Universal Combined Radio Relay and Tropospheric Scatter Equipment [Equipment Group AN/FRC-( )]

The characteristic distinguishing this equipment group resides in the words "Equipment", "Universal" and "Combined''. As conceived by Rome Air Development Center, this approach is aimed to bring about a matrix of least-common buildingblock equipments with the built-in flexibility for mutual fit to make up any required radio relay or tropospheric scatter subsystem. It is intended that the resulting subsystem designs will enable a closer approach to the ideal "universal" trunk line radio communication subsystems for AIRCOM than has been hitherto possible. This is so mainly because the AN/FRC-( ) design objectives hew closely to the over-all comprehensive AIRCOM system plan, assuring fit and interface within a well-defined architectural scheme. The equipment group presently specified for development is characterized by the inherent versatility to compose line-of-sight radio or trope subsystems for AIRCOM applications demanding a high order of signal reliability (99.9 per cent), heavy baseband capacity (to 600 4-kc voice channels, or video equivalent), long trunk line distances (up to 6000 miles), and signal quality standards up to CCITT recommended values. The radio relay or tropospheric scatter subsystems so derived should compatibly feed from or into existing long-distance commercial communications facilities in the North American continent, and Air Force systems expected to be served by AIRCOM. This fresh departure from the conventional piecemeal subsystem design and fabrication was derived from the fundamental philosophy expressed by Strom and Kunze. As applied to radio relay and tropo scatter, this universality-andcombinability concept may well prove a forerunner to similar embodiments in related communication fields, with consequent benefits in uniformity, versatility, compatibility, growth potential and economy in time, money and logistics.