AP3456 - 4-5 - Radio Airborne Teletype (RATT)

CHAPTER 5 - RADIO AIRBORNE TELETYPE (RATT)

Contents

Para
Introduction 1
Equipment and Operation 3

Introduction

1. In some circumstances it is preferable to communicate between aircraft, and between aircraft and
surface stations, using a teleprinter system rather than voice. The system in use in the RAF is known
as the Radio Airborne Teletype (RATT), and both the equipment, and the operating techniques and
procedures, are compatible with other national systems within NATO. The UK Glossary of Joint and
Multinational Terms and Definitions, JDP 0-01.1, defines RATT as Radio Teletype. This definition is
modified to include 'Airborne' within the RAF, while the Royal Navy and Army use the term Radio
Automated Teletype.

2. The equipment incorporates an automatic on-line encryption/decryption facility and is thus

capable of combining a high level of communications security and accuracy. The use of RATT
reduces the transmission time of messages compared to other methods, reduces errors in coding and
decoding, and since hard copies of messages are available to both operators, subsequent enquiries
and corrections are easily resolved. Fully formatted messages can be sent between, and are readily
understood by, all NATO members which helps to avoid ambiguity and overcome any language
problems.

Equipment and Operation

3. A RATT system uses a basic radio modified for telegraphy and incorporating a crypro unit
(BID). The principles of radio communication and telegraphy are described in Volume 9,
Chapter 22.

4. A simplified diagram of a RATT system is shown in Fig 1. Switching on the MODEM

(modulator/demodulator) initiates a tone transmission containing no data. A Phase Indicator and
Message Indicator (PIMI) superimposes a signal on this tone which enables remote receivers to lock
on to the phase of the transmitter, using a Pseudo Random Sequence (PRS) technique, and so
synchronize their equipment ready to receive the message.

4-5 Fig 1 RATT System - Schematic

Tape
Punch BID Modem TX RX Modem BID Tele
Reader Printer

Transmit Chain Receive Chain

Chapter 4-5 (Reformatted Apr 10) Page 1 of 2

 AP3456 - 4-5 - Radio Airborne Teletype (RATT)

5. Prepared messages are released via the Tape Punch Reader (TPR), automatically encrypted by
the BID, converted into Murray code, and then sent by modulating the transmission with tones
corresponding to the marks and spaces.

6. The RATT can operate in the HF, UHF, and LF bands:

a. HF. In HF the operation is simplex, ie transmission and reception is on the same frequency
and so cannot be accomplished simultaneously. The transmission uses single sideband (upper)
suppressed carrier techniques, with the mark being represented by a tone of 1575 Hz and the
space by 2425 Hz.

b. UHF. UHF operation is also simplex but uses double sideband transmission. The mark is
represented by a 700 Hz tone and the space by a 500 Hz tone.

c. LF. LF is a receive only mode using frequency shift telegraphy. There is an 85 Hz shift
between mark and space with the mark low, ie f0 – 42.5 Hz, as shown in Fig 2.

4-5 Fig 2 LF Frequency Shift Telegraphy

Frequency
Space

f0 + 42.5

f0
Time
f0 – 42.5

Mark

7. Switching the transmitter to standby at the MODEM returns the equipment to the receive state,
which is automatically activated by incoming PIMIs. The receive chain is almost the reverse of the
transmit chain with any correctly phased traffic being printed out in clear at the teleprinter; any other
traffic will be indecipherable.

Chapter 4-5 (Reformatted Apr 10) Page 2 of 2