ADVANCED RANGE DATA LINK

Abstract

This paper describes the design and performance of a flexible data link system for test and training range communications. To support a wide variety of range applications, this data link provides variable length messages, participant store-and-forward relays, remote data stations, three modes of operation - TDMA, polled, and carrier sense, and a transmitreceive range of more than 80 miles. The data link is adaptable to different message rates and sizes to support different types of missions. For example, a high dynamics aircraft mission can be supported by two-way 400 bit messages from 25 aircraft 10 times per second; a tactical armor mission can be supported by two-way 200 bit messages from 500 participants once per second. The data link is designed with packet radio and pseudonoise spread spectrum techniques to combat common range communication problems such as multipath fading, host vehicle obscuration, coexistence, interference, and vehicle dynamics. Data link performance is presented to show the flexibility and adaptability to various range communication requirements.