STANAG 4285


Overview:

The RapidM modems include the narrowband HF data modem waveforms, which are in compliance with STANAG 4285.  This standard describes the Serial Tone Mode (STM) providing data rates ranging from 75 to 2400 bps coded and 1200 to 3600 bps uncoded, in a 3 kHz channel.

Status:

The original STANAG 4285 (Edition 1) “Characteristics of 1200/2400/3600 Bits per Second Single Tone Modulators/Demodulators for HF Radio Links” was released in February 1989.

Key Features:

  • Non-autobaud capable waveforms providing data rates ranging from 75 to 2400 bps coded, and 1200 to 3600 bps uncoded, in a 3 kHz channel. The STM waveforms are recommended for backwards interoperability with NATO Broadcast and Ship-to-Shore (BRASS) systems used by Navies.
  • The STANAG 4285 waveform does not have embedded AUTOBAUD fields. Thus, the transmitter and receiver need to be set up to the desired data rate and interleaver at both ends of the link. The setting used in one direction of the link does not need be the same as in the reverse direction.

Relevance:

  • The single tone PSK waveforms are important for backwards interoperability with NATO BRASS systems used by Navies.
  • BRASS uses 300 bps for continuous broadcasting over wide coverage areas due to its repeated preamble data for which supports maintaining sync during long transmissions as well as late entry where a station can start to receive at any point during the transmission.

Serial Tone Mode (STM):

The table below summarises the complete STANAG 4285 waveform suite. Included in the table are the modulation, code rate and interleaver settings for each data rate. The STANAG 4285 waveform includes tone excision, whereby suppression of up to 4 tones is possible. The inclusion of tone excision improves the waveform resilience and performance in the presence of channel interference.

Waveform Data Rate (bps) Modulation
Constellation		 Coding Rate Interleaver Settings Tone Excision Capability
S 4285

 

 75 C BPSK 1/16 S, L YES
150 C BPSK 1/8 YES
300 C BPSK 1/4 YES
600 C BPSK 1/2 YES
1200 C QPSK 1/2 YES
2400 C DATA 8-PSK 2/3 YES
1200 U BPSK None None YES
2400 U QPSK None None YES
3600 U 8-PSK None None YES

Table 1: STANAG 4285 – STM Waveform Suite

The STANAG 4285 standard does not specify any performance requirements. The requirements and measurement conditions given below are based on MS 110A. Please note that the SNR is measured in 3 kHz to alleviate comparisons.

STANAG 4285
STANAG 4203 Filters excluded, Test based on MIL-STD-188-110A requirements

Data Rate [bps]

IB

HF Channel Conditions

Design Objective

RM6 SNR
Measured
[dB]

Doppler
Spread [Hz]

Amplitude
Path 2 [dB]

Multi-Path
Spread [ms]

BER

SNR
[dB]
3600 – 0 Off – < 10-3 17 14.2
3600 – 0.5 0 2 < 10-3 27 21.4
2400 L 0 Off – < 10-5 10 9.8
2400 L 1 0 2 < 10-5 18 14.9
2400 L 5 0 2 < 10-3 30 13.3
2400 L 1 0 5 < 10-5 30 14.8
1200 L 1 0 2 < 10-5 11 7.9
600 L 1 0 2 < 10-5 7 4.5
300 L 5 0 5 < 10-5 7 0.5
150 L 5 0 5 < 10-5 5 -2.2
75 L 5 0 5 < 10-5 2 -4.8

Table 2: Bit Error Rate (BER) Performance of STANAG 4285

STANAG 4285 Modems

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