External Comms Suite

Question 1

What is the purpose of the external comms suite?

Answer 1

To provide HMCS MONTREAL with reliable line of sight and over the horizon encrypted and unencrypted data and voice communications between sea, air and land units.

Question 2

What is the fan antenna?

Answer 2

The 2 55’ Fan antennas consists of three long-wire radiators that run from the mast to the bridge top. They are connected together at the mast. Each antenna also has a fourth trailing wire assembly that runs from the mast to the RF tuner on the funnels. The fan antennas operate between 2-6 MHz.

Question 3

What are the 2 35’ whip antennas?

Answer 3

The 2 35’ whip antennas are on the port side of the ship. They operate in the 5.5-12 MHz range.

Question 4

What are the 2 18’ whip antennas?

Answer 4

The 2 18’ Whip antennas are on the stbd side of the ship. They operate in the 11-30 MHz range.

Question 5

What is the antenna matching unit (AMU)?

Answer 5

There are 3 AMU’s, one for each set of antennas. The AMU is a passive equipment that impedance matches the transmission line to the antenna. The primary job is to reduce the VSWR in the transmit system. The fan AMU is a direct network with no components used. The Whip AMU’s are both impedance matching networks, which use components to match the transmitter output impedence to that of the antenna.

Question 6

What are the band pass filters?

Answer 6

Consists of three filter sections, each of which is dedicated to a given antenna and only passes the desired band for that antenna, which is also dedicated to an output on the output combiner unit (OCU). The output ports from the BPF are fed through the EMCON/ RADIO TRANSMITTER CONTROL UNIT (RTCU) relay unit and to their respective antenna matching unit terminators. The BPFs are located in the CER and the EMCON panel is located in the Ops room.

Question 7

What is the output combiner unit (OCU)?

Answer 7

This is a passive routing unit designed to pass the signal to the correct antenna. Routing is based on phase differences of incoming signals, from which it is able to correctly route the high-power signal to its antenna without the use of mechanical switches. Combiners interface with the REMOTE TRANSMITTER CONTROL UNIT (RTCU) panel which provides emissions control. The combiner is located in the HFTU.

Question 8

What are the 8 power amplifiers?

Answer 8

There are eight RF amplifiers which are all dual channel linear radio frequency amplifiers. They are Class A amps that produce 250 W per channel. By controlling the inputs and outputs of the 8 individual amplifiers, the system can function as a single amplifier capable of 4kW. Excess power is diverted into the waste resistors on the top of the amplifier cabinet. They are all located in the HFTR.

Question 9

What is the input signal distribution unit (ISDU)?

Answer 9

The ISDU routes the low power exciter output to the correct amplifier path for its intended output antenna. The ISDU can be controlled locally at the cabinet so that the user can set up their desired circuits for transmission, at which point the TRANSMITTER CONTROL UNIT (TSCU) panel will display the programming entered into the ISDU.

Question 10

What is the transmit system control unit (TSCU)?

Answer 10

The TSCU provides central control of the RF amplifier system and is the primary control link between CCMS and the HF Transmit sub-system. CCMS tells the HF transmission sub-system how to be configured and the TSCU makes sure it happens. In local mode you can build/delete circuits here. It is located in the HFTR.

Question 11

What is the radio transmitter control unit (RTCU)?

Answer 11

The RTCU panel provides emissions control allowing for transmission to be ceased at will, and the status of the transmission to be seen at a glance. It is located in the CER and is used primarily to cease transmissions in the event of a person overboard.

Question 12

What are the 8 exciters?

Answer 12

There are 8 radio exciters located in the HFTR. The purpose of the exciters is to generate the desired transmit signal at the proper frequency and in the right mode. Operations may be done on the front panel and through CCMS. Filtering and automatic level control circuits ensure the output is at the desired level. It can modulate a signal into USB, LSB, ISB, CW, AM, and FM.

Question 13

What is HF Rx?

Answer 13

HF Rx system is how we receive HF signals.

Question 14

What are the HF Rx antennas?

Answer 14

HF Rx consists of three identical antennas. Each is located on the hangar top and resembles a flowerpot/tomato cage. The only difference between them is that one (LF/MF antenna) is tuned for 10kHz-2MHz, while the other three are 2-30MHz.

There used to be four antennas, but one was removed to make room for MSCU.

Question 15

What is the HF multicoupler?

Answer 15

This device is connected to the three HF Receive Antennas and splits their 3 feeds into twelve outputs. The HF Multicoupler then routes the outputs to the HF Radio Receivers and to the 2182kHz Distress Receiver.

Question 16

What are the LF/MF/HF multicouplers?

Answer 16

Two of the three multicouplers are used for 12 dedicated HF lines, while the remaining multicoupler is used for LF/MF/HF communications and has 9 outputs.

Question 17

What is the cross point matrix?

Answer 17

Each multicoupler output is routed to the RF patch panel Where, through switching circuitry in the HF Crosspoint Matrix Unit, it gets routed to the proper receiver. The HF Cross point Matrix is a digitally controlled switching matrix between 24 inputs and 28 outputs. The RF Patch Panel performs switching mechanically via reed switch relays which provide low noise connections. The inputs and outputs are connected to the RF Patch Panels which provide mechanical connections from the antennas to the receivers.

Question 18

What are the receivers?

Answer 18

There are 11 HF receivers and 2 LF/MF receivers. The receiver system provides reliable reception of short range and over the horizon data and voice traffic. It is capable of receiving AM, CW, FM, LSB, and ISB modes in a frequency range of 10 kHz to 30 MHz.

Question 19

What is HF EMG?

Answer 19

HF Emergency provides the ship with an additional HF communication system for emergencies. It can also be used for Link 11 operations. All components are located in the ERR.

Question 20

What is the HF EMG antenna?

Answer 20

The antenna used is an additional 18’ whip antenna located on the starboard side of the FER stacks.

Question 21

What is the Tx/Rx switch?

Answer 21

Switches between transmit and receive. Has a switching time of 3ms.

Question 22

What is UHF LOS?

Answer 22

UHF LOS provides the ship with line of sight and extended line of sight communications in the frequency range if 225-400 MHz. It is capable of receiving and transmitting analog AM or FM voice and digital secure voice.

Question 23

What are the antennas for LOS?

Answer 23

There are two hammerhead antennas on the UHF antenna. The top one is the main and the bottom is the spare. They require line of sight IOT operate properly.

Question 24

What is the LOS Patch Panel?

Answer 24

The UHF patch panel allows any transmit or receive multicouplers to connect to any of the UHF antenna groups, including the emergency antenna. During testing, you can connect a dummy load through the patch panel so the UHF signal bypasses the antenna.

Question 25

What are the multicouplers?

Answer 25

There are 16 multi-couplers. 8 of which are auto-tuned for transmission, and the other 9 are tuned for receive functions. Within the couplers are sharply selective three-cavity UHF band pass filters that shape the signal on a center frequency. The Rx multicouplers have a guard frequency of 243 MHz distress signal.

Question 26

What are the 8 UHF transceivers?

Answer 26

There are 8 transceivers that can be controlled directly or remotely through CCMS. They contain a built in T/R switch and are designed for single-channel operations in the 225-400 MHz range. They also contain a LOS/SATCOM select switch that allows them to swap between LOS and SATCOM.

Question 27

What is UHF Emergency?

Answer 27

UHF Emergency provides the ship with a back-up line of sight and extended line of sight communications. The components are the same as the regular UHF system with the exception that there is just one of everything. The antennas are shared with the normal system and the components are all located in the ERR.

Question 28

What is UHF SATCOM?

Answer 28

UHF Satcom is a transmit/receive system that provides two-way voice and data transfer to ships and shore facilities through satellite communications. All of the components are located in the CER. It operates in a frequency range of 240-318 MHz.

Question 29

What are the UHF SATCOM antennas?

Answer 29

There are two OE-82 antennas for satcom. They are both located on either side of the main mast.

Question 30

What is the antenna control unit (ACU)?

Answer 30

The antenna control unit contains the antenna controls and the indicating lamps that show the status of the antenna. It is responsible to control the rotation of the antennas, determine which lamps are lit, and provide reference signals for the synchro data packages. Once the position of a satellite is determined, one or both antennas are manually aimed at the satellite and then placed in automatic mode. In automatic mode, a feed from the ship’s gyro corrects the antenna azimuth, but its elevation is fixed.

Question 31

What is the antenna switching unit (ASU)?

Answer 31

The antenna switching unit compares the signal from port and starboard antennas and determines which signal to send to the equipment cabinet for processing. It will also route the signal for transmission to the OE-82 antenna with the best connectivity.

Question 32

What is the UHF amplifier?

Answer 32

The amplifier amplifies the signal to 250 W

Question 33

What is the RT-1829?

Answer 33

The DAMA equipment cabinet contains the digital signal processing and multiplexing components of UHF SATCOM. This modem accepts up to 4 simultaneous channels and multiplexes them onto a single carrier wave using TDMA. It can multiplex digital data for voice, data exchange or teletype communications.

Question 34

What is LINK?

Answer 34

The purpose of LINK is to provide us with an updated recognized maritime picture by exchanging information with other friendly units in a task group. We use multiple versions of LINK because we work with countries that use different versions. All versions interface with CMS 330 through the DLPS in CMS Cabinet 5.

Question 35

What is link 11?

Answer 35

LINK 11 does not have its own antenna- instead it makes use of the HF and UHF systems. The HF Emergency system can be configured for LINK 11. It contains a data terminal set located in the Ops room. The set is controlled via a remote control link monitor or by a PC configured as a RCU. The data terminal provides data conversion, data error detection and correction, synchronization, and crypto data transfer.

Question 36

What is link 16?

Answer 36

LINK 16 has its own antenna located on the main mast. It is vertically polarized and provides omnidirectional coverage over UHF on frequencies of 960-1215 MHz. There is an addition receive only antenna on the bridge top. It has a MIDS-LVT located in the ops room that contains its own crypto unit. It performs encryption/decryption of signals.

Question 37

What is link 22?

Answer 37

LINK 22 uses LINK 16’s antennas and also has its components in the Ops room.

Question 38

What is SHINCOM?

Answer 38

Shipboard Integrated Communication System (SHINCOM) is a militarized computer control system of vital and non-vital external and internal voice communication links. It is a proprietary voice-over-ISDN/IP TEMPEST-compliant network integrating all terminals into a robust consolidated network.

Question 39

What are the terminal devices?

Answer 39

There are a variety of terminal devices located throughout the ship to interface with SHINCOM. These include: BRI phones, which are single-channel telephones capable of accessing , Dual Screen Terminals (DST), which are capable of 4 channels and can access both administrative and secure channels, Console Dual Screen Terminals which are the same as the DSTs but are smaller and are fixed to consoles in the ops room, and finally outdoor terminals which act as the other DSTs but are enclosed in a ruggedized terminal box on the upper decks.

Question 40

What are the main distribution frames (MDFs)?

Answer 40

There are two main distribution frames. One located in the CCR and one in the SER. They allow the connection between the CSUs and the 13 junction boxes. The 13 junction boxes allow for connections with all of the various terminal devices.

Question 41

What are the central switching units (CSUs)?

Answer 41

The central switching unit (CSU) contains two main components: two fiber concentrator nodes and a fiber control node. The fiber concentrator node is responsible for regeneration of the signal and providing signal power for transmission, whereas the Fiber Control Node is responsible for circuit establishment and maintenance. There are two of these: one in CCR and the other in the SER. They operate in a master-slave configuration. The CSUs connect to the black patch panel via communication interface units. These are RACOM and CRACOM.

Question 42

What is the RaCOMM node?

Answer 42

The Radio Interface Unit or (RACOMM) interfaces SHINCOM plain voice directly to the black patch panel.

Question 43

What is the CRACOMM node?

Answer 43

The Crypto Interfcae Unit or (CRACOMM) interfaces SHINCOM secure voice with crypto units.

Question 44

What is the HADSIN node?

Answer 44

Helicopter Audio Distribution Single Interface Node allows for audio channels to facilitate help communications. It is located in the LSO.

Question 45

What is the PASIN node?

Answer 45

Public Address Single Interface Node allows for connections between SHINCOM and the PA system. All of those components are located in the EBR.

Question 46

What is MHDS?

Answer 46

The message handling and distribution system (MHDS) allows NAVCOMMs to send and receive messages through a variety of sources, including FBB, NMT, and MSCU. MHDS components are all located in the CCR on the STBD side.

Question 47

What is CCMS?

Answer 47

The purpose of CCMS is to provide a computer-based system that establishes and reconfigures communication circuits for the control and monitoring of mainly the wideband audio data switch (WADS), which is essentially the electronic version of the BPP.

Question 48

What is RATT (Radio teletype modulator/demodulator)?

Answer 48

There are 5 RATT modems and 2 RATT diversity demodulators. They provide phase shift keying and frequency shift keying modulation and demodulation capabilities necessary for transmission and reception of MHDS data over Radio Teletype circuits.

Question 49

What is KIV-7M crypto?

Answer 49

The KIV-7M is a multi-purpose, programmable High Assurance End Cryptographic Unit that can interoperate with a wide variety of legacy and modern devices. It has two independent link encryption channels that can be programmed with one of eight software packages called personalities.

Question 50

What is ANDVT crypto?

Answer 50

This narrowband voice crypto is used with HF and Satellite CRACOMM, including DAMA. ANDVT stands for Advanced Narrowband data/Voice Transmission. They are used for HF voice and UHF SATCOM only.

Question 51

What is KY-58 crypto?

Answer 51

A wide and crypto used for UHF CRACOMM only. They are used for UHF voice only.

Question 52

What is the FLYCO/LSO VHF?

Answer 52

The purpose is to communicate with the Helo. The VHF/AM Portable Transceiver System (TPS-250). This is an off-the-shelf Radio. It has a frequency range of 118-238 MHz with an emergency channel monitor for 121.5 MHz. There are two antennas associated with these systems: FLYCO VHF on the port hangar top and LSO VHF on the stbd hangar top.

Question 53

What is the AN/PRF-117F?

Answer 53

The purpose is to cover a broad frequency spectrum (VHF and UHF). It is a handheld radio that allows interoperability with all military services in secure and non-secure communications. There is a master terminal located in the CER with 2 remote terminals in the ops room. The antennas are on the port and stbd Sides of the flag deck.

Question 54

What is GMDSS?

Answer 54

Global Maritime Distress Signal System (GMDSS). Its purpose is to be a non-tactical Commercial-Off-The-SHelf link with commercial shipping, harbour control facilities, and other ships. Monitors the VHF international distress frequency (156.8 MHz). It’s also known as VHF-iCOM. Each unit has its own dedicated VHF antenna. There are three on the main mast and two on the bridge top. There are 5 units on board: 3 on the bridge, and 2 in the CER with remotes in Ops and CCR. The transmit frequency range is 56-161 MHz and the receiving frequency range is 156-163 MHz

Question 55

What are the modes of operation?

Answer 55

Normal and EMCON

Question 56

What is the normal mode of operation?

Answer 56

Circuits are manually set up by nav comms at the black patch panel and signals are routed through these circuits normally.

Question 57

What is the EMCON mode of operation?

Answer 57

Emission control can be set by nav comms at the RTCU and by operators at the emcon panel in the ops room. Emcon limits the power that we can transmit at. This mode is used when we need to be RADHAZ safe for small boat exercises and can be used to reduce our signature.

Question 58

For functional description, what is a comms plan?

Answer 58

The purpose of the COMPLAN is to both establish frequency management for a task group and control emissions in order to reduce the ability of the enemy to interrupt friendly communications. This is accomplished by grouping several operators with similar tasks onto a single net to reduce the number of frequencies in use. Frequencies must be selected that are appropriate to the task to reduce the probability of intercept. A COMPLAN is flexible in that each net is assigned alternate frequencies that may be used to defeat enemy ESM and ECM tactics. Operators use the following code words: - DANCE to change from one set of frequencies to another. - WALTZ is used to change from one COMPLAN to another. - KICK is used to change a single frequency. For every COMPLAN, the frequencies are chosen based on the area of operation, on allied communications agreements and on the following considerations: - UHF channels should be separated by 3MHz and HF channels should be separated by 6kHz to eliminate channel cross talk; - All frequencies must be chosen with careful consideration given to EMI; - Frequencies should provide only the minimum necessary range.

Question 59

For functional description, how does transmit/receive via SHINCOM work?

Answer 59

The ORO their CDST terminal to reach a radio circuit that has been set up through the black patch panel. These circuits are listed on the forward bulkhead in the Ops room. He will be discussing classified information so he selects secure voice on the CDST. This will route the signal through CRACOM. As he speaks, the signal passes from acoustic to electrical via the microphone and is converted to PRI protocol and passed to the CSU where it is converted to Ethernet protocol and switched to CRACOM. CRACOM performs digital-to-analog conversion and the signal is sent to the ANDVT Crypto device in the CCR. The signal leaves the SHINCOM system and is now an encrypted analog signal that may be freely transmitted via the external communication system. As the circuit is pre-defined at the black patch panel, it is routed to its intended HF exciter to be transmitted at the correct frequency. The exciter modulates the signal onto the HF carrier frequency and is then passes to the ISDU which performs phase shifting as required then passes the signal to the appropriate amplifiers. The signal is amplified and sent to the OCU. The passive output combiner system contains steering matrices which, based on the phase shift from the ISDU, will transmit the signal to the correct band pass filter and antenna. The signal passes through the BPF, antenna matching unit, and is matched to the proper antenna where it couples to the air and is transmitted. On receipt, the signal is amplified, filtered and demodulated, sent back through the black patch panel to be decrypted by the crypto unit and sent through the CIU to the ORO’s SHINCOM terminal for the ORO to hear.

Question 60

For functional description, how does MHDS send a message?

Answer 60

At the MHDS computer, an operator utilizes their software to create a message for sending. The message data will be sent through crypto to encode the digital data, then into the BPP to be routed to a RATT modem. The RATT modulates the encrypted digital data to an analog signal, which is then routed through an Exciter via the BPP. Depending on the signal strength required, 1-8 power amplifiers will be utilized to broadcast the signal. The ISDU is responsible for pairing exciters and amplifiers. The OCU then combines the output of the power amplifiers and routes them to their appropriate antenna. The AMU electrically matches the impedance of an antenna for the signal being outputted, which decreases the VSWR. Ultimately, the electrical signal travels up and down the antenna, which transmits the HF signal into the air.

Question 61

What are the system interfaces?

Answer 61

- EPG&D: interfaces with ship’s power 440 V 60 Hz 3-phase for HF Tx and HF EMG. UHF LOS, EMG, SATCOM, MHDS and LINK require 115V 60 Hz 1-phase. - HVAC provides cooling for the spaces where equipment is located. - Chilled water: CMS Cabinet 5 (DLPS) the HF Tx amplifiers are cooled by chilled water - CMS: interfaces with LINK through DLPS in Cabinet 5 - NDDS: The ACU for SATCOM receives a non-critical nav feed to steer the antennas.

Question 62

What are the survivability & redundancy factors?

Answer 62

- HF Tx has Multiple antennas that have overlapping coverage of the frequency ranges of the others. Two of each whip, not including the extra emergency 18 feet whip antenna. Multiple amplifiers that, when some are lost, results in degradation but still useable. - HF Rx has multiple antennas as well. - HF and UHF EMG systems that can act as back-up - 2 MDFs and 2 CSUs for SHINCOM. If the CCR CSU is lost, the CSU in the SER can take over as the master. BRI phones will lose functionality however. - UHF LOS and SATCOM has two hammerhead antennas. - All cabinets are shock-mounted and ruggedized

Question 63

What are the tests and trials for ex comms?

Answer 63

- Test measurement system (TMS) is used to troubleshoot issues with the communications suite. RF signals can be injected at any point in the system, and received at any point. This is used as a form of end-to-end testing. - HF Transmitter System Functional Trial: The purpose is to verify the technical readiness of the system utilizing a test equipment configuration in lieu of transmission. It consists of a hardware inspection, attenuation checks, system tests utilizing the test set and transmitter parameter verification. - Functional trial for each subsystem: HF Transmit, HF emerge, MHDS, TPS-250, UHF, etc

Question 64

What are the safety factors?

Answer 64

- SEMS S9 RADHAZ safety - EMCON/RTCU: Emission control is performed via two panels: one in the CCR at the RTCU and one in the ops room at the emcon panel. - High voltage precautions