Multifunctional Information Distribution System (MIDS) is the NATO name for the communication component of Link-16.
MID is an advanced command, control, communications, computing and intelligence (C4I) system incorporating high-capacity, jam-resistant, digital communication links for exchange of near real-time tactical information, including both data and voice, among air, ground, and sea elements. MIDS is intended to support key theater functions such as surveillance, identification, air control, weapons engagement coordination and direction for all Services.
The MIDS program includes two different families of receiver synthesizer line cards:
The MIDS terminal is based on the TDMA (Time Division Multiple Access) data-link technology with 128 time slots per second; during each time slot, only one terminal is allowed to transmit while all the other terminals on the same network are set to receive. To improve the anti-jamming capability signals are spread over 51 frequencies in the 960–1215 MHz frequency band; transmission is inhibited around the two IFF band (1030 and 1090 MHz.)[3]
The maximum output power of a MIDS terminal is 200 Watts which allows an operational range of 300 miles; range can be extended by relaying information between intermediate terminals.[4]
The MIDS terminal consists of two different Line Replacement Units (LRUs): the Main Terminal and the Remote Power supply (RPS). The Main Terminal consists of 10 Shop Replaceable Units (SRUs):
In addition there are a few accessories required by some specific platforms:
The MIDS terminal is equipped with four different interfaces to communicate with the host platform:
Data rate can vary between 108 and 238 kbit/s, depending on the interface used. Secure voice messages are available with two different rates: 16 kbit/s and 2.4 kbit/s. The MIDS SW consists of two main configuration items:
MIDS Terminals exchange communication data with an onboard computer platform known as the Host which will format, filter, and/or condition communication data for presentation.
MIDS-JTRS is a software-defined radio that is compliant with the JTRS Software Communication Architecture (SCA). MIDS-JTRS is a replacement for the MIDS-LVT and adds three additional channels for JTRS wavesforms. As the MIDS-LVT migrates to the JTRS compliance, the system will maintain its link 16 and TACAN functionality with Navy and Air Force platforms that use MIDS-LVT but also accommodates future technologies and capabilities as part of MIDS-JTRS. MIDS JTRS improvements include enhanced link 16 throughput, link 16 frequency remappings and programmable crypto. MIDS-JTRS will provide an additional three 2-megahertz or 2 gigahertz programmable channels to accommodate incremental delivery of advanced JTRS waveforms.[5]
The MIDS family includes 3 main variants.
Additional variants:
Overall 11 different variants of the MIDS-LVT are known.
One commonly used instance of an MIDS is the MIDS Low Volume Terminal (MIDS-LVT) which has been funded by the United States, France, Germany, Italy, and Spain and developed by MIDSCO, a joint venture by Thomson CSF, GEC, Siemens, Italtel, and Enosa. Another such terminal is the MIDS-JTRS (MIDS Joint Tactical Radio System), which is currently under development by the United States. An older MIDS is the JTIDS (Joint Tactical Information Distribution System). Currently, there are three production lines, which are competitors: ViaSat, Inc (USA), Data Link Solutions LLC (USA), and EuroMIDS (Europe).
| Families | Terminal Type | Specification | Function | interface | Platforms | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| L×W×H [cm] | Weight [kg] | Max Power Output [Watt] | Link-16 IJMS | Voice | TACAN | 1553 | X.25 | Ethernet | |||
| (3) | MIDS-LVT(3) USQ-140(V)3(C) | Term: 34×19×19 RPS: 34×6×19 | Term: 16.8 RPS: 3.5 | 50 | ・McDonnell Douglas F-15 ・Mitsubishi F-15J ・UCAVs | ||||||
| (1) | MIDS-LVT(1) USQ-140(V)1(C) RT-1840 | Term: 22.2 RPS: 6.5 | 200 (1000W with HPAG) | Platform D | ・Northrop Grumman E-2D ・McDonnell Douglas F/A-18 ・Eurofighter Typhoon ・Dassault Rafale | ||||||
| MIDS-LVT(4) USQ-140(V)4(C) RT-1841 | Platform D | ・Saab JAS 39 ・Ground | |||||||||
| MIDS-LVT(5) USQ-140(V)5(C) RT-1841 | Platform D | ・Maritime ・AWACS | |||||||||
| MIDS-LVT(6) USQ-140(V)1(C) RT-1842 | 200 | Platform D | ・Lockheed AC-130 ・General Dynamics F-16 | ||||||||
| MIDS-LVT(7) USQ-140(V)1(C) RT-1843 | Platform D | ・Northrop Grumman B-2 | |||||||||
| (2)/(11) | MIDS-LVT(2) USQ-140(V)2(C) RT-1785 | Term: 34×19×19 Overall: 63×33×21 | Term: 17.4 PSA: 11.6 Cooling Unit: 4.6 Mounting Base: 3.1 | Platform J | ・Ground forces | ||||||
| MIDS-LVT(11) USQ-140(V)11(C) RT-1868 | Platform J | ・TACP | |||||||||