A tactical data link (TDL) uses a
data link
A data link is the means of connecting one location to another for the purpose of transmitting and receiving digital information ( data communication). It can also refer to a set of electronics assemblies, consisting of a transmitter and a rece ...
standard in order to provide communication via
radio waves
Radio waves are a type of electromagnetic radiation with the longest wavelengths in the electromagnetic spectrum, typically with frequencies of 300 gigahertz ( GHz) and below. At 300 GHz, the corresponding wavelength is 1 mm (s ...
or
cable used by
NATO
The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO, ; french: Organisation du traité de l'Atlantique nord, ), also called the North Atlantic Alliance, is an intergovernmental military alliance between 30 member states – 28 European and two No ...
nations. All military
C3 systems use standardized TDL to transmit, relay and receive
tactical data.
Multi-TDL network (MTN) refers to the network of similar and dissimilar TDLs integrated through gateways, translators, and correlators to bring the common tactical picture and/or common operational picture together.
Change of terminology
The term ''tactical digital information link (TADIL)'' was made obsolete (per
DISA guidance) and is now more commonly seen as ''tactical data link (TDL)''.
Tactical data link character
TDLs are characterized by their standard message and transmission formats. This is usually written as <Message Format>/<Transmission Format>.
TDL standards in NATO
In NATO, tactical data link standards are being developed by the ''Data Link Working Group (DLWG)'' of the ''Information Systems Sub-Committee (ISSC)'' in line with the appropriate
STANAG
In NATO, a standardization agreement (STANAG, redundantly: STANAG agreement) defines processes, procedures, terms, and conditions for common military or technical procedures or equipment between the member countries of the alliance. Each NATO st ...
.
Synopsis of TDL links
In NATO, there exist tactical data link standards as follows:
{, class="wikitable"
, -
! Link
No !! STANAG !! Working Title !! Final title / description !! Communi-
cation !! Gene-
ration !! Comments
, -
, , 1
, , 5501
, , NATO data link between
Air Defence Main Control Centres
, ,
Link 1 –
Tactical Data Exchange for Air Defence
, , Point to Point
, , 1st
S–Series
, , Ground Link between
NADGE entities limited and not secure
, -
, , 2
, ,
, , Radar to Control Centre Data Link
, ,
, ,
, , 1st
, , Cancelled (includes in Link 1)
, -
, , 3
, ,
, , Control Centre to higher HQ Data Links
, , SHOC Early Warning System
, , Point to Point
, , 1st
, , Slow Speed Warning Link from evaluation centres to
SHAPE
A shape or figure is a graphical representation of an object or its external boundary, outline, or external surface, as opposed to other properties such as color, texture, or material type.
A plane shape or plane figure is constrained to lie on ...
, -
, , 4
, , 5504
, , Ground to Air Data Link
, ,
Link 4 –
TDL for the Control of
Military aircraft
A military aircraft is any fixed-wing or rotary-wing aircraft that is operated by a legal or insurrectionary armed service of any type. Military aircraft can be either combat or non-combat:
* Combat aircraft are designed to destroy enemy equi ...
, , Point to Point
, , 1st
C/R–Series
, , Compatible to US TADIL–C to be operated in NATO
UHF
Ultra high frequency (UHF) is the ITU designation for radio frequencies in the range between 300 megahertz (MHz) and 3 gigahertz (GHz), also known as the decimetre band as the wavelengths range from one meter to one tenth of a meter (on ...
(225–400
MHz)
RF band
, -
, , 5
, ,
, , Fast
HF Automatic Link
, ,
Broadcast
Broadcasting is the distribution (business), distribution of sound, audio or video content to a dispersed audience via any electronic medium (communication), mass communications medium, but typically one using the electromagnetic spectrum (radio ...
, ,
, , 1st
, , Cancelled (see Link 11)
, -
, , 6
, , 5506
(Draft)
, , Missile Base to Control Centre Link
, , Link 6 –
(NADGE Link) SAM Automatic Data Link
, , Point to Point
, , 1st
, , Draft STANAG (US MBDL, ATDL–1, PADIL)
, -
, , 7
, , 5507
(Draft)
, ,
ATC / Defence Link
, , Link 7 –
TDL for ATC
, , Point to Point
, , 1st
, ,
, -
, , 8
, ,
, , HF Automatic Link
, ,
, , Broadcast
, , 1st
, , Cancelled (see Link 1)
, -
, , 9
, ,
, , SOC /
Airbase Link
, ,
, ,
, , 1st
, ,
, -
, , 10
, , 5510
, , Ship – Ship Link
, , Link 10 – Maritime
Tactical Data Exchange
, , Broadcast
, , 2nd
M–Series
, , STANAG cancelled (was used by BE, NL and UK)
, -
, , 11
, , 5511
, , Fast HF Automatic Link
, ,
Link 11 –
Maritime Tactical Data Exchange
, , Broadcast
, , 2nd
M–Series
, , Compatible to US TADIL–A to be operated in the HF & NATO UHF RF bands
, -
, , 11B
, , 5511
(Vol. II)
, ,
, , Link 11B –
Tactical Data Exchange
, , Point to Point
, , 2nd
M–Series
, , Compatible to the US TADIL–B Ground to Ground TDL
, -
, , 12
, ,
, , Fast HF Automatic Link
, ,
, ,
, ,
, , Cancelled (see Link 11)
, -
, , 13
, ,
, , HF Automatic Link
, ,
, , Broadcast
, ,
, , Cancelled (see Link 11)
, -
, , 14
, , 5514
, , Slow Semi–Automatic Link
, , Link 14 –
Maritime TDL
, , Broadcast
, , 1st
D/M/S/E–Series
, , Ship–Ship & Ship–Shore (only few applications)
, -
, , 15
, ,
, , Slow Semi–Automatic Link
, ,
, ,
, ,
, , Ship–Ship, Cancelled
, -
, , 16
, , 5516
, , High Capacity,
ECM
ECM may refer to:
Economics and commerce
* Engineering change management
* Equity capital markets
* Error correction model, an econometric model
* European Common Market
Mathematics
* Elliptic curve method
* European Congress of Mathematics
...
Resistant, Multifunctional,
TDMA Link
, ,
Link 16
Link 16 is a military tactical data link network used by NATO and nations allowed by the MIDS International Program Office (IPO). Its specification is part of the family of Tactical Data Links.
With Link 16, military aircraft as well as sh ...
–
ECM Resistant Tactical Data Exchange
, , Broadcast
, , 3rd
J–Series
, , Compatible to US TADIL–J
(STANAG 4175 – Technical Characteristics of
MIDS)
, -
, , 21
, , 5521
(Draft)
, , Link in support of
ACCS – (LISA)
, ,
, , Point to Point
, , 3rd
J–Series
, , Under development (planned to replace Link 1 and Link 11B)
, -
, , 22
, , 5522
(Draft)
, , NATO Improved Link 11 – (NILE)
, ,
Link 22
, ,
, , 3rd
J–Series
, , Under development (planned to replace Link 11)
, -
, ,
, , 5601
, , Standard for
Interface
Interface or interfacing may refer to:
Academic journals
* ''Interface'' (journal), by the Electrochemical Society
* '' Interface, Journal of Applied Linguistics'', now merged with ''ITL International Journal of Applied Linguistics''
* '' Int ...
of Data Links 1, 11, 11B, and 14 through a
buffer
, ,
, ,
, ,
, , see AdalP 12
, -
, ,
, , 5602
, ,
Standard Interface for Multiple Platform Link Evaluation (SIMPLE)
, ,
, ,
, ,
, , Enables transmission of J-Series (TADIL-J) messages over
IP-based protocols
, -
, , MIL-STD-6020
, , 5616
, , Standard for data forwarding between tactical data systems employing Links 11/11B and tactical data systems employing Link 16
, , MIL-STD-6020, DoD Interoperability Standard: Data Forwarding between TDLs
, ,
, ,
, ,
, -
, , IJMS
, ,
, , ECM Resistant Communication System (ERCS)
, ,
IJMS – Interim
JTIDS/MIDS Message Specification
, , Broadcast
, , 2nd, M–Series
, , Interim Data Link Standard to be replaced by Link 16
, -
, , SADL
, ,
, , Situational Awareness Data Link
, , SADL – Situational Awareness Data Link
, , Broadcast
, , 1st, K-Series
2nd, K/J–Series
, , Data link adopted from
EPLRS The Enhanced Position Location Reporting System (EPLRS) is a secure, jam-resistant, computer-controlled communications network that distributes near real-time tactical information, generally integrated into radio sets, and coordinated by a Network C ...
to provide A-10s and F-16s data link capability air-to-ground and air-to-air
See also
*
BACN
The Battlefield Airborne Communications Node (BACN) is a United States Air Force (USAF) airborne communications Repeater, relay and Gateway (telecommunications), gateway system carried by the unmanned Northrop Grumman RQ-4 Global Hawk, EQ-4B an ...
*
Global Information Grid
The Global Information Grid (GIG) is a network of information transmission and processing maintained by the United States Department of Defense. More descriptively, it is a worldwide network of information transmission, of associated processes, a ...
*
Inter/Intra Flight Data Link (IFDL)
*
JREAP {{Unreferenced, date=June 2019, bot=noref (GreenC bot)
The Joint Range Extension Applications Protocol (JREAP) enables tactical data messages to be transmitted over long-distance networks, e.g. satellite links, thereby extending the range of T ...
*
MANDRIL
The mandrill (''Mandrillus sphinx'') is a large Old World monkey native to west central Africa. It is one of the most colorful mammals in the world, with red and blue skin on its face and posterior. The species is sexually dimorphic, as males ...
*
Multifunction Advanced Data Link
*
Network emulation for simulation / emulation of tactical data links
*
SIMPLE
*
Tactical Common Data Link
External links
* Federation of American Scientist
TDL information page* This article was originally based on public domain text fro
Army Airspace Command and Control in a Combat Zone Headquarters, Department of the Army, publication FM 3-52 (FM 100-103), August 2002
Military communications
NATO standardisation