Difference between revisions of "TACSAT"
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TACSAT communications is the first radio system to successfully overcome most of the limitations of other radio systems. Using an orbiting satellite repeater illuminates one-third of the earth for direct line of sight ('''[[LOS]]''') operations. This makes it possible to establish tactical communications on a scale never before accomplished. With more frequencies available and a single station '''[[LOS]]''' relay to almost any point on the battlefield, TACSAT equipment greatly enhances communications. TACSAT communications is reliable, flexible, and survivable. It can replace certain links previously provided by conventional [[LOS]] radio relay, troposcatter '''[[TROPO]]''', high frequency (HF) single sideband (SSB) or frequency modulated (FM) radios. The tremendous bandwidth available and computer switching makes a self-organizing communications network feasible. TACSAT communications is not the answer to all communications problems. However, a well thought-out, properly executed plan that augments the traditional ground-based communications system with appropriate TACSAT resources can improve communications availability, reliability, and flexibility. | TACSAT communications is the first radio system to successfully overcome most of the limitations of other radio systems. Using an orbiting satellite repeater illuminates one-third of the earth for direct line of sight ('''[[LOS]]''') operations. This makes it possible to establish tactical communications on a scale never before accomplished. With more frequencies available and a single station '''[[LOS]]''' relay to almost any point on the battlefield, TACSAT equipment greatly enhances communications. TACSAT communications is reliable, flexible, and survivable. It can replace certain links previously provided by conventional [[LOS]] radio relay, troposcatter '''[[TROPO]]''', high frequency (HF) single sideband (SSB) or frequency modulated (FM) radios. The tremendous bandwidth available and computer switching makes a self-organizing communications network feasible. TACSAT communications is not the answer to all communications problems. However, a well thought-out, properly executed plan that augments the traditional ground-based communications system with appropriate TACSAT resources can improve communications availability, reliability, and flexibility. | ||
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| + | The TACSAT communications systems of the US Army ground forces operate in one of four categories: | ||
| + | (1) The Army Multichannel Satellite Communications System’s terrestrial terminals are the [[AN/TSC-85]]( ) and [[AN/TSC-93]]( ). The Air Force terminals are the [[AN/TSC-94A]] and the [[AN/TSC-100A]]. The satellites used for interconnectivity of these multichannel terminals are Defense Satellite Communications System ([[DSCS]]) IIs and DSCS IIIs. The frequency range of this system is SHF (7.9-8.4 GHz for uplink and 7.25-7.75 GHz for downlink.) | ||
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| + | (2) The Special Communications System ([[SCS]]) is controlled and managed by the ultra high frequency (UHF) Air Force Satellite Communications System. The US Army ground terminals used in SCS are [[AN/MSC-64]](V) and [[AN/GSC-40]](V). The frequency range of the system is UHF (225-400 MHz) for up and downlink communications. | ||
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| + | (3) Authorized Army units use the [[AN/PSC-3]], [[AN/VSC-7]], [[AN/URC-101]], and [[AN/URC-110]] for extended range communications. The frequency range of the system is UHF (225-400 MHz) for up and downlink communications. | ||
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| + | (4) When fielded, the [[AN/TSC-124]] (known as, single-channel objective tactical terminal ([[SCOTT]])) will provide ground terminals for special communications system and joint theater command communications. The AN/TSC-124 groups users into nets with common cryptographic keys and addresses. It allows a telephone type “dial up” of another net member, mainly in a data mode. The frequency range of this system is extremely high frequency (EHF) (uplink) and SHF (downlink) | ||
==Reference File== | ==Reference File== | ||
;{{pdf|FM 24-11 TACSATCOM 1990.pdf|FM 24-11}} | ;{{pdf|FM 24-11 TACSATCOM 1990.pdf|FM 24-11}} | ||
:Tactical Satellite Communications | :Tactical Satellite Communications | ||
::20 September 1990 | ::20 September 1990 | ||
Latest revision as of 20:34, 13 March 2016
TACSAT communications is the first radio system to successfully overcome most of the limitations of other radio systems. Using an orbiting satellite repeater illuminates one-third of the earth for direct line of sight (LOS) operations. This makes it possible to establish tactical communications on a scale never before accomplished. With more frequencies available and a single station LOS relay to almost any point on the battlefield, TACSAT equipment greatly enhances communications. TACSAT communications is reliable, flexible, and survivable. It can replace certain links previously provided by conventional LOS radio relay, troposcatter TROPO, high frequency (HF) single sideband (SSB) or frequency modulated (FM) radios. The tremendous bandwidth available and computer switching makes a self-organizing communications network feasible. TACSAT communications is not the answer to all communications problems. However, a well thought-out, properly executed plan that augments the traditional ground-based communications system with appropriate TACSAT resources can improve communications availability, reliability, and flexibility.
The TACSAT communications systems of the US Army ground forces operate in one of four categories: (1) The Army Multichannel Satellite Communications System’s terrestrial terminals are the AN/TSC-85( ) and AN/TSC-93( ). The Air Force terminals are the AN/TSC-94A and the AN/TSC-100A. The satellites used for interconnectivity of these multichannel terminals are Defense Satellite Communications System (DSCS) IIs and DSCS IIIs. The frequency range of this system is SHF (7.9-8.4 GHz for uplink and 7.25-7.75 GHz for downlink.)
(2) The Special Communications System (SCS) is controlled and managed by the ultra high frequency (UHF) Air Force Satellite Communications System. The US Army ground terminals used in SCS are AN/MSC-64(V) and AN/GSC-40(V). The frequency range of the system is UHF (225-400 MHz) for up and downlink communications.
(3) Authorized Army units use the AN/PSC-3, AN/VSC-7, AN/URC-101, and AN/URC-110 for extended range communications. The frequency range of the system is UHF (225-400 MHz) for up and downlink communications.
(4) When fielded, the AN/TSC-124 (known as, single-channel objective tactical terminal (SCOTT)) will provide ground terminals for special communications system and joint theater command communications. The AN/TSC-124 groups users into nets with common cryptographic keys and addresses. It allows a telephone type “dial up” of another net member, mainly in a data mode. The frequency range of this system is extremely high frequency (EHF) (uplink) and SHF (downlink)
Reference File
- Tactical Satellite Communications
- 20 September 1990