When it comes to the functionality and performance of military vehicles, we usually talk about their armor, off-road capability and endurance. However, the issue of communication is also crucial, says Andreas Hitzel, Director Sales & Business Development International Markets at the German communication expert Ceotronics.
Mr. Hitzel, what role does communication play when it comes to the successful deployment of military vehicles?
Communication systems are essential when planning the tactical equipment of vehicles and play a mission-critical role in operations. A distinction must be made between tactical radio to the “outside” and internal team radio. Both can be intelligently and user-friendly connected through the use of suitable operating and control units and – for team radio in and directly around the vehicle – optimized with wireless, full-duplex capable radio systems. Our solutions (CT-MultiPTT 3C and 1C, CT-DECT systems) are already being used successfully in this military deployment scenario. https://militaeraktuell.at/neues-buch-zur-airpower-2022-erschienen/
Where do you see the greatest need for optimization? In communication from the vehicle? Or within the vehicle?
In general, military communication is predetermined. This means that frequencies and bands determine the choice of radio equipment used. In my opinion, operability can be optimized, for example through suitable single or multi-channel capable operating and control units. These allow the communication equipment to be operated efficiently and adapted to the deployment scenario. In addition to radios, this also includes intercoms, smart or end-user devices and tactical hubs. Radio-based, wireless control buttons such as our CT-WirelessPTT MIL further expand the range of applications. It often makes sense to use team radios, which enable the crews of land, sea and air vehicles to communicate with each other in full duplex within the group. It is then possible to speak and listen at the same time without necessarily having to press a talk button. With suitable team radios (such as the CT-DECT radio systems), this is virtually latency-free.
“The higher the soldier’s specialization, the more skills and accessories he has to master simultaneously.”
How difficult is it to reconcile all these aspects while not being involved in too many levels of communication? So how do you ensure that a soldier receives no more and no less information than he absolutely needs?
Very good point. It is indeed the case that soldiers have to perform many tasks – often simultaneously. The higher the soldier’s specialization, the more skills and accessories he has to master simultaneously. It is therefore important that the communication devices are as simple and intuitive to operate as possible for each individual use case. The control units used to operate the communication devices must also be flexible enough to map different use cases with the same device. In addition to usability, we therefore focus on the flexibility and future-proofing of our products, which we achieve through consistent, robust hardware and software that “grows” with the user with configurable usage profiles. This allows us to adapt our products to different deployment scenarios at any time. In short: our technology always provides soldiers with exactly the information that is relevant to them.
Do you see any use cases that are not yet adequately mapped?
Our products already support a large number of use cases. Each additional application scenario implemented expands the range. Thanks to the aforementioned flexibility of our system architecture, there are virtually no limits to the integration of new usage scenarios. Thanks to the corresponding intelligent connection cables with CT-ComLink technology, there are no limits even if the peripheral devices change.
Where are the major trends heading in this area? How everywhere in the direction of digitalization?
Yes, digitalization is one of the biggest drivers of innovation. For this reason, the connection of communication and peripheral devices via USB plays a central role for us.
However, most armed forces currently still rely on analog communication systems – to what extent can these be combined and merged with digital systems?
The transition of communication systems into the digital age will take place as part of a transition process in which analog and digital systems are used in parallel. Our operating units offer precisely these possibilities: On the one hand, digital and analog communication systems can be operated separately; on the other hand, with suitable usage profiles, it is even possible to use different systems in combination and link them together if required. This is a great advantage for users and, of course, also for procurers during this transition phase.
Are such connections emergency solutions or do they also have advantages? The products procured for the transition phase are a sensible investment in the future! With the right operating units in the overall system, communication devices that have reached the end of their service life can simply be replaced by the next new generation. The operating unit remains and does not need to be replaced. Here too, our principle of “hardware that stays the same – software that grows with it” forms a solid basis.
