HF Industry Association HFIA meeting

1
HF Industry Association (HFIA) meeting

• 22 June 2000
• Washington, DC

2
Outline

• Link 22 Background
• Link 22 Overview
• Nile Project Organization
• Design and Development Schedule
• Link 22 System Architecture
• Performance Requirements
• Potential Media improvement
• Link 22 Comparison with Link 11
• Link 22 Comparison with Link 16
• Compatibility Testing
• NRS / Media Simulator capability
• Interoperability Testing
• In-Service Support Phase

3
Link 22 Background

• Multi-National Program
• Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, UK
  and US (Host Nation)
• Responsibility
• Steering Committee - NILE Nations
• ? Ensure Provisions of MOU are Met Guide PM
  Evaluate Project Status Approve Budgetary
  Proposals Resolve National Disclosure Policy
  Issues Endorse Release of RFP, Contracts and
  Amendments to Contracts
• Program Management Office (PMO) Space and Naval
  Warfare Systems Command (PMW 159E)
• Manage Project Resources Ensure successful
  Completion of Phased Activity Oversee Contracted
  Activity Interface with Contracting Officer
  Liaise with NATO Agencies

4
Link 22 Background

• Phases
• 1989/92 Project Development Phase
• ? Established Media, Message Standard,and OSI
  Requirements
• 1992/96 Design and Development Phase One
• ? Developed Link 22 System and Sub-System
  Specifications and Nile Reference System
  Requirements
• 1996/01 Design and Development Phase Two
• ? Contract Award Logicon DataMat, ViaSat, Sema
  Group and DataSciences
• ? Develop SNC Software, NRS (Compatibility
  Tester) and MLTT(Interoperability Tester)
• 2001/11 In-Service Support Phase (Pending)

5
NILE PROJECT ORGANIZATION
Steering Committee

• Development teams
• LOGICON (US) Prime gt NRS SG
• DATA SCIENCES (UK) gt SNC CT function
• DATAMAT (IT) gt SNC MF function
• VIASAT (US) gt NRS MS HW
• SEMA GROUP (FR) gt QA, CM, Test activities

Procurement NILE System Network Controller (SNC)
NILE Reference System (NRS) Options for
production NILE Multi Link Test Tool (MLTT)
PMO
LOGICON
SEMA
ViaSat
Data Sciences
Datamat
6
DESIGN DEVELOPMENT SCHEDULE
7
Link 22 Background

• NATO Improved Link Eleven (NILE) Conceived to
  Ameliorate Several Major Deficiencies in Link
  Eleven
• Lack of Electronic Protection Measures
• Insufficient Capacity in Terms of Tactical
  Message Throughput
• Insufficient Robustness
• Insufficient Error Detection and Correction
• Inflexible and Slow Data Link Procedures

8
Link 22 Background

• Program Requirements
• Operational NATO Staff Requirement, Revised Mar
  90
• System, Functional and Performance NATO
  Elementary Requirements Document 12 December 94
• Program Goals
• Replace Link 11 (Eventually)
• Complement Link 16
• Improve Allied Interoperability
• Enhance Commanders War-fighting Capability

9
Link 22 Background

• Development Approach
• Integrate Existing Link 11 Modems, Radios and
  Ancillary Equipment to Fulfill Fixed Frequency
  Media Requirements
• Use Commercial Off The Shelf Computers as Host
  and Target Platforms
• Use Existing Encryption Engine (CTIC-DS101
  Hybrid) to Provide COMSEC Protection
• Emphasis is on System Design and Architecture
  Versus Hardware Implementation
• COMSEC Devices to be Procured via Foreign
  Military Sales
• Integration, Production and Implementation of
  Link 22 is Nations Responsibility

10
Link 22 Background

• Some Link 22 Features are
• EPM Resistance to Jamming and Deception
• Improved Communications and Transmission Security
• Increased Network Capacity in Terms of
  Participating Units and Tactical Data Throughput
• Automated Network Management to Provide Greater
  Flexibility and a Priority Interrupt Transmission
  Capability
• Gapless Range Coverage HF to 300 nm Extendible
  to 1000nm UHF to LOS Extendible to 300 nm
• Increased System Availability (TDMA)
• Facilitate Data Forwarding

11
Link 22 Overview

• Interconnect Air, Surface, Subsurface and Ground
  Based Tactical Data Systems to Support
• Tactical Picture Compilation
• Weapon Engagement and Status Management
• Command and Control
• Link 22 Associated Environmental Requirements
• Blue Water Confined Water and Coastal Scenarios
• All Latitudes
• Range Coverage up to 1000 nm
• Normal and Jammed Channel Conditions

12
Link 22 Overview

• OPTASKLINK Message Critical to Setup and
  Operation of Link 22. Defines
• NILE Unit (NU) Information Name, Platform Type,
  L22 Address, NU Role, Capacity Need, Access
  Delay, Network Membership, Mode of Operation
• Network Information Crypto Parameters, Crypto
  Day, DTDMA Enabled/Disabled, Initialization
  Method, Operational Start/Stop Time
• Media Information Media Type, Crypto Integrity,
  Frequency, Hop Set, Media Setting Number
• Network Cycle Structure Media Fragmentation
  Rate, Number of Time Slots, Time Slot Size, Time
  Slot Ownership

13
Link 22 Overview

• Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA)
• All NILE Units or NUs are pre-assigned Time Slots
• Interrupt Slot Available for Injection of High
  Priority Messages
• Time Slots or Portions thereof Dynamically
  Exchanged or Modified

14
Link 22 Overview

• Up to Four (4) Link 22 Networks Operate
  Concurrently
• Each on a Different Fixed Frequency
• Each Hopping on Predetermined Frequencies (Pseudo
  Random Pattern)

NU12
NU1
NU7
NU17
NU8
NU18
NU5
NU7
NN1 - HF
NN3 - HF
NU9
NU3
NU16
Interrupt Slot
IS
NU2
NU6
NU9
NU17
NU12
NU6
NU16
IS
NU17
NU24
NU10
NU2
NU20
NN2 - HF
NN4 - UHF
NU9
NU11
NU19
NU9
NU13
NU15
NU14
NU15
NU 23
NU21
15
Link 22 Overview

• Up to Thirty Two (32) Mission Area Sub Networks
  May be Established
• According to Operational Mission and Capabilities
• To Effect a Better Usage of Available Resources

NILE NETWORK 2
MASN 1
SUPER NETWORK
MASN 2
NILE NETWORK 1
NILE NETWORK 3
MASN 3
16
Link 22 Overview

• Roles Designated to NILE Units (NU)
• Super Network Management Unit (SNMU) and Standby
• Network Management Unit (NMU) and Standbys
• Relay Units
• Modes of Operation
• Radio Silence
• Receive Only
• Active NU

17
Link 22 Overview

• Relay Routing Used to Extend Range and Reach
  Units BLOS

RELAY
RELAY
RELAY
RELAYERS SELECTED ON BASIS OF CONNECTIVITY
18
Link 22 Overview

• Late Network Entry (LNE) Protocol

SNMU
NU4
NU6
NU3
NU5
NU8
NU1
NU2
LNE SLOT
NU7
Supporting Unit
LNE Unit (NU 9)
SNMU
NU9
NU6
NU4
NU5
NU3
NU1
NU2
NU8
NU7
19
Link 22 Overview

• Tactical Messages Executed on Basis of Attributes
• Message Priority (1 4)
• Address Type (Machine Receipt and Non-Machine
  Receipt)
• Single NU Point to Point
• Broadcast
• Mission Area Sub Network (MASN)
• Dynamic List (2 5 NUs)
• Reliability
• Priority Injection
• Perishable Message Indicator
• NILE Address of Originator

20
Link 22 Overview

• Message Standard
• Fixed Format Tactical Messages Link 16 Derived
• Independent
• Consist of Multiple 72 Bit Data Words (1 to 8)
• Data Words Are Dependent
• Link 16 Data Element Dictionary
• Tactical Messages Report Following Information
• Participant Location Information (PLI)
  Surveillance Electronic Warfare (Reporting,
  Coordinating and Emergency) Intelligence
  Information Management Threat Warning Weapons
  Coordination and Management External Network
  Management.

21
Link 22 System Architecture
Link 22
NCE
Radio
SPC
Radio
SPC
TDS
LLC
SNC
DLP
Radio
SPC
Radio
SPC
NRS
National development
National development
22
Link 22 System Architecture

• Data Link Processing (DLP)
• Interfaces with National TDS (CCS or CDS)
• Services Tactical Data (STANAG 5522)
• Formats/Generates Tactical Messages Appends
  Necessary Attributes to Tactical Data Transmits
  and Receives Data per Rules Provide Tactical
  Updates Perform Correlation and R2
• Data Forwards to Other TADILS (STANAG 5616)
• Interfaces with the System Network Controller

23
Link 22 System Architecture

• System Network Controller (SNC)
• Provides Message Delivery Service via
  Communications Transport function
• Message Delivery, End to End Delivery, Leg
  Delivery, Network Injection
• Provides SN, NN and NU Management Capabilities
  via Management Function
• Generates Technical Messages
• Performs Configuration Management Performance
  Monitoring Security Management and Fault
  Management

24
Link 22 System Architecture

• System Network Controller (SNC)
• Performs Dynamic TDMA and Relay Routing
• Interfaces DLP, SNC and Time of Day Source
• Portable to standard COTS hardware
• PC / Station
• Windows NT / HP-UX / Solaris

25
Link 22 System Architecture

• Link Level Communications Security (LLC)
• Network Security (NETSEC) is Provided by a
  Cryptographic Device (LLC)
• Time Of Day and User Address Encryption
• Data Integrity Verification
• Thornton Algorithm
• Transmission Security (TRANSEC) is Provided by
  Frequency Hopping Radios

26
Link 22 System Architecture

• Signal Processing Controller
• Perform Modulation and Demodulation Functions
• Performs Error Detection and Correction
• Transmits/Receives Data
• HF FF _at_ 1200 to 3600 bps
• HF EPM _at_ 1200 to 3600 bps
• UHF FF _at_ 16 kbps
• UHF EPM _at_ 16 kbps

27
Link 22 System Architecture

• Signal Processing Controller
• HF FF 18 Waveforms QPSK/8PSK, RS Coding
• UHF FF 3 Waveforms, 16 Kbps NRZ FM, RS (96,76)
• HF EPM 4 Waveforms, QPSK, Dual RS Coding
• UHF EPM 4 Waveforms, 16 Kbps NRZ FM, Convol. 1/2

28
Performance Requirements

• LINK 22 SYSTEM
• Addresses up to 125 units (NU) 4 Networks
• NCS(2 to 19 NUs) 10 sec (20 to 40 NUs) 20 sec
  1024 MS (max)
• Priority response time 2.5 sec
• Probability Correct Message Reception 80, 90,
  100
• UMER 10-4
• Throughput HF FF/FH 36/26 (12/6) UHF FF/FH
  130/ 116(120/90) words/sec
• Range HF 300 to 1000 nm UHF 200 to 300 nm
• 95 Relay over 3 legs

29
Performance Requirements

• LINK 22 SYSTEM (CONTINUED)
• 70 to 75 Traffic Routine Updates
• 90 Traffic RF Broadcast
• 1 Traffic High Reliability
• 1 Traffic - Interrupt Slot
• 10 Traffic - Priority One
• TOD accuracy 0.5 msec.
• FF BER goal 5 min 3
• FH Blocked Channels goal 50 min 30

30
Performance Requirements

• DATA LINK PROCESSOR (DLP)
• Generate 50 Transmission Service Requests per
  second
• Variable processing time required to generate 50
  (72) bit words
• Extrapolates data to time of injection (MTV)
• 4 Priority Levels
• Addressing PTP, RF Neighbor, Totalcast, Dynamic
  List, MASN
• Perishability 15, 31, 63, 511 seconds
• 15 bit Addressing

31
Performance Requirements

• SYSTEM NETWORK CONTROLLER
• TDMA HFFF (4 - 16 MS) HFFH (4 -32 MS) UHF
  FF/FH (4 - 32 MS)
• Process 300 TSR each 8 (72 bit) words long
• Pass single pair of duplicate messages out of
  1000 messages
• Technical messages do not exceed 10 traffic
• Errors lt1/1000 msg MR, GD, originator Id,
  delineation, MTV, reassembled
• NP Processing 4 NPs per 25 msec.

32
Performance Requirements

• LINK LEVEL COMSEC
• Supports 3 HF 1UHF medium concurrently
• Process (UHF (20.18) HF (38.33)) 45.17 NPs per
  sec.
• Two byte Integrity Checksum
• Max encryption and decryption latency 13.1 and
  15.8 ms
• TOD Data Encrypt/Decrypt
• Supports Data Transfer Rates 4800 bps to 115.2
  Kbps
• Supports 64 Traffic Encryption Keys (TEK)

33
Performance Requirements

• SIGNAL PROCESSING CONTROLLER
• Data Rates HF 1200 to 3600 bps UHF 2400 to
  10000 bps
• HFFF MCF 270 sym GT 67 sym PR 203 sym
• UHF FF MCF 607 bits PR 255 bits GT 161 bits
  Tx GT 352 bits
• HF EPM MCF 270 sym HTT/AGC/IT 92 sym GT 60 sym
• RADIOS (EXISTING)
• HF (2 -30 MHz) UHF (224-400 MHz)

34
Media Status

• HF FF Medium
• SPC SS (NILE WP35)
• Draft STANAG 4539 .......Pending
• Including NILE WP35
• UHF FF Medium
• SPC SS (NILE WP36)
• UHF EPM Medium
• STANAG 4372 Chap IV (Link22)... Updated
• SPC SS...Updated
• STANAG (Ed 4)....... Ratification
  Process Y00-01
• HF EPM Medium
• STANAG 4444 ..Ratification Process
• Including NILE Requirements / TSD

35
Potential Media Improvement

• New HF Waveforms
• Improved Throughput under Good Propagation
  Conditions (More than three (3) times the current
  number of messages for the same Minislot
  Duration)
• (Reference Feasibility of Higher Link 22
  Throughput by Using a waveform that is Similar to
  STANAG 5066, Annex G. GAC Presentation ULM, GE
  December 98)
• Use of 8 PSK 16, 32 and 64 QAM Modulation with
  RS Coding
• Under Consideration for Implementation during In
  Service Support Phase of the Link 22 Program

36
Link 22 Comparison With Link 11

• Similarities
• Operate in Both HF and UHF Fixed Frequency Modes
• Utilize Single Tone Waveforms

37
Link 22 Comparison With Link 11

• Differences
• Provides Jam Resistance by Operating in EPM Mode
  in HF and UHF
• Operator Selectable Waveforms Used to Optimize RF
  Channel Conditions
• Provides Beyond Line of Sight Coverage
• Provides Improved Security Through Encryption of
  Both Tactical and Management Messages
• Increased Throughput and Granularity of
  Information Exchange
• Improved Network Access through TDMA Architecture
  and Interrupt Slots

38
Link 22 Comparison With Link 11

• Differences(Continued)
• Messages can be Prioritized and Addressed to
  Specific Units
• Truly Nodeless With No Dependency on Net
  Controller Station
• Employs Concurrent Multiple Networks (Four) and
  Mission Area Networks (32)
• Hosts Larger Number of Participants (125), Five
  Character Alphanumeric Track Number, and Higher
  Track Quality
• Low Probability of Intercept Features Tx Power
  Control, Radio Silence, Data Integrity
  Verification
• Efficient Message Standard
• Facility to Perform Relay Routing

39
Link 22 Comparison With Link 16

• Similarities
• Jam Resistant - Employs Frequency Hopping
• Improved Security - Encryption of Network Control
  Messages
• Increased Granularity of Information
• Message Standard Permits Exchange of J-Series
  Data Elements
• Increased Availability via Time Division Multiple
  Access (TDMA) Protocol
• Operation Over Multiple Networks (8 NN 32 MASNs)

40
Link 22 Comparison With Link 16

• Similarities(Continued)
• Two Levels of Security NETSEC/TRANSEC
• Mission Area Sub Networks Support Multiple L16
  Network Participation Groups
• Common Track Numbering Scheme 19 Bit with Two
  (2) Alphanumeric and Three (3) Octal Numbers
• Supports Data Forwarding (L11/L16/L22)
• Transmission of Participant Location and
  Identification (PLI)

41
Link 22 Comparison With Link 16

• Differences
• L22 Provides Connectivity Using an Improved HF
  and UHF Frequency Diversity Transmission Scheme
• L22 Performs Connectivity in both Fixed Frequency
  Frequency Hopping Modes of Operation
• L22 Provides Beyond Line of Sight (BLOS) Coverage
  without the use of Relays in HF
• Relay via Multi-Netting Provides BLOS in UHF
• Performs Permanent and Temporary Timeslot
  Re-allocation Dynamically in TDMA (ATOC, PTOC,
  HO, SWAP)

42
Link 22 Comparison With Link 16

• Differences (Continued)
• L22 is Truly Nodeless, in that, it does not rely
  or Depend on a Network Time Reference (NTR)
• Multi-Media, Multi-waveform Selection
• Tactical Message Independence
• Interrupt Slots to Report High Priority Messages
• Low Probability of Intercept Features Tx Power
  Control, Radio Silence, Data Integrity
  Verification

43
Compatibility Interoperability Testing
OPERATIONAL EFECTIVENESS
INTEROPERABILITY
TECHNICAL DATA EXCHANGE
COMPATIBILITY
MEDIA SIMULATOR
TDS
TDS
DLP
DLP
SNC/LLC
LLC/SNC
STANAG 5522 DATA ELEMENTS
TACTICAL DATA EXCHANGE
44
Compatibility Testing
45
Compatibility Testing

• NILE Reference System (NRS) Used to Perform
• SNC Verification Testing Assesses Performance
  against System Requirement Specifications and
  Interface Requirement Specifications
• Remote Compatibility Testing Assesses Performance
  against System Specifications
• System Simulation Assesses Performance of Four
  (4) Link 22 Networks Comprising 125 NUs
• Multiple Unit Testing of up to Five Link 22
  Units, each made of an SNC integrated with a LLC

46
Compatibility Testing

• Common Test Tool and Reference Test Scenarios
  (RTSs)
• Over 40 RTSs Available to Validate Protocols
• RTSs have Associated Outcomes, Expected Responses
  and Results
• Mostly Deterministic and Repeatable
• Limited to SNC Compatibility Testing
• Verify Interfaces Are Implemented IAW
  Specifications
• Perform Tests
• Test Unit Remotely Located
• Test Unit Physically Separated in excess of 500

47
Media Simulator Capability

• The Media Simulator can
• Simulate up to 4 Independent Channels
• Simulate Connectivity Effects of Platform Motion
• Simulate Varying Propagation Losses/Conditions
• Simulate LLC SPC Interface
• Simulate Message Error Rate Statistic for Each
  NU Pair

48
Media Simulator Capability (continued)

• MS and MS? Control
• LLC Management
• RF Channel Simulation
• SPC Management
• Interfaces with SG, SNC ?, LLC UUT, TOD

49
Media Simulator Capability (continued)

• RF Channel Simulation
• Manages the Propagation Loss Calculations (PLC),
  Bit Error Rate (BER) Calculations and Link
  Reception Quality (LRQ) Determination for the RF
  Channel Simulation and Provides NU Connectivity
  Snapshot.
• SPC Management
• Maintains State Machine Functions for each SPC
• Processes SPC/LLC Messages
• Performs Collision Detection Evaluation
• External Time Source
• Master-Slave Digital Clock card (PCI bus card)
  distributing Standard Time Message (STM) and 1PPS
  over RS-422.
• TOD, TFOM, Leap Indicators

50
Interoperability Testing
51
Interoperability Testing

• Multi-Link Test Tool Used
• Remotely Test Link 22 Units Via the Internet
• Remotely/Locally Support System Integration
  Testing (SIT) of a Host/DLP, SNC, LLC, SPC and
  Radio
• Land Based Test of Link 22 Systems Conformance
  to STANAG 5522, when Actual LLC Devices, SPCs and
  Radios Are Interconnected
• Support Testing With Live Platforms

52
Link 22 Program Test Status

• SG and MS CSCI Dry Run and Qualification Testing
  Completed
• SNC Dry Run Testing Currently Underway at Datamat
  in Rome, Italy
• SNC CSCI Qualification Testing Scheduled for mid
  July 00
• NRS System Qualification Testing Scheduled for
  August 00
• SNC System Qualification Testing Scheduled for
  August 00

53
In-Service Support Phase

• Memorandum of Understanding Presently Under
  Negotiation by the Current NILE Nations
• Scope of Work Consists Of
• Software Maintenance
• Configuration Management
• System Testbed
• Technical/Operational Data Exchange
• Annual Budget Estimated at 1,750,000
• PMO to Be Staffed With a PM and 2 National
  Representatives