Channel CAT: a tactical link analysis tool

Abstract

The Tri-Service Tactical (TRI-TAC) standards for tactical data links mandate a terminal data rate of 32,000 bits per second. As greater demands for data throughput are placed upon tactical networks, it will become imperative that the design of future client/server architectures do not exceed the capacity of the TRI-TAC networks. This thesis produced an analysis tool, the Channel Capacity Analysis Tool (Channel CAT), designed to provide an automated tool for the analysis of design decisions in developing client-server software. The analysis tool, built using the Computer Aided Prototyping System (CAPS), provides designers the ability to input TRI-TAC channel parameter and view the results of the simulated channel traffic in graphical format. The size of data, period of transmission, and channel transmission rate can be set by the user, with the results displayed as a percent utilization of the maximum capacity of the channel. Designed using fielded equipment specifications, the details of the network mechanisms closely simulate the behavior of the actual tactical links. Testing has shown Channel CAT to be stable and accurate. As a result of this effort, Channel CAT provides software engineers an ability to test design decisions for client-server software in a rapid, low-cost manner.