Assessment of Complex Signal Parameters Effect on the Energy Concealment Degree

The article deals with the problem of obtaining a qualitative assessment of the energy concealment degree of radio signals. Energy concealment is regarded as the most significant form of signal concealment, since a designer of radio transmitting devices has the most influence and the greatest freedom in defining these properties. The purpose of the article is to systematize the available knowledge about the methods of assessment of energy concealment in order to conduct a mutual comparison of the characteristics of various signals. The authors describe and analyze a number of methods for assessment of energy concealment of signals based on the number of necessary measurements of the signal level range of the signal reconnaissance, as well as probabilistic assessment of signal disclosure. The results of the analysis showed that described methods are not suitable for obtaining a comparative assessment. Based on the conclusions made in the study energy concealment assessment methods, the author's method for assessment the degree of energy concealment of signals in terms of transmitted symbol energy is proposed. The article clarifies the application of the method to assess the parameters of chirp signals, narrowband and wideband FM, BPSK, QPSK, as well as quadrature signals. A comparative assessment of the chirp, FM, BPSK, QPSK and QAM-16 signal parameters for the decimeter VHF band is obtained, taking into account the transmission speed and power. Assessment of energy concealment of signals were obtained at typical information transfer rates. On the basis of the results, some regularities were described that make it possible to evaluate the effect of changing individual parameters of a radio transmitting device on final energy concealment.