Application and development of software radio technology in military communications

[Abstract] Software-defined radio (SDR) is an architecture that implements wireless communication protocols through software definition, offering high versatility and scalability. It is widely used in military communications due to its flexibility, reliability, and anti-jamming capabilities, including applications in military radios, tactical communication networks, and unmanned system communications. With technological advancements, military SDR is evolving towards enhanced anti-jamming capabilities, intelligence, broad adaptability, and multi-scenario application capabilities. In the future, it will play a crucial role in dynamic spectrum allocation, intelligent communication strategy optimization, and multi-domain collaborative operations. However, to ensure technological effectiveness, special attention must be paid to system security, hardware reliability, efficient spectrum utilization, and the balance between cost and technology. By optimizing architectural design, simplifying operational processes, strengthening international collaboration, and promoting technical standardization, military SDR will provide more robust communication support in modern battlefields.

[Keywords] Software-Defined Radio | Military | Communication Technology

Introduction to Software Radio Technology

软件无线电（ ）技术是一种通过软件实现无线电通信的体系结构，旨在通过灵活的软件控制来替代传统设备中依赖硬件的固定功能模块。该技术基于通用化的硬件平台，如通用处理器（/）、数字信号处理器（）、现场可编程门阵列（）等，利用软件来定义、修改及更新无线通信协议，从而实现多样化的通信功能。通过这种架构，软件无线电可以支持多种通信标准以及动态频率切换，使设备具备更高的通用性和可扩展性。

Compared to traditional wireless communication devices that rely on dedicated hardware, software-defined radio stands out for its exceptional flexibility and adaptability. By enabling dynamic adjustment of functions through software, software-defined radio can achieve compatibility with multiple communication protocols in heterogeneous network environments, demonstrating unique advantages in complex communication scenarios.

The main structure of software-defined radio consists of five core components:

1. Antenna, used for receiving and transmitting wireless signals;
2. The RF front-end converts wireless radio frequency signals into intermediate frequency or baseband signals, while also providing amplification, filtering, and interference suppression.
3. The Analog-to-Digital/Digital-to-Analog Conversion Module (/) converts analog signals to digital signals or vice versa.
4. Digital processing platforms, such as, or general-purpose/, implement the processing of digital signals and the parsing of communication protocols;
5. The software layer is responsible for signal modulation and demodulation, protocol stack functions, and system control.

目前，软件无线电技术在现代通信领域占据着重要地位，同时也是未来无线通信技术发展的一大趋势。

2. Application of Software-Defined Radio in Military Communications

Currently, the main applications of software-defined radio in military communications are as follows:

(1) Military Radio Station

Military radio sets are one of the core devices for battlefield communication, featuring multi-band, multi-mode, and multi-waveform capabilities to meet various mission requirements. Traditional radio sets typically operate on a single band and waveform, offering limited flexibility. In contrast, military radio sets based on software-defined radio (SDR) technology can dynamically adapt to different bands and waveforms by switching software. For instance, during cross-regional missions, SDRs can quickly load local communication waveforms to achieve seamless communication with allied forces. Additionally, SDRs are equipped with robust anti-jamming technologies such as frequency hopping, spread spectrum, and advanced encryption techniques, ensuring reliable and secure communication in harsh electromagnetic environments.

(2) Tactical Communication Network

Software radio technology provides stable and reliable connections by constructing flexible, distributed tactical communication networks. Tactical communication networks based on software radio can support multi-node, multi-hop self-organizing network structures, which do not require fixed infrastructure and are suitable for rapid deployment, especially for communication needs in sudden missions or harsh environments. By integrating voice, data, and video streams, tactical communication networks not only improve the efficiency of information transmission but also provide powerful battlefield situational awareness capabilities for frontline operational command.

(3) Unmanned System Communication

Software-defined radio technology provides an efficient communication solution for unmanned systems. Through software-defined radio, unmanned systems can flexibly switch between different frequency bands to adapt to various mission scenarios, such as using high-frequency bands for high-definition video transmission during close-range operations, and switching to low-frequency bands to enhance communication stability during long-range operations. For multi-drone systems engaged in cooperative operations, software-defined radio also supports networking functions, enabling real-time communication and mission coordination among multiple drones. This allows unmanned systems to perform reconnaissance, strike, and supply missions more efficiently in complex battlefield environments.

III. Analysis of Development Directions for Military Software-Defined Radio

The development direction of military software-defined radio is closely centered around the technical aspects of anti-jamming capability, intelligence, broad adaptability, and multi-scenario application capabilities.

In terms of anti-jamming capabilities, military communication environments are complex, variable, and adversarial. Future software-defined radios will place greater emphasis on adopting new frequency-hopping, spread-spectrum, and spectrum-sensing technologies to achieve dynamic spectrum allocation through intelligent interference detection and avoidance mechanisms. Additionally, multi-domain joint anti-jamming strategies, such as multi-dimensional coordination in space, frequency, and code domains, will also become an important development trend to address increasingly complex battlefield electromagnetic environments.

Intelligence is one of the core development directions of military software-defined radio technology. With the rapid advancement of artificial intelligence technology, future software-defined radios will increasingly rely on cognitive radio technology, enabling them to autonomously perceive the radio environment and optimize communication strategies in real-time. Additionally, intelligence can dynamically adjust communication protocols based on mission requirements, achieving cross-service and cross-platform communication interconnectivity, thereby enhancing coordination among troops.

In terms of broad adaptability, future software-defined radios will further optimize their software and hardware architectures, adopting modular designs to support multi-task, multi-band, and multi-standard communication needs. Future systems will achieve a balance in reliability, maintainability, and upgrade costs, adapting to various scenarios through universal hardware platforms and rapidly implementing functional expansions through software. Upgrades to the equipment will no longer be limited to hardware replacements but will rely more on software optimization, effectively reducing the update costs of communication equipment.

In terms of multi-scenario application capabilities, the development of military software-defined radio will break through the traditional limitations of ground applications and extend to multi-dimensional battlefields such as air and space. For instance, future communication equipment will utilize aerial platforms like helicopters and drones as relay hubs to achieve coordinated air-ground operations. Satellite communications will be further integrated into software-defined radio systems, enhancing long-distance communication capabilities through the intelligent fusion of ground and satellite communication devices.

IV. Considerations for the Development of Military Software-Defined Radio

In the process of advancing military software-defined radio technology, special attention must be paid to the security of communication systems. Military communications demand extremely high levels of confidentiality, integrity, and availability of information. In design, advanced encryption technologies such as dynamic key exchange and quantum encryption should be employed, along with comprehensive security protocols and real-time monitoring mechanisms. The durability of materials, the robustness of structural design, and the ability to adapt to harsh environments must all be rigorously considered. Additionally, to accommodate evolving mission requirements, hardware should feature modularity and universality to reduce maintenance and replacement costs when system upgrades or adjustments are needed.

软件的可升级性和兼容性同样是发展的重要方向。软件无线电能够快速更新通信协议和功能，不同版本的软件能够在统一平台上运行，避免协议冲突或功能不兼容的问题。频谱资源日益紧张，软件无线电应通过认知无线电技术动态感知频谱资源，合理分配频谱，避免与其他系统发生冲突，尤其是在多域环境下的频谱协调中，优化资源调度显得尤为重要。

Balancing cost and technological implementation is another crucial factor in the development of software-defined radio. While the flexibility and advancement of technology are essential, excessively high research, development, and manufacturing costs may hinder widespread application. Therefore, it is important to prioritize the development of core functionalities and gradually expand the system's advanced features to avoid resource wastage caused by blindly pursuing "full functionality." Additionally, the user interface and operational methods should remain intuitive and efficient, simplifying the human-machine interaction interface and reducing operational difficulty. Training should ensure that operators can proficiently control and make emergency adjustments.

发展军用软件无线电，还需要考虑研发周期与军事任务需求的匹配性。研发规划应结合战场实际需求，确保新技术能够快速适应复杂环境，避免技术落后于潜在威胁。同时，应密切关注国际通信发展趋势，推动国际技术协同和标准化，确保多国联合行动时通信系统的互操作性和兼容性。军用软件无线电技术只有在安全性、可靠性、兼容性和经济性之间取得平衡，并兼顾技术的易用性和前瞻性，才能在现代化战场中发挥最大效能，为军事通信提供强有力的保障。

5. Summary and Outlook

软件无线电技术以其灵活性、智能性和广泛适应性，成为现代军事通信的核心技术之一。其在军用电台、战术通信网络和无人系统通信中，不仅提升了战场通信效率，还为复杂作战环境中的多域协同提供了技术支撑。未来，随着抗干扰、认知无线电和智能化技术的进一步融合，软件无线电将在全域作战场景中展现更强的能力。同时，军用软件无线电的发展还需注重安全性、可靠性与经济性的平衡，确保其在技术先进性和实用性上同步推进。通过合理规划和科学设计，软件无线电技术将为信息化作战提供不可替代的支持，为军事通信的发展奠定坚实基础。

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