Optimisation and evaluation of receiver search strategies for electronic support

Two essential requirements of a non-communications electronic support system are a high probability of intercept and a high probability of detection against scanning microwave band emitters. High probability of intercept is typically achieved using a wideband receiver whereas high probability of detection requires a narrowband receiver. Achieving both has hitherto required the use of multiple receivers in a cascaded or channelised architecture. To minimise the cost for radar warning receivers and anti-radiation systems, the authors propose that a single scanning narrowband receiver with inherently high probability of detection can achieve a high probability of intercept by using an optimised search strategy to control its frequency scan pattern. In this study the authors have presented a new approach to assessing the performance of strategies based on probability of intercept and demonstrated the use of an evolutionary algorithm to optimise receiver search strategies. The optimised strategies show a significant performance improvement over traditional scheduling approaches.