Familiarization i LCDR Peter Duffley Third Party Sales Officer / CAN Rep Mr. Vincenzo Sferra Northrop Grumman INFORMATION NOT RELEASEABLE FOR COMMERCIAL USE OR BEYOND IMMEDIATE AUDIENCE WITHOUT PRIOR PERMISSION OF THE NILE PMO Slide 1
Overview 1. Solves the shortcomings of Link 11 2. Beyond Line of Sight (BLOS) Link 11 Link 16 1950 1960 1970 1980 1990 2000 2010 HF Sky-wave Capability 3. Automatic Routing and Relay of 1 2 3 all media types provides Extended Range 4. TDMA access and Dynamic Bandwidth allocation 5. Simplified Planning and NU6 NU4 Late Operations, more automated Network NU5 Entry TIME NU1 than Link 16 NU2 6. Allows Late Network Entry and Dynamic Network Changes NU7 NU3 NU8 Slide 2
1. interconnects air, surface, subsurface, and ground-based tactical data systems, and it is used for the exchange of tactical data among the military units 2. will be deployed in peacetime, crisis, and war to support NATO and Allied warfare tasking 3. will complement Link 16 and replace Link 11 Overview,, cont Slide 3
Message Family & Data Dictionary 1. message set is part of the J-family, easing Data Forwarding and avoiding loss of information 2. Most messages are FJ-series 3. F-series messages are 16 16 formatted to allow higher track update per second 16 4. Same Track Numbering 22 22 as Link 16 (> Link 11) A message can contain a complete Link 16 message OR A message can contain parts of Link 16 messages Link 16 Slide 4
Message Format and Processing 1. uses F and FJ messages 2. Future expansion available Capability of transmitting other information formatted into 70-bit message words 3. does not require the knowledge of tactical data content beyond the DLP F-Series Tactical Messages Series Indicator SER IND = 0 SER IND = 1 Unique F-Series Message Word Non-Unique F-Series Message Word PMI = 0 Packed J-Series Message Word PMI = 1 Reserved for Future Expansion Slide 5
Granularity and Alignment 1. uses Geodetic Coordinates as Link 16 2. Link 11 uses Cartesian Coordinate limiting accuracy and Playing Area 3. uses Geodetic Registration ti Link Link 16 Link 11 Link 11B Mthd Method Geodetic Registration Remote IU Registration Gridlock Site Registration Slide 6
Quality of Service (QoS) 1. allows to define several QoS a. Pi Priorityi b. Reliability Message Time of Validity Pi it i. Standard d Priority Data ii. High Originator iii. Guaranteed Delivery Addressing c. Data Originator Identification d. Perishability e. Indicator Flags f. Addressing Perishability Message Contents email Reliability Slide 7
Addressing 1. Totalcast: All link 22 units 2. Neighborcast: All Radio Frequency (RF) neighbors on each NILE Network on which the NILE unit operates 3. Mission Area Sub Network (MASN): A logical group of units that has been previously defined d 4. Dynamic List: A list of two to five units that are specified in the request 5. Point-to-Point: A single unit that is specified in the request Slide 8
Super Network and Networks 1. A Super Network may include up to 8 Networks and 125 NILE Units 2. A Single unit can be part of 4 networks at the same time, which can be any combination of a. HF FF b. UHF FF c. HF Frequency Hopping d. UHF Frequency Hopping Slide 9
uses TDMA 1. No single point of Failure, with up to 125 units 2. Access to the Network is deterministic, with High Priority messages taking precedence over Lower Priority messages Slide 10
Slide 11 (Operational) Network Cycle Structure (ONCS) 1. The ONCS can be defined in the OLM as input parameters or as detailed below. 2. The ONCS input requires a. Number of Units in the Network i. Capacity Need ii. b. Tl Tolerance c. Efficiency Access Delay d. Media Type e. Media Setting Numbers f. Fragmentation Rate (1-3) g. DTDMA Setting
Management 1. The SNMU and, in some cases the NMU, can order certain management changes a. Starting a new NILE Network b. Shutdown of a NILE Unit, Network or Super Network c. Optimization of Network performance d. Controlling Management Roles Super Network (Only One) SNMU Standby SNMU NILE Networks (One for Each Network) NMU NMU NMU NMU Standby Standby Standby Standby NMU NMU NMU NMU Slide 12 Network Members Network Network Members No No Members Network Role Role No Members Role No Role
Automatic Relay 1. Relay roles are automatically updated based on Connectivity changes and Network Membership 2. Messages are repeated to achieve the desired level of reliability, attempting to overcome bad propagation conditions or jamming Slide 13
Automatic Relay Path Definition Path 2 3 Path 2 Path 1 Path 1 1 4 6 Path 3 5 Path 3 Slide 14 2 PRNU RPRNU
Secure Communications 1. Uses same Link 16 chip, with an added layer to address spoofing and jamming 2. One LLC allows multiple Networks Slide 15 3. A new modernized MLLC is being procured to satisfy NSA Crypto modernization requirements
Slide 16 1. Distributed Protocols Resilience 2. Automated Fault Management 3. Increased Security Protection 4. No Single Point of failure, different from Link 11 Net Control Station (NCS)
Initialization OPTASK Link Message PLANNING (Fundamental Parameters) Production of the OPTASK Link Message OPTASK Link Message distribution 1. NILE Unit Initialization 2. Network Initialization Platform Initialization Initialize CRYPTO Initialize Each SPC & Radio For Each NN INITIALIZATION (Control) DLP SNC LLC LLC LLC LLC SPC SPC SPC SPC Radio Radio Radio Radio FEEDBACK (Status) Slide 17
Fundamental Parameters 1. Operational Tasking (OPTASK) 2. SN Directory 3. SNC Initialization 4. Network Initialization 5. Platform data set-up Slide 18 OPTAS SK Link Me essage
Frequency 1. uses Military HF & UHF bandwidth simplifying the frequency clearance restrictions, supporting both Line of Sight (LOS) and Beyond LOS (BLOS) Ionosphere Slide 19
Data Transfer & Radio 1. has higher bandwidth than Link 11 2. will work in environments where Link 11 will not work at all 3. Current UHF FF and HF FF radio are compatible with Link 11 HF/UHF Link 16 JTIDS HF (Fixed Frequency) UHF (Fixed Frequency) 1,090 or 1,800 26,880-107,250 1,493-4,053 12,666 Slide 20 4. Example of available bandwidth using Multiple l Networks * Currently using 2 LLCs 3 HF and 1 UHF 2 HF and 2 UHF (Fixed Frequency) (Fixed Frequency)* 24,825 33,438
Automated Congestion Management 1. Multiple ways to address and solve Congestion Management a. Routing/Relay: congestion avoidance b. Dynamic TDMA Congestion Management Can Reallocate Unused Capacity NU NU NU NU NU NU NU NU NU NU NU NU 1 2 3 6 8 10 1 2 3 6 8 10 Congested Nearly Congested Not Congested Slide 21
Automated Congestion Management, cont 2. provides new automated Network Management including congestion control Congestion NO Congestion Reduce the Flow of Transmission Service Requests (TSRs) TSR Queue AND / OR TSR Queue Allocate More Transmission Capacity on Network Slide 22
Protocol Summary 1. Entering and Leaving a Network or the Super Network 2. Join an existing Network/Late Network Entry 3. Initialize New Networks 4. Closing a Network or the Super Network 5. Re-Initialization/Reconfiguration 6. Congestion Assessment and Dynamic TDMA 7. Multiple Quality of Service (QoS) and Automatic Relay 8. Role Management 9. Radio Silence 10. Security and Key Management 11. Performance Monitoring & Fault Management Slide 23
as Satellite Alternative 1. Complimentary with Link 16, shares the same Data Element Dictionary simplifying Data Forwarding 2. BLOS and Relay can be an alternative to Satellite for interconnecting separate Link 16 Networks Slide 24
System Architecture Layer Approach National Responsibility Tactical Data System / Data Link Processor System Network Controller Joint Development Link Level COMSECs Signal Processing Controllers National Responsibility Radios Slide 25
Layered Communications Architecture Slide 26
vs. Link 11 1. Link 11 uses Roll Call protocol a. Net Control Station (NCS) is a single Point of Failure b. All units needs to be in direct connectivity with the NCS, unless Satellite is used which increases the Access Delay c. Access Delay to the Network increases with the number of units (max 62) and traffic d. Uses a Single Network, while can have up to 8 Networks seamless interconnected e. Weak security, Susceptible to Intercept, Spoofing, Jamming Slide 27
vs. Link 11, cont 2. Link 11 message set is limited and may no longer be updated together with Link 16 and J-family set 3. has strong encryption, stronger coding and can also use up to 4 media type: UHF/HF, including Frequency Hopping Good Conditions Link 11 Bad Conditions Link 11 Slide 28
Guidebook 3 Versions 1. Overview a. Chapter 1 b. Appendix A; E-G 2. Overview & Operations a. Chapter 1 & 2 b. Appendix A-B; E-G & Index 3. Complete Version Slide 29
Guidebook Table of Contents 1. Chapter 1 - Overview a. Section A Introduction b. Section B Features c. Section C Benefits d. Section D Acquisition 2. Chapter 2 - Operations a. Section A Overview b. Section B Planning c. Section C Operations d. Section D Tactical Messages e. Section E in a Multilink Environment Slide 30
Guidebook Table of Contents (cont) 1. Chapter 3 - Technical a. Section A Architecture b. Section B External Protocols c. Section C Internal Protocols 2. Appendices a. Appendix A Integration and Test Tools b. Appendix B Troubleshooting c. Appendix C Minimum DLP-SNC Interface Implementation d. Appendix D Initialization Parameter Generation e. Appendix E Acronyms and Abbreviations f. Appendix F Glossary g. Appendix G References Slide 31
Planning & Design 1. Reduced need for a Design tool Operational Requirements Unit Capabilities/ Limitations OPTASK Link Message Planning Slide 32
Concept of Operation 1. can be used to interconnect geographically dispersed Networks Slide 33
NILE REFERENCE SYSTEM (NRS) & Multiple Link System Test and Training Tool (MLST3) Slide 34
Integration and Test Tools 1. NRS is used in the following ways: a. SNC-to-SNC compatibility testing b. Verification and Validation of requirements c. Automated regression testing d. LLC and SPC Verification and Validation support 2. NRS software components can be installed in COTS HW 3. NRS is distributed by the NILE PMO 4. It allows several configurations Slide 35
Slide 36 Integration and Test Tools 1. MLST3 supports the development and testing of national DLPs in the following areas: a. Conformance to Tactical Standards b. Interoperability, in both single and multi-link environments c. National DLP Integration and Testing 2. MLST3 supports several links including Link 16, Link 11,, JREAP, Link 4A, a. MLST3 with option requires NRS components b. MLST3 with allows fully functional NRS configurations 3. MLST3 is distributed by SPAWAR (SSC Pacific Code 591) 4. NRS Components are distributed by the NILE PMO
Slide 37 Integration and Test Tools 1. NRS and MLST3 use the following components: a. DLP Simulation b. SNC Diamond (SNC ) can simulate multiple SNCs i. NRS up to 125 ii. MLST3 up to 32 c. LLC Simulator can simulate multiple LLCs d. Media Simulator simulates SPCs/Radios i. Real SPCs can also be mixed with Simulated one using MLST3
1. SNC Verification NRS Configurations 2. Multiple Units Under Test (MUUT) 3. System Simulation 4. Media Simulator (MS) Standalone Slide 38
SNC Verification 1. SNC Verification is the primary NRS configuration used to verify the functionality of the SNC 2. SNC Verification involves a single SNC UUT being tested with up to 124 simulated units Slide 39
1. Example of NRS use 2. Radio can be replaced by a COTS serial Connectivity Device MUUT with Real SPCs Slide 40
1. Multiple Units 2. Live Link 3. System Simulation 4. NCE Simulation 5. Single MLST3 Configurations Note: MLST3 supports only a single SNC for 32 simulated units and up to 5 live Units, depending on the configuration Slide 41
MLST3 Configurations Multiple Units 1. The main purpose of this configuration is to test national DLPs using a real SNC, with the MLST3 providing the remainder of the test environment a. Up to five Host/DLP & SNC UUTs b. Up to 32 simulated units provided by the SNC Slide 42
MLST3 Configurations Live Link 1. Similar to the Multiple Units configuration a. Real SPCs are used on any Live Network b. Simulated Networks and Real Networks can be combined, but not on the same Network c. Only two units can be present per Live Network, one being simulated by the MLST3 and the other being a real DLP or a MSLT3 Single Slide 43
MLST3 Configurations System Simulation 1. Lightweight configuration that requires just the SNC, MS and the MLST3 SW a. Simulation for up to 32 units b. These three applications can all run on a single PC without any extra hardware (such as serial rocketports), making this configuration portable and rapidly deployable c. Active MLST3 data recording can be used to verify tactical traffic and the DLP-SNC interface Slide 44
MLST3 Configurations NCE Simulation 1. Extension of the System Simulation configuration 2. MLST3 provides a proxy layer by assigning up to five Host/DLPs to their own unique simulated SNC unit 3. This proxy layer is transparent to the DLP because it connects to the MLST3 exactly the same way as it would an SNC UUT 4. Lightweight DLP-SNC interface testing environment for a DLP Slide 45
MLST3 Configurations Single 1. MLST3 can also be used as a single unit DLP 2. Real DLPs and MLST3 Single can be combined to provide a environment Slide 46
QUESTIONS? Slide 47