Joint Tactical Radio System

The Joint Tactical Radio System (JTRS) is planned as the next-generation radio for use by the U.S. military in field operations for the second decade of the 21st century. JTRS a software-defined radio for voice and data that will be backwards compatible with a mind-numbing list of other military and civilian radio systems. It also includes Wideband Networking Software to implement full-featured mobile ad hoc networks.

The functionality and expandability of the Joint Tactical Radio System is built upon the Software Communications Architecture (SCA). The SCA is an open architecture framework that tells designers how elements of hardware and software are to operate in harmony within the JTRS. It governs the structure and operation of the JTRS, enabling programmable radios to load waveforms, run applications, and be networked into an integrated system. A Core Framework, providing a standard operating environment, must be implemented on every hardware set. Interoperability among radio sets is enhanced because the same waveform software can be easily ported to all radio sets.

The Object Management Group (OMG), a non-for-profit consortium that produces and maintains computer industry specifications for interoperable enterprise applications, has established a Domain Special Interest Group for software radios (SWRADIO DSIG). This group, along with the Software Defined Radio Forum (SDRF), is working toward building an international commercial standard based on the SCA.

The SCA is currently extending its coverage to programmable hardware FPGA and digital signal processors DSP.

Waveforms

Waveforms that will be supported include:

• Single Channel Ground Air Radio System (SINCGARS) with Enhanced SINCGARS Improvement Program (ESIP), 30–88 MHz, FM, frequency hopping and single frequency
• HAVE QUICK II military aircraft radio, 225–400 MHz, AM, frequency hopping
• UHF SATCOM, 225–400 MHz, MIL-STD-188–181, -182, -183 and -184 protocols
• Enhanced Position Location Reporting System (EPLRS), 420–450 MHz spread spectrum
• Wideband Networking Waveform (WNW) (under development)
• Link-4A, -11B, – 16, -22/TADIL, 960–1215 MHz+
• VHF-AM civilian Air Traffic Control, 108–137 MHz, 25 (US) and 8.33 (European) KHz channels
• High Frequency (HF) – Independent Side Band (ISB) with Automatic Link Establishment (ALE), and HF Air Traffic Control (ATC), 1.5–30 MHz
• VHF/UHF-FM Land Mobile Radio (LMR), low-band 25–54 MHz, mid-band 72–76 MHz, high-band 136–175 MHz, 220-band 216–225 MHz, UHF/T 380–512 MHz, 800-band 764–869 MHz, TV-band 686–960 MHz, includes P25 public safety and homeland defense standard
• civilian marine VHF-FM radio, 156 MHz
• Second generation Anti-jam Tactical UHF Radio for NATO (SATURN), 225–400 MHz PSK Anti-jam
• Identification Friend or Foe (IFF), includes Mark X & XII/A with Selective Identification Feature (SIF) and Air Traffic Control Radar Beacon System (ATCRBS), Airborne Collision Avoidance System (ACAS) and Traffic Alert & Collision Avoidance System (TCAS), and Automatic Dependent Surveillance – Addressable (ADS-A) and Broadcast (ADS-B) functionality, 1030 & 1090 MHz
• Digital Wideband Transmission System (DWTS) Shipboard system for high capacity secure & nonsecure, line-of-sight (LOS), ship-to-ship, and ship-to-shore, 1350–1850 MHz
• Soldier Radio & Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN), 1.755–1.850, 2.450–2.483.5 GHz, Army Land Warrior program 802.11
• Cellular telephone & PCS, includes multiple US and overseas standards and NSA/NIST Type 1 through 4 COMSEC (FNBDT)
• Mobile Satellite Service (MSS), includes both VHF and UHF MSS bands and both fielded and emerging low Earth orbit and medium Earth orbit systems and standards, such as IRIDIUM, Globalstar, et al. Includes capability for NSA/NIST Type 1 through 4 COMSEC, 1.61–2 [2.5] GHz. May allow use of geosynchronous satellites with special antenna.
• Integrated Broadcast Service Module (IBS-M). Currently three legacies UHF military broadcasts (TIBS, TDDS, and TRIXS) which will be replaced in the future with a Common Interactive Broadcast (CIB).
• BOWMAN, the UK Tri-Service HF, VHF and UHF tactical communications system.
• See also: jtrs.army.mil

External link

• Joint Tactical Radio System program