LEARNING EVENT 11: CONTROL AND MANAGEMENT
TACSAT communications links are not independent, unlike conventional radio communications such as HF or
LOS. All links in a network use the same satellite transponder. Each of the users must carefully configure their
link with reference to other users and keep uplink power within an allotted level. Failure to follow these
guidelines will have-harmful consequences on all other users. The increase of power on one link improves the
quality of that link but intermodulation products increase and cause interference on the other links. A large
increase in power causes the downlink carriers on other links to be suppressed. Control of all links using the
same satellite transponder is important. While the GMF controller is a major player in the operation, overall
control is distributed among six activities.
Those responsible for controlling the GMF/TACSAT
communications resources are described in the following paragraphs.
1. The planner plans the action and provides the following information when establishing a communications
link using a DSCS satellite:
Types of terminals and locations.
Connectivity of the network (for example, terrestrial, switchboard, and direct interface).
Channel requirements.
Duration of exercise.
Priorities for individual links.
Backup communications.
2. The GMF manager is responsible for managing the satellite resources allocated to the GMFSC. The
manager combines all requests and coordinates any conflicting requirements by-
Apportioning a share of the satellite resources to each requester.
Designating uplink and downlink frequencies, transmit power levels, data rates, C/KT and bit error rates,
link margins, and detailed equipment settings.
Issuing orders for reconfiguring the system due to changing requirements.
Maintaining logs of system and station failures, interference problems, and violations by the users.
Interfacing with the DSCS controller to determine proper operation.
Negotiating for extra power for the GMFSC users as the situations warrant.
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