Military Communication Systems

To function effectively, military command and control depends on a complex communication network of equipment, personnel, and communication protocols to relay information among forces. RAND has conducted comprehensive evaluations and research on how to integrate coalition force interactions effectively into a cohesive, flexible, and secure communication network, thereby ensuring a cooperative projection of force.

  • Visualization of information tracking

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    Cost Estimate

    The tenth in a series of 11 memoranda detailing the Distributed Adaptive Message Block Network, this volume provides a cost estimate for the proposed system, based on an arbitrary network configuration of 400 switching nodes, servicing 100,000 simultaneous users via 200 multiplexing stations. Assuming a usable life of ten years, all costs are estimated at about $60,000,000 per year.

    Jan 1, 1964

  • Circuit board technology concept

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    History, Alternative Approaches, and Comparisons

    The fifth in a series of 11 memoranda detailing the Distributed Adaptive Message Block Network, this volume acknowledges the efforts of people in many fields working toward the development of large communications systems where system reliability and survivability are mandatory.

    Jan 1, 1964

  • Network illustration

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    Introduction to Distributed Communications Networks

    The first in a series of 11 memoranda detailing the Distributed Adaptive Message Block Network, this volume introduces the system concept and outlines the requirements for and design considerations of the distributed digital data communications network. It considers especially the use of redundancy as a means of withstanding heavy enemy attacks.

    Jan 1, 1964

  • Abstract network data visualization

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    Tentative Engineering Specifications and Preliminary Design for a High-Data-Rate Distributed Network Switching Node

    The seventh in a series of 11 memoranda detailing the Distributed Adaptive Message Block Network, this volume considers the specifications of the proposed system's switching node. Timing calculations, together with a projected implementation scheme, provide a strong foundation for the belief that the construction and use of the node is practical.

    Jan 1, 1964

  • Digital network communication concept

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    The Multiplexing Station

    The eighth in a series of 11 memoranda detailing the Distributed Adaptive Message Block Network, this volume describes the multiplexing stations which connect subscribers to the switching nodes. The network will simultaneously process traffic from up to 1024 separate users sending a mixture of start-stop teletypewriter, digital voice, and other synchronous signals at various rates.

    Jan 1, 1964

  • An abstract digital world map focused on Europe with communication lines

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    Priority, Precedence, and Overload

    The fourth in a series of 11 memoranda detailing the Distributed Adaptive Message Block Network, this volume discusses the creation of dynamic or flexible priority and precedence structures within a communication system handling a mixture of traffic with different data rate, urgency, and importance levels.

    Jan 1, 1964

  • Abstract waves

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    Mini-Cost Microwave

    The sixth in a series of 11 memoranda detailing the Distributed Adaptive Message Block Network, this volume examines the technical feasibility of constructing an extremely low-cost, all-digital, X- or Ku-band microwave relay system, operating at a multi-megabit per second data rate.

    Jan 1, 1964

  • Abstract network illustration

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    Digital Simulation of Hot-Potato Routing in a Broadband Distributed Communications Network

    The second in a series of 11 memoranda detailing the Distributed Adaptive Message Block Network, this volume describes a computer simulation of the message routing scheme proposed. The basic routing doctrine permitted a network to suffer a large number of breaks, then reconstitute itself by rapidly relearning to make best use of the surviving links.

    Jan 1, 1964

  • Distributed network illustration

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    Summary Overview of 'On Distributed Communications'

    The last in a series of 11 memoranda detailing the Distributed Adaptive Message Block Network, this volume summarizes the system proposal, highlighting the more important features. It considers the particular advantages and disadvantages of the distributed network.

    Jan 1, 1964

  • Network security illustration

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    Security, Secrecy, and Tamper-Free Considerations

    The ninth in a series of 11 memoranda detailing the Distributed Adaptive Message Block Network, this volume considers the security aspects of a system of the type proposed, in which secrecy is of paramount importance. It describes the safeguards to be built into the network, and evaluates the premise that the existence of "spies" within the system must be anticipated.

    Jan 1, 1964

  • Report

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    On decisionmaking in large organizations

    An attempt to view the problems of military command and control systems in the context of organizational decisionmaking processes. Decisionmaking in a large military organization is intimately associated with the very complex communications process b...

    Jan 1, 1964

  • Colorful labyrinth

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    Determination of Path-Lengths in a Distributed Network

    The third in a series of 11 memoranda detailing the Distributed Adaptive Message Block Network, this volume continues the model simulation reported in Vol. II. Modification of the routing doctrine by intermittently reducing the input data rate of local traffic reduced to a low level the number of message blocks taking excessively long paths.

    Jan 1, 1964

  • Report

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    Periscope Antenna Systems with Optimally Curved Reflectors.

    An analysis of periscope antenna systems with curved reflectors, widely used in military and civilian microwave radio-relay communications. A design criterion for optimum curvature is developed that permits performance equal to or exceeding that of c...

    Jan 1, 1963

  • Report

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    The History, Purpose and Script of Cogwheel

    Discussion of Cogwheel, a 1955 sound film showing a forty-man Air Force crew operating an air-defense direction center in the RAND Systems Research Laboratory. Includes the script for Cogwheel.

    Jun 24, 1957

  • Report

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    Cogwheel: A Film Story of Systems Research Laboratory's Activities

    A discussion of Cogwheel, a sound film showing a 40-man Air Force crew operating an air-defense direction center in the RAND Systems Research Laboratory.

    Sep 21, 1955

  • People

    People

    Shane Manuel

    Assistant Policy Researcher, RAND; Ph.D. Student, Pardee RAND Graduate School
    Education M.B.A. in acquisition and contract management, Naval Postgraduate School; B.S. in economics, United States Air Force Academy

  • People

    People

    Nicholas A. O'Donoughue

    Senior Engineer
    Education Ph.D. in electrical engineering, Carnegie Mellon University; M.S. in electrical engineering, Carnegie Mellon University; B.S. in computer engineering, Villanova University

  • People

    People

    Jordan Willcox

    Senior Defense Analyst
    Education B.A. in international relations, Connecticut College; M.A. in security studies, Georgetown University

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