Instantiation of the TADIL-A Waveform into a Software Programmable Tactical Intelligence Terminal

by Ernie Franke
Raytheon Systems Company St. Petersburg, FL 33733 TActical Digital Information Link-A (TADIL-A) is used for situational awareness dissemination to the warfighter at both HF and UHF. With the recent addition of TADIL-A to the Joint Tactical Terminal (JTT) Operational Requirements Document (ORD), it served as a test for demonstrating the ability to instantiate a legacy broadcast waveform into a software re-programmable, digital tactical intelligence terminal. Software resident in a field-proven TADIL-A Data Terminal Set (DTS) was re-written in Higher Order Language to provide operation for both HF and UHF. I. The Joint Tactical Terminal (JTT) Meeting the warfighters need for timely, secure, tactical intelligence and targeting information, the Joint Tactical Terminal (JTT) [1] provides a high-performance, software-programmable radio, with modular functionality that is both backward and forward compatible with the migration of the Integrated Broadcast Service (IBS). The JTT program provided the first truly scaleable, flexible, open-architecture, software digital radio to bring integrated tactical and intelligence broadcasts into the next millennium. The JTT provides critical data links to battle managers, intelligence centers, air defenders, fire support elements, and aviation nodes across all services and aboard airborne, sea-going, subsurface and ground mobile mission platforms. The JTT allows each warfighting Commanders-in-Chief (CINC), Army, Air Force, Navy, Marine Corps, Special Operations Forces (SOF) and other agency users to exploit the current IBS intelligence networks: TRIXS, TIBS, TDDS, TADIXS-B and 5/25 kHz DAMA. In addition, the JTT supports the evolving IBS broadcast architecture, including changes to message formats and transmission protocols. With the recent addition of TActical Digital Information Link-A (TADILA)/Link-11 to the JTT Operational Requirements Document (ORD) [2], it serves as a test for the instantiation of a legacy intelligence broadcast. Link-11 is the NATO designation (STANAG 5511) of TADIL-A. This paper describes the program for implementing the TADIL-A/Link-11, receive-only capability into the family of JTT terminals. Transmit functionality will be added later.

Figure 1: The JTT can support up to 12 receive channels, while simultaneously operating full-duplex on 4 transmit channels. . The JTT places prime importance on flexibility, scaleability, portability, interoperability, and adoption of widelyaccepted (commercial), open (published) standards. JTT is flexible, in that it meets the variable demands of the warfighter through the ability to exercise multi-mode, multichannel, multi-mission roles. It is responsive to the IBS ORD because it can both interoperate with current waveforms and accommodate a migration to a common waveform, protocol, or data format, and can accept new waveforms. It is responsive to change using plug and play technology insertion. It is scaleable with a choice in the number of transmit and receive channels or scaleable within the family of terminals. II. Open Systems Architecture (OSA) Future tactical intelligence terminals will be comprised of a family of radios that share common interchangeable Hardware (HW) and Software (SW) components (modules) to simplify management and support. An open-system architecture focuses on modularity by function with the development of a library of common HW and SW modules, cutting across current radio equipment types to enable a natural progression of module improvements with technology advances (technology insertion). The functional flow of processing in a radio terminal conforms to a general standard, as shown in Figure 2.

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The tactical intelligence terminal is naturally divided into three major segments: Radio, INFOrmation SECurity (INFOSEC) and Message Processing. Each segment performs a function that can easily be re-programmed to alter the HW or SW functionality. The radio segment, for instance, can be commanded to any frequency within the operating band. It also performs an antenna matrix selection to connect the proper antenna to the correct channel. The radio segment also handles black-side, link processing such as frequency hopping or spreading, block and differential coding, interleaving and modulation. The INFOSEC segment includes both the Communications Security (COMSEC) and Transmission Security (TRANSEC). COMSEC is the encryption of the message data, while TRANSEC is the modulation overlay on the transmitted signal. The INFOSEC segment bridges the black and the red buses with INFOSEC cryptography. The red-side (classified) message processing segment performs message filtering and formatting, video compression, correlation, while providing a user interface via a Graphical User Interface (GUI), serial bus or ClientService application for a Man-Machine Interface (MMI).

Technological transparency is characterized by standardized modular functions, independent of waveform (network) or packaging. The modules use widely-accepted, nonproprietary interfaces that interconnect core designs through a tailored adapter that enables portability to alternate embodiments, effectively creating a bus-independent architecture. The software may then be placed into a library of re-usable components. Modular-granularity is a trade-off between the ability to perform Pre-Planned Product Improvement (P3I) and to minimize Life-Cycle Cost (LCC). Each module has comprehensive functional descriptions and well-know/understood interfaces. This allows third-party vendors to spin-on their specific areas of expertise. . JTT software is written in a High-Order Language (HOL), allowing it to be transportable across a family of widelyused commercial processors. By developing the TADIL-A software in an HOL (C for the DSP), it can be easily recompiled to host it on a new processor. As processor speeds steadily increase, the software is simply re-hosted on the latest version in the backwards-compatible family of processors.

RF Segment Multi-Frequency Band Filtering Frequency Translation Frequency Hopping Antenna Interface Power Amplifier T/R Switching

INFOSEC Segment

Message Processing Segment

Multi-Mode Mod/Demod Interleave/ De-Interleave FEC Preamble

COMSEC TRANSEC Encryption Decryption

Control/Status Correlation Fitlering/Formatting Network Processing Digitized Maps Built-In Test

Ethernet MIL-STD-1553 EIA-232/422 II/O Buffering TDP Interface

Programmable RF Front-End

Programmable Modem

Programmable INFOSEC

Programmable Processor

Programmable I/O

Black-Side Control/Data Bus

Red-Side Control/Data Bus

Figure 2: Segmenting the terminal by function with well-defined interfaces ensures that technology insertion may be isolated to the single module. III. TADIL-A Network Operation TADIL-A/Link-11 employs netted communication techniques with a standard message format for exchanging digital information among airborne, land-based and maritime tactical data systems to any area of the world, as shown in Figure 3. TADIL-A supports an extensive range of missions including wide-area monitoring, tactical Indications and Warning (I&W), Over-the-Horizon (OTH) targeting, and intelligence. TADIL-A is used by a number of intelligence platforms that conduct Signal Intelligence (SIGINT) data collection including Communications Intelligence (COMINT) and Electronic Intelligence (ELINT). TADIL-A data communications operate both in the High-Frequency (HF) and in the Ultra-High Frequency (UHF) bands. When operating in the HF band (2 to 30 MHz) the ground wave can deliver ranges up to 300 nautical miles (nm), with a sky wave range of 1,000 nm. UHF (225 to 400 MHz) operation provides gapless, omnidirectional Line-of-Sight (LOS) coverage to approximately 20 to 30 nm ship-to-ship or 150 nm ship-to-air, depending on aircraft altitude. In addition, UHF Satellite Communications (SATCOM) operation (292 to 390 MHz uplink / 243 to 270 MHz downlink) is available for Beyond Line-of-Sight (BLOS) operation using FLTSAT and UFO UHF satellites.

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P-3C Maritime Patrol E-2C Hawkeye

EP-3 Story Teller

RC-135 Rivet Joint EA-6B Prowler

USMC & USAF TAOM/MCE TAOM/MCE

ES-3 Viking

E-3 AWACS EC-130 ABCCC

CV/LHA/LHD CVN/LHA/LHD Patriot Missile AEGIS DD/DDG/CG AEGIS DD/DDG/CG/CGN

Figure 3: Multi-service TADIL-A networks initiate with the first capable Net Control Station (NCS) arriving in theatre. In addition to the standard intelligence broadcasts such as TIBS, TDDS and TADIXS-B, which are received over UHF SATellite COMmunications (SATCOM), aircraft have a desire to receive TADIL-A over HF or UHF SATCOM for long-range planning and over UHF LOS for in-theatre updates. Todays forces must be ready to respond to a crisis at almost any point at any distance. The time from take-off to time over-target or objective can be as much as 12 to 15 hours. The ability of the Air Mobility Command (AMC), KC-10 Extender Figure 4, to accomplish their mission can be dramatically impacted by changes in the objective area while forces are enroute. The JTT provides the means to receive information relevant to conditions in the objective area while enroute and over the destination as symbology is overlaid onto stored images and charts, indicating parameters and lethality ranges in two and three dimensional representation. GPS is used for centering data on their own platform or on an offset reference point. C-130 Hercules C-141 Starlifter

C-5 Galaxy KC-135 Stratotanker C-17 Globemaster III Figure 4: The Air Mobility Command (AMC) requires situational awareness updates enroute to their destination. TADIL-A is a secure digital data link that operates in a Roll Call mode under control of a Net Control Station (NCS), with the rest of the platforms designated as pickets. Since the HF band was the first application of TADIL-A, waveform selection depended heavily on compatibility with existing signals. Thus a waveform having the same frame length as radio teletype (75 baud) and using multi-tone audio to replicate voice was chosen. After sending an interrogation message, the NCS waits 15 frames (0.2 sec) for a response from other platforms. If a response is not received, then the NCS continues with the operation of the Network. Since the TADIL-A net is typically operated around a 300 nm radius HF and 30 nm for UHF LOS, ships and aircraft have plenty of time to respond to the NCS interrogation. When TADIL-A is operated through a satellite, the NCS would not receive a response, since roundtrip delay is approximately 0.25 seconds. Thus SATCOM operation requires a change in link protocol. The NCS is operator-selectable to extend its allowable response up to 250 frames (3.33 sec.) in one-frame increments. Special time gating is also incorporated to inhibit the signal received via the echo.

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There are many different TADIL-A equipment configurations aboard each platform, however they always consist of the following units: the Tactical Data System (TDS) or computer, the cryptographic device (KG-40) or crypto, the Data Terminal Set (DTS) or modem, and the HF or UHF radios as shown in Figure 5. TDS computers supply tactical digital information to net participants, and retrieve and process incoming tactical digital information received from net participants. The software executing in the TDS computer performs many other functions in addition to maintaining the tactical database. It manages the displays, performs interim updates of track locations, responds to operator entries and inquiries, and controls all peripheral input and output data. Maritime platforms utilize a Naval TDS (NTDS) with a parallel interface, while airborne platforms utilize the Airborne TDS (ATDS), with its corresponding serial interface.
SENSORS AND WEAPONS

(SSB) suppressed carrier techniques for either Upper (USB), Lower (LSB), or Independent (ISB) sidebands for frequency diversity. UHF LOS operation use Frequency Modulation (FM) techniques, as shown in Table I. The DTS converts the TDS binary data stream into Shaped Binary Phase-Shift Keying (SBPSK) for UHF SATCOM. Efficient use of 5 kHz (narrowband) SATCOM channels requires the selection of data rates and modulation waveforms that make maximum use of the available channel bandwidth, without causing interference to adjacent channel users. Using shaped, constant-amplitude vector modulation of 2400 bps SBPSK, adjacent channel emissions are contained to allow SATCOM users to operate at a 10 kHz channel spacing [3]. The receiving DTS makes corrections to the received message using a Hamming Error Detection and Correction (EDAC) technique. Each data word is 24 bits, plus 6 control bits added for parity check. If one bit is in error, the control bits can determine which bit is in error and correct it. There are five modes of DTS operation: Net Synchronization (NS) to establish initial communication by the NCS transmitting preamble frames; Net Test (NT) for connectivity checks using a known test pattern and for setting line levels; Roll Call (RC) for the normal mode of operating the net; and Short Broadcast (SBC) and Broadcast (BC), where a picket or NCS will broadcast its information once (SBC) or continuously (BC). In the normal RC mode of operation, one platform is the NCS, with the rest of the platforms designated as pickets. The NCS will begin net operation by broadcasting a short message known as an interrogation. Each picket will respond with a message. All participants will hear each picket reply. During the next round, the NCS will address each picket in sequence. When all of the pickets have broadcast their data, the NCS will broadcast its own data to complete one cycle of the net, with no operator intervention required. The UHF LOS signal is downconverted and demodulated from FM to multi-tone audio in the JTT receiver. Presently the HF receiver is external to the JTT. With the advent of multi-band modules, such as the 2 MHz to 2 GHz receiver from the Digital Modular Radio (DMR), even this function will be embedded in the tactical terminal. At this point the UHF LOS or the HF data information is extracted from the DE-QPSK signal. For UHF LOS and HF, the modem processes a 16-tone waveform, in which 15 of the tones are differentiallyencoded, quadrature phase shift-keyed (DE-QPSK) modulated. The tones are spaced every 110 Hz beginning with a single unmodulated 605 Hz tone for used for Doppler correction. Since each tone of the DE-QPSK signal contains two bits of information, the modem output contains 30 bits of data per 75 bps baud. The frame interval (either 13.33 or 22 msec) coincides with phase shifts to yield either a 2250 or 1364 bps (normal or slow) modulation rate.

RADIO SYSTEM (HF/UHF)

D ATA TERMINAL SET ( DTS)

CRYPTO DEVICE (KG-40)

TACTICAL DATA SYSTEM (TDS)

DISPLAY SYSTEM

Figure 5: Actual functions may be combined or embedded in software to form the TADIL-A system. The TDS computer accepts operator entries, such as the Data Link Reference Point (DLRP), Participating Unit (PU) identification, track block data, and various filter selection modes. After information is received, it is correlated, or matched with information already in the database. Forced gridlock is the process of adjusting the local tactical grid of each unit to that of the DLRP, thereby gridlocking all units. The interface between the TDS computer and the DTS is controlled by the DTS. The KG-40 cryptographic device operates between the TDS and the DTS, providing COMmunications SECurity (COMSEC) for each 24-bit word of tactical data that flows through the system. The JTT uses an embedded HAYFIELD cryptographic device for receiveonly capability. Future expansion to add transmit capabilities will be available with the advent of the CORNFIELD or the Advanced INFOSEC Module (AIM) crypto device. The DTS serves as both a Modulator/Demodulator (Modem) and as a Link Protocol controller. The DTS encodes TDS data into multi-tone audio for HF and UHF LOS and generates and recognizes protocol signals that control the operation of the net. HF operation uses Single Sideband

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Each TADIL-A message consists of a preamble, a start code, data and a stop code. The preamble is the first five frames of every transmission, consisting of two audio tones. The 605 Hz tone is used for Doppler correction, while the 2915 Hz tone is alternately shifted to provide frame sync. Doppler

correction maintains stability to 75 Hz, with 3.5 Hz/sec of tracking. HF Doppler correction operates independently on both sidebands and is operator selectable between LSB/USB/Diversity.

Table I: Comparison of HF, UHF LOS and UHF SATCOM TADIL-A modes and rates. Mode HF UHF LOS UHF SATCOM Information Rate 1364 or 2250 bps 1364 or 2250 bps 2400 bps Modem I/O Multi-tone Multi-tone Binary Modulation AM: USB/LSB/ISB FM: +20 kHz pk deviation SBPSK, 5 kHz channel Military Standard MIL-STD-188-203-1A MIL-STD-188-203-1A MIL-STD-188-181

UHF (LOS or SATCOM)

Joint Tactical Terminal (JTT) Red I/O KG-40 Algorithnm, Serial, Crypto Bypass Ethernet COMSEC TDS

RF/IF

Link Protocol Multi-tone TADIL-A, (HF, UHF LOS) /Link-11 PSK (UHF SATCOM)

Modem

HF HF Radio
Figure 6: Instantiation of the TADIL-A waveform touches each of the functional segments of the tactical terminal. IV. Hardware vs. Software Approach Instantiation of the TADIL-A waveform presented a choice between using an existing, dedicated VME, single-board module solution (hardware solution) and importing a software module into universal Modem and Black Processor modules (software solution). The trade study clearly showed that the modular software approach was the preferred method for adding the TADIL-A function to a reprogrammable tactical terminal. The terminal would be easier to upgrade, since it is re-programmable through a software download. The terminal reliability would be improved, due to the decrease in overall hardware and power consumption. The terminal has more expansion capability using the vacant slot. A dedicated TADIL-A modem represents a dedicated slice concept, as opposed to a modem that is personalized to a TADIL-A DTS during configuration of a channel. The assembly code from a field-proven DTS was re-written into the high-order language (HOL) of "C" for hosting the modem function on the TMS320C6201 Digital Signal Processor (DSP) fixed-point device in the Joint Tactical Terminal. The highly-efficient C compiler enables users to program in C language, offering up to 80% code cycle efficiency compared to hand-coded assembly, resulting in a faster time-to-market for the end user. V. Conclusions Instantiation of the TADIL-A/Link-11 broadcast waveform has been performed on a software, re-programmable tactical intelligence terminal by re-hosting a software module into a re-programmable modem, black-side processor and embedded cryptographic device. . VI. References [1] S. Kostek and E. Franke, Joint Tactical Terminal and Common Integrated Broadcast Service - Modules (JTT/CIBS-M), IEEE MILCOM 98, C6.6, October 1998, Boston, MA, pp. 112-118. [2] Operational Requirements Document (ORD) for the Joint Tactical Terminal (JTT) and Common Integrated Broadcast ServiceModules (CIBS-M), 13 September 1996. [3] E. Franke, UHF SATCOM Downlink Interference for the Mobile Platform, IEEE MILCOM 96, October 1996, McLean, VA, pp. 22 28. .

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