Link 16 Systems Engineering and Operation Training
Link 16 is a standardized communications system for transmitting and exchanging real-time tactical data using links between network participants, also known as TADIL J.
Link 16 also uses Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA) to provide multiple, simultaneous communication paths through different nets.
Today, Link 16 is the standard by which other systems are measured for secure, airborne situational awareness. In fact, Link 16 has been credited by the U.S. Air Force as a key factor for saving lives in multiple theaters due to the increased situational awareness the system provides.
This Tactical Data Link network was developed by ViaSat Inc. and Data Link Solutions (DLS) LLC to improve interoperability and support joint operations of land, sea and air forces.
The main application of Link 16 is as an air and missile defense command and control system. This network is being used by various countries for national air defense, linking their sea- and land-based vessels, ground-based sensors and surface-to-air missile systems. This helps them to protect their airspace by identifying threats and neutralizing them.
The Link 16 datalink system is now becoming a ubiquitous situational awareness and command and control tool capable of providing all echelons and services with both theater and tactical battlespace data.
While Link 16 is evolving, it isn’t new. Link 16 was developed during the Cold War to direct U.S. and NATO fighter aircraft against the threat of incoming Soviet aircraft over Western Europe.
Over the past few years, the DoD has expressed strong interest in expanding Link 16 capabilities to maintain the tactical advantage needed to succeed across today’s data-driven, contested battlespace. One solution is Concurrent Multiple Reception (CMR) in which a radio can demodulate and decrypt multiple messages from multiple users simultaneously.
One example is with positional data, where CMR enables more frequent, secure updates on the location of friendly and enemy forces. The data from multiple messages received simultaneously is fused into a common picture. Essentially, the picture seen on tactical situational awareness displays would be more robust.
Multi-message capability also allows CMR devices to share data between specific users while still receiving information from the broader network, all in a single timeslot. This is expected to increase the overall network efficiency and capacity because multiple networks can operate in the same theater of operation.
Link 16 Systems Engineering and Operation Training Course by Tonex
While somewhat complex, the Link 16 Tactical Data Link (TDL) has an amazing capacity for real-time transfer of combat data, voice communications, imagery and relative navigational information between dispersed battle elements using encryption and frequency hopping to maintain secure communications.
This intricate communication system is critical for interoperability of NATO and coalition forces operating within a single battlespace. It is also used by the U.S. Navy and U.S. Army for air and sea operations, as well as air and missile defense.
Tactical Data Links (TDL) offer important communications routes between forces to help interoperability. The application of thorough, established standards certifies that tactical information is informed securely and sustainably to all force components and thus is a crucial enabler to Battlespace Management (BM) and Shared Situational Awareness (SSA) in operations.
Link 16 Systems Engineering training programs and seminars cover complex Link 16 systems engineering training and educational programs covering military and/or commercial tactical data link standards and protocols as applied to DoD voice and data communications.
Link 16 systems include collection of different data, elements, parts, people, hardware, software, facilities, policies, models and documents.
Link 16 Systems Engineering training programs includes Link 16 Concept of Operation, requirements, design alternatives, performance, verification, validation, and operation.
Learn about:
Systems Engineering Process applied to Link 16
The Requirement for Link 16 as a Tactical Data Link (TDL)
Link 16 Architecture
Link 16 Operation
Link 16 Networks Structures
Link 16 Network Design and Engineering
Nets and Networks
Network Participation Groups (NPGs)
Concepts behind Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA)
Time Slots and Time Slot Allocation
Link 16 Network Time Slot Structure
Link 16 Frequencies & Waveform
Message Packing
Message Structure & Numbering
Access Modes
Link 16 Signal Processing
Encryption and Secure Data Unit
Communications Modes
Modulation and Cyclic Code Shift Keying (CCSK)
Types of Relay in Link 16
Link 16 Hardware Design
Class 1 Terminals and Class 2 Terminals
MIDS Low Volume Terminal (LVT)
Fighter Data Link (FDL)
Joint Tactical Radio System
Relative Navigation (RelNav)
Link 16 Synchronization
External Time Reference Network (ETRN)
System Time Reference Network (STRN)
Link 16 Operation
Joining a Network
Active and Passive Synchronization
The 11 Stages of Producing a Network
Time Slot Map Creation
Demonstration of Link 16 Network
Link 16 Network Management
Network Planning and Design
Link 16 Verification and Validation
Link 16 System Integration and Interoperability
Multi-Link Operations
Link 16 Systems Engineering and Operation Training