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6. INFORMATION TRANSFER SERVICES
6.1 Introduction
6.2 Mandates
6.2.1 Digital Network Services
6.2.1.1 High Speed Networks
6.2.1.2 Lower Speed Networks
6.2.2 Data Link/Bridge Interfaces
6.2.2.1 Common Data Link (CDL)
6.2.3 Reach Back/Reach Forward Interfaces
6.3 Emerging Technology
6.3.1 Digital Networks
6.3.2 Airborne Information Transfer (ABIT)
6.3.3 Tactical Common Data Link (TCDL)
6.3.4 Satellite CDL
6.3.5 Reach Between
6.3.6 Signal Related Information (SRI)
6.3.7 Common Signal External Data (SED) Format
Information transfer services identify the standards and protocols to achieve interoperability and connectivity among and within airborne SIGINT systems. These services include digital network services, data link interfaces, and Reach Back/Reach Forward interfaces. Digital network services provide a mechanism for data transfer and to exchange data between sensors, platforms, processors, and operator nodes. Data link interfaces provide a mechanism to control the SIGINT sensor and to distribute the sensor data for further processing and display. Reach Back/Reach Forward interfaces provide the ability for the SIGINT sensor system to connect to the Intelligence Community for the purpose of data sharing.
Digital network services provide the capability necessary for information transfer and exchange. The data flow network provides the transport and distribution functions for real-time exchange of digital data between Front End Processing and Information Processing and among some information processing assets. The multimedia network provides for the distribution of processed sensor data (e.g., digital audio, panoramic display data video images). The C2I network provides distributed commands to all architectural elements and provides synchronized control in concert with a precision timing reference. (See Appendix D)
High speed networks shall use the following:
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Note 1: Unidirectional point-to-point implementations shall use FC-0 and FC-1 and FC-2 with exceptions of the use of Primitive Signal Receiver_Ready (R_RDY) (FC-PH Clause 16.3.2), Primitive Sequences (FC-PH Clause 16.4), Port States (FC-PH Clause 16.5), and Primitive Sequence Protocols (FC-PH Clause 16.6).
Lower speed networks shall use the following:
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The data link/bridge provides for near real-time communications between the airborne collection platform and the air/ ground/surface control processing stations.
Common Data Link (CDL) refers to a family of five classes of line-of-sight (LOS) and beyond LOS (BLOS) data links. The majority of DoD CDL interoperability and standardization efforts to this point have been focused on the full duplex and jam resistant Class I LOS CDL. Class I LOS CDL standard addresses airborne and ground/surface based platforms up to an operational altitude of 80,000 feet. CDL Classes II through V cover the remainder of LOS and BLOS links based on maximum altitude ceilings: Class II 150,000 feet; Class III 500,000 feet; Class IV 750 nautical miles, and Class V above 750 nautical miles. The Assistant Secretary of Defense for Command, Control, Communications, and Intelligence designated the Common Data Link (CDL) as the DoD standard in a December 1991 policy memorandum.
CDL implementations shall comply with the following:
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The Reach Back interface will allow an active collection asset to Reach Back into the databases of surface/ground and national facilities to retrieve information that will assist them in satisfying their operational tasking. An airborne reconnaissance operator will be able to obtain historical data as well as current information provided by other sensors in the same operational theater. Conversely, the Reach Forward interface will allow personnel in the surface/ground and national facilities to obtain current information from active collection assets. An analyst in an intelligence center will be able to obtain additional current information to support cross-system cueing, data correlation, or other intelligence functions.
Reach Back/Reach Forward services provide the capability for each JASA-compliant system to obtain preprocessed or partially processed sensor data, information, and database items from other JASA-compliant systems and with specialized processing sites.
Reach Back/Reach Forward concepts are here today, and the standards for these capabilities are rapidly evolving. The UCA, ITSA, the AOITF, and the JSWG are all key players in influencing and defining Reach Back and Reach Forward standards. Successful Reach Back and/or Reach Forward transactions consist of three primary elements: standardized interoperable data links and networks for transport, standardized data formats for data element transactions, and precision timing and navigation information. Community efforts are underway to further define and refine these standards.
Reach Back/Reach Forward implementations shall at a minimum comply with the following:
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Airborne Information Transfer (ABIT) is a DARO sponsored program within the CDL family which will be an adaptable rate, anti-jam/low probability of intercept/low probability of detection, air-to-air data link that can operate at rates up to 548 Mbp/s. ABIT offers new technologies to the CDL community, specifically in the areas of programmable multiplexing structures and miniaturization. ABIT data link packages come in two varieties: Collector Unit and Relay Unit. The Collector Unit is capable of transmitting either the ABIT waveform to a relay platform, or the legacy CDL waveform LOS to a ground station. The Relay Unit possesses inherent Collector Unit capabilities, and can also receive a wideband ABIT transmission from another collector for data sharing and/or subsequent relay.
Tactical Common Data Link (TCDL) is a DARO sponsored acquisition effort that will result in a lightweight, affordable data link capability that can be employed on tactical Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) platforms such as Predator and Outrider. The TCDL will emphasize an open systems architecture with programmable multiplexing structures and standard commercial off the shelf (COTS) interfaces. Moreover, the TCDL will be interoperable with fielded CDL equipment at the 10.7 Mbp/s rate, and be equipped with an additional capability to support alternative communications modes at rates up to 45 Mbp/s.
Satellite CDL connectivity allows airborne sensors operating in theaters of interest to be remotely controlled and exploited from BLOS locations. This capability facilitates routing signals to exploitation centers to leverage available processing assets and significantly reduces deployed presence. There are two primary airborne satellite CDL systems in use today: SENIOR SPAN and SENIOR SPUR. SENIOR SPAN employs a SPAN Airborne Data Link system (SADL) operating in X Band over the Defense Satellite Communications System (DSCS) II/III (See Table 6-1). SENIOR SPUR operates in Ku Band and provides wide bandwidth satellite capability.
Note 2: SADL Systems 3 and 4 are programmed to be upgraded to SADL System 5 standard.
Note 3: Ibid
Note 4: SADL System 5 is under development and will be
backward compatible with SADL Systems 3 & 4 at rates indicated in table.
DARO is currently collaborating with other DoD and National planning organizations to investigate future satellite operations, and to scope requirements for wide-band satellite access from airborne platforms. DARO's near-term objective is to standardize satellite data link implementations, and to that end, they are leading efforts to produce a common satellite CDL specification. Additionally, DARO is employing commercial satellites through leased transponders to help satisfy reconnaissance bandwidth demands.
Reach Between involves two or more airborne collectors simultaneously aloft in a theater of operations utilizing an ABIT-type common data link to exchange data between platforms. To maximize data sharing and national/tactical integration, at least one of the platforms should be equipped with a Reach Back/Reach Forward capability to employ the full Reach Back/Reach Forward/Reach Between functionality. This linkage enables the following representative capabilities:
To facilitate data sharing and worldwide signal fusion and analysis, a common Signal External Data (SED) Descriptor Word (DW) format is required. This format is a subset of the Interactive ELINT Processor (IEP) format being developed to support cross-mission geolocation efforts. The SED DW is consistent with both the IEP file structure and field. The modular nature is designed to support signal parameterization while providing the flexibility to add or delete individual data types without effecting the others. The format mandates only the minimum set of fields for each data set. This enables the collector to add system unique fields (i.e., calibration, unique collection capabilities and maintenance functions) to the format without disturbing interoperability.
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