Zebra-multi-channel digital modular radio: architecture and performance

This paper presents the design and performance of a multi-channel SATCOM/LOS UHF receiver known as Zebra manufactured by Mnemonics, Inc., Melbourne, FL. The current four channel receiver debuted at the Joint Warrior Interoperability Demonstration (JWID-1996). Zebra employs an open architecture design based on commercial off-the shelf (COTS) single board computers communicating with proprietary UHF receiver modules and embedded cryptographic devices over a Versa Module Eurocard (VME) databus. Interprocessor communication within Zebra relies on a TCP/IP transport layer that allows dynamic re-routing of data streams to support a variety of tactical data links with any number of receiver channels and embedded or external cryptographic devices. A single VME receiver module (VRM) provides a programmable capability to downconvert, demodulate, de-interleave and forward error correct a variety of UHF signals. Encrypted digital data from the VRM is presented to a Zebra crypto module (ZCM) for decryption through an embedded CDH. A recent manifestation of Zebra supports simultaneous reception and dissemination of data products from four of the following tactical data links: TRE Related APplications (TRAP), TActical Data Information eXchange System-B (TADIXS-B), Tactical Information Broadcast Service (TIBS), Officer in Tactical Command Information eXchange Service (OTCIXS), Secondary Imagery Dissemination System (SIDS) or Line-Of-Sight TActical Data Information Link II (LOS TADILA).