A tactical data link (TDL) uses a
data link
A data link is a means of telecommunications link, 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 t ...
standard in order to provide communication via
radio waves
Radio waves (formerly called Hertzian waves) are a type of electromagnetic radiation with the lowest frequencies and the longest wavelengths in the electromagnetic spectrum, typically with frequencies below 300 gigahertz (GHz) and wavelengths ...
or
cable
Cable may refer to:
Mechanical
* Nautical cable, an assembly of three or more ropes woven against the weave of the ropes, rendering it virtually waterproof
* Wire rope, a type of rope that consists of several strands of metal wire laid into a hel ...
.
NATO
The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO ; , OTAN), also called the North Atlantic Alliance, is an intergovernmental organization, intergovernmental Transnationalism, transnational military alliance of 32 Member states of NATO, member s ...
nations use a variety of TDL standards. All military
C3 systems use standardized TDL to transmit, relay and receive
tactical
Tactic(s) or Tactical may refer to:
* Tactic (method), a conceptual action implemented as one or more specific tasks
** Military tactics, the disposition and maneuver of units on a particular sea or battlefield
** Chess tactics
** Political tact ...
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
Disa is the heroine of a Swedish legendary saga, which was documented by Olaus Magnus, in 1555. It is believed to be from the Middle Ages, but includes Old Norse themes.
It was elaborated by Johannes Messenius in his drama ''Disa'', which was th ...
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 ...
.
In NATO, there exist tactical data link standards as follows:
Beyond NATO countries, NATO partner countries have also developed some degree of interoperability with these standards since the 2014 Partnership Interoperability Initiative.
See also
*
BACN
The Battlefield Airborne Communications Node (BACN) is a United States Air Force (USAF) airborne communications relay and gateway system carried by the unmanned EQ-4B and the manned Bombardier E-11A aircraft. BACN enables real-time informati ...
*
Global Information Grid
The Global Information Grid (GIG), now referred to as the Department of Defense Information Network (DODIN), refers to the entire network of information transmission and processing capabilities maintained by the United States Department of Defens ...
*
Inter/Intra Flight Data Link (IFDL)
*
JREAP
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 Tactical Data Links (TDLs).
JREAP is documented in U. ...
*
MANDRIL
*
Multifunction Advanced Data Link
*
Network emulation
fNetwork emulation is a technique for testing the performance of real applications over a virtual network. This is different from network simulation where virtual models of traffic, network models, channels, and protocols are applied. The aim is ...
for simulation / emulation of tactical data links
*
SIMPLE
Simple or SIMPLE may refer to:
*Simplicity, the state or quality of being simple
Arts and entertainment
* ''Simple'' (album), by Andy Yorke, 2008, and its title track
* "Simple" (Florida Georgia Line song), 2018
* "Simple", a song by John ...
*
Tactical Common Data Link
References
{{Reflist
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