USB Data Recorder - UDR600 and UDR765 Edition Date: 20-Dec-12
1. TECHNICAL MANUAL UDR600-UDR765
1.1. General Introduction
A vital part of the radar chain is the data processing unit, with at its output a data stream containing radar
plots or tracks in a specific format. The most common format is ASTERIX, some radars use other formats
like RDIF, AIRCAT, CD, etc. If we want to analyse this data, it must first be recorded and converted into a
uniform format that can be displayed and analysed by dedicated RASS software tools. Generally the data is
produced on serial lines, because it needs to be transmitted to one or more remote centres. This serial link
can use protocols like HDLC, LAP-B or X25. Other formats use a unique protocol such as the 13-bit
formatted CD.
The USB Data Recorder (UDR600 or UDR765) allows to record 2 lines of serial radar data passively (spymode). We currently support unnumbered HDLC or LAP-B connections and a wide range of radar data
formats (such as ASTERIX, RDIF, Aircat, EUROCONTROL, CD ...). Tools are provided to analyse the
recorded data for protocol errors or convert the data directly into a display format.
Since the UDR only allows to record passively, the connection itself is spied upon by the UDR. If more than
two channels are required, multiple UDRs can be "stacked". The additional inputs azimuth and time make it a
real radar evaluation tool. This allows for example evaluating the extraction delay.
The recordings made by the UDR can then be converted into a suitable data format for further evaluation:
this can be a SASS-C compatible format or the RASS-S data format (.S4). Furthermore, since the full
communication protocol is recorded together with the radar data, an analysis of the line quality and
communication protocol syntax is possible.
1.2. Key Features
• Passive recording of a multitude of radar protocols: ASTERIX, RDIF, EC, ECKlu, Alenia, Aircat,
AustroControl, BMIL, CD xxx, ERICSSON, FPS, SVE, Toshiba, TRS
• Simultaneous recording of 1 or 2 lines
• Possibility to connect a GPS for UTC time of recording
1.3. Supported Protocols
The UDR600 and UDR765 can handle 4 basic protocols in passive mode, meaning that the UDR “spies” on
the data without participating to the actual protocol:
• U-HDLC: Passive recording of HDLC based protocols, including LAP-B and X25.3 Passive
monitoring (E.g. ASTERIX, RDIF)
• LINK 1: Passive recording of Military LINK 1 protocol
• SYNC 13: Passive recording of most bit protocols as implemented on US radars (CD1, CD2, ASR9,
etc...)
• BISYNC: Aircat 500: passive recording of Thales specific protocol, TVT2 military protocol
Using the Bit Recording function the following protocols are supported:
◦ AIRCAT 500
◦ ALENIA
◦ AUSTRO
◦ BMIL
◦ ERICSSON
◦ EUROCONTROL
◦ FPS 117
IE-UM-00170-002 UDR600-UDR765 User Manual.odt 8/22