MIDS -LVT LINK -16

INTR ODUC TION

International Data Link Symposium
2006

Mr. James (Jim) Quis torf

ViaS at
19 S eptember 2006

Government Systems
 MIDS-LVT & LINK-16: An Introduction
TOPICS to be Covered
 LINK-16 OVERVIEW
 Basics
 J-series messages
 Waveform
 Time Slots
 Networks
 Round-Trip Timing (RTT)
 Relative Navigation
 Terminal-Host Interaction
 MIDS-LVT OVERVIEW
 System Identification
 System Operation
 Terminal Initialization & Control
 Functional Layout & SRU Review
 System Software

Government Systems
IDLS-2006 September 25, 2006
 MIDS-LVT & LINK-16: An Introduction
Link 16 Overview: T h e B a s ic s

 Tactical Data Link 16 (Link 16)

 Purpose: Exchange real-time tactical data.
 Architecture: Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA)
 Synchronization: Acquisition & maintenance of system time
 Terminal variations
 Class I, Class II, MIDS (LVT-1, LVT-2, LVT-3)
 Host platform integration requirements
 Features
 Jam resistance, Improved security
 ↑ data rate + ↑ amounts & granularity of IE
 ↓ terminal size = allows install in fighter/attack a/c
 PPLI & Relative navigation

Government Systems
IDLS-2006 September 25, 2006
 MIDS-LVT & LINK-16: An Introduction
Link 16 Overview: J S eries Mes s ages
Network Management Track Management Electronic Warfare
J0.0 Initial Entry J7.0 Track Management J14.0 EW Parametric
J0.1 Test Message J7.1 Data Update Request J14.2 EW Coordination & Control
J0.2 Net Time Update J7.2 Correlation
J0.3 Time Slot Assignment J7.3 Pointer Threat Warning
J0.4 Radio Relay Control J7.4 Track Identifier J15.0 Threat Warning
J0.5 Repromulgation Relay J7.5 IFF/SIF Management J16.0 Imagery
J0.6 Comm Control J7.6 Filter Management J17.0 Weather over target
J0.7 TSR Announcement J7.7 Associated
J1.0 Connectivity Interrogation J8.0 Unit Designator National Use
J1.1 Connectivity Status J8.1 Mission Correlator Change J28.0 US National 1-Army
J1.2 Route Establishment J28.1 US National 2-Navy
J1.3 Acknowledgment Weapons Coordination & MGMT J28.2 US National 3-USAF
J1.4 Communication Status J9.0 Command J28.3 US National 4-USMC
J1.5 Net Control Initialization J9.1 Engagement Coordination J28.4 FR National 1
J1.6 Needline PG Assignment J10.2 ECCM Coordination J28.5 FR National 2
J10.3 Handover J28.6 US National 5-NSA
Precise Participant Location & ID J10.5 Controlling Unit Report J28.7 UK National 1
J2.0 Indirect Interface Unit PPLI J10.6 Pairing
J2.2 Air PPLI Other
J2.3 Surface (Maritime) PPLI Control J31.0 OTAR Management
J2.4 Subsurface (Maritime) PPLI J12.0 Mission Assignment J31.1 OTAR
J2.5 Land Ground Point PPLI J12.1 Vector J31.7 No Statement
J2.6 Land Ground Track PPLI J12.2 Precision AC Direction
J12.3 Flight Path RTT-A RTT Addressed
Surveillance J12.4 Controlling Unit Change RTT-B RTT Broadcast
J3.0 Reference Point J12.5 Target/Track Correlation RTT-REP RTT Reply
J3.1 Emergency Point J12.6 Target Sorting
J3.2 Air Surveillance Track J12.7 Target Bearing
J3.3 Surface (Maritime) Track STANAG 5516
J3.4 Subsurface (Maritime) Track Platform & System Status MIL-STD-6016B
J3.5 Land Ground Point/Track J13.0 Airfield Status OP-SPEC 516
J3.6 Space Track Message J13.2 Air Platform Status
J3.7 EW Product Information J13.3 Surface Platform Status
J5.4 Acoustic Bearing/Range J13.4 Subsurface Platform Status
J6.0 Intelligence Information J13.5 Land Platform Status

Government Systems
IDLS-2006 September 25, 2006
 MIDS-LVT & LINK-16: An Introduction
Link 16 Overview: Notable J-Mes s ages
 J0.0 Initial Entry
 Transmitted by
 Network Time Reference (NTR), IEJU, Active Relays
 Used by other terminals in acquiring system time

 RTT Round Trip Timing

 Support the Synchronization Process
 RTT Interrogation (RTT-I) may be either addressed (RTT-
A) or broadcast (RTT-B)

 J2.X PPLI
 Automatically generated by terminal
 Keeps network informed of participant’s location & ID

Government Systems
IDLS-2006 September 25, 2006
 MIDS-LVT & LINK-16: An Introduction
Link 16 Overview: Waveform Characteris tics
 Frequency: 960-1215 MHz (Lx Band)

Government Systems
IDLS-2006 September 25, 2006
 MIDS-LVT & LINK-16: An Introduction
Link 16 Overview: Waveform Characteris tics
 Spread Spectrum
 969-1206 MHz Lx Band
 IFF NOTCHES
 Centered on 1030 & 1090 MHz
 Frequency Hopping – 51 Freqs.
 Frequency not held constant
 Hop Rate: 76,923 hops per second

Government Systems
IDLS-2006 September 25, 2006
 MIDS-LVT & LINK-16: An Introduction
Link 16 Overview: The Network

 TDMA
 Division of Network Time
 1 Day = 24 hours
 1 Day = 112.5 Epochs
 1 Epoch = 12.8 min
 1 Epoch = 64 Frames
 1 Epoch = 98k time slots
 1 Frame = 12 seconds
 1 Frame = 1,536 Timeslots
(3 sets of 512)
 1 Timeslot = 7.8125 msec

Government Systems
IDLS-2006 September 25, 2006
 MIDS-LVT & LINK-16: An Introduction
Link 16 Overview: Times lot Blocks
 Time Slot Blocks (TSB)
SLOT Interval
 Assigned to each terminal for RRN
No. Slots per (within set) (within [Link])
Frame (time)
transmission and reception.
 Each block is defined by three 15 512 1 3 23.4375
variables: 14 256 2 6 46.8750
 Set (A, B, or C) 13 128 4 12 93.7500
 Index ( 0 – 511) (Starting 12 64 8 24 187.5000
Slot) 11 32 16 48 375.0000
 Recurrence rate 10 16 32 96 750.0000
ie; A-2-13 9 8 64 192 1.50

8 4 128 384 3.00

 Recurrence Rate Number (RRN) 7 2 256 768 6.00
 The logarithm of number of slots 6 1 512 1536 12.00
in the time slot block.
 Indicates:
 Number slots in a block
 Time slot distribution

Government Systems
IDLS-2006 September 25, 2006
 MIDS-LVT & LINK-16: An Introduction
Link 16 Overview: The Time S lot
 REMEMBER: J-STMP

JITTER SYNCH T/R MESSAGE MESSAGE PROPAGATION

HEADER DATA

JITTER: VARIABLE START INTERVAL

SYNCH: SYNCHRONIZATION PREAMBLE ALLOWS RECEIVING

TERMINAL TO ID MESSAGE.

TIME REFINEMENT: ALLOWS TERMINALS TO UPDATE SYSTEM TIME

MESSAGE HEADER: ADDRESS

BODY OF DATA
MESSAGE DATA:

PROPAGATION: TIME PERIOD ALLOWED FOR TRANSMISSION

PROPAGATION.

Government Systems
IDLS-2006 September 25, 2006
 MIDS-LVT & LINK-16: An Introduction
Link 16 Overview: Data Packing
 STDP(186 pulses of data), P2SP (186 pulses of data), P2DP (372
pulses of data), P4SP (444 pulses of data).
Standard Double Pulse
 Timeslots form at different # of Jitter S TR H D1 Propagatio
n
data pulses, amount of EDAC 16x2 4x2 16x2 93x2
encoding and amount of Packed-2 Single Pulse
redundancy Jitter S TR H D1 D2 Propagatio
n
16x2 4x2 16x2 93x1 93x1
 STDP is used whenever possible Packed-2 Double Pulse
to ensure maximum anti-jam Propagatio
S TR H D1 D2
performance. 16x2 4x2 16x2 93x2 93x2
n

 P2SP and P2DP both allow for Packed-4 Single Pulse

transmission of six LINK-16 S TR H D1 D2 D3 D4 Propagatio
n
words per timeslot. 16x2 4x2 16x2 93x1 93x1 93x1 93x1

 P4SP allow for transmission of 12 S H = Header

= Sync
LINK-16 words per timeslot. D = Data
TR = Time Refinement

Government Systems
IDLS-2006 September 25, 2006
 MIDS-LVT & LINK-16: An Introduction
Link 16 Overview: The Network
 Synchronization: The acquisition and maintenance of system
time. The SYNCHRONIZING terminal must correct the ERROR
(Initial Clock Offset) between terminals (ε).
 RTT Messages: represent the only exception to the rule that a
terminal can transmit or receive, but not both, in a given time slot.
 In Link 16 operations, each terminal estimates how well it knows
system time. This estimate is based on:
 1. Clock drift,
 2. Accuracy that terminals replying RTT interrogations know system
time,
 3. The time since it last completed an RTT exchange.
 The terminal uses this information to set its Time Quality (TQ).
 By definition,
 Only the Network Time Reference (NTR) has a TQ = 15

Government Systems
IDLS-2006 September 25, 2006
 MIDS-LVT & LINK-16: An Introduction
Link 16 Overview: Round Trip Timing (RTT)
 User Terminal:
 Transmit an RTT Interrogation (RTTI) in the beginning of the slot and
receive an RTT Reply (RTTR) later in the slot.
 Net Time Reference (NTR):
 Receive an RTTI in the beginning of the slot and transmit an RTTR later
in the slot.

Government Systems
IDLS-2006 September 25, 2006
 MIDS-LVT & LINK-16: An Introduction
Link 16 Overview: Relative Navigation

Determining the distance of JUs by

measuring the Time of Arrival (TOA) of
received PPLI and correlating that
information with reported LAT/LONG
Synchronous nature of Link 16 provides
the basis for individual JU’s to determine
own-unit location relative to other JU’s in
the network.
An automatic function of the terminal

Government Systems
IDLS-2006 September 25, 2006
 MIDS-LVT & LINK-16: An Introduction
Link 16 Overview: Relative Navigation

 The Terminal's navigation function performs all

computations necessary to determine own unit
navigation data using:
1. TOA measured on:
• received Link 16 PPLI
• data contained in the messages
2. Inputs from:
• INS (Inertial Navigation Systems)
• GPS (Global Positioning Systems)
• other host navigation and altitude systems
3. Network time from the Terminal's clock.

Government Systems
IDLS-2006 September 25, 2006
 MIDS-LVT & LINK-16: An Introduction
Link 16 Overview: Terminal/Hos t Interaction

 Functional exchange: A data exchange characterized by a

functional message and the rules to exchange it. Defined by:
 Functional Input Messages (FIMs),
 Example: FIM10 Host Navigation Data Type 1 FIM
 Functional Output Messages (FOMs),
 Example: FOM03 Ongoing BIT & Status FOM
 Associated application-level protocols.

 A physical exchange is a data exchange characterized by a

physical message and the rules to exchange it. It is defined by
Bus Input Messages (BIMs), Bus Output Messages (BOMs),
and associated bus-level protocols.

Government Systems
IDLS-2006 September 25, 2006
 MIDS-LVT & LINK-16: An Introduction
Link 16 Overview: MIDS Family

Government Systems
IDLS-2006 September 25, 2006
 MIDS-LVT & LINK-16: An Introduction
MIDS-LVT Description: System Identification
 Multifunctional Information Distribution System (MIDS) Low Volume Terminal
(LVT) 1 System, consists of two Line Replaceable Units (LRUs):
 Main Terminal – referred to as the TERMINAL
 Remote Power Supply (RPS)
 Three ancillary equipment LRUs:
 AC RPS Power Adapter LRU (ACA);
 DC RPS Power Adapter LRU (DCA);
 High Power Amplifier Interface Assembly LRU (HIA).

 MIDS LVT (2) consists of four Primary Line Replaceable Units (LRUs):
 Main Terminal
 Power Supply Assembly (PSA)
 Mounting Tray
 Cooling Unit

Government Systems
IDLS-2006 September 25, 2006
 MIDS-LVT & LINK-16: An Introduction
MIDS-LVT Description: System Identification

 A tactical information radio system designed to

provide Link 16 capabilities to air, land, and marine
platforms
 Including those with limited space, power and
cooling air.
 Provides these capabilities:
 Integrated position determination
 Navigation and identification
 Voice and Data communications

Government Systems
IDLS-2006 September 25, 2006
 MIDS-LVT & LINK-16: An Introduction
MIDS-LVT Description: HOST S y s te m In te rc o n n e c t
 MT/Host
 J1 – “A” Power Inputs
 J2 – Voice I/O (2-channel)
 J3 – Busses (Input/Output), configuration ID
 J4 – Cryptovariables
 J5 – “B” Power Inputs
 J6 – HPA Power Inputs
 J7 – Control, Discrete Signals, Indicators
 J8 – Suppression, Timing/Sync
 J9 – HPA input – may be left open
 J10 – Antenna A, N-connector
 J11 – Antenna B, HN-connector
 J12 – “C” Power Inputs
 J13 – 3910 High Speed Data Bus
 J14 – 3910 High Speed Data Bus

Government Systems
IDLS-2006 September 25, 2006
 MIDS-LVT & LINK-16: An Introduction
MIDS-LVT Description: System Operation

 Basic Requirements for MIDS Operation

 Prime Power
 Cooling Air
 Antenna or Dummy Load
 Cryptovariables and the means for loading them (DS-
101 Interface)
 Means of providing control and initialization (ie;
Tactical Host, Host Simulator, Terminal Maintenance)
 A valid estimate of network TOD
 An initial estimate of position and position uncertainty
(if RelNav operation is required and host navigation
input is not available)

Government Systems
IDLS-2006 September 25, 2006
 MIDS-LVT & LINK-16: An Introduction
MIDS-LVT Description: Terminal Control

Discretes
 Power-On: causes power subsystem to
supply power to all subsystems of the
terminal

 Standby: is only used when power is turned

off and will determine whether
cryptovariables are maintained or erased

Government Systems
IDLS-2006 September 25, 2006
 MIDS-LVT & LINK-16: An Introduction
MIDS-LVT Description: Interfaces to Host Platform
 Accomplished via the I/O (Input/Output) section, the following
interfaces are provided:
 Avionics Data Bus Interface
 Suppression and Indicator Signal Interface
 Antenna Interface
 Secure Data Unit (SDU) DS-101 Interface
 Support Equipment Interface
 TACAN Signal Interface
 Timing Signal Interface
 Control & Status Interface
 High Power Amplifier Interface
 Platform Mounting Interface
 Voice Interface
 Prime Power Interface
 Cooling Air Interface

Government Systems
IDLS-2006 September 25, 2006
MIDS-LVT & LINK-16: An Introduction
MIDS-LVT Introduction: MIDS Functional Layout
JTIDS
Common SRU High Power L-Band Antennas
Amplifier

LVT-1 UNIQUE
Chassis (A12)
COMSEC I/F
LVT-2 UNIQUE Receiver/ DS-101

RS 422 Control/Status Bus

Synthesizer DP/ Support
(A6) SMP AV MUX
1553
Port
(A4) (A3)
Receiver/ 3910
C TP/
RF

Host I/Fs
AIU Synthesizer Ethernet
O (A7) GND MUX

VME Bus
AMP (A2)
O RFA
(A10) X.25
TACAN DP/
L (A8) RTI/ Dual ADDSI Ethernet
I Discretes Discretes
Exciter/ (A5)
N IPF
Voice (opt)
G (A9)
(A1)
Voice I/F
2.4 Kbps LPC10
16KBPs CVSD

U Integrated Power Supply (A11)

N
I
T Power Supply Assembly Remote Power Supply

115VAC, 50/60/400Hz or 200VAC, 115VAC, 400Hz 3 Phase

50/60Hz Single Phase or +28VDC or + 140VDC
Government Systems
IDLS-2006 September 25, 2006
 MIDS-LVT & LINK-16: An Introduction
MIDS-LVT Description: SRU Review
 12 Shop Replaceable Units make up the MIDS
LRU:
 A1 – Voice Processor Assembly (VP)
 A2 – Tailored Processor/Ground MUX (TP/GMUX) – LVT 1 only
 A3 – Data Processor/Avionics MUX (DP/AMUX) – LVT 1 only
 A3 – Army Data Distribution System Interface(ADDSI)– LVT 2
 A4 – Signal/Message Processor (SMP)
 A5 – RT Interface/Discrete Assembly (RTI/DA)
 A6 – Receiver/Synthesizer 1 (RS1)
 A7 – Receiver/Synthesizer 2 (RS2) – LVT 1 only
 A8 – TACAN Programmed Assembly (TAC) – LVT 1 only
 A9 – Exciter IPF
 A10 – RF Power Amp (PA)
 A11 – Internal Power Supply (IPS)
 A12 – Chassis and Harness Assembly

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IDLS-2006 September 25, 2006
 MIDS-LVT & LINK-16: An Introduction
MIDS-LVT Description: SRU DESCRIPTION
 A1 – Voice Processor:
 Provides digital voice processing function
 A2 - Tailored Processor/Ground MUX
 Data path between host platform interface and Data Processor
 Coordinates TACAN control with host
 A3 - Data Processor/Avionics MUX
 Support Port Interface (Ethernet interface: testing, data recording,
reprogramming)
 NVRAM: BIT, Elapsed Time Indicator (ETI), and Initialization data!
 A4 - Signal/Message Processor
 RF carrier frequencies modulation
 MIDS waveform production
 A5 - RT Interface/Discrete Assembly
 Clock Outputs: System, Receive, Transmit, Buffer Clock
 Blanking signals for TACAN
 Fail Discrete Signals
 A6 & A7 Receiver/Synthesizer
 Tunes the 51 Link-16 frequencies

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IDLS-2006 September 25, 2006
 MIDS-LVT & LINK-16: An Introduction
MIDS-LVT Description: SRU DESCRIPTION

 A8 – TACTICAL AIR NAVIGATION (TACAN)

 RF Preselection
 Control of the RF Rx/Tx frequency values
 Acquisition and tracking processing
 A9 - Exciter/IPF
 Provide control and reference signals from RTI
 Monitors EMC features: Pulse Width, Carrier Frequency, Radiated Energy
into IFF band
 For pulses fall in “out-of-band” region, automatically disables transmit
 A10 – RF AMPIFIER
 Performs final Rx/Tx function for TDMA Signals
 Amplifies and shapes the RF output pulses
 A11 – INTERNAL POWER SUPPLY
 Converts all RPS/PSA power to levels needed by terminals
 A12 – CHASSIS/HARNESS
 Provides cooling air channels
 Front panel contains all connectors (14) to external LRU and Host – plus
BNC ground connector
 Front panel provision for swing bolts to secure LRU to host platform

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IDLS-2006 September 25, 2006
 MIDS-LVT & LINK-16: An Introduction
MIDS-LVT Description: LVT (2) Unique

 Cooling Unit (CU)

 Self Contained Cooling To The MT and PSA
 Draws in ambient directly without plenums or need for
Host environmental control systems.
 Power Supply Assembly
 Supports Unique Input Voltages

 Dual ADDSI Interface

 Including High Speed Ethernet LAN Capability

 19” Rack Mounting Tray

Government Systems
IDLS-2006 September 25, 2006
 MIDS-LVT & LINK-16: An Introduction
MIDS-LVT Description: System Software
 MIDS LVT Computer Software Configuration Items (CSCI)
 Core Processor CSCI (COR)
 Tailored Input/Output CSCI (TIO)
 Signal/Message Processor CSCI (MSG)
 Voice Data Processor CSCI (VCE)
 TACAN Processor CSCI (TAC)
 MIDS LVT (2) Computer Software Configuration Items (CSCI)

 CORE
 Subscriber Interface – Army (SIA)
 Signal Message Processor (SMP)
 Army Data Distribution System Interface (ADDSI)
 Voice (optional)

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IDLS-2006 September 25, 2006
 MIDS-LVT & LINK-16: An Introduction
MIDS-LVT Description: System Software

Government Furnished Vendor Developed

Block Cycle VCE

Release
MSG
COR TIO
TAC

TP ACP GCP

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IDLS-2006 September 25, 2006
 MIDS-LVT & LINK-16: An Introduction
MIDS-LVT Description: System Software

 Loads the Data Processor (DP) on A3

 Functional program for MIDS. Performs such
functions as:
 Terminal initialization
 Terminal synchronization
 Navigation
 Relay
 PPLI generation
 Receipt Compliance
 Data Recording

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IDLS-2006 September 25, 2006
 MIDS-LVT & LINK-16: An Introduction
MIDS-LVT Description: System Software

 Tailored Processor (TP)

 Loads the Tailored Processor program - A2
 Avionics Control Processor (ACP)
 Loads the Avionics Mux (AMUX) - A3
 Ground Control Processor (GCP)
 Loads the Ground Mux (GMUX) - A2
 Functions:
 Manages terminal-host information exchange
 Tailors interface to the platform
 Message Filtering

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IDLS-2006 September 25, 2006
 Operating MIDS-LVT & LEGS: An Introduction
MIDS-LVT Description: LVT System Software

 MIDS LVT-1 Software Configuration Item , BC3

 CORE 7.01
 TIO CSCI BJ
 Tailored Processor TPV14R3.s19
 Avionics Control Processor ACPV14R1.s19
 Ground Control Processor GCPV6R0.s19
 Vendor Specific (ViaSat)
 Signal Message Processor 5.02 (ViaSat)
 TACAN CSCI 2.0.6
 Voice CSCI 1.02

Government Systems
IDLS-2006 September 25, 2006
 MIDS-LVT & LINK-16: An Introduction
Link 16 Overview: S UMMARY

 LINK-16 OVERVIEW
 Basics
 J-series messages
 Waveform
 Time Slots
 Networks
 Round-Trip Timing (RTT)
 Relative Navigation
 Terminal-Host Interaction
 MIDS-LVT OVERVIEW
 System Identification
 System Operation
 Terminal Initialization & Control
 Functional Layout & SRU Review
 System Software

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IDLS-2006 September 25, 2006
 MIDS-LVT & LINK-16: An Introduction

Questions???

Contact
 Jim Quistorf
 ViaSat, Inc.
 [Link]@[Link]
 Tel: +1 760.877.2626 mobile
 Tel: + 1 760.476.4714 office

Government Systems
IDLS-2006 September 25, 2006