L-3 Communications Introduces Inter-Platform Communications Manager For Mobile Tactical Data Networks
NEW YORK - L-3 Communications announced that its Communication Systems - West (CS-West) division successfully demonstrated its Inter-Platform Communications Manager (IPCM) technology during the 2004 Joint Expeditionary Force Experiment (JEFX) Exercises at Nellis Air Force Base outside Las Vegas, NV August 2-4, 2004. IPCM technology as integrated onboard the Boeing 707 Paul Revere aircraft provides a new capability for autonomous, intelligent control of data links and networking services across dynamic, mobile wireless data networks.
During the Paul Revere flights, IPCM continuously monitored the position and attitude of the airplane in relation to the ground station, predicting when changes to transmitted data rate or platform antenna were required to maintain the Tactical Common Data Link (TCDL) wideband network connection. The JEFX 2004 flights demonstrated autonomous wideband data link initialization, configuration, and control, autonomous changes in data rate of an active data link based on distance and link budget, and the potential switching of communications through alternate data links based on predicted aircraft dynamics. IPCM technology significantly improves wireless network performance, wideband data link connectivity, and data link availability by significantly reducing the number of data link outages throughout the mission profile.
"Our IPCM technology demonstration shows that CS-West has begun to solve many of the mobile networking problems inherent in network enabled and network centric weapon systems. We are delivering this technology in the Multi-Platform Common Data Link, Multi-Role Tactical Common Data Link and Aerial Common Sensor, and can use it to benefit upcoming development programs like Network Centric Collaborative Targeting (NCCT), Joint Tactical Radio System (JTRS), Airborne Maritime Fixed (AMF), Multi-mission Maritime Aircraft (MMA), Tactical Airborne Reconnaissance System (TARS), and Battle Management Command and Control (BMC2)," said Curtis Brunson, president and general manager of CS-West.
Communication Systems - West, located in Salt Lake City, Utah, is a leader in communication systems for intelligence collection, imagery processing and satellite communications for the defense industry. In addition, the company provides other military wireless products and satellite communication systems.
Headquartered in New York City, L-3 Communications is a leading provider of Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) systems, secure communications systems, aircraft modernization, training and government services and is a merchant supplier of a broad array of high technology products. Its customers include the Department of Defense, Department of Homeland Security, selected U.S. Government intelligence agencies and aerospace prime contractors.
Source: L-3 Communications