Growing the ALE standard to enable optimum HF communications

The purpose of this paper is to resurface the notion of full-band sounding as a means to alleviate the potential problems in ALE, especially during stressed periods. This form of sounding is usually viewed as a nonorganic system but it may also be part of the radio. While the organic (integrated) approach to full-band sounding would impact the current ALE specification, there would be distinct advantages in the integration of these sounders and ALE radios. We are not emphasizing these advantages in this particular paper, and the three phases of ALE enhancement we have outlined do not require this integration. Our dynamic forecasting system development is an approach based upon the well-known FMCW “chirp” waveform technology and it exploits a tested methodology for updating state-of-the-art propagation models such as VOACAP, ICEPAC, and IONCAP. It admits to a global representation to support regional and global applications