Tactical Wireless Communications and Networks: Design Concepts and Challenges

5.1 Multistep Evolution to the Global Information Grid

The transition from push-to-talk radios to the global information grid (GIG) vision is a multistep, gradual process. This evolution is ongoing because it is economically impractical to replace all the deployed technological equipment every decade or so. Instead, new technologies are deployed alongside old technologies and gateway capabilities are constructed to allow both technologies to function simultaneously (often in a less than optimal way). Some of the steps leading to the GIG vision include the introduction of IP over circuit switched networks (known as digitizing) to form an IP core network, and the introduction of IP gateways between the IP core and legacy non-IP nets. These steps make it possible for near-real-time applications, such as friendly and enemy forces position tracking, to work effectively. This tracking technology shows the positions of all friendly forces on a digital map on a scope while making updates in near real time. This allows convoys to stay together and reduces friendly fire casualties. The explanation of the Tactical Internet (TI) in this chapter should provide you with a sense of how the gradual migration to the GIG is taking place.

The drive for technological advancement during the Cold War furthered the development of many critical defense technologies that are considered modern marvels. One such example would be the defense industry's introduction of code division multiple access (CDMA), ...