Purpose

The purpose of this application note is to detail the use of the Tactical Data Link/Data Bridge (TDL) feature within Model Builder.

To support the concept of a digitized battlefield, albeit simulated, ASTi has developed a Tactical Data Link feature for its Model Builder software. This feature will allow the transmission of digital information over the DIS (and HLA) communications network using ASTi's virtual radios.

Note: Parts I through V deal with using TDL with the DACS Model Builder and Telestra 2 / DACS Support software. For information about using Tactical Data Link with Telestra 3 / MBV software, refer to Part VI.

• Equipment Required
• Tactical Data Link/Data Bridge Overview
• Manually Enabling the Data Bridge from the Model Builder Environment
• Enabling the Bridge in the Configuration File
• Configuring the Radio Object for Data Transmission
• Configuring the Radio Object for Data Reception
• Simulation Hint

• DIS Signal PDU Format

• Simulating Tactical Data Link for radios within the same DACS
  (applies to MB versions prior to MB 4.04b)
• Obtaining a Radio's Transmit or Receive Status
• Sending Radio Status to Host
• Summary

• Sample Model Builder Tactical Data Link Screens

• Using Tactical Data Links via Telestra
• Overview of TDL in HLA
• Manually Enabling the Data Bridge from the Model Builder Environment
• Enabling the Bridge in the Configuration File
• Configuring TDL Network Settings in Telestra
• Configuring Telestra Federate for TDL
• Host Configuration
  • Signal PDU Format
  • Port Addressing Scheme

• Using TDL with MBV
• Configuring the Data Bridge in RMS
• Model Considerations

• Using TDL with T4 ACE
• Network Types and Data Flow
• Configuring the Data Bridge in ACE Studio
• TDL Statistics in the Health System
• Debugging Common TDL Problems in ACE