Principles of organizing communications for the interaction of troops. How customer feedback is organized Methods of organizing radio communications
Coordination principle
When an organization becomes large or medium in size, several divisions are formed in it. But each department deals with its own range of responsibilities. If there is no interaction between them, production will become impossible. Coordination is a set of stable connections in an organization that ensure the continuity of its activities. Effective coordination is determined by the presence of good communications between departments. Connections between departments in an organization occur through communication channels; they express the relationships between departments, not only the process of interaction itself. Types of connections reflect those relationships between departments that help unite the production process together. With the help of connections, the activities of employees are coordinated and their roles are determined.
Types of connections in an organization
The type of connection depends on the characteristic by which the connection is classified.
Common types of connections in the literature:
- vertical and horizontal;
- formal and informal;
- linear and functional;
- direct and indirect.
Vertical and horizontal connections:
Vertical are responsible for the levels of hierarchy; they are permanent and reflect the division of powers. Management orders and reports are transmitted through them. The larger the organization, the greater the number of vertical connections in it. Nowadays, a large industrial organization consists of a 7-12 level system of vertical connections. These connections help departmentalization and improve cooperation between levels of the hierarchy. Usually they are prescribed when creating an organization (schematically), i.e., formalized.
Horizontal connections arise between units that are equal in place in the hierarchy. They improve interaction between departments, facilitate the solution of operational tasks and problems, strengthen vertical connections, and save time (for example, to solve a problem, the performer does not send a report to the top so that an order will come from there to another department, but interacts with the second department directly). Horizontal connections are not formalized and are established directly in the process of working on tasks.
Linear and functional connections:
Linear relationships represent the relationships through which top management carries out its activities, they go from top to bottom in the organizational hierarchy. They take the form of orders, regulations, orders, instructions, etc.
Functional connections are directed in the hierarchy from the bottom up; with their help, departments can coordinate the activities of the organization as a whole. They take the form of recommendations, advice, alternatives for solving a problem, and a report on current activities. Schematically, the work of linear and functional connections in an organization looks like this:
The dotted line indicates functional connections, and the continuous line indicates linear connections. This type of connection is also not formalized.
Direct and indirect connections:
Direct connections are formed between the manager and his direct subordinate, and indirect connections are formed between the manager and employees of other departments, or those in lower positions in the hierarchy. You can imagine them like this:
The continuous line in the figure is direct connections, the dotted line is indirect. This type of connection is not formalized; it is formed in the process of work. Indirect connections improve coordination between departments, direct connections improve work within departments.
Formal and informal connections:
Formal relations are regulated by the general goals of the organization, policies, accepted procedures, and regulations. Their name speaks for itself; when departments are formed, interaction patterns between employees are documented, i.e., connections become formalized. They help work within the framework of job descriptions and depend on the hierarchy. For example, the relationship between the head of a department and an ordinary employee will be formal, even if they are friends outside of work.
Informal connections are based on personal relationships between employees, regardless of their position in the hierarchy. They are not registered in the organization, but within the framework of its existence they are always present. Informal groups with their own leaders appear. Strengthening their role in the organization occurs when employees are not satisfied with the current distribution of positions and responsibilities. Sometimes, with the help of informal connections, a change in positions in the hierarchy can occur.
A prototype of a tablet for communication between Paralympic operatives
Everything was done before walkie-talkies- cheap, cheerful and not very effective. Now IT has come to sports, and, in addition to the portal that displays the results of all competitions up to the second, modern types of communication have appeared.
The Paralympic Games are probably one of the most interesting examples of how remote jobs are created for employees of different organizations. We have developed a software and hardware complex consisting of software in the “CROC cloud”, a special shell for tablets and devices from a well-known manufacturer, modified for the task.
Mobile employees took tablets and went to the competition sites. They could be found at the stadium, on the ski track, the Small Ice Arena, and so on. Headquarters employees were located in three Paralympic villages and worked remotely from each other. And there was also our support, capable of remotely configuring tablets and solving problems.
General meaning
The tasks were as follows: to ensure the organization of communications between the employees of the Paralympic Committee responsible for interaction with the media, analytics, coordination of the Games, etc. Thus, dedicated groups of coaches of the Russian national teams, servicemen (responsible for the preparation of sports equipment), analysts, coordinators and medical workers were supposed to use tablets with special software on board while directly at the competition venues. Headquarters employees used desktops or laptops and a browser client. Coordination included constant monitoring of the information flow from all places of the Games, setting tasks, searching for people on the map and organizing communications with them.
BY
- MS Lync - organizing video communication between operational workers and headquarters employees.
- View information about weather conditions.
- Operational summary of the results of the Games, compiled on the fly: publishing and viewing information about the results of the Russian team’s performance, publishing and viewing information about the results of the opponents’ performance, viewing information on the overall medal standings.
- SMS distribution for various user groups, viewing history, managing distribution groups.
- File sharing system (mainly photos and videos from task completion reports).
- View information about the location of operational workers.
- Management (administration) and accounting of tablet computers within the framework of the event.
From the user manual
Architecture
Shell and client
I won’t talk about the web portal for headquarters employees here. I'll stick to tablets. They had a closed platform, so almost everything had to be done through an application that worked with the platform through the standard Android API. We wrote it all from scratch specifically for the Games.The project proceeded atypically: there was very little time, and during the implementation process, clarifications of the technical specifications came, often requiring new functionality. We usually work by first estimating the entire project and prototyping the end result (so that it can be visually represented), and only then we simply go step by step to it. Here we had to roll out a release every week, updating system functions - data on the use of devices at the Games came on the fly. In addition, usually our task of mobilizing the customer’s employees lies on a broader plane: for example, we needed to supply 2,000 devices for one large retailer or 5,000 devices for a mining company. The integration there is complete - with their CRM, ERP, security, Signage and many data sources. But here, in fact, the system is closed only on itself, so it is relatively easy to make changes. By our standards, the project is quite short.
Search people
Weather forecast and medal standings
Among the surprises: I had to “pack” the tablets in special cases for working outside, protect them with a special film, otherwise it would be cold, rain and gloves. And we also needed styluses, since it was difficult to work with gloves.
We provided all this to the Paralympic Committee for charitable purposes. The tablets themselves are not designed for just one event, so in principle they can be used for any needs of committee employees. Accordingly, their further use will be determined by them: perhaps they will put applications for other tasks, perhaps they will use them specifically as universal tablets.
about the project
In general, I can say that problems of this class are quite rare. Usually we have a hardware platform that can be worked with directly, and not through the Android layer (for example, we install one of the *nix solutions that meets domestic security criteria). The devices themselves are sometimes basically a set of sensors and a communication unit - terminals are needed to collect information and use the client.Most often we are talking about GPS/GLONASS data for determining geoposition, cameras for recording work performed by an employee, and various kinds of special corporate applications. As an example, the same access to a database of stolen cars: a traffic police officer far from the city can enter a number and get information on it. The difficulties, accordingly, no longer lie in the finalization of hardware and software, but in integration, data processing on the cloud side and the exchange of them. Also sometimes in the field of certification of such devices.
And finally, we implemented a feature with which it was possible to easily and simply inform media representatives about various events, all at once. This significantly changed the process of work of the headquarters: they created a group in SMS mailing lists and broadcast important events there. From a sports result to a journalist receiving an SMS - just 30 seconds. Similarly, information about special press briefings on the results of a particular competition was released. For comparison, at the previous Games we had to sit down several people who simply called everyone. And when you need to call 200-300 journalists, it takes quite a lot of time.
Every day we come across in the comments, in live communication, the fact that people complain about their operator in situations to which the latter has nothing to do, and the fault for the connection lies with the device or circumstances. As a rule, such conversations reveal the main problem - a lack of understanding of how it all works and works. Over the past decade and a half, we have had many articles that talk about this and show examples, but a generation of those who missed them has already grown up. That’s why the “Educational Education” section appears, in which we will look at the basic principles of how everything actually works. While discussing the title for the column, I unexpectedly learned that many had forgotten the definition of this word - “elimination of illiteracy.”
This article has two authors - Sergey Potresov, since no one except him can clearly explain how the connection works, and Eldar Murtazin, my role is to dilute the text with examples and reflections on the topic. I hope that you will like the materials in this section and together we will defeat illiteracy in the field of communications. The last but not least disclaimer is that we are not writing a textbook for telecom operators, but telling in simple language about what cellular networks are and how they work. This is entry-level material in order to understand how it all works and, if desired, study the issue more thoroughly. Therefore, in such articles certain simplifications are possible, for which I apologize in advance.
How is communication organized?
Cellular communications are called cellular because any network is based on cells (cells), each cell represents a section of territory that is covered (served) by a base station. The shape and size of the cells depend on many factors, including the radiated power of the base station, standard, operating frequencies, antenna orientation, etc. Cells must overlap each other; this is necessary so that the mobile device (terminal) does not lose connection when moving from one cell to another. This is especially important for the owner of a cell phone who talks while driving.
In urban areas, it is impossible to divide the city map into squares and place base stations at equal distances in order to achieve high-quality coverage. The number of floors of buildings, obstacles in the form of monuments, and the possibility of installing base stations in one place or another begin to play a role. It’s not for nothing that our cities are called concrete jungles; planning radio networks in them is quite a task. Therefore, all operators are trying to reserve additional capacity in large cities and create overlapping zones for base stations. And there is another reason for this.
For the network to operate effectively, one coverage is not enough; base stations must serve many users simultaneously. And in cities there are a lot of people talking and using the mobile Internet at the same time. Frequency bands on which voice and data are transmitted are a limited and extremely valuable resource, and operators around the world pay large sums of money to the government to license them. And not just money. For example, in Russia, the Ministry of Communications stipulates in the license the operator’s obligations to provide communications not only to cities that are profitable for cell phones, but also to sparsely populated areas where building base stations is obviously an unprofitable business. And in some places, these base stations will never generate income at all; the equipment will have to be replaced with more modern equipment before the installed one has time to pay for itself.
As you can see, operators also have a social burden from the state. Nothing is free, and therefore the cost of installing base stations and building networks in small cities is offset by services in large ones. This is how this business works all over the world, and Russia is no exception. There is only one important difference: Russian mobile communication networks are among the most modern, and in terms of the quality and coverage of networks, our country takes first place in the world, if we also remember about its territory.
Standard is a delicate matter
In Russia, as in other countries, a whole zoo of different standards operates at the same time. This is necessary, first of all, to maintain the functionality of all mobile terminals, including phones that operate only in GSM, and even ancient handsets that operate only in one of the two GSM bands. Of the main standards (service TETRA and other exotics do not count), we operate GSM in the 900 and 1800 MHz bands, UMTS (3G) networks in the 900 and 2100 MHz bands, LTE (4G) of two varieties (FDD and TDD) in several frequency bands bands and CDMA (Skylink) in the 450 MHz range. As the prevalence of terminals supporting 3G and 4G grows, operators begin to “take away” part of the bands from their GSM networks and launch LTE (4G) on these bands. This is rational and necessary, since modern 3G and LTE (4G) standards make it possible to serve many more subscribers on the same frequency band. And the advantage of the LTE standard is that it allows you to combine and share several frequency bands in different ranges. This is LTE Advanced (LTE-A) with frequency aggregation. This “frequency sandwich” dramatically increases efficiency and allows you to achieve fantastic data transfer speeds. For example, in the Moscow MegaFon network it is quite possible to see more than 200 Mbit/s. Unfortunately, there are still relatively few smartphones and routers supporting LTE-A technology, but it’s a matter of time. It is a mistake to believe that such modern and high-speed networks are available only in Moscow; MegaFon already has LTE-A networks in fifteen cities of Russia.
The LTE standard is, of course, objectively better than UMTS and, even more so, better than GSM. Allows you to serve many more subscribers on the same frequencies and provides completely different data transfer rates. But “happiness” is not only in the standard itself, but also in the frequency range used. The general rule is: the lower the frequency, the better the signal penetration through the walls of buildings and the greater the “range” of base stations and terminals. Skylink has the lowest frequency in Russia (450 MHz), thanks to this, a small number of base stations can “cover” vast territories; the Skylink signal is often present in the wilderness, where none of the other operators have yet reached. The trouble is that the Skylink standard (CDMA 450) supports a small number of Chinese phones and smartphones. In the foreseeable future, it is possible to switch to LTE in this range and support for this range will appear in most modern smartphones. Everything is very complicated and interconnected.
The GSM 900 standard is good for covering large areas and “punching through” the walls of buildings, GSM 1800 is for servicing a large number of subscribers. But GSM 1800 requires four times more base stations for the same coverage. Similarly with LTE (4G): the 800 MHz band is well suited for “forests and swamps”, the 2600 MHz band provides the necessary network capacity in cities. Now LTE is increasingly using the 1800 MHz range (frequency bands “taken away” from GSM networks). Also a question of terminal compatibility. For example, iPhones imported from the USA can operate in LTE 800 MHz (Band 20), but do not support Band 7 (2600 MHz). Our operators have relatively few frequencies in Band 20, and networks in this range are not being developed so actively, and owners of such iPhones complain about low speed and “bad operator”. With LTE in the 1800 MHz band, not everything is smooth either: your favorite LTE router in the 1800 band may not work, and again the “bad operator” will be to blame.
Manufacturers of smartphones, tablets and other electronics often tailor their devices to specific markets. This lies not only in the fact that they translate the instructions, as seen from the outside. With high-quality localization, they also work with local operators. Such devices have access points registered, work with the huge zoo of SIM cards that operators have is tested, and the correct settings for the network are set in the phone’s engineering menu. The same model can be configured so that its local version will cling to the network longer and more stably than an analogue imported from Europe or the USA. The question is the settings that were made for Russia, and how universal or specific they are. This also directly affects the operating time of your device and the speed of registration on the network.
“Bad” and “good” operators - solving the problem
The most popular sport on the Internet is to prove something to a stranger, for example, that his operator is bad, but you made the right choice. This problem has no solution because there are too many variables. How do people rate the quality of an operator? I will share a secret that is not such.
Most people look at how an operator works in two places - their home and their place of work. These are the two places where a person spends most of his life, which means that communication there is most important. Visiting a cafe or restaurant where the reception is poor will not affect the operator’s perception in any way; usually people don’t even notice that they didn’t get through. With the spread of mobile Internet, the number of blind spots is determined by the presence of a signal, the ability to view pages, or even the data transfer speed, when it can vary from EDGE to 4G.
Communication at all times was probabilistic in nature, even when it was wired. Not a single operator in the world could provide simultaneous connection to all its subscribers; it was assumed that the probability of such a situation tended to zero. Therefore, everyone calculated network capacity based on peak loads and made a small, precisely calculated reserve of capacity, assuming that the network would grow. With the advent of mobile communications, operators faced a difficult task: they needed to accurately calculate peak loads, and also make their service competitive, without overdoing it and not investing (more precisely, digging it in or hanging it on poles, as you like) too much money.
Let's take a look at the statistics from Roskomnadzor, which takes into account the number of base stations for all Russian operators. Data for 2015 appeared at the end of March 2016, these are the most recent figures at the time of publication of the article.
Is it possible to conclude from the number of base stations which operator is better? If we approach the issue head-on and simplify the situation, then the operator that has the largest number of stations should win. Indeed, in this case, it can provide communication in a greater number of places, with better quality. If we only had one communication standard, for example, 2G, such reasoning would be correct. But we simultaneously have 2G for voice, 3G/4G and their intermediate versions for data transmission, as well as voice (3G, and Voice over LTE is also appearing). In theory, the winner is the operator that has a balanced number of both 2G stations, which provide good voice and SMS coverage, and 3G/4G stations.
Let's take a moment and think about traffic jams. Very often people look into their navigator, which says that the roads are a nightmare and traffic jams are ten points. Darkness! You can forget about the car and switch to public transport. But is this always the case? Often the traffic on your route isn't that bad, and you can get where you need to go in a matter of minutes. This example does a good job of explaining that even a “bad” operator can hit the two points you need and do it well. Which creates the misleading impression that everything is just as good in other areas of the city or country.
When we talk about the quality of communication, any operator at certain points can be either very good or very bad. This is always a probability that is difficult to predict. You can choose places in such a way that even an operator with the best coverage will show disastrous results. I have a friend who is unlucky enough to live, work and play in places where the best operator in my opinion has such flaws in coverage. This is an almost incredible situation, a coincidence of circumstances.
When choosing an operator, it is extremely important to look at what services it offers. It’s not easy to hear about 4G, 4G+ or other marketing terms, but to understand what speeds are achievable in practice and what the pitfalls are. How well does voice communication work? You should also understand that the big three and Tele2, which joined them, have comparable tariff offers; during the year you will not gain anything by switching from one operator to another. Moreover, the competition is so high that over the course of a year, your expenses for the same profile of using communication services will most likely be comparable. In most situations, the differences are imaginary, tied to the marketing of a particular operator.
If the prices are the same plus or minus, then how to choose an operator? I’ll share my approach, perhaps it will seem rational to you and you will call it Murtazin’s choice. I choose and have chosen an operator based on the number of base stations and the number of modern stations that are connected by high-speed optics. I constantly move around the country, it is important for me to receive comparable quality of communication at each point, or, more precisely, to have a high probability of receiving such a connection. In my informal rating, MegaFon has always been in the lead, since investments in the network since 2008 have been maximum, the company has approached the theoretical maximum of base stations for all territories in Russia, it makes no sense to develop the network at the same pace, it is necessary to carry out even finer tuning of the network. But the company continues to expand the network and invest money in it, actively and being the first to develop stations of new generations. The second place is traditionally occupied and occupied by MTS, which in 2015 made a breakthrough and built a lot of base stations throughout the country in order to take first place in terms of their number. But in addition to the stations themselves, it is necessary to provide them with optical fiber, a backbone and a control network, and here at MTS everything is not so smooth.
The conditional second group is Beeline and Tele2, and the second is catching up with the first, and very aggressively. The quality and quantity of BS from these companies is very different from the first two players. And therefore, when they tell me that they are no worse than MegaFon or MTS, I always grin. The likelihood of this is not confirmed by the numbers, as long as these are players of a different level.
Of course, you may have a completely different approach and you do not like this or that operator; you think that another company is closer to you. This is a matter of taste, and it always has been and is. But then there is no need to say that this is confirmed by the quality of the network and its work. This is wrong.
A small note regarding various “studies” of network quality, which seem to confirm something. All operators, without exception, publish such “research”; sometimes this is done by “independent” players, but the results are always interpreted in favor of one operator or another. Consider them as PR efforts by operators, since they use opaque methods or conditions to ensure that a very specific company wins. This is a product for asserting why such and such an operator’s network is better than that of its competitors.
Nature has bad weather
You may have heard the phrase “the honeycomb breathes.” The point is that with an increase in load (the number of simultaneously talking), the coverage area of a 3G base station can decrease, up to the appearance of “holes” in the coverage where neighboring cells overlap each other little. Closer to cell boundaries, 3G communications can be tolerable during periods of moderate load and deteriorate greatly or disappear altogether during peak hours. Also, many people forget that the connection between the terminal (phone) and the base station is a kind of “last mile”; conversation or data traffic still needs to be delivered from the base station to the switch. In large cities, most base stations are now connected via fiber optic cable, while in smaller settlements they use radio relay communication channels. Pulling optical fiber over tens of kilometers is expensive and unreliable; sometimes they still try to hand it over to a collection point for non-ferrous metals. Everything was not bad until it was mainly voice that was “walking” in the networks; with the increase in data transmission volumes, radio relays could no longer cope. They are replaced with new ones with greater capacity, but this is an expensive and slow process, taking into account the many thousands of stations that need such an upgrade.
The headline about the weather is not accidental; radio relay communication channels sharply lose their capacity during rain. It’s difficult to deal with this, and in bad weather you can inadvertently be left without mobile Internet. Especially in places remote from relatively large populated areas.
The seasonal factor also matters. In winter, everything can work perfectly, and the mobile Internet will “fly”, but on the May holidays and in the summer, with the appearance of summer residents, everything becomes completely bad, and just sitting on a social network is happiness, not to mention online video. There may be an overload of a particular base station, or the radio relay communication channel may not be able to cope. An accurate “diagnosis” can only be made by the operator himself. In order to understand the problem and take action, you need to actively write and complain; counting on “it will somehow correct itself” is useless. And again the notorious “economic feasibility”: will expensive modernization pay off? If voice communication works, then in principle there can be no official complaints against the operator. And even if voice communication stops working, then the “Agreement” carefully states about the “probabilistic nature of communication”, you won’t be able to undermine it.
P.S. In the next article we will focus on the coverage of cellular networks, the quality of the signal on the street and in homes, and talk about frequencies and wave penetration. Let's touch on the difference between operators in Russia and other countries, how their development strategies differ. For example, why are 4G networks developing so slowly in Europe and qualitatively lagging behind Russian ones? We will be glad, as always, for your comments under this material.
The principle of initial data for organizing interaction communications means that communication between interacting parts (subdivisions) is organized by order of higher headquarters.
For example, communications between interacting motorized rifle regiments are organized on the basis of a communications order from division headquarters.
In the absence of instructions on the organization of interaction communications or in the event of its loss, commanders (headquarters) of interacting units (units) are obliged to immediately take all measures to establish communications with each other.
The principle of responsibility for organizing interaction communications
Responsibility for establishing and maintaining communication between interacting
in parts (units) is assigned to: for communication along the front - to the right neighbor;
for communication from the rear to the front - to the headquarters of the unit (unit) located in the second echelon or reserve;
for communications between combined arms units and units of branches of the Armed Forces and branches of the armed forces - to the headquarters of units of the branches of the Armed Forces and branches of the armed forces:
for communications between combined arms units and units (units) of special troops - to the headquarters of combined arms units.
For example, if two battalions are advancing in the first echelon of small and medium-sized infantry units, the headquarters of the battalion advancing on the right is responsible for the communication between them. For communication with the battalion advancing in the first echelon and the battalion in reserve - the headquarters of the battalion in reserve. The headquarters of the anti-aircraft missile regiment is responsible for communication between the motorized rifle regiment and the anti-aircraft missile regiment, and the headquarters of the SME is responsible for the communication between the motorized rifle regiment and the division's chemical defense company.
The principle of responsibility for the allocation of means for communication interaction.
The connection of interaction between units (subunits) at the front and from the rear to the front is established:
radio and radio relay - by means of each of the interacting parts (divisions);
wired and mobile means - the means of the right neighbor and the means of the unit (unit) located in the second echelon (reserve).
The connection of interaction between units (subunits) acting towards each other is established by means of each of the interacting headquarters.
The principle of organizing communication between motorized rifle and tank units (subunits) with active artillery.
Communication between motorized rifle and tank units (subunits) with interacting artillery is established:
radio, radio relay and mobile means - by the forces and means of each:
wired - by means of artillery units (subunits).
For example, communication by wire between the command post of a motorized rifle battalion and the supporting artillery battalion is established by means of the artillery battalion. Communication by radio means, in this case, is established by everyone’s means.
The principle of organizing communications for interaction with aviation means that the connection between the interaction of the Ground Forces with aviation is established through air controllers arriving at the control points of the units with their own communications equipment.
For example, to communicate the interaction of a motorized rifle regiment with a supporting aviation unit, an aircraft controller (officer) with radio stations arrives at the regiment's command post, with the help of which he directs aircraft (helicopters) to enemy ground targets.
There are other principles for organizing communications to ensure interaction between troops. They determine the procedure for establishing communications between units of the Ground Forces with formations (units) of the Navy, border and internal troops. All these principles are set out in the Ground Forces Communications Manual. We have reviewed the basic principles of organizing communications for the interaction of troops.
Conclusion:
The communications equipment considered, the procedure for their use, operating modes, and principles of organizing communications are taken into account by the commander of the communications unit and the head of communications for guidance when planning communications. They must continuously manage communications, carry out measures to increase the combat readiness of communications units (subunits), and provide them with comprehensive support, regardless of situational conditions.
Question No. 2. Types and types of communication
To implement the process of military communications in difficult conditions of a combat situation and real terrain, various types and types of troops are used (Fig. 2.1)
MILITARY COMMUNICATIONS
KIND OF CONNECTION
TYPES OF COMMUNICATION
radio communication
radio relay communication
tropospheric communication
satellite connection
wired connection
fiber optic communication signal communication
telephone communications
telegraph communication
fax
data transfer
video telephony
television communication
Rice. 2.1. Types and types of communication
Communication type is a classification grouping of military communications, distinguished by signal propagation medium and type of linear means.
Radio communication- this is a type of communication that is realized using radio means, terrestrial and ionospheric radio waves. Radio communication is used at all levels of control. At the tactical control level, radio communications are the most important, and in many cases the only communications capable of ensuring control of units and subunits in the most difficult situations and when commanders (headquarters) are on the move.
Radio relay communication is a type of communication that is implemented using radio relay communications and radio waves in the ultrashort wave range. Radio relay communication is used at control levels from the regiment and above.
Tropospheric communication- this is a type of communication that is implemented using tropospheric communications and the physical phenomenon of long-distance tropospheric propagation of ultrashort waves (VHF DTR). In terms of its purpose, combat use and quality, tropospheric communications are similar to radio relay communications. Tropospheric communication is used at control levels from the division and above.
Currently, there is a steady trend towards increasing the role of satellite communications in military communications systems.
Space communications refers to radio communications in the interests of ground, air and sea-based correspondents, which have common areas of radio wave propagation outside the ionosphere. An example of a space communication line is shown in Fig. 2.2
Satellite connection- this is radio communication between two or more ground-, air- or sea-based correspondents, which is implemented using ground-based satellite communication stations and a repeater located on an artificial Earth satellite (AES). An example is shown in Fig. 2.3
Rice. 2.3 Structure of the satellite communication line.
Modern military satellite communications stations provide communications over distances of 5,000 km or more. In the military communications system, satellite communications are used at the level from the battalion and above, as well as for communication with reconnaissance groups and special detachments (units).
Wired communication- this is communication carried out via wired (cable) communication lines. In wired communication systems, an electrical signal is transmitted through a cable line. Wired communications provide high quality channels, ease of communication, relatively greater secrecy compared to radio communications, and are almost not susceptible to intentional interference. Wired communications are used at all levels of control (from platoon (company) and above).
Fiber Optic Communication- this is communication carried out via a fiber-optic cable using special equipment for converting electrical signals into optical ones.
Signal communication- This is communication carried out using predetermined visual and audio control signals. Currently, visual means (light flares, colored smoke, etc.) and sound means (sirens, whistles, etc.) are used to control the battle.
All types of communication are implemented by specific communication means: radio stations, radio relay and tropospheric stations, satellite communication stations, wired communication means, fiber-optic communication means. These means form communication channels: radio, radio relay, tropospheric, etc. For channel-forming means of each type of military communications, conventions have been established that are used in the development of communications documents. Symbols are shown in Fig. 2.4.
Rice. 2.4 Symbols of various types of communication means
Information with the same content can be represented by messages of various types: text, data, image or speech. So, for example, a combat mission to a unit can be assigned in the form of a text document on a telegraph form or on a display screen, in the form of corresponding symbols on a topographic map, or communicated to the unit commander in speech form. Depending on the method of presenting messages in a form convenient for perception, types of communication are distinguished.
Type of military communications is a classification grouping of military communications, distinguished by the type of message being transmitted (terminal equipment or communications equipment). When using the appropriate terminal equipment via radio, radio relay, tropospheric, satellite, wire (cable) communication lines, the following types of communication are provided (Fig. 2.1): telephone, telegraph, fax, data transmission, video telephone, television.
Telegraph communications, data transmission and fax communications are usually combined under the concept of “documentary communications”. In communication documents, conventional graphic designations of types of communication are used (Fig. 2.5).
Rice. 2.5 Conventional signs of types of communication.
Telephone communications- this is a type of telecommunication that provides the transmission (reception) of voice information, negotiations between government officials. Telephone communication creates conditions close to personal communication, therefore it is most convenient at the tactical level of control, but retains its importance at other levels of control. In order to hide the content of telephone conversations from the enemy in communication channels, encryption communication equipment (ECE) or technical speech masking devices are used. Depending on the terminal and special equipment used, telephone communication may be unclassified, disguised, classified temporary or guaranteed durability.
Telegraph communication- a type of telecommunication that ensures the exchange of telegrams (short text messages) and negotiations with government officials using telegraph communications. In addition, it is intended for the transmission of documentary messages in the form of ciphergrams and codograms.
Telegraph communication can be direct-printing or auditory, classified or open (with or without the use of Shas). Telegrams carrying important information can be pre-encrypted or encrypted.
Facsimile is a type of telecommunication that provides the exchange of documentary information in color and black and white. It is intended for transmitting documents in the form of maps, diagrams, drawings, drawings and alphanumeric texts in black and white or color. This connection provides great convenience to government officials, since the receiving device receives a document ready for further work with the appropriate signatures and seals. Fax communication can be open or secret (with or without the use of Shas).
Facsimile communication is used in operational and strategic management levels.
Data transfer- this is a type of telecommunication that ensures the exchange of formalized and informal messages between electronic computer systems and automated workstations of control center officials. It is intended for the exchange of information in automated troop and weapons control systems (ASUVO). Under data refers to information presented in a form suitable for automatic processing.
Video telephony- this is a type of telecommunication that ensures negotiations among government officials with the simultaneous transmission of moving images. This type of communication is used only at higher levels of management.
Television communication is a type of telecommunication that provides transmission of the combat situation and other events on the ground in real time. It is used at senior levels of management.
Taking into account the peculiarities of organizing and solving specific problems of command and control and communications at various levels of command and control of troops and weapons, the following types of communications are used:
in the link battalion - company - platoon - squad - telephone communication;
in the regiment-battalion link - telephone communication, and when managing air defense and reconnaissance units - data transmission;
in the division-regiment link - telephone communications, data transmission, facsimile and telegraph auditory communications;
at the division level and above - all of the above types of communications.
This assignment of communication types to management links is not final. With the introduction of automated control complexes and weapon control systems into the lower levels of management, they will more widely use data transmission, fax and even videotelephone communications.
Conclusion:
So currently there is:
types of communications - radio communications, radio relay communications, tropospheric communications, satellite communications, wire communications, signal communications.
Types of communication - telephone, telegraph, facsimile data transmission, video telephone, television.
Question #3. Methods of organizing communication by radio, radio relay, wire and mobile means.
The organization of communications is the activity of communications officials, covering issues of training and combat use of communications troops, including planning, setting tasks for communications troops and guiding them in the process of deployment, operation and dismantling of the communications system.
The method of organizing communications refers to the procedure and methods of using military communications forces and means to solve the assigned tasks of providing communications to subscribers (correspondents).
Methods of organizing communication by radio means.
Radio communications in the TZU are the most important, and in many cases the only communications capable of ensuring control of units and subunits in the most difficult situations and when commanders (staffs) are on the move.
Radio communication as a type of communication has a number of advantages and disadvantages.
The advantages of radio communication include:
the ability to establish radio communications with objects whose location is unknown; through impassable and contaminated areas;
the ability to establish radio communications with objects in motion on land, in the air and at sea;
the ability to transmit combat orders, instructions, reports and signals to a large number of correspondents.
Disadvantages include:
the ability to intercept conversations and transmissions;
the ability of the enemy to determine the locations of operating radio stations and create deliberate interference with them;
dependence of the communication state on the conditions of the passage of radio waves and possible interference during joint work;
strong influence on communications from high-altitude nuclear explosions;
reducing the communication distance between radio stations operating on the move.
Types of radio transmission
Radio communication between two or more radio stations can be two-way or one-way. With two-way radio communication, work between radio stations is carried out both for reception and transmission. With one-way radio communication, one or more radio stations (transmitters) work only to transmit, and the rest - only to receive.
By the nature of the exchange, radio communications can be single-frequency simplex, dual-frequency simplex and duplex.
In simplex single-frequency radio communications, radio stations operating among themselves transmit and receive alternately on the same frequency.
In simplex two-frequency radio communications, transmission and reception are also carried out alternately at separate reception and transmission frequencies. In this case, the receiving station has the opportunity to interrupt the work of the transmitting station without waiting for it to finish transmitting.
With duplex radio communication, radio stations working with each other transmit and receive simultaneously at separate reception and transmission frequencies.
Methods of organizing radio communications.
The methods of organizing radio communications are: radio direction and radio network. The use of one or another method or its variation in each individual case depends on the specific conditions of the situation, the purpose of this connection, the degree of its importance, the specifics of combat operations of a given type of troops, the nature and characteristics of the control organization, the need for information exchange, the need for camouflage from enemy radio reconnaissance and protection from radio interference, the presence of radio equipment and other factors.
Radio direction is a way of organizing radio communication between two control points (commanders, headquarters). A graphical representation of the method of organizing radio communications by direction is shown in Fig. 3.1.
The figure shows: dotted line – control points; a flag and a symbol - ownership of control points; radio station symbols; The direct line between radios indicates which radios are communicating. Above the line is an inscription with the number and name of the radio direction (in the interests of which commander or headquarters is being organized).
The advantages of this method of organizing radio communications include:
speed and ease of communication;
increasing the number of transmitted messages when exchanging information;
increasing reconnaissance protection from enemy reconnaissance means, especially when using linear call signs;
increasing the communication range when using directional antennas.
The main disadvantage of this method is the increased consumption of radio communications at the control point from which radio communications are organized.
This method of organizing radio communications is used in practice to transmit a large number of messages in particularly important information areas. An example would be radio directions from division headquarters or radio directions with reconnaissance groups.
A radio network is a way of organizing radio communications between three or more control points (commanders, headquarters).
In Fig. 3.2. shows a radio network operating on the same frequency, organized from the communications centers of the regiment command post with the communications centers of the command post of three battalions.
Advantages:
Possibility of broadcasting and maintaining communication between all correspondents of the network;
Less expenditure of effort and money.
Flaws:
Less stability, throughput and secrecy;
Higher establishment time and complexity of communication.
It should be noted that organizing communications in radio networks is much more complex than organizing communications in radio directions. This is explained by the fact that the network includes 4-6, and sometimes more radio stations. Correspondents for a radio network are determined on a case-by-case basis when planning it. A large number of correspondents in a radio network requires high communication discipline. In such radio networks, short commands, orders, reports and signals are mainly transmitted.
The stability of the functioning of radio networks with a large number of correspondents is low. Examples of such radio networks are radio networks in tank and aviation units, some radio interaction networks, and radio warning networks.
In practice, communication via a radio network is usually organized:
for transmitting signals, commands, alerts to a large number of correspondents;
to exchange information with less important correspondents with a small volume and low requirements for timely transmission;
when there is a lack of radio facilities or to increase stability in addition to radio directions.
In the most important radio networks, the number of correspondents is no more than 6. Just like radio directions, radio networks can be permanent, standby, backup and hidden.
Permanent radio networks (radio directions) are those in which the operation of radio stations for transmission is carried out without restrictions.
Duty stations are those radio networks (radio directions) in which the senior control center immediately receives messages from subordinate units and units.
Backup radio networks (radio directions) are those in which they are opened by an additional command if it is impossible to exchange messages in the main radio networks (radio directions).
Hidden radio networks (radio directions) are organized to communicate with the most important correspondents and are used to transmit the most important and urgent orders, reports, commands and signals. Work on transmission in hidden radio networks is opened only with the permission of the division communications chief. When work is opened in hidden radio networks, requests for audibility are not made, and transmission is carried out in short radiograms and signals without first calling and receiving confirmation of reception.
Depending on the purpose, as well as the availability of forces, means and frequencies, communication in a radio network can be provided on:
one frequency;
two frequencies;
transmitter frequencies;
duty reception frequencies;
one calling and several operating frequencies.
If a group of frequencies is assigned to operate a radio network, then this radio network is called a subscriber network.
The method of assigning operating frequencies significantly affects the nature of the radio link and its capabilities.
One frequency reception and transmission is assigned for radio networks (radio directions), in which maximum simplicity and efficiency of communication is required (Figure 3.3.).
D 
To organize such radio links, a minimum consumption of frequencies is required, and a large number of correspondents can work in radio networks. However, with this method of assigning operating frequencies, the possibilities of protection against interference and the safety of radio communications are reduced, the use of frequency control service (FCS) data is hampered, and the capacity of the radio link is reduced.
In a radio network, two correspondents can simultaneously work with each other, or circular work (transmission) can be carried out. Since the conversations between two network correspondents are heard by everyone else, mutual information between them is ensured. To organize radio communication over a radio network at one frequency, a minimum number of frequencies and radio equipment is consumed.
When assigned to a radio network two frequencies one of them is assigned to the main station’s transmitter, the other to the correspondents’ transmitters. This method of organizing radio communications can only be ensured if the main radio station and correspondents have a separate transmitter and receiver. In such a network, duplex operation is carried out, and, consequently, secrecy, noise immunity and throughput are increased.
TO 
As a disadvantage, there is a large consumption of private resources. Modern radio stations can operate in a radio network at two frequencies in two-part simplex or half-duplex modes. The diagram of a radio network at two frequencies, different for transmission and reception, is shown in Fig. 3.4.
A radio network at transmitter frequencies is used for two-way communication simultaneously between all or several radio stations in the network without rebuilding transmitters and receivers, as well as for providing circular transmissions from any radio station in the network to everyone else. With this method of assigning frequencies, an increase in the safety and security of radio communications from intentional interference, the capacity of radio links, and the efficiency of establishing and maintaining radio communications are also achieved. The disadvantage remains the same - high consumption of private resources and increased consumption of receivers and personnel, so this method has not found wide application in organizing radio communications at the tactical control level.
In such a radio network, each radio station transmits on the frequency of its transmitter, and receives on the frequency of the correspondents’ transmitters. The radio network diagram is shown in Fig. 3.5.
A type of radio network at transmitter frequencies is the so-called combined radio network. In a combined radio network, two-way communication between correspondents is provided only with the main radio station of the network. All network stations have the ability to conduct continuous transmission: the main station - to any of the correspondents, and the network correspondents - for the main station. Scheme of the combined radio network in Fig. 3.6.
The method of assigning standby reception frequencies to each radio station in a radio network is used to ensure communication between correspondents during short-term exchanges and when it is impossible to assign the network optimal frequencies for communication between all correspondents. To ensure radio communications over the radio network at standby reception frequencies, each correspondent of the radio network is assigned one or more reception frequencies, call signs are assigned, and a password procedure is established. As a rule, this method of assigning frequencies is used for radio networks between control points located over long distances and located in different time zones.
To establish radio network communications at standby reception frequencies, the transmitter is tuned to the reception frequency of the required correspondent.
The call is made after first listening to the reception frequency of the radio station that called the correspondent (Fig. 4.7).
This method of organizing radio communications makes it possible to increase communication security and protect radio communications from intentional interference. The convenience of organizing radio communications through an authority is ensured.
However, in radio networks at standby frequencies, the possibility of conducting circular transmissions is excluded, and the consumption of communication frequencies increases; Every time communication is established with other correspondents, it is necessary to rebuild the transmitters of the main station, which reduces the efficiency of radio communications.
One calling and several operating frequencies are assigned for radio networks in which long-term messages are exchanged between correspondents. In such a radio network as shown in Figure 3.8, at the calling frequency
V 
calling and transmitting only short commands (signals) of combat control. To conduct long-term radio exchanges, the main radio station on the calling frequency transmits to the correspondent a call and a signal to switch to one of the operating frequencies. Messages are exchanged on this frequency.
When using radio stations equipped with special frequency adaptation devices, radio communication between them can be organized by subscriber radio network(Figure 3.9.).
For the operation of a subscriber radio network, a group of frequencies is assigned that are equally accessible to any correspondent of this network. The radio receivers of all network correspondents are automatically tuned in turn to each of the frequencies, i.e. scanning reception is provided. In this case, the reception quality is assessed at each frequency, i.e. Frequencies are ranked for each radio station.
To ensure communication between two radio stations, the calling correspondent sends a call with the correspondent's address on a free and best frequency from the frequency groups. The receiving device of the called correspondent monitors all frequencies assigned for communication in the subscriber network and, when receiving a call on one of them, tunes its transceiver to that frequency. Communication between two correspondents is carried out on the same frequency in the radio direction.
Several radio directions (pairs of correspondents of a subscriber radio network) can operate simultaneously, while maintaining the ability for the main radio station to conduct broadcast broadcasts and priority calls to any radio station in the network. The total number of such radio directions may be equal to the number of frequencies in the group assigned to operate the subscriber radio network.
With a limited number of radio facilities, radio frequencies and time to develop radio data, radio communications can be provided by the method of walking the radio station into existing radio networks.
To ensure that the senior commander's (headquarters) radio station is included in the radio networks of subordinate commanders (headquarters), the senior commander (headquarters) is assigned a permanent call sign. This call sign fits into the radio data table of the radio networks of all subordinate units and units. Radio operators of radio networks, having heard the permanent call sign of the senior commander, are obliged to immediately stop working in the radio network and respond to the radio operator with this call sign.
This method of entering a radio network most fully meets the requirements of radio masking and does not cause difficulties in organizing and maintaining communications. At the same time, the call signs of commanders (commanders) must be known by heart by signalmen of all radio networks of subordinate units and units.
In modern combined arms combat, an important place is occupied by the organization of interaction and, consequently, the organization and provision of radio communications of interaction. Radio communication interaction organized in three ways:
organization of special radio interaction networks;
by mutual entry of radio stations into other radio networks;
through operational groups arriving with their radio communications equipment at the communication centers of the control points of interacting units and subunits.
Thus, radio communication is a mobile type of communication that ensures the transmission of information without re-reception and retransmission over unlimited distances with minimal effort, money and time to establish it.
Methods of organizing communication by radio relay means.
Radio relay facilities provide high-quality multi-channel communication, which is practically little dependent on the time of year and day, weather conditions and atmospheric interference.
The advantages of radio relay communication include:
high quality channel;
high intelligence protection.
The disadvantages are:
the dependence of its quality on the terrain, which necessitates careful selection of the communication line route;
impossibility of operation or significant reduction in the range of radio relay stations in motion;
the ability to intercept transmissions and create radio interference by the enemy when working on the wrong antenna;
the bulkiness of antenna-mast devices, hence the long time for their deployment (bringing them into working condition).
Radio relay communication is carried out between end stations directly or through intermediate (relay) radio relay stations. These stations are deployed in cases where communication directly between the end stations is not provided due to their considerable distance from each other or due to terrain conditions, as well as when it is necessary to allocate channels at an intermediate point.
Radio relay communication can be organized by direction, by network and by axis. The use of one or another method in each individual case depends on the specific conditions of the situation, the characteristics of the management organization, the terrain, the importance of this connection, the need for exchange, the availability of funds and other factors.
The direction of radio relay communication is a method of organizing communication between two control points (commanders, headquarters) (Fig. 3.10)
Advantages:
higher stability and secrecy of communication;
higher throughput;
speed and ease of establishing communication;
high mobility.
Flaws:
increased consumption of forces and resources, as well as frequencies and call signs;
the difficulty of ensuring EMC at communication centers with a large number of RRS;
lack of ability to maneuver communication channels, low efficiency of their use.
Radio relay communication network - a method of organizing communications in which communication between a senior control center (commanders, headquarters) and several subordinates is carried out using one radio relay set.
In this case, the RRS receivers of the subordinate correspondents are constantly tuned to the frequency of the main station’s transmitter. The number of correspondents should not exceed three to four. Such communication is possible mainly if the main station operates on an omnidirectional (whip) antenna, or an antenna with a large directivity angle (60 - 70 degrees). Subordinate correspondents can use both omnidirectional and directional antennas.
Network advantages:
Less consumption of effort and resources, as well as frequencies and call signs;
Reducing the number of RRS at communication centers, which means ease of ensuring EMC;
Possibility of circular transmission of messages;
Ability to work on the move (with whip antennas).
Flaws:
Shorter communication range, stability, throughput and stealth;
Lack of ability to maneuver communication channels, low efficiency of their use.
Radio relay communication axis - a method of organizing radio relay communication, in which communication between a senior control point (commanders, headquarters) and several subordinates is carried out via one radio relay line deployed in the direction of movement of its control point or one of the control points of subordinate headquarters.
Communication between the senior headquarters control center and subordinate control points is carried out through support (auxiliary) communication nodes (nodal stations), at which channels are distributed between control points.
Axle advantages:
The ability to maneuver communication channels and ensure their more efficient use;
Less consumption of frequencies and call signs;
Reducing the number of RRS at the senior headquarters communications center, which means ease of providing EMC;
Flaws:
Dependence of all radio relay communications on the operation of the center line, and, consequently, less stability and mobility;
Higher establishment time and complexity of communication;
The need for additional channel switching on the OUS (VUS).
Methods of organizing communication by wire.
Wired communication means provide high quality channels, ease of negotiations and transmissions, ease of organizing communications, relatively greater secrecy compared to radio and radio relay means, and are almost not susceptible to intentional interference.
When organizing wired communication, you must consider:
Inability to provide communication while on the move;
Greater vulnerability of cable lines from the effects of conventional weapons and high-tech weapons, air strikes, enemy artillery fire, from the action of tanks, armored personnel carriers and vehicles;
The complexity of laying and removing lines in contaminated and difficult terrain, the bulkiness of the material, the relatively low speed of work on laying and removing communication lines;
The need for a large number of forces and means to transport, lay, maintain and protect communication lines.
Wired communications, depending on the conditions of the situation and the availability of forces and means, can be organized in directions or along an axis.
The direction of wired communication is a method of organizing communication between two control points (commanders, headquarters).
Rice. 3.13. Organization of wired communication in the direction
Wired communication organized in directions, compared to communication along an axis, gives greater stability to the entire communication system, because If any one line is damaged, communication with only one of the control points is disrupted. In addition, this method of organizing wired communication usually provides greater throughput of the entire communication system.
However, organizing communication by wire in different directions slows down the establishment of communication, requires increased expenditure of effort and resources, and precludes maneuvering communication channels between directions.
Wired communication axis is a method of organizing communication in which communication between a senior control point (commander, headquarters) and several subordinate control points (commanders, headquarters) is carried out via one wire line laid in the direction of movement of its control point or one of the control points of subordinate formations ( parts).
On the wired communication axis, support (auxiliary) communication nodes are usually equipped, from which connection lines to the command posts of the senior headquarters and subordinate formations (units, subunits) are laid.
Rice. 3.14 Organization of wired communication along the axis
Compared to directional communication, axis-based wired communication provides significant savings in communications forces and means, ensures faster establishment of communications, and allows channel maneuvering.
The disadvantage of this method is the dependence of communication with several control points on the state of the center line. The capacity of the axis depends on the capacity of the center line.
When laying communication lines, folds of terrain, trenches, communication passages are used to protect them from damage, and at the approaches to communication centers and at intersections with traffic routes and tanks, showers are buried in the ground or placed in ditches.
