St Comms2 Screen 180611

COMMS2 is a hardware abstraction layer providing con-nectivity among different military communication equip-ment and networks.

COMMS2 acts as a software driver for different Combat Network Radios (CNR), of-

fering reliable and unreliable communication services over radio networks and sup-

porting a multitude of radio modem devices. A fixed, standardized, well documented

socket-like programming interface is open towards the client with ability to send and

receive messages with the corresponding transmission status notifications.

S&T Slovenija Defence Programme COMMS2 / Combat communication service

- Increased level of radio network reliability

- Increased level of radio network efficiency

- Maximum level of radio network interconnectivity

- Reduced costs of radio network maintenance

and upgrades

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- Provides unified communication layer for tactical communications

- Integrates different CNR equipment into common C4I data network

- Offers cross network routing

- Extends effective lifespan of legacy CNR equipment

This diagram demonstrates the implementation of COMMS2 client. It

connects radio networks, equipped with different hardware and func-

tioning on different frequency areas, into a common, unified network.

All individual networks are linkable simultaneously and compatible

with a wider radio network (e.g. Nato connectivity).

COMMS2 PurposeInter-standard military communication connectivity

If your radio network consists of a broad range of communications hardware from different

manufacturers and technologies, with diversified configurations of units, COMMS2 provides

the ideal way to integrate this equipment across different wavelengths (VHF, HF, Combat Net,

Wi-Fi, Satellite Links) using a variety of protocols for communication (P_MUL, UDP, RDP, TCP/

IP…). COMMS2 ensures communication between various radio systems and connects them

into a unified communications network. The basic COMMS2 configuration supports the follow-

ing hardware: Harris Falcon II series, Tadiran CNR 900 series, Thales TRC 9210, general async

CNR modems, general IP stack radios, GPRS modems, LAN and Wi-Fi. The driver library can be

upgraded to support any radio equipment.COMMS2 server is an OS level service, serving one

or more COMMS2 clients. It uses IP type of node addressing, regardless of radio capabilities.

Multiple COMMS2 clients can use the COMMS2 service simultaneously. As data is received

over the COMMS2 network, it is delivered only to the addressed client, which enables direct

Radio Network Group 01




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communication with a particular person or device.

Communication over radio waves is designed to

be as collision free as possible, while maintaining

a good ratio between low transmission latency and

high data throughput by changing the number of ac-

tive network nodes. Radio networks have relatively

low bandwidth and high communication error rate.

Control protocols in place reduce unnecessary traffic

to a minimum and manage packet priorities. Traffic

can be multiplexed or replicated over different radio

channels simultaneously in order to achieve higher

data throughput or more reliable delivery. Radio net-

work topology is dynamic and changes frequently

with radio nodes being mobile, failing or going out

of reach. Also, the radio links are usually of differ-

ent quality. Routing and gateway capabilities ensure

necessary flexibility to deliver messages to nodes in

different combat nets, or to reach obscured nodes in

the same network. IP gateway mode enables a com-

mercial off the shelf application to operate

over radio net.


BFT EmailSitaware

IP Gateway IP GatewayClient library

COMMS2

Device Driver

COMMS2 - Radio to client application bridge

Current COTS solutions which support various reliable

and unreliable communications over radio networks

often require additional customization for a specific

communication protocol on a specific type of commu-

nication device and only work in an encapsulated en-

vironment. Data exchange between mixed communica-

tion networks is usually solved with additional custom

integration, which makes the communication environ-

ment harder to maintain, more complex and often more

unstable. To increase the level of system maintain-

ability and extendibility, COMMS2 implements several

clearly defined abstraction layers, which separate node

addressing, routing, communication protocols and

hardware usage more transparently. To support mixed

communication networks simultaneously, each com-

munication device has (radio, modem, network card,..)

its own communication and even configuration driver.

COMMS2 always uses IP-like addressing, no matter

which kind of communication hardware is used. Re-

ceived data is verified by COMMS2 routing protocols

and, if necessary, forwarded to the addressed node in

the appropriate communication network.

Custom made SW Commercial off the Shelf SW

Combat Network Radio (CNR) abstraction layer

COMMS2 is a complete hardware abstraction layer, saving software developers from radio specific communication stack

implementations. Through device driver plug-ins it supports different legacy async (serial) radio modems, modern IP

radios, and some more exotic communication stacks.

Modular design

COMMS2 offers maximum flexibility and quick add-on development capability. New hardware is supported simply by

adding new Combat Network Radio (CNR) drivers. In the same fashion, COMMS2 can be extended with new protocols in

the form of add-on modules.

UDP broadcast and RUDP

COMMS2 can utilize a native radio broadcast network topology for fast and unreliable (no confirmations) transport layer

for Blue Force Tracking, Chat, Alert and beacon mode operations. Unicast and Multicast modes are supported by the

RUDP, or the more complex ACP 142 protocol.

P_MUL / ACP 142

This protocol is supported by the COMMS2 as the main reliable transfer protocol. P_MUL has many advantages over an

IP stack in radio environment, including support for EMCON conditions.

Routing

Reliable protocol data can be routed across radio networks. In order to minimize overhead traffic COMMS2 implements

efficient wireless network route discovery protocol. Unreliable protocol data can be rebroadcasted if necessary.

Encryption API

COMMS2 provides an API for the security layer, enabling customers to implement their own algorithms in addition to

security, provided by radio manufacturers. Standard protocols, such as IPSec, can be purchased as an add-on module.

COMMS2 Main features

Harris58000

TadiranCNR900

Generalasync

SWmodem

ThalesTRC9210

COMMS2 802.15.4 MAC

IPROUTING

IPBCAST

IPCRYPTO

IPGATE

IP GRPMGMT

P_MUL(ACP 142) UDP RUDP

IPGATEWAY

IPMUXER

COMMS2Device server

COMMS2Client library

Application(IP)

Application(BES)

Application(SMTP)

Application(FTP)

DATA LINK LAYER

PHYSICAL LINK LAYER

NETWORK LAYER

TRANSPORT LAYER

SESSION LAYER

APPLICATION LAYER

APPLICATION

HARD

WAR

ECO

MM

S2SE

RVIC

EAP

PLIC

ATIO

NS

COMMS2 ArhitectureS&T Slovenija Defence Programme / COMMS2

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COMMS2 Features

COMMS2 service can handle multiple COMMS2 clients simultaneously.

One OS service per host.

Multiple radio channels/modems can co-exist on the same COMMS2 service.

Reliable and unreliable transport protocols.

Radio nodes in EMCON mode are supported.

Node forwarding (retransmissions inside same network) is supported.

All radio nodes are capable of routing and/or re-broadcasting .

Can act as a gateway between different types of networks, combining

fixed and wireless networks.

Radio networks can have single-hop or multi-hop topology.

IP type of addressing is used for addressing nodes in the radio network.

Support message priority as part of message flow control.

Messages are multiplexed or replicated over different radio channels simultane-

ously in order to achieve higher data throughput or higher delivery reliability.

IP Gateway mode for existing TCP client/server applications.

Based on Mesh topology. Radio nodes operate independently from each other in

a distributed way with no base or central station.

Quick, easy and flexible configuration.

Remote configuration.

COMMS2 Technical SpecificationsConnectivity

LAN, USB and RS232 interfaces are natively supported. Others avai able on

request.

Communications

UDP and RUDP communication module is built in. Other protocols are pro-

vided via COMMS2 plug-ins or custom implementations.

Performance

High performance achievable on Pentium M 1.1 GHz and with approximately

50Mb memory usage footprint.

Minimum Hardware Requirements

Windows XP/Embedded with 256Mb RAM and a Pentium M class processor.

.NET 2 framework required.

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S&T Slovenija d.d.

Leskoškova cesta 6

SI-1000 Ljubljana

Tel. +386 (0)1 5855 200

Fax +386 (0)1 5855 201

[email protected]

www.snt-defence.com


St Comms2 Screen 180611

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