This tutorial series by instructor Scott Bullock consists of three parts. Part 1 describes the operation of Automatic Gain Control (AGC) systems, a key target of electronic warfare (EW) attack strategies. Topics discussed include:
AGC Principles
Designs
Feedback
Control System
Loop filter, Threshold level, Integrator
Control Theory
AGC Responses
Error analysis
Bode Plots/Stability
AGC Jamming: Burst/Pulse
Capturing the AGC
Reducing Burst Jammers
Parts 2 and 3 will discuss jammers in more detail. Topics will include:
Spot Jammer – jams a single frequency
Barrage – Sends out a barrage of frequencies
CW – High power at frequency of interest
Receiver only has so much process gain
Saturates or de-sensitizes the receiver
Repeater Jammer – Repeats the waveform with delay
Burst or Pulsed – high power pulse, low average power
Captures the AGC
Cognitive – adapts to the receiver’s anti-jam techniques
