The United States Navy, Air Force, Army and other joint Services continue to modernize their platforms with Link 16 tactical data link capabilities. As a result, it is no surprise that requirements to provide simulation for this established tactical data link continue to grow.

Along with ASTi's participation in the development of the SISO sponsored DIS-J Link 16/TADIL-J simulation protocol, ASTi now offers a new Telestra-based Link 16 simulation software package.

The simulation package supports the current DIS version of TADIL-J protocol specification, and includes some of the following features:

• Multiple JTIDS Class 2 Style Terminal Simulation
• Integrated Link-16 Transmission and Reception, with DIS/HLA Radio Environment
• Interoperates with SISO TADIL-TALES DIS/HLA Standard (TSA levels 0 and 1)
• Proper Link-16 Data Rate Simulation Based on Timeslot Allocation
• NPG Buffer Management, Priority and Status Reporting
• Stacked and Crypto Net Support
• Generic Host Computer Interface
• Low Cost

Current Link-16 Simulation Limitations

• No support for high fidelity time synchronization or round trip timing messages. (TSA levels 2-4)
• No relative navigation done in terminal simulation
• No message relay capability
• No support for certain terminal generated J messages, these need to be created by the Host:
  • PPLI Message
  • Air Platform and system status
• No support for effects of time slot contention

» View an example of Link 16 on ASTi's Telestra MBV platform

» Download ASTi's Telestra Link 16 interface document (32k PDF).

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The Link 16 Diagnostic Tool (LDT) is a network analysis tool capable of decoding Link-16 formatted transmitter and signal PDUs per the SISO Link-16 Specification. The tool provides the ability to view and examine all Link-16 traffic detected on the connected network. Another feature of the tool is the ability to define signal and transmitter PDU data to transmit over the network.

» LDT Full Description