Modem Functions

2G ALE MODEM FUNCTION

The RapidM ALE 2G Functions conform to MIL-STD-188-141C Appendix A & B. A summary of the 2G ALE Functions is provided below:

2G ALE
  • 2G ALE – According to MIL-STD-188-141C App A, B
  • 2G ALE Linking Protection – scrambling of ALE Addresses
  • 2G ALE Occupancy Detection / ‘Listen–before-transmit' (LBT)

The capabilities included as part of the ALE 2G ALE Functions are summarized in below.

ALE Waveforms:

  • 8 FSK according to MIL-STD-188-141C App A.
  • Doppler lock and track (capture range up to ± 100 Hz, configurable)
  • Adaptive multi-path tracking (up to 3.5 ms spread)
  • Soft Golay decoding
  • Adaptive triple word-phase synchronisation, lock and track
  • Linking probability performance 2-3 dB better than MIL-STD-188-141C specification
  • No LP mode degradation
  • Concurrent operation with other RapidM waveforms
  • Concurrent operation with 3G (accept for 2G link requests when in 3G)

ALE Protocol:

  • Calling (IND, GRP, NET, All, Any, Wildcard Call), UUF, AMD, DTM (with/without CRC)(excl.: DBM, AQC-ALE)
  • Calling POLLING, INLINK, RELINK (ALM support commands)
  • Link Quality Analysis (LQA)
  • Automatic Channel Selection - ACS
  • Scanning (2 or 5 channels per second)
  • Automatic Sounding
  • Automatic Hand-Off to Internal Modem (integrated with 3G Traffic Manager)
  • Concurrent operation within 3G Network environment (integrated with 3G Session Manager)

Linking Protection:

  • LP key provided to function via RAP1/RIPC command
  • LP up to AL-2
  • Use PPS interface for Time reference – PPS line available onRapidM's hardware, Time can be set via RAP1/RIPC command
  • 2G ALE Time Exchange protocol support (AL-1)

Occupancy detection (Listen before Transmit) detects the following waveforms:

  • MS 110A/B, S4539, S4285, S4415, S4529, S4481, 8-FSK, SSB Voice (VAD – Voice Activity detector)

REMOTE Control Protocol:

  • Configuration of 2G ALE parameters and network using RAP1/RIPC Protocol
  • REMOTE Control of 2G ALE operation using RAP1/RIPC Protocol

RADIO Control Protocol:

  • 2G ALE Radio Control Manager (RCM) is integrated with 3G RCM, thus one RCM for both functions.
  • Generic RADIO Control setting provided, uses RAP1/RIPC Protocol
  • Specific  RADIO Control settings provided uses Radio manufacturers specific protocols  (with permission)

MIB Configuration in Non-volatile RAM – supported RapidM's hardware, 32 Mbyte FLASH:

  • Network Table: Up to 100 Other IDs, 20 Self IDs
  • LQA Table (compressed) and stored to Non-volatile RAM. Reloaded at start-up.
  • 10x 2G ALE Full Network Configuration Presets (MIB in Non-volatile storage, available on RapidM's hardware, 32 Mbyte FLASH)

MS 110B, NARROWBAND HF MODEM FUNCTION

A summary of the provided Narrowband HF Modem Waveforms and Data Rates is given below.
HF Data Modem Waveforms
  • MIL-STD-188-110B APPENDIX C (3200, 4800, 6400, 8000, 9600, 12800 bps)
  • MIL-STD-188-110B** (75***, 150, 300, 600, 1200, 2400, 3200, 4800, 6400, 8000, 9600 bps)
  • STANAG 4539 (75***, 150, 300, 600, 1200, 2400, 3200, 4800, 6400, 8000, 9600 bps)
  • MIL-STD-188-110B APPENDIX F (2-ISB: 9600, 12800, 16000, 19200 bps)*
  • MIL-STD-188-110A (75***, 150, 300, 600, 1200, 2400, 4800 bps)
  • STANAG 4415 (NATO robust: 75 bps)

    • Notes:*ISB operation of transceiver required.

    **Use the MIL-STD-188-110B / STANAG 4539 waveform for ARQ systems for coded data rates from 75bps to 9600 bps.

    ***According to STANAG 4415 (NATO robust: 75 bps)

    A summary of the capabilities included as part of the HF Narrowband Modem Waveforms is provided below.

    Capabilities
  • AUTOBAUD support. Receiver data rate information is ectracted from the transmission.
  • Doppler offset capture. Carrier capture range ±100 Hz (configurable).
  • Doppler lock and track Frequency tracking of up to 75 Hz changing at 3.5 Hz per second (triangular sweep)
  • Narrowband Interference cancellation of up to 4 signals for Data Rates < 300 bps
  • Sync-on-Data capability for MS 110A, MS 110B / STANAG 4539. The modem will lock onto the Data Phase transmission in spite of not having properly received the Synchronisation Phase of the transmission.
  • Comprehensive BIT (Built-In-Test), Continuous error detection.
    •  
    Operational Settings
  • 20 Factory Presets, 20 Custom Presets (on TC4 hardware, 32 Mbyte FLASH)
  • Transceiver AGC control is necessary for optimum performance of QAM W/Fs
  • All W/Fs and 2G/3G ALE settings are remote controllable via Remote Control Port

    • 3G ALE / ARCS FUNCTION - MIL-STD-188-141C APPENDIX C

    The RapidM ALE 3G / ARCS Function conforms to MIL-STD-188-141C Appendix C which referencesSTANAG 4538 Automatic Radio Control System (ARCS). A summary of the 3G ALE Functions is provided below:

    STANAG 4538 Automatic Radio Control System - 3G ALE
  • STANAG 4538 Fast Link Setup (FLSU)
  • STANAG 4538 Packet Data (xDL)
  • STANAG 4538 Linking Protection – scrambling of ALE Addresses
  • STANAG 4538 Occupancy Detection / 'Listen–before-transmit' (LBT)

    • The capabilities included as part of the ARCS/3G ALE Functions are summarized in below.

    Capabilities

    ALE 3G Waveforms:

  • Excellent performance in degraded HF channels by means of robust burst waveforms.
  • BW1, BW2, BW3, BW4, BW5, BW6 and BW7 according to STANAG 4538.
  • Doppler lock and track (capture range up to +/- 100 Hz, configurable)
  • Adaptive multi-path tracking (up to 10 ms spread, for FLSU & LDL)
  • Linking probability  performance 2-3dB better than MIL-STD-188-141C specification
  • Concurrent operation with other RapidM waveforms.

    • ALE 3G Protocol:

  • Fast link set up times.
  • Automatic channel selection - ACS.
  • Synchronous and asynchronous link set up.
  • Point-to-point, multicast and broadcast calls.
  • Combined or separate calling and traffic channels.
  • Reliable packet transfer by means of HDL, LDL and HDL+*
  • Combined and simultaneous link set up and traffic set up.
  • Channel quality estimation by means of LQA sounds and LQA exchanges.
  • Concurrent operation with other RapidM waveforms·

    • *  Note: HDL+ is Harris proprietary and has been removed from the latest version of he standard. To achieve interoperability with the Harris transceivers it would be required to support HDL+. Harris has made a statement that they would waive the IPR royalties for NATO users of the standard.

    Linking Protection:

  • LP key tables (256) and key select function
  • Automatic key management (Time of day based key selection)
  • Time-of-day distribution by HF means, as a backup to GPS time-of-day distribution.

    • Linking protection (SoDark 3 and 6).

    Occupancy detection (Listen Before Transmit):

  • Occupancy detection (listen before transmit) in accordance with STANAG 4538
  • MS 110A/B, STANAG 4539 / MS 110B, MS 110A, S4415 S4285, ALE 2G (8-FSK), SSB voice

    • Radio Control Manager (RCM)

  • Integrated with modem controller.
  • Radio control protocol RAP1/RIPC or radio maker proprietary (with permission).
  • Radio Programming: Channel frequency, Modulation, Filter, AGC, Noise blanker, Clarifier, etc.
  • Facilitates Channel change, Rx Tune, Tx Tune, Tune-and-wait, etc.
  • Radio status: Frequency, Battery, Antenna selected (broadband / whip), S-meter, VSWR, Modulation, Filter, AGC, Noise blanker, Clarifier

    • Configuration for Non-volatile RAM:

  • 10x 3G ALE Full Network Configuration Presets (MIB in Non-volatile storage)

    • MS 110C, WIDEBAND HF MODEM FUNCTION - MIL-STD-188-110C APPENDIX D

    A summary of the Wideband HF Modem Waveforms and Data Rates as per MIL-STD-188-110C APPENDIX D is shown in the table below.

     MS110C Waveform Number & Modulation
    BW[kHz]0Walsh1BPSK2BPSK3BPSK4BPSK5BPSK6QPSK78PSK816 QAM932 QAM1064 QAM1164 QAM12256 QAM13QPSK
    375150300600120016003200480064008000960012k16k2400
    61503006001200240032006400960012k816k19k224k32k-
    930060012002400-4800960014k419k224k28k836k48k-
    12300600120024004800640012k819k225k632k38k448k64k-
    15300600120024004800800016k24k32k40k48k57k676k8-
    18600120024004800-960019k228k838k448k57k672k90k-
    21300600120024004800960019k228k838k448k57k676k8115k2-
    24600120024004800960012k825k638k451k264k76k896k120k-

    A summary of the capabilities included as part of the Wideband HF Waveforms is provided below.

    Capabilities
  • Doppler lock and track. Carrier capture range ±75 Hz
  • Frequency tracking of up to 75 Hz changing at 3.5 Hz per second (triangular sweep).
  • Comprehensive BIT (Built-In-Test), Continuous error detection.
    •  
    Operational Settings
  • 20 Factory Presets, 20 Custom Presets (available on RapidM's hardware, 32 Mbyte FLASH)
  • Slow transceiver AGC control is necessary for optimum performance of QAM W/Fs
  • All W/Fs and 2G/3G ALE settings are remote controllable via Remote Control Port
    •  NOTESThe RapidM implementation of the MS110C- Appendix D waveforms does not;

    4G ALE / WALE FUNCTION - MIL-STD-188-141D APPENDIX G & H

    For Information, the included 4G ALE / WALE MIL-STD-188-141D Appendix G & H features are listed in Table 9 below.
    4G ALE / WALE
    • ALE 4G Waveforms:
      • Excellent performance in degraded HF channels by means of robust burst waveforms
      • Deep and Fast Link set-up waveforms
      • BW1, BW2, BW3, BW4, BW5, BW6 and BW7 according to STANAG 4538
      • Doppler lock and track (capture range up to +/- 100 Hz, configurable)
      • Adaptive multi-path tracking (up to 10 ms spread, for FLSU & LDL)
      • Linking probability performance 2-3dB better than MIL-STD-188-141C specification
      • Concurrent operation with other RapidM waveforms
    • Scanning
      • Asynchronous (100+ ms)
      • Synchronous (450 ms, 675 ms, or 1350 ms)
      • Staring (optional) needs transceiver support (TBC Codan)
    • Automatic Channel Selection
      • Channel Occupancy Table
      • Link Quality Table
    • Occupancy Detection
      • Up to 48 kHz wide
    • Link Setup
      • One-Way Broadcast
      • One-Way Link Quality Analysis
      • One-Way Text Message
      • One-Way Data Message
      • One-Way Point-To-Multipoint
      • One-Way Point-To-Point
      • One-Way Time-Of-Day
      • Two-Way Fill (optional, not implemented) (TBC PZ)
      • Two-Way Link Quality Analysis
      • Two-Way Point-To-Multipoint
      • Two-Way Point-To-Point
      • Two-Way Time-Of-Day
    • Traffic Setup
      • Analog Voice
      • Mil-Std 110 Appendix C
      • STANAG 4415
      • STANAG 4539
      • STANAG 5069
    • Messaging
      • Text, Data
    • Link Protection - Appendix H
      • Using HALFLOOP cipher
    • Interoperability
      • With 3G ALE
    • Staring (Optional - Not Supported)