Combat-net radio
Encyclopedia
In telecommunication
, a combat-net radio (CNR) is a radio
operating in a network
that (a) provides a half-duplex
circuit
and (b) uses either a single radio frequency
or a discrete set of radio frequencies when in a frequency hopping mode
.
CNRs are primarily used for push-to-talk-operated radio nets for command and control
of combat
, combat support, and combat service support
operations among military
ground, sea, and air forces.
In the United States
, two military standards govern the use of combat net radios and the host applications that communicate over the network — MIL STD 188-220 and MIL STD 2045-47001. In addition to IETF RFCs governing UDP, TCP, and IPv4/IPv6, all seven layers of the OSI communications architecture
are addressed. MIL STD 2045-47001 covers layer 7 (application
), while MIL STD 188-220 covers layers 1 through 3 (physical
, data link
, and network
).
Telecommunication
Telecommunication is the transmission of information over significant distances to communicate. In earlier times, telecommunications involved the use of visual signals, such as beacons, smoke signals, semaphore telegraphs, signal flags, and optical heliographs, or audio messages via coded...
, a combat-net radio (CNR) is a radio
Radio
Radio is the transmission of signals through free space by modulation of electromagnetic waves with frequencies below those of visible light. Electromagnetic radiation travels by means of oscillating electromagnetic fields that pass through the air and the vacuum of space...
operating in a network
Telecommunications network
A telecommunications network is a collection of terminals, links and nodes which connect together to enable telecommunication between users of the terminals. Networks may use circuit switching or message switching. Each terminal in the network must have a unique address so messages or connections...
that (a) provides a half-duplex
Duplex (telecommunications)
A duplex communication system is a system composed of two connected parties or devices that can communicate with one another in both directions. The term multiplexing is used when describing communication between more than two parties or devices....
circuit
Telecommunication circuit
A telecommunication circuit is any line, conductor, or other conduit by which information is transmitted.A dedicated circuit, private circuit, or leased line is a line that is dedicated to only one use...
and (b) uses either a single radio frequency
Radio frequency
Radio frequency is a rate of oscillation in the range of about 3 kHz to 300 GHz, which corresponds to the frequency of radio waves, and the alternating currents which carry radio signals...
or a discrete set of radio frequencies when in a frequency hopping mode
Transverse mode
A transverse mode of a beam of electromagnetic radiation is a particular electromagnetic field pattern of radiation measured in a plane perpendicular to the propagation direction of the beam...
.
CNRs are primarily used for push-to-talk-operated radio nets for command and control
Command and Control (military)
Command and control, or C2, in a military organization can be defined as the exercise of authority and direction by a properly designated commanding officer over assigned and attached forces in the accomplishment of the mission...
of combat
Combat
Combat, or fighting, is a purposeful violent conflict meant to establish dominance over the opposition, or to terminate the opposition forever, or drive the opposition away from a location where it is not wanted or needed....
, combat support, and combat service support
Combat service support
Combat service support is a subset of military logistics. Combat service support is more limited in depth than logistics, as it primarily addresses those factors directly influencing combat operations.-United States Army:...
operations among military
Military
A military is an organization authorized by its greater society to use lethal force, usually including use of weapons, in defending its country by combating actual or perceived threats. The military may have additional functions of use to its greater society, such as advancing a political agenda e.g...
ground, sea, and air forces.
In the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, two military standards govern the use of combat net radios and the host applications that communicate over the network — MIL STD 188-220 and MIL STD 2045-47001. In addition to IETF RFCs governing UDP, TCP, and IPv4/IPv6, all seven layers of the OSI communications architecture
OSI model
The Open Systems Interconnection model is a product of the Open Systems Interconnection effort at the International Organization for Standardization. It is a prescription of characterizing and standardizing the functions of a communications system in terms of abstraction layers. Similar...
are addressed. MIL STD 2045-47001 covers layer 7 (application
Application layer
The Internet protocol suite and the Open Systems Interconnection model of computer networking each specify a group of protocols and methods identified by the name application layer....
), while MIL STD 188-220 covers layers 1 through 3 (physical
Physical layer
The physical layer or layer 1 is the first and lowest layer in the seven-layer OSI model of computer networking. The implementation of this layer is often termed PHY....
, data link
Data link layer
The data link layer is layer 2 of the seven-layer OSI model of computer networking. It corresponds to, or is part of the link layer of the TCP/IP reference model....
, and network
Network Layer
The network layer is layer 3 of the seven-layer OSI model of computer networking.The network layer is responsible for packet forwarding including routing through intermediate routers, whereas the data link layer is responsible for media access control, flow control and error checking.The network...
).
Examples
- AN/PRC-152AN/PRC-152The AN/PRC-152 Multiband Handheld Radio is a portable, compact, tactical software-defined combat-net radio manufactured by Harris Corporation. It is compliant without waivers to the Joint Tactical Radio System Software Communications Architecture...
by Harris CorporationHarris CorporationHarris Corporation is a Florida-based international communications equipment company that produces wireless equipment, electronic systems, and both terrestrial and spaceborne antennas for use in the government, defense, and commercial sectors. It is also the largest private-sector employer in... - AN/PRC-77AN/PRC-77 Portable TransceiverAN/PRC 77 Radio Set is a manpack, portable VHF FM combat-net radio transceiver manufactured by "Associated Industries" and used to provide short-range, two-way radiotelephone voice communication...
- SINCGARSSINCGARSSINCGARS is a Combat Net Radio currently used by U.S. and allied military forces. The radios, which handle voice and data communications, are designed to be reliable, secure and easily maintained...
- AN/PRC-148 MBITRAN/PRC-148The AN/PRC-148 Multiband Inter/Intra Team Radio is the most widely fielded handheld multiband, tactical software-defined radio, in use with NATO forces around the world. The radio is built by Thales Communications, a subsidiary of the Thales Group...
- PR4G by Thales CommunicationsThales CommunicationsThales Communications Inc., a subsidiary of the Thales Group, is a leading manufacturer of tactical communications equipment, including the MBITR and JEM, currently fielded with the US Army and NATO forces worldwide. It is currently involved in the Joint Tactical Radio System program, fielding its...
- ClansmanClansmanClansman is the name of a combat net radio system used by the British Army from 1976 to 2010.Clansman was developed by the Signals Research and Development Establishment in the 1960s, to satisfy a General Staff Requirement laid down in 1965...
See also
- JTRS
- Joint Electronics Type Designation SystemJoint Electronics Type Designation SystemThe Joint Electronics Type Designation System , which was previously known as the Joint Army-Navy Nomenclature System and the Joint Communications-Electronics Nomenclature System, is a method developed by the U.S. War Department during World War II for assigning an unclassified designator to...
- Software-defined radioSoftware-defined radioA software-defined radio system, or SDR, is a radio communication system where components that have been typically implemented in hardware are instead implemented by means of software on a personal computer or embedded computing devices...