespace is
necessary.
Requirement of Specialised Technical Tools
Specialised tools are required for efficient management of the
electromagnetic battlespace. These include wideband monitoring
receivers with direction finding capability and software for
electromagnetic de-confliction. Comprehensive geo-spectral databases
containing technical information about all emitters and receivers in
the battlespace and a responsive interference reporting mechanism are
essential.
Enforcement Measures
Management of this technically challenging space requires enforcement
of spectral discipline. This role can be played by the Joint
Communication Electronic Staff under Headquarters Integrated Defence
Staff. However, a new generation of techno savvy legal staff is needed
for the purpose. The overall legal process needs to be dovetailed with
the national legal setup and support the Defence Forces in arbitration
of spectrum matters.
Procedural Measures
The procedural measures which accrue out of the legal framework
can be divided into long and short term management processes. These
are as follows:-
| (a) |
Long management measures
include planning and electro- magnetic compatibility (EMC)
assurance process through equipment certification, testing of
equipment for their electromagnetic characteristics and
simulation of electromagnetic affect of projected equipment
inductions on present battlespace components. Implicit in this
process is the maintenance of a database of technical
characteristics of the entire communication-electronic equipment
inventory. Service Headquarters shall carry out long-term
planning and forecast. They shall also be tasking the technical
support facilities. |
| (b) |
Short term management measures
include software systems for automation of demand and
assignment, creation and updation of geo-spectral databases and
real time interference detection and resolution mechanism. Short
term management shall be coordinated at the Command level by the
Command Communications Electronics Coordination Committee (CCECC).
Being geographically static, CCECC is visualised to be the
overall assignment authority at theatre level.
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Technical Support Measures
The technical support measures include infrastructure for development
and maintenance of databases, support software, equipment testing
facilities, and monitoring networks. It also includes consultancy
mechanisms to provide technical basis for framing of rules and
regulations. The relevant organisations in the defence services will
have to interface with national level facilities to achieve the
required synergy.
Model Implementation
Being a Tri-Services model, this model is likely to take a long time
to implement. Hence as an interim measure, the Army through the Corps
of Signals, is modifying its existing resources. These include the
following:-
| (a) |
Development of appropriate software to automate
management functions. This software shall be based on a
Geographical Information System (GIS) platform and help
assignment authorities grant-interference free resource of user
units. |
| (b) |
Procure automated monitoring stations as means
of interference resolution and aid enforcement. |
| (c) |
Modify test procedures to capture equipment
characteristics data for populating appropriate databases. |
| (d) |
Carry out anticipatory training of selected
Officers to act as electromagnetic battlespace managers. |
Conclusion
Electromagnetic battlespace management is a rapidly advancing
technical field. Due to the criticality of managing the
Electromagnetic Battlespace and its ever-changing nature, it is
pertinent that robust management processes are put in place. This
shall ensure own dominance and control of the electromagnetic
battlespace and thus go a long way in ensuring success in future
military or economic conflicts.
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