On the Move Radio Planning

Washington, January 27, 2003

ATDI has incorporated an on-the-move (OTM) function in HTZ Warfare, its high end RF Planning platform. OTM is a dynamic function that calculates connectivity, line of sight (LOS), and non line of sight (NLOS) while mobile units (MU) are in motion, giving the commander real time situational awareness of the battlefield.

OTM is an upgrade from the on-the-pause (OTP) function, in which calculations are taken from 'snap shots' in the mission. The drawback to OTP is not having data between the pauses.

The military has a requirement to make calculations during phases of movement in order to improve mission planning and success. Each MU acts as a base station and has a path to follow. As the MUs move at their designated speed, they establish links with one another either directly or indirectly through satellites or UAV.

In HTZ warfare, each MU is assigned specific parameters, such as path, speed, radio characteristics, and whether it is a transmitter or jammer. Once all MUs are programmed, an OTM is generated, and runs like an animation. As the OTM runs, it displays the connectivity as a yellow line between MUs that have a link. A report is generated, providing the following:

- Azimuth to other nodes on the network
- Power received from one MU to another
- Distance between the MUs

OTM makes mission planning more accurate. Keeping connectivity for a higher percentage of time limits hazardous periods of communications blackout. As HTZ Warfare is available in the field, mission planning can occur until the last minute, or during deployment.

See the online demo or download the zip file here.