Network Interoperability Assurance
Key words and phrases: network interoperability assurance, TDL integration, Rolling Annual TDL IO Assessment Programme, DLPI, iSMART, eSMART, eBIT, IOM, TDLITS, TDL interoperability testing
Achieving Interoperability (IO) indicates a requirement for a system, unit or the forces of any service or nation to transmit data to, and receive data from, any other system, unit or force of any service or nation, and use the exchanged data to operate effectively together. Without IO there is little opportunity to achieve effective communications – hence, consideration of IO is the key to the entire TDL integration process.
Within the UK, Lockheed Martin UK - Integrated Systems & Solutions has, for many years, been providing technical and operational support to the UK MOD Integration Authority, the UK Authority for TDL IO Assurance and Testing. The IA produces a UK Rolling Annual TDL IO Assessment Programme (RAP), maintained by Lockheed Martin UK - Integrated Systems & Solutions, detailing current and future UK platform Link 11/11B and Link 16 implementations including time scales, software standards, documentation details and responsible authorities. It also lists the major paper-based assessments of IO, termed Interoperability Evaluations (IOEs), which are planned for the period.
Lockheed Martin UK - Integrated Systems & Solutions consultants, who have extensive, detailed knowledge of UK platform TDL implementations, conduct these IOEs in accordance with the UK RAP. They do so using elements of the eSMART toolset such as, eBIT, eDOC and the Interoperability Matrix (IOM) databases.
Any IO Issues discovered as a result of such analysis are raised as Interoperability Assessments (IOAs) and stored in the IOM. In 1994, Lockheed Martin UK - Integrated Systems & Solutions worked with the USA to develop the IOM in support of the first live, international Link 16 Trial at USAFB Mountain Home. Since then, on behalf of the IA, we have continued to develop and improve the tool to such an extent that it has now been adopted by NATO to support TDL IO Testing.
Lockheed Martin UK - Integrated Systems & Solutions, on behalf of the IA, has provided technical secretarial support to the NATO Tactical Data Link Interoperability Testing Syndicate (TDLITS) since its inception in 1999, affording the UK MOD an unparalleled level of continuity and technical excellence. The TDLITS was originally established by the NATO Interoperability Environment Testing Working Group (NIETWG) to replace the Standard Interface for Multiple Link Evaluation International Data Link Interoperability Test Squad (SIMPLE IDIOTS) which, between February 1996 and February 1997, defined a single interface standard to support TDL IO Testing (STANAG 5602) and successfully tested it in April 1999.
The TDLITS now conducts 2 major NATO TDL IO Tests (NTDLIOTs) each year, involving platforms from many NATO nations and organisations. On behalf of the participating UK platforms, consultants from Lockheed Martin UK - Integrated Systems & Solutions are involved in analysing and reporting on the results of these tests.
Lockheed Martin UK - Integrated Systems & Solutions also advises and assists nations such as Norway, Switzerland, Australia and Italy, and NATO organisations such as NACMA and NAPMA, on the IO testing process.
Further information is available from:
Email:
Tel: +44 (0)1252 732555
