Link 16 Foundation course
Course Audience
This course is intended for beginners in Link 16 without any pre-knowledge. The target audience will be:
- Operators of TDL systems
- Military staff level personal who needs to understand the capabilities and limitations of Link 16
- Technicians who want to start building Link 16 systems
- Procurement personal who are about to purchase or contract Link 16 systems
The Link 16 Foundation course is a face-to-face instructor led course held at a selected venues. The course is for students who wish to gain a solid grounding about Link 16 by attending a 3 day course with information delivered by Link 16 SME’s.
Over the 3 days of attendance, students will cover the content of the Foundation course by means of a mixture of delivery media and including practical examples and scenarios.
Once completed the student will undertake a test of knowledge which will be marked by the instructors.
Upon successful completion a certificate will be sent to the student, recognising the number of training hours undertaken and the level of information attained.
General Course Objective
- To give an overview of what Link 16 is and what benefits it brings
- To explain the technical characteristics of Link 16
- To highlight the features of Link 16 and how they can be utilised
- To help understand how Link 16 can be operated and where its limitations are
Learning Objectives
The students attend a selected training venue, for a period of 3 days, attending a daily instructor led session (approx. 7 contact hours per day). During this time, they will undertake the following planned lessons.
The content of the 3 day course is as follows:
Session 01 – Introduction to L16 and features
To Introduce Students to the Concept of TDL, with a brief history focussing on the need to exchange information, the development of TDL, the first “useful” TDL and its drawbacks. The development of JTIDS L16 and then and its operational capabilities.
Session 02 – EPM
To examine the frequency band used by MIDS and the use of FHP and the use of cryptographic keys.
Session 03 – TDMA
To introduce students to the timing architecture used in L16 and the use of stacked and multi-nets as well as dedicated and contention access.
Session 04 – Timeslot structure
To help students understand timeslot structure, J message formats and packing options and enhanced throughput.
Session 05 – NPGS
This Session introduces the student to the functions of Network Participation Groups and how data is “sorted into specific user group categories and how these may be actioned or implemented .
Session 06 – Synchronisation
To help students understand the timing architecture used in L16.
Session 07 – Types of Relay
The aim of this session is to look at how L16 can employ relay to achieve BLOS connectivity.
Session 08 – Network Design
Planning a Network, the role of the Network designer, and the Network design process.
Session 09 – Frequency Clearance
The aim of this session is to look at the reasons for the limitations placed on L16 operations in peacetime and exercise and how RF activity is monitored and reported.
TOK
A test of knowledge for the student to prove a basic understanding and ability in the field of Link 16.