The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency has developed the Digital RF Battlespace Emulator, or DRBE, to accelerate the creation of advanced radio frequency systems in response to evolving electronic warfare threats.
Addressing Complex RF Threats
DARPA said Tuesday the DRBE, the largest virtual radio frequency test range in the world, simulates complex electronic warfare scenarios. The high-fidelity real-time platform enables simultaneous interactions of synthetic RF entities in a software-defined environment, allowing artificial intelligence-powered EW capabilities to be tested.
The DRBE features a high-performance, wafer-scale computing architecture, which provides the massive throughput and ultra-low latency necessary to simulate complex RF engagements and modern EW tactics accurately.
DARPA aims to deliver the first DRBE system to the Navy in late 2025. The agency will then proceed with enhancing the DRBE system by integrating advanced optical interconnects to boost its bandwidth and enable connectivity between hundreds of wafer-scale computers. This expansion is intended to allow the system to support other mission domains, including battlespace autonomy, materials science and digital twins.
Remarks From DARPA Executive
“DRBE is a leap forward in how we can prepare and equip RF systems against sophisticated adversaries,” said Anna Tauke-Pedretti, DRBE program manager in DARPA’s Microsystems Technology Office.
“DRBE is not only setting a new benchmark for real-time simulation but is also accelerating our ability to develop and refine advanced electronic warfare capabilities that keep pace with emerging threats,” she added.
