THALES DEFENCE COMMUNICATIONS

PANTHER EDR
VHF TACTICAL COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEM

www.thales-defence.co.uk

The introduction of the new Panther EDR family of radios heralds a new era in Tactical VHF frequency hopping, encrypted radio communications. Panther EDR represents, without doubt, the most advanced system of its type available in the world today.

THE PANTHER EDR RANGE

PANTHER P 5 watt handheld & section radio PANTHER V 5/20 watt manpack

PANTHER P 5 watt mini-manpack radio

PANTHER V 20 watt integrated vehicle radio

PANTHER V 50 watt vehicle/base station radio

PANTHER EDR
Enhanced Digital Radio
The ultimate voice and data solution
Operating in the 30 - 108MHz frequency range, Panther EDR offers unsurpassed communications performance in radios a fraction of the size and weight of the current generation of equipment. Add to this, the multi-media capabilities and advanced user services standardised across the range of radios, Panther EDR truly represents the battlefield communication solution for the 21st Century.

Racal was the original designer of the worlds first EPM VHF tactical radio, perfecting the frequency hopping and synchronisation algorithms required to achieve protection against ECM threats (DF, Intercept and Jamming).

Panther

EDR

Carrier Sense Multiple Access

OPERATIONAL AP
Operational Applications Panther EDR has been designed to support the operational requirements for multimedia information distribution in present and future battlefield scenarios.

Voice and Data Traffic

Essential to multi-media radio networks is an on-air management system able to provide voice priority and maximum throughput of data at the same time. Panther EDR has been designed with built-in multiple radio access protocols allowing integrated voice and data throughput on a radio net. Carrier Sense Multiple Access (CSMA) automatically controls data flow across a radio network and is essential for managed mixed voice and data networks. The CSMA capability is central to providing integrated data solutions e.g. Packet data overlays.

Racals expertise in tactical communications has led to its involvement in the future radio developments of both the United Kingdoms BOWMAN project, and the United States DOD Force XXI program.

Messaging
PantherMAIL is an optional software package that enables Email to be sent over the tactical VHF nets using standard Windows 95 software running Microsoft Exchange, Windows Messaging, or Outlook 97. PantherMAIL supports Email with file attachments, providing a seamless Intranet solution and support for Internet messaging. Panther EDR radios provide for the direct connection of PC based military or commercial data terminals, or military message terminals. The Panther EDR digital radio system data capabilities have been optimised to support a Packet data overlay.

PLICATIONS
Time Division Multiple Access

Command, Control and Communications Information Systems (C3I)

The requirement for time critical data applications has, until now, only been possible through the addition of expensive external TDMA (Time Division Multiple Access) modems with comprehensive error protection capabilities. The new Panther EDRs DSP based architecture is designed for custom TDMA applications to be implemented in software and downloaded directly into the radio.

Situation Awareness (GPS)

Panther EDR provides the option for seamless transfer of GPS position information from the externally connected GPS receiver (Internal option available for Panther V) Position information is available on request (polled) or sent with each transmission. By embedding the position co-ordinates within the encrypted on-air link protocol the information is completely protected from enemy intercept, and additionally is transparent to the radios voice and data transmissions.

PANTHER EDR
CNR Logistics Management Interoperability

Logistic Management

Logistics

tracking & Management High availability Comprehensive Repair Philosophy

Panther EDR provides

Comprehensive BIT Low MTTR High MTBF Electronic Logistics Record (ELR)

Headquarters

High Capacity Data Networks

CNR EW/Weapon Systems Integration

Weapon System Data

Time Critical Data Transmission Simultaneous Data Transmission Channels

Panther EDR provide

Fixed Frequency Interoperability Fixed Frequency Hailing Channel Scanning Two Frequency Simplex Combat Net Radio Interface (CNRI) Baseband Gateway

Panther EDR provides

Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA) Multiple Simultaneous data Access (MSA)

The Key To The Digital Battlefield

Optimised Communications with Multimedia Capabilities

Local Area System

Operational Requirements

Seamless Inter-net messaging Video & picture transmission Situation awareness (GPS) All informed Intra-net voice
communications

Point-to-point voice communications Communications information &

key distribution

Panther EDR provides

Tactical Inter-net Packet Data Overlay Mixed Voice and Data Networks (CSMA) Multiple Simultaneous data Access (MSA) Slow Scan Video Position Information Transmission & Management (GPS) Frequency Hopping Secure Voice Communications Multiple Simultaneous voice Access (MSA) Over-The-Air Re-keying (OTAR) Free Channel Search (FCS) Integral Co-site Capability 2 & 3 way Re-broadcast Authentication & Identification Remote Control

Protection against jamming Inter-net re-broadcast Compact vehicle solutions Lightweight manportable solutions Net user integrity Remote control capability

es

Key: Panther EDR

Interoperability Requirements

Interoperability with in-Service Radio Systems Interoperability with Government organisations Interface to High Capacity Data Networks (CNRI) Baseband Gateways

Panther

EDR

Optimised Electronic Protection Methods (EPM)

Initial and late entry synchronisation, of a Panther EDR net, is fully automatic and takes place whilst frequency hopping, with no recourse to fixed frequency. Communication is further strengthened and simplified by there being no reliance on a net Master station, and no requirement for time of day information to be entered externally by the operator, or from a GPS receiver. A robust synchronisation system and the provision of co-site filtering built into the basic transceiver avoids the problems of multi-path propagation

ON-AIR COMMUNICATIONS MODES

OPTIMISED FREQUENCY HOPPING
FREQUENCY

TIME

FREE CHANNEL SEARCH

FREQUENCY

BARRAGE JAMMING

BARRAGE JAMMING

TIME

Multiple Simultaneous Access

Panther EDR has the capability of supporting simultaneous calls on 50 pairs, therefore 100 stations, within each radio net, whilst allowing the all informed net members to communicate without disruption. This unique capability is carried out whilst frequency hopping, without recourse to a fixed frequency transmission.

associated with frequency hopping systems and allows compact and cost effective low and high power vehicle stations to be configured. Panther EDR also incorporates a comprehensive Free Channel Search capability (FCS) that selects the optimum working fixed frequency in the event of broadband jamming, and provides automated transition and interoperation between FH, FCS and fixed frequency (FF) modes.

Video Over Radio

The Panther EDR family is capable of passing compressed video or image data over a secure EPM channel. The RAICATS technology demonstrator provides for error resilient video to be

MULTIPLE SIMULTANEOUS ACCESS OPERATIONAL NET

passed over a 16kbps radio link. Powerful compression and error handling capabilities negate the need for a high over-the-air data rate radio with its resulting limited range performance. Received images can be displayed and stored using PC based applications.

Digital High Level Encryption Solutions

The Panther EDR radios incorporate a high level digital encryption device for use in all
Broadcast Net: Red MSA Net 1: Blue MSA Net 2: Green

voice and data modes.

Integrated Advanced Data Modem

Panther EDRs on-air data capabilities have been significantly enhanced, providing the worlds first demonstrable multi-media radio family: Comprehensive 8 level Reed Solomon Forward Error Correction (FEC) with binary block coding FEC supported over-the-air data rates to 9.6 kbps Integral Carrier Sense Multiple Access (CSMA) capability to support packet data, and mixed voice/data applications Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA) support for time critical data applications - Weapon systems / EW - Tailor made user specific software/integration support for various weapons systems

Transmitter Identification: Receiving radios in a net can be set to display the unique identity code of the transmitting radio.

Management Systems
Radio Programming: Configuration of the Panther EDRs modes and facilities is carried out using the easy to use Windows 95 software utility. Radios can either be filled directly from the PC or via the BCC706 Fill Gun. The Fill Gun, designed to military specifications, can store up to 4 complete radio net configurations. Over-The-Air Re-keying (OTAR) The built in OTAR facility provides the capability to re-programme a radios key and frequency information over a hopping, secure radio link. Net integrity is maintained using the Authentication

Simultaneous multiple net data calls Interfaces have been added and enhanced to support the new on-air data capabilities, and custom platform requirements: Dual RS232 interface - data rates to 115kbps with low control, synchronous or asynchronous operation Dedicated external GPS interface Internal GPS option for Panther V Patriot data mode M1A2 (IVIS) interface BCC 600 series and VIS harness interface

facility to confirm receipt by the receiving radio, and by employing FEC on all transmitted data. A direct radio to radio OTAR facility is provided for simple key and frequency distribution. Alternatively a PC based OTAR facility is supported by the Panther EDR radios to enable a Management Centre, in a radio network, to re-programme the radio net centrally. Multi Radio Local and Remote Control Capability: Panther EDR supports a unique multi radio control option, from a PC based Windows 95 application. Up to 4 radios may be controlled from a directly connected PC. The application also supports the remote control of net radios over-the-air, for re-configuration of unmanned repeaters or C3I data radios. Encryption Key Generation: Thales can provide, as an option, a COMSEC/TRANSEC key generation package for use on a PC.

Advanced User Services

The Panther EDR radios provide unparalleled functionality whilst maintaining the simplicity of use renowned in our radios: Net Names: The radios can be user configured to display a net name for each of the 8 preprogrammed channels. Alternatively the radios can be set to either display the channel number or the hailing frequency. Operator Authentication: To confirm the nets integrity, the net master or any other net member has the option to request any radio in the net for an authentication code from its operator. The 4 digit operator code is selected and set as part of the radios programming before deployment.

Electronic Log Record

The Panther EDR radios offer a unique facility which greatly assists the management and support of the equipment in the field. Each radio maintains a comprehensive log of the equipments current status in non volatile memory including: Equipment serial and type number Definable fields for user names Automatically updated record of the radios transmit, receive and standby times for calculating field MTBFs and radio duty cycles Automatically updated record of the previous 50 BIT codes, with date and time stamp, for easy fault diagnosis in the workshop The information can be simply extracted by connecting the radio to a PC running Thales Windows based Log Reader application. Tailored functionality Additional modes or functions can be provided to meet specific requirements such as TDMA Fire Control Systems. New capabilities are downloaded in software though the data ports on the radios.

System ancillary equipments

Antennas Audio Batteries and chargers Manpack frames and carrying pouches Remote Control Units Fill Gun Mounting hardware

Software based radio Architecture

The use of the latest powerful DSP based technologies has enabled the Panther EDRs functionality to be the most comprehensive available, and standardised throughout the range of radios. This software based functionality further provides for additional capabilities, or customised options, to be downloaded, using a PC based Windows application, via the radios external data port.

Customer tailored solutions (Options)

Multi Language support The Panther EDR radios have been designed with alphanumeric displays to support customer specific language options in all display modes. The additional language can be loaded through the radios external data port. Tailored encryption solutions. Thales in-house encryption capability, developed over the last 20 years, can provide the optimum solution to meet individual customer requirements.

THALES DEFENCE LTD Communications House PO Box 3621 Western Road Bracknell Berkshire RG12 1WJ United Kingdom Telephone: +44 (0)1344 387000 Fax: +44 (0)1344 387403 e-mail: enquiries@uk.thalesgroup.com
Thales reser ves the right to vary in detail from the description and specification in this publication. Publication No: 7316-1/0401/1347D.