System quality factors for LPI communications

Quality factors are developed for a low probability of intercept (LPI) communications system in order to provide a quantitative technique which allows the system engineer to evaluate LPI effectiveness in the presence of jammers and intercept receivers. LPI quality factors are derived from the system link equations which describe the signal power gains and losses as a function of system link parameters. Quality factors are described for the essential components of the LPI system which provide some advantage to the cooperative transmitter and receiver over the jammer and intercept receiver. These include quality factors for the antennas, type of modulation, atmospheric propagation conditions, and interference rejection capability.<>