NOT MEASUREMENT

SENSITIVE
MIL-STD-188-110B
27 APRIL 2000
SUPERSEDING
MIL-STD-188-110A
30 SEPTEMBER 1991

DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
INTERFACE STANDARD
INTEROPERABILITY AND PERFORMANCE STANDARDS
FOR DATA MODEMS

AMSC N/A
DISTRIBUTION STATEMENT: Approved for public release; distribution unlimited.

AREA TCSS

MIL-STD-188-110B
FOREWORD
1. This Military Standard is approved and mandatory for use by all Departments and Agencies of
the Department of Defense (DoD) in accordance with Joint Technical Architecture (JTA)
Version 3, dated 15 Nov 99.
2. Beneficial comments (recommendations, additions, deletions) and any pertinent data which
may be of use in improving this document should be addressed to: AFCA/ITS, Scott AFB, IL
62225-6343, by using the self-addressed Standardization Document Improvement Proposal (DD
Form 1426) appearing at the end of this document, or by letter.
3. This document contains technical standards and design objectives for minimum interface and
performance standards pertinent to voice frequency band modulators-demodulators (modems)
which operate in both long-haul and tactical communications systems. The terms "system
standard" and "design objective (DO)" are defined in FED-STD-1037. In this document, the
word "shall" identifies mandatory system standards. The word should identifies DOs that are
desirable but not mandatory.

ii

MIL-STD-188-110B
TABLE OF CONTENTS
TITLE
1

PAGE

SCOPE ..................................................................................................................................................1

1.1

Scope.......................................................................................................................................1

1.2

Applicability. ..........................................................................................................................1

1.3

Application guidance..............................................................................................................1

APPLICABLE DOCUMENTS...........................................................................................................2

2.1
2.1.1
2.1.2

Government documents. ........................................................................................................2

Specifications and standards. .................................................................................................2
Other Government documents and publications...................................................................3

2.2

Non-government publications. ..............................................................................................3

2.3

Order of precedence. ..............................................................................................................6

DEFINITIONS .....................................................................................................................................7

3.1

Terms. .....................................................................................................................................7

3.2

Abbreviations and acronyms. ................................................................................................8

GENERAL REQUIREMENTS ....................................................................................................... 13

4.1

Functional employment....................................................................................................... 13

4.2
4.2.1
4.2.2
4.2.3
4.2.4
4.2.4.1
4.2.4.2
4.2.5
4.2.5.1
4.2.5.2
4.2.6
4.2.6.1
4.2.6.1.1
4.2.6.1.2
4.2.6.1.3
4.2.6.2

Common parameters. .......................................................................................................... 13

Modulation and data signaling rates and tolerance............................................................ 13
Logic and signaling sense for binary signals. .................................................................... 14
Digital interface characteristics........................................................................................... 16
Terminal impedance for quasi-analog signals. .................................................................. 16
Modems used in multi-channel subsystems. ................................................................. 16
Modems used in single-channel radio subsystems........................................................ 16
Quasi-analog signal levels................................................................................................... 18
Modems used in multi-channel subsystems. ................................................................. 18
Modems used in single-channel radio subsystems........................................................ 19
Clock equipment, control, and timing. ............................................................................... 19
Transmission modes. ...................................................................................................... 19
Bit synchronous...................................................................................................... 19
Bit-by-bit asynchronous......................................................................................... 19
Character interval synchronous. ............................................................................ 19
Clock characteristics. ...................................................................................................... 20
iii

MIL-STD-188-110B
4.2.6.2.1
4.2.6.2.2
4.2.6.2.3
4.2.6.2.4
4.2.6.2.5
4.2.6.3

Modulation rates..................................................................................................... 20
Modulation rate stability. ....................................................................................... 20
Modulation rate phase adjustment......................................................................... 20
Output signal........................................................................................................... 20
Clock period............................................................................................................ 20
Clock/data phase relationship......................................................................................... 20

4.3
4.3.1
4.3.2
4.3.2.1
4.3.2.2
4.3.2.3

General design requirements............................................................................................... 22

Federal maritime interoperability requirements................................................................. 22
International interoperability requirements. ....................................................................... 22
Shore-to-ship broadcast systems. ................................................................................... 22
Maritime air communications systems. ......................................................................... 22
Radio teletypewriter systems.......................................................................................... 22

4.4

Data link protocol (optional)............................................................................................... 22

DETAILED REQUIREMENTS ...................................................................................................... 23

5.1
5.1.1
5.1.2
5.1.3

Frequency shift keying (FSK) data modulators-demodulators (modems) for

single-channel radio equipment.......................................................................................... 23
Narrow-shift FSK modem. ................................................................................................. 23
Wide-shift FSK modem...................................................................................................... 23
Speech-plus-telegraph operation. ....................................................................................... 23

5.2
5.2.1
5.2.1.1
5.2.1.2
5.2.1.3
5.2.1.4
5.2.2
5.2.2.1
5.2.2.2

FSK data modems for voice frequency (VF) channel operation. ..................................... 24
FSK data modems for 150 bits per second (bps) or less. .................................................. 24
Operational characteristics.............................................................................................. 24
Modulation characteristics.............................................................................................. 24
Carrier suppression. ........................................................................................................ 25
Break-in signal characteristics........................................................................................ 25
FSK data modems for 1200 bps or less.............................................................................. 25
Modulation characteristics.............................................................................................. 25
Modulator output spectrum. ........................................................................................... 25

5.3
5.3.1
5.3.1.1
5.3.1.2
5.3.1.3
5.3.1.4
5.3.1.4.1
5.3.1.4.2
5.3.1.4.3
5.3.1.4.4
5.3.1.4.5
5.3.1.5
5.3.1.5.1

HF data modems.................................................................................................................. 26
General requirements. ......................................................................................................... 26
Capability. ....................................................................................................................... 26
Voice digitization............................................................................................................ 26
Optional modes. .............................................................................................................. 26
Interface requirements. ................................................................................................... 27
Line-side data characteristics................................................................................. 27
LAN interface (DO). .............................................................................................. 27
Equipment side characteristics............................................................................... 27
Transmit override. .................................................................................................. 27
Buffering in synchronous serial mode................................................................... 27
Remote control interface................................................................................................. 27
Electrical interface.................................................................................................. 27
iv

MIL-STD-188-110B
5.3.1.5.2
5.3.2
5.3.2.1
5.3.2.2
5.3.2.2.1
5.3.2.2.2
5.3.2.2.3
5.3.2.2.4
5.3.2.3
5.3.2.3.1
5.3.2.3.2
5.3.2.3.3
5.3.2.3.4
5.3.2.3.5
5.3.2.3.6
5.3.2.3.7
5.3.2.3.8
5.3.2.3.9
5.3.2.4
5.3.2.5
5.3.3
5.3.4

Optional modem control driver. ............................................................................ 28

Serial (single-tone) mode. ................................................................................................... 28
General............................................................................................................................. 28
Sequencing of time phases. ............................................................................................ 28
Synchronization (sync) preamble phase................................................................ 30
Data phase............................................................................................................... 33
EOM phase. ............................................................................................................ 34
FEC coder and interleaver flush phase.................................................................. 34
Functional descriptions................................................................................................... 34
EOM sequence. ...................................................................................................... 34
Interleaver flush...................................................................................................... 34
FEC encoder. .......................................................................................................... 34
Interleave load. ....................................................................................................... 37
Interleave fetch. ...................................................................................................... 38
Modified-Gray decoder.......................................................................................... 39
Symbol formation................................................................................................... 40
Scrambler................................................................................................................ 45
PSK modulation. .................................................................................................... 46
Waveform summary. ...................................................................................................... 46
Performance requirements.............................................................................................. 47
Frequency hopping mode (optional). ................................................................................. 48
Robust serial tone mode for severely degraded HF links (optional)................................. 48

5.4
5.4.1
5.4.1.1
5.4.1.2
5.4.2
5.4.2.1
5.4.2.2
5.4.2.3
5.4.2.4
5.4.3
5.4.4
5.4.5
5.4.5.1
5.4.5.2
5.4.6
5.4.6.1
5.4.6.2
5.4.6.3

Wireline data modems. ....................................................................................................... 49

General requirements. ......................................................................................................... 49
Interface requirements. ................................................................................................... 49
Output power level.......................................................................................................... 49
Performance requirements. ................................................................................................. 49
General............................................................................................................................. 49
BER for private line (leased) service point-to point circuits......................................... 49
BER and other parameters for PSN service dial-up circuits......................................... 49
Automatic answering and calling sequence for PSN. ................................................... 49
Data modems for 600 bps or 1200 bps............................................................................... 49
Data modems for 2400 bps. ................................................................................................ 50
Data modems for 4800 bps. ................................................................................................ 50
Fallback operation........................................................................................................... 50
Optional modes. .............................................................................................................. 50
Data modems for 9600 bps. ................................................................................................ 50
Private line operation. ..................................................................................................... 50
Fallback operation........................................................................................................... 50
Switched network operation (U.S. PSN, foreign push-to-talk (PTT) and Digital
Switched Network (DSN)). ............................................................................................ 51
Data modems with data signaling rates greater than 9600 bps. ........................................ 51

5.4.7
6

NOTES............................................................................................................................................... 52

MIL-STD-188-110B
6.1

Intended use. ........................................................................................................................ 52

6.2

Issue of Department of Defense Index of Specifications and Standards (DODISS)....... 52

6.3

Subject term (key word) listing........................................................................................... 52

LIST OF FIGURES
FIGURE 1. STANDARD INTERFACE BETWEEN DATA TERMINAL EQUIPMENT AND
DATA CIRCUIT-TERMINATING EQUIPMENT. ...................................................................... 15
FIGURE 2. SERIAL (SINGLE-TONE) WAVEFORM FUNCTIONAL BLOCK DIAGRAM....... 29
FIGURE 3 AN EXAMPLE OF EQUIPMENT INTERFACE BLOCK DIAGRAM. ....................... 31
FIGURE 4 FEC ENCODER BLOCK DIAGRAM............................................................................... 36
FIGURE 5. STATE CONSTELLATION DIAGRAM.......................................................................... 44
FIGURE 6. RANDOMIZING SHIFT REGISTER FUNCTIONAL DIAGRAM............................... 46
LIST OF TABLES
TABLE I. REFERENCE LIST FOR MODEM APPLICATIONS....................................................... 13
TABLE II. LOGIC AND SIGNAL SENSE FOR BINARY SIGNALS. ............................................. 14
TABLE III. TACTICAL SWITCHED MULTI-CHANNEL COMMUNICATIONS
SUBSYSTEMS. ................................................................................................................................ 17
TABLE IV. CHARACTERISTIC FREQUENCIES OF FSK DATA MODEMS FOR
SINGLE-CHANNEL RADIO EQUIPMENT................................................................................. 23
TABLE V. CHARACTERISTIC FREQUENCIES OF FSK DATA MODEMS FOR
SINGLE-CHANNEL SPEECH-PLUS-TELEGRAPH OPERATION. ........................................ 24
TABLE VI. CHARACTERISTIC FREQUENCIES OF FSK DATA MODEMS FOR 150 BPS OR
LESS................................................................................................................................................... 25
TABLE VII. CHARACTERISTIC FREQUENCIES OF FSK DATA MODEMS FOR 1200 BPS OR
LESS................................................................................................................................................... 25
TABLE VIII. ERROR CORRECTING CODING, FREQUENCY HOPPING OPERATION.......... 35
TABLE IX. ERROR-CORRECTING CODING, FIXED FREQUENCY OPERATION.................. 37
TABLE X. INTERLEAVER MATRIX DIMENSIONS....................................................................... 38
TABLE XI. BITS-PER-CHANNEL SYMBOL..................................................................................... 39
TABLE XII. MODIFIED-GRAY DECODING AT 2400 BPS AND 4800 BPS. ............................... 40
TABLE XIII. MODIFIED-GRAY DECODING AT 75 BPS (FIXED FREQUENCY) AND 1200
BPS..................................................................................................................................................... 40
TABLE XIV. CHANNEL SYMBOL MAPPING FOR 75 BPS. ......................................................... 41
TABLE XV. ASSIGNMENT OF DESIGNATION SYMBOLS D1 AND D2................................... 43
TABLE XVI. CONVERSION OF TWO BIT COUNT VALUE TO THREE BIT SYMBOL.......... 43
TABLE XVII. CHANNEL SYMBOL MAPPING FOR SYNC PREAMBLE................................... 45
TABLE XVIII. FREQUENCY-HOPPING OPERATION WAVEFORM CHARACTERISTICS... 47
TABLE XIX. FIXED-FREQUENCY OPERATION WAVEFORM CHARACTERISTICS. .......... 47
TABLE XX. SERIAL (SINGLE-TONE) MODE MINIMUM PERFORMANCE............................. 48

vi

MIL-STD-188-110B
1

SCOPE

1.1 Scope.
This document establishes mandatory technical standards and design objectives (DO) that are
necessary to ensure interoperability and to promote performance among data modulatorsdemodulators (modems) used in the voice frequency (VF) band of long-haul and tactical
communications systems. This document also provides guidance to the designers of new data
modems that incorporate characteristics not yet standardized by specifying the technical
characteristics of data modems currently in the inventory. The purpose of this guidance is to
ensure attainment of minimum acceptable performance and maximum interoperability between
existing and future data modems with specified transmission channel conditions.
1.2 Applicability.
These standards are mandatory within the Department of Defense (DoD) in the design,
development and engineering of new communications facilities for both narrowband and
wideband long-haul and tactical systems. In some cases, reference is made to other documents
that provide standards for specific applications. It is not intended that existing systems be
immediately converted to comply with the requirements of these standards. New systems, and
those undergoing major modification or rehabilitation, conformance to these standards is subject
to current procurement regulations. This document is applicable to the design and development
of new data modems with standard data signaling rates up to and including 19200 bits per second
(bps) used in long-haul and tactical communications systems. This document is not applicable to
high frequency (HF) data modems used in the Tactical Digital Information Link (TADIL) A. The
HF data modem standards for TADIL A are published in MIL-STD-188-203-1.
1.3 Application guidance.
Requirements in this document, if applied as intended, ensures interoperability and performance
of data modems having the same or similar functions. The variety of data modems is limited to
that which are essential to effectively support the missions of the military forces. It is not
intended that the standards contained in this document inhibit advances in communications
technology. Such advances are encouraged by including DOs that should be used if economically
feasible. Additionally, standardizing parameter values but not the technology that may be used to
meet these parameter values facilitates such advances. Minimum performance requirements for
the high frequency (HF) serial (single-tone) and parallel tone modem waveforms are specified in
table XX and table B-XII, respectively. The specified values shown represent HF modem
performance under ideal test conditions. To identify the minimum acceptable performance
available to users, many factors, including operational test and evaluation must be considered.

MIL-STD-188-110B
2
2.1

APPLICABLE DOCUMENTS
Government documents.

2.1.1 Specifications and standards.

The following specifications and standards form a part of this document to the extent specified
herein. Unless otherwise specified, the issues of these documents are those listed in the issue of
the Department of Defense Index of Specifications and Standards (DODISS) and supplements
thereto, cited in the solicitation (see 6.2).
SPECIFICATIONS
MIL-C-28883

Military Specification for the Advanced Narrowband

Digital Voice Terminal (ANDVT) Tactical Terminal
(TACTERM) CV-3591 and Ancillaries

STANDARDS
FEDERAL
FED-STD-1035

FED-STD-1037

Coding, Modulation and Transmission Requirements for

Single Channel Medium and High Frequency
Radiotelegraph Systems Used in Government Maritime
Mobile Telecommunications.
Glossary of Telecommunication Terms

FEDERAL INFORMATION PROCESSING STANDARDS (FIPS)

FIPS-PUB-133
FIPS-PUB-134-1
FIPS-PUB-135
FIPS-PUB-136

Coding and Modulation Requirements for Nondiversity

2400 Bit/Second Modems
Coding and Modulation Requirements for Nondiversity
4800 Bit/Second Modems
Coding and Modulation Requirements for Nondiversity
9600 Bit/Second Modems
Coding and Modulation Requirements for Duplex 600 and
1200 Bit/Second Modems

MIL-STD-188-110B
MILITARY
MIL-STD-188-114
MIL-STD-188-141
MIL-STD-188-148
MIL-STD-188-200

Electrical Characteristics of Digital Interface Circuits

Interoperability and Performance Standards for Medium
and High Frequency Radio Equipment
(S) Interoperability Standard for Anti-Jam (AJ)
Communications in the High Frequency Band (2-30 MHz)
(U)
System Design and Engineering Standards for Tactical
Communications

(Unless otherwise indicated, copies of Federal and military specifications and standards are
available from the Standardization Document Order Desk, 700 Robbins Avenue, Building 4,
Section D, Philadelphia, PA 19111.)
2.1.2 Other Government documents and publications.
The following other Government documents and publications form a part of this document to the
extent specified herein. Unless otherwise specified, the issues are those cited in the solicitation.
FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION (FCC)
FCC Rules and Regulations
Part 68

Connection of Terminal Equipment to the Telephone

Network

(Application for copies should be addressed to the U.S. Government Printing Office;
Superintendent of Documents, Public Documents Department, Washington, D.C. 20402.)
DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE (DoD)
DoD Instruction 4120.24-M

Defense Standardization Program

DoD JTA

Joint Technical Architecture

(Copies can be obtained at http://www.jta.itsi.disa.mil/)

DEFENSE INFORMATION SYSTEMS AGENCY CIRCULARS (DISAC)

DISAC 300-175-9

DII Operating Maintenance Electrical Performance

Standards

(Copies can be obtained at http://www.disa.mil/pubs/circulars/circular.html)

2.2 Non-government publications.
The following documents form a part of this document to the extent specified herein. Unless
otherwise specified, the issues of the documents that are DoD adopted are those listed in the issues

MIL-STD-188-110B
of the DODISS cited in the solicitation. Unless otherwise specified, the issues of documents not
listed in the DODISS are the issues of the documents cited in the solicitation (see 6.2).
INTERNATIONAL STANDARDIZATION DOCUMENTS
NORTH ATLANTIC TREATY ORGANIZATION (NATO) STANDARDIZATION
AGREEMENTS (STANAG)
STANAG 4197

Modulation and coding characteristics that must be common to assure

interoperability of 2400 bps linear predictive encoded digital speech
transmitted over HF radio facilities

STANAG 4198

Parameter and coding characteristics that must be common to assure

interoperability of 2400 bps linear predictive encoded digital speech

STANAG 4203

Technical Standard for Single Channel HF Radio Equipment

STANAG 4285

Characteristics of 1200/2400/3600 bps single tone

modulators/demodulators for HF radio links

STANAG 4291

Modulation and coding characteristics that must be common to assure

interoperability of 2400 bps wireline modems for use in narrow-band
secure voice systems

STANAG 4415

Characteristics of a robust, non-hopping serial tone

modulator/demodulator for severely degraded HF radio links

STANAG 4529

Characteristics of Single-Tone Modulators/Demodulators for Maritime

HF Radio Links with 1240 Hz bandwidth

STANAG 4481

Minimum technical standards for naval HF shore-to-ship broadcast

systems

STANAG 5031

Introduction of modern radio equipment for naval HF, MF, and LF

shore-to-ship broadcasts

STANAG 5035

Introduction of an improved system for maritime air communications on

HF, LF, and UHF

MIL-STD-188-110B
INTERNATIONAL TELECOMMUNICATION UNION (ITU)
ITU-R F.520-2

Use of high frequency ionospheric channel simulators

ITU-T V.22

1200 bits per second duplex modem standardized for use in the
general switched telephone network and on point-to-point 2-wire
leased telephone-type circuits

ITU-T V.22 bis

2400 bits per second duplex modem using the frequency division
technique standardized for use on the general switched telephone
network and on point-to-point 2-wire leased telephone-type
circuits

ITU-T V.25

Automatic answering equipment and general procedures for

automatic calling equipment on the general switched telephone
network including procedures for disabling of echo control
devices for both manually and automatically established calls

ITU-T V.26

2400 bits per second modem standardized for use on 4-wire

leased telephone-type circuits

ITU-T V.26 bis

2400/1200 bits per second modem standardized for use in the

general switched telephone network

ITU-T V.27 ter

4800/2400 bits per second modem standardized for use in the

general switched telephone network

ITU-T V.29

9600 bits per second modem standardized for use on point-topoint 4-wire leased telephone-type circuits

ITU-T V.32

A family of 2-wire, duplex modems operating at data signalling

rates of up to 9600 bit/s for use on the general switched telephone
network and on leased telephone-type circuits

(Application for copies should be addressed to the General Secretariat, International

Telecommunication Union, Place des Nations, CH-1211 Geneva 20, Switzerland or the U.S.
Department of Commerce, National Technical Information Service, 5285 Port Royal Road,
Springfield,VA 22161.)

MIL-STD-188-110B
TELECOMMUNICATIONS INDUSTRIES ASSOCIATION (TIA)
(formerly Electronic Industries Association (EIA))
EIA-496

Interface Between Data Circuit-Terminating Equipment

(DCE) and the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN)

(Application for copies should be addressed to the Telecommunications Industries Association

(TIA), 2500 Wilson Boulevard, Arlington, VA 22201, ATTN: Standard Sales Office
(Non-Government standards and other publications are normally available from the
organizations that prepare or distribute the documents. These documents also may be available
in or through libraries or other informational services.)
2.3 Order of precedence.
In the event of a conflict between the text of this document and the references cited herein, the
text of this document takes precedence. Nothing in this document, however, supersedes
applicable laws and regulations unless specific exemption has been obtained.

MIL-STD-188-110B
3

DEFINITIONS

3.1 Terms.
Definitions of terms used in this document are specified in FED-STD-1037. For the purposes of
this standard, definitions are provided for the following terms, some of which have been
repeated, from FED-STD-1037 for the convenience of the reader.
Automatic link establishment (ALE). The capability of an HF radio station to make contact, or
initiate a circuit, between itself and another specified radio station, without operator assistance
and usually under processor control.
NOTE: ALE techniques include automatic signaling, selective calling, and automatic
handshaking. Other automatic techniques that are related to ALE are channel
scanning and selection, link quality analysis (LQA), polling, sounding, message store
and forward, address protection, and anti-spoofing.
Balanced to ground. Pertaining to electrical symmetry with respect to a common ground.
Break-in signal. A signal used to interrupt the other user and take control of the circuit.
Clear-to-send (CTS) signal. The control signal generated by the transmitting modem on the CTS
connection to denote a state of readiness for transmission. The CTS signal is a response to the
request-to-send (RTS) signal from the transmitting device
Code rate. The ratio of the number of information symbols (k) to the total number of encoded
symbols (n) in a code (i.e., the ratio of k/n).
Dead time. In hopping, the portion of a hop dwell period in which no transmission occurs.
Dwell period. The maximum amount of time a transmission occurs on a particular frequency.
Galois field. An arithmetic system, containing a set of symbol elements with two operations (and
their inverses) for combining pairs of elements.
In-band diversity combining. A combining of two or more signals which uses frequencies within
the bandwidth of the information channel and carries the same information received with the
objective of providing a single resultant signal that is superior in quality to any of the
contributing signals.
Mode. An available format in a data modem supporting multi-waveform capability.
Narrowband. At HF radio frequencies (1.5 - 30 MHz) the nominal voice frequency (VF)
bandwidth allocated for single channel radio (i.e., 3 kHz).
Nominal bandwidth. The widest band of frequencies, inclusive of guard bands, assigned to a
channel.

MIL-STD-188-110B
Preamble code. A short sequence of symbols at the beginning of a coded sequence used to
achieve synchronization.
Request-to-send (RTS) signal. The control signal generated by the transmitting terminal on the
RTS connection to denote a request for transmission.
Secure voice. A voice communication that is protected against compromise through the use of an
encryption system.
Transmission level point (TLP). A point in a transmission system at which the ratio, in decibels,
of the power of the test signal at that point to the power of the test signal at a reference point, is
specified.
Unbalanced to ground. Pertaining to electrical asymmetry with respect to a common ground.
NOTE: Frequently, the term "unbalanced" describes a circuit, one side of which is
grounded.
Wideband. At HF radio frequencies (1.5 - 30 MHz) a bandwidth larger than 3 kHz.
3.2 Abbreviations and acronyms.
Abbreviations and acronyms used in this document are defined below. Those that are also found
in FED-STD-1037 have been included for the convenience of the reader.
ABCA

American, British, Canadian, Australian (armies)

AJ

anti-jamming

ALE

automatic link establishment

ANC

automatic node controller

ANDVT

Advanced Narrowband Digital Voice Terminal

ANSI

American National Standard Institute

ARQ

Automatic repeat request

Bd

Baud

BER

Bit error ratio

bps

Bits per second

MIL-STD-188-110B
BW

Bandwidth

CTS

Clear to send

CTX

Clear to transmit

CVSD

Continuously variable slope delta (modulation)

dB

Decibel(s)

dBm

dB referred to one milliwatt

dBm0

Noise power in dBm referred to or measured at 0 TLP

DCD

Data carrier detect

DCE

Data circuit-terminating equipment

DCS

Defense Communications System

DISA

Defense Information Systems Agency

DISAC

Defense Information Systems Agency Circular

DO

Design objective

DoD

Department of Defense

DODISS

Department of Defense Index of Specifications and

Standards

DPSK

Differential phase shift keying

DSN

Digital Switched Network

DTE

Data terminal equipment

EIA

Electronic Industries Association

EMI

Electromagnetic interference

EOM

End of message

FCC

Federal Communications Commission

FDM

Frequency-division multiplexing

MIL-STD-188-110B
FEC

Forward error correction

FED-STD

Federal Standard

FIPS

Federal Information Processing Standards

FSK

Frequency-shift keying

GF

Galois field

HF

high frequency

Hz

Hertz

ISB

independent sideband

ITU

International Telecommunication Union

JCS

Joint Chiefs of Staff

kHz

kilohertz (1,000 hertz)

km

kilometer (1,000 meters)

LF

low frequency

log

Logarithm

LQA

link quality analysis

LSB

least significant bit

MF

medium frequency

MGD

modified-Gray decoder

MHz

megahertz (1,000,000 hertz)

MIL-STD

military standard

MM

maritime mobile

modem

modulator-demodulator

ms

millisecond(s)

10

MIL-STD-188-110B
MSB

most significant bit

NATO

North Atlantic Treaty Organization

NMCS

National Military Command System

PCM

pulse-code modulation

PSK

phase-shift keying

PSN

public switched network

PTT

push-to-talk

QAM

quadrature amplitude modulation

QDPSK

quadrature differential phase-shift keying

QSTAG

Quadripartite Standardization Agreement

RA

receive audio

RATT

radio teletypewriter system

RC

receive clock

RCE

radio communications equipment

RD

receive data

rms

root-mean-square

RS

receive (HF radio) signal

RTE

radio terminal equipment

RTS

request to send

RTX

request to transmit

second(s)

(S)

SECRET

SNR

signal-to-noise ratio

11

MIL-STD-188-110B
STANAG

Standardization Agreement (NATO)

sync

Synchronization

TA

transmit audio

TT

tactical terminal

TC

transmit clock

TADIL

tactical digital information link

TD

transmit data

TDM

time-division multiplexing

TIA

Telecommunications Industries Association

TLP

transmission level point

TS

transmit (HF radio) signal

TX

Transmit

(U)

UNCLASSIFIED

UHF

ultra high frequency

VP

voice frequency

VHF

very high frequency

VLF

very low frequency

0 TLP

zero transmission level point(s)

12

MIL-STD-188-110B
4

GENERAL REQUIREMENTS

4.1 Functional employment.

Data modulators-demodulators (modems) are employed in long-haul and tactical
communications systems and subsystems.
Delineation between long-haul and tactical
communications systems can be found in Federal Standard (FED-STD)-1037. Data modems
employ a variety of techniques for converting digital signals into quasi-analog signals for
transmission over analog channels. Various modulation techniques have been standardized and
no single optimum technique has been found for all applications. This section covers general
requirements for both long-haul and tactical data modems operating over voice frequency (VF)
and radio channels. A representative list is given in table I with the modulation types and data
rates noted for each channel category listed. This table also provides a cross-reference to section
5 requirements.
NOTE: Very low frequency (VLF) radio modems are not standardized.
TABLE I. Reference list for modem applications.
CHANNEL

MODULATI DATA RATE

ON
(BPS)
TYPE

VF (4 KHZ)
VF (4 KHZ)
VF (4 KHZ)
VF (4 KHZ)
VF (4 KHZ)
VF (4 KHZ)
VF (4 KHZ)
LF RADIO (3 KHZ)
MM RADIO (3
KHZ)
HF RADIO (3 KHZ)
HF RADIO (3 KHZ)
UHF RADIO (3
KHZ)

FSK
FSK
(VARIOUS)
(VARIOUS)
DPSK
QAM
(VARIOUS)
FSK
FSK

< 150
< 1200
600 OR 1200
2400
4800
4800, 7200, 9600
> 9600
< 150
< 150

REFEREN
CE
PARA
GRAP
H
5.2.1
5.2.2
5.4.3
5.4.4
5 4.5
5.4.6
5.4.7
5.1
5.1.1

FSK
PSK
FSK

<150
75-4800
< 150

5.1.2
5.3.2
5.1

4.2 Common parameters.

All data modems shall comply with the applicable requirements of 4.2.1 through 4.2.6.
4.2.1 Modulation and data signaling rates and tolerance.
The modulation rates expressed in baud (Bd) and the data signaling rates expressed in bits per
second (bps) at the standard interfaces shown on figure 1 shall be as listed below. These rates,

13

MIL-STD-188-110B
with the exception of 50 Bd or bps, 75, 150, 300, and 600 bps, comply with the requirements of
FIPS-PUB-22-1:
a. 50 Bd or bps
b. 75 X 2m Bd or bps, up to and including 9600 Bd or bps, where m is a positive integer 0,
1, 2, 7.
NOTE: FIPS-PUB-22-1 adopts American National Standards Institute
(ANSI/X3.1-1987) synchronous signaling rates. Other rates (i.e., 3600, 7200, 12000
and 19200) are not standardized.
NOTE: The data signaling rate is expressed in bps; the modulation rate is expressed
in Bd. Data signaling rates in bps and modulation rates in Bd are the same only for
binary signaling. Data signaling rates in bps relate to modulation rates in Bd through
the following equation:
Data signaling rates (bps) = k x modulation rates (Bd)
where k = log2M is the number of binary digits per modulation symbol, and M is the
number of modulation symbols.
Except where specified otherwise, signaling rates shall not deviate from the nominal values by
more than +0.01%.
4.2.2 Logic and signaling sense for binary signals.
For data and timing circuits, the signal voltage with respect to signal ground shall be negative to
represent the MARK condition and positive to represent the SPACE condition. The significant
conditions and other logic and signal states shown in table II shall apply to telegraph and data
transmission. An alternative capability shall be provided to interface with equipment that accepts
positive mark and negative space signals.
TABLE II. Logic and signal sense for binary signals.
Application
Voltage to signal ground
Conventional term
Binary digit value
Timing signal state
FSK signal state

Condition
Negative (-)
Mark
One (1)
Off
Lower frequency

14

Condition
Positive (+)
Space
Zero (0)
On
Higher frequency

MIL-STD-188-110B

Data Transmission Circuit

(Digital or Quasi-Analog Signals)
DTE

DCE

Transmisson Channel

Standard Interface
(Digital or Quasi-Analog)

DCE

DTE

Standard Interface
(Digital or Quasi-Analog)

Notes:
1. DTE= Data Terminal Equiment
DCE = Data Circuit - Terminating Equipment.
2. DTE and DCE may include data adapters, modems, error control algorithm, encryption
devices, control units and other equipment, as required.
3. DTE and DCE can be combined in a single unit device.
4. The transmission channel may inhclude nodes and single or multichannel transmission
equipments.
5. Modulation rates and data signaling rates at the standard interface are specified in 4.2.1.

FIGURE 1. Standard interface between data terminal equipment and data circuit-terminating
equipment.

15

MIL-STD-188-110B
4.2.3 Digital interface characteristics.
The electrical characteristics of the digital interface at the modulator input and the demodulator
output shall be in accordance with the applicable requirements of military standard
MIL-STD-188-114.
4.2.4 Terminal impedance for quasi-analog signals.
4.2.4.1 Modems used in multi-channel subsystems.
For modems used in long-haul systems and in tactical subsystem types I, II, and III (see table
III), the terminal impedance at the modulator output and the demodulator input shall be 600
ohms, balanced to ground, with a minimum return loss of 26 decibels (dB) against a 600-ohm
resistance over the frequency band of interest. The electrical symmetry shall be sufficient to
suppress longitudinal currents to a level which is at least 40 dB below reference level (-40 dB
referred to one milliwatt measured at zero transmission level point (dBm0)).
4.2.4.2 Modems used in single-channel radio subsystems.
For modems used with radio equipment of single-channel radio subsystems, the terminal
impedance at the modulator output shall be 150 ohms, unbalanced to ground, with a minimum
return loss of 20 dB against a 150-ohm resistance over the frequency band of interest. The
terminal impedance at the demodulator input shall be 600 ohms, balanced to ground, with a
minimum return loss of 26 dB against a 600-ohm resistance over the frequency band of interest.
The electrical symmetry shall be sufficient to suppress longitudinal currents to a level that is at
least 40 dB below reference level (-40 dBm0).
NOTE: As a design objective (DO), the terminal impedance at the modulator output
should be 600 ohms, balanced to ground, with a minimum return loss of 26 dB
against a 600-ohm resistance over the frequency band of interest. The electrical
symmetry should be sufficient to suppress longitudinal currents to a level that is at
least 40 dB below reference level (-40 dBm0).
NOTE: A terminal impedance balanced to ground is recommended for equipment
(radios, data modems, etc.) operating in an environment that has a high
electromagnetic interference (EMI) level, such as in aircraft and tanks. Measurements
have shown that an electrical noise-rejection improvement of up to 20 dB can be
achieved for balanced terminations, compared with unbalanced terminations.

16

-4 TLP
0 TLP

FDM*
FDM

1800 km

Not
applicable

0 dBm0
0 dBm0

0 dBm0

0 dBm0

Test signal
level

-3 dBm0
-10 dBm0

-3 dBm0

-10 dBm0

Test tone
level

**Continuously variable slope delta (modulation) (CVSD)

17

*There is still older FDM equipment in the inventory. This equipment has been classified as belonging to tactical subsystem type II.

TDM/CVSD*
*

-4 TLP

TDM/PCM

300 km

0 TLP

TLP
(4-wire trunk)

FDM

Multiplexer
equipment

Probable
maximum
distance
300 km

Tactical subsystem type 1200 km

IV

Tactical subsystem
type I (highly
maneuverable systems)
Tactical subsystem
type II (highly
maneuverable systems)
Tactical subsystem
type III(less
maneuverable systems)

MIL-STD-188-200
terms

TABLE III. Tactical switched multi-channel communications subsystems.

MIL-STD-188-110B

MIL-STD-188-110B
4.2.5 Quasi-analog signal levels.
4.2.5.1 Modems used in multi-channel subsystems.
For modems used in long-haul systems and in tactical subsystem types I, II, and III (see table
III), the quasi-analog signal level at the modulator output shall be adjustable from at least -18 dB
referred to one milliwatt (dBm) to +3 dBm. The difference in the output levels between the
MARK and SPACE binary signals shall be less than 1 dB. The demodulator shall be capable of
operating, without degradation of performance, with a received quasi-analog signal level ranging
from at least -35 dBm to +3 dBm.
a. For long-haul systems and tactical subsystem types I and III, the transmitted
quasi-analog signal level of telegraph and data equipment (modem, multiplexer, etc.) shall be
adjustable from at least -18 dBm to +3 dBm to provide -13 dBm0 (e.g., -13 dBm at a zero
transmission level point (0 TLP)) at the input terminals of a data trunk or switch. For multitone
data signals, the level of each data tone with reference to -13 dBm, shall be equal to
-13 - (10 log t), measured in dBm, where t is the number of tones.
b. For tactical subsystem type II, the transmitted quasi-analog signal level of telegraph and
data equipment (modem, multiplexer, etc.), shall be adjustable from at least -18 dBm to +3 dBm
to provide -6 dBm0 (e.g., -10 dBm at a - 4 TLP) at the input terminals of a data trunk or switch.
For multitone data signals, the level of each data tone with reference to -10 dBm shall be equal to
-10 - (10 log t), measured in dBm, where t is the number of tones.
NOTE l: The formulas -13 - (10 log t) and -10 - (10 log t) assume a random phase
distribution for the data tones of a multitone modem. The multitone phases may not
be distributed randomly if the multitone signals are derived from a common
frequency source. In such a case, the probability of tones adding in phase increases.
This can cause the composite multitone signal to have a higher level than that given
by the formulas and thus, could overload frequency-division multiplexing (FDM)
equipment.
NOTE 2: The standard data level of -6 dBm0 applies also to time-division
multiplexing/pulse code modulation (TDM/PCM) equipment even if this type of
equipment is not subject to the same overload problems as FDM equipment. A data
level that exceeds the standard level will cause clipping of the peak amplitudes of
quasi-analog signals by the PAM equipment, resulting in unsatisfactory data
transmission.
NOTE 3: The different transmitted quasi-analog signal level of tactical subsystem
type II (3 dB higher), as compared to the level of long-haul systems and tactical
subsystem types I and III, must be accompanied when interconnecting VF channels of
tactical subsystem type II with VF channels of the other subsystems or systems.
NOTE 4: Compliance with 4.2.5.1 does not require the quasi-analog signal level to be
continuously adjustable. The specified signal level may be obtained in incremental

18

MIL-STD-188-110B
steps, continuously, or by a combination of both methods. The methods of adjustment
will be determined in applicable equipment specifications.
4.2.5.2 Modems used in single-channel radio subsystems.
Standards for the quasi-analog signal levels of modulators and demodulators are documented in
MIL-STD-188-141.
4.2.6 Clock equipment, control, and timing.
All data modems shall have the capability to accept external timing signals. The clock is the
device which provides the time base for controlling operation of digital equipment. An
equipment clock provides the peculiar needs of its equipment and in some cases may control the
flow of data at its equipment interface. A master or station clock, regardless of its physical
location, controls two or more equipments which are linked together as a system. The following
subparagraphs, 4.2.6.1 through 4.2.6.3, are primarily concerned with master or Station clocks.
4.2.6.1 Transmission modes.
All future communications equipment requiring a stable clock or precise character interval
control shall make provisions for operating from station clocks in any or all of the following
states;, specified in subparagraphs 4.2.6.1.1 through 4.2.6.1.3.1.
4.2.6.1.1 Bit synchronous.
In bit synchronous operation, clock timing shall be delivered at twice the data modulation rate.
(For this purpose "data" includes information bits plus all bits added to the stream for whatever
purpose they may serve in the system; i.e., error control, framing. . .etc.). The device shall
release one bit within the duration of one clock cycle. It shall be assumed that, during periods of
communication difficulty, a clock signal might be delivered to a send device occasionally or not
at all for periods extending to hours. During periods when the sending equipment has no traffic
to send, an idle pattern or all "ones" may be transmitted.
4.2.6.1.2 Bit-by-bit asynchronous.
In bit-by-bit asynchronous operation It is assumed that rapid manual, semiautomatic or
automatic shifts in the data modulation rate will be accomplished by gating or slewing the clock
modulation rate. It is possible that equipment may be operated at 50 bps one moment and the
next moment at 1200 bps or 2400 bps, etc. It shall be assumed that, during periods of
communication difficulty, a clock signal might be delivered to a send device occasionally or not
at all for periods extending to hours. During periods when the sending equipment has no traffic
to send, an idle pattern or all "ones" may be transmitted.
4.2.6.1.3 Character interval synchronous.
In character interval synchronized equipment, any character interval from 4 to 16 unit intervals
per character interval shall be permitted. It is assumed that, having programmed a given facility
for a particular character interval, no other character interval operation would be expected except
by reprogramming. An example of such operation would be a 7.0 units per character interval
tape reader being stepped at 8.0 units per character interval.

19

MIL-STD-188-110B
4.2.6.2 Clock characteristics.
4.2.6.2.1 Modulation rates.
The standard clock modulation rates for compatibility with modulation or data signaling rates
shall be two times the standard rates specified in subparagraph 4.2.1.
4.2.6.2.2 Modulation rate stability.
The stability of synchronized or crook timing supplied in all synchronous digital transmission,
switching, terminal, and security equipment shall be sufficient to ensure that synchronization is
maintained within 25 percent of the unit interval between transmitted and received signals for
periods of not less than 100,000 consecutive seconds.
4.2.6.2.3 Modulation rate phase adjustment.
Means shall be provided in all digital transmission, switching, terminal, and security equipment
so that, at the applicable modulation rates, a shift in phase of the incoming data stream with
relation to the clocking pulse shall be possible over a period of three unit intervals (i.e., a shift of
1.5 unit intervals early or late from theoretical center of the unit interval at the applicable
modulation rate).
4.2.6.2.4 Output signal.
The output of the clock shall be an alternating symmetrically-shaped wave at the required clock
modulation rate. In the case of an unbalanced digital interface, the clock output signal shall
comply with the voltage and wave-shaping requirement of subparagraphs 4.3.1.3.3.4 and
4.3.1.3.3.5, respectively. In the case of a balanced digital interface, the clock output signal shall
comply with the voltage requirements of subparagraph 4.3.1.3.4.4 and shall contain no points of
inflection prior to reaching the maximum amplitudes. When the clock is quiescent, the clock
signal state shall be negative.
4.2.6.2.5 Clock period.
A clock period or cycle is defined as having one half-cycle of positive polarity (sense) and one
half-cycle of negative polarity (sense). The duty cycle shall be 60 percent 1.0 percent. Thus, in
the binary sense, each clock period or cycle is composed of two clock unit intervals, and it
follows that a clock rate of 50 Hz is a clock modulation rate of 100 Bd.
4.2.6.3 Clock/data phase relationship.
Arrangements which may be used to supply clock pulses to sources and sinks are shown in
subparagraph 4 3.1.6.3.1. Typical standard arrangements are shown from which one may be
selected to meet a specific application. For those digital devices operated at dc baseband which
are interconnected by metallic wire (or other equipment which provides in effect the same
function as a metallic wire), the following clock/data phase relationships apply if, and only if,
interface circuit lengths permit. It is noted that, due to signal propagation delay time differences
over different dc wire circuits or dc equivalent circuits at data modulation rates higher than 2400
Bd, there may be a significant relative clock/data phase shift which must be adjusted in
accordance with subparagraph 4.3.1.6.2.3. Practical operating experience indicates that typical
multiple pair paper cable or polyvinyl chloride (PVC) insulated exchange grade telephone cable
may be expected to function at modulation rates of 4800 Bd data/ 9600 Bd clock at distances up

20

MIL-STD-188-110B
to 3000 cable feet without any need for concern over relative pulse shift or noise if the standard
low level digital interface is applied to both clock and data signals in accordance with
subparagraph 4 3.1.3.
All data transition emitted by a source under direct control of an external clock shall occur on (be
caused by) negative to positive transitions of that clock. The design objective is a minimum
delay between the clock transition and the resulting data transition, but in no case shall this delay
exceed 12.5 percent of the duration of the data unit interval. For each equipment, once this delay
is fixed in hardware, it shall be consistent within 1 percent of itself for each clock transition.
These delay limits shall apply directly at the driver interface.
Sampling of the data signal by the external clock at a sink interface shall occur on (be caused by)
positive to negative clock transitions.
When the clock is used for controlling intermittent data transmission, data may not change state
except when requested by a negative to positive clock transition. The quiescent state of the clock
shall be at negative voltage. The quiescent state of the data shall be that state resulting from the
last negative to positive clock transition.
The phase relationship between external clock and data is not specified for devices in which the
external clock is related only indirectly to the source data; for example, to maintain synchronism
between a data source and data sink for a signal with a constant modulation rate. However,
whatever the phase delay, It shall be consistent to within +/- 1 percent at the data unit interval at
the applicable modulation rate. If the clock at twice the modulation rate at the same data is also
supplied as an output, then data transitions shall coincide within +/- 1 percent of the data unit
interval with the negative to positive transitions of the output clock (see Figure 4. 3-9). Direct
control means control of the data by a clock signal at twice the modulation rate of the data.
Indirect control means use of a clock at some higher standard modulation rate; e.g., 4, 8, 128
times the modulation rate.

21

MIL-STD-188-110B
4.3 General design requirements.
The general design requirements of 4.3.1 through 4.3.2.3 involve documents outside of the
mandatory MIL-STD-188 series. Extreme care must be used to ensure that these documents are
tailored to select only the provisions applicable to a given design task.
4.3.1 Federal maritime interoperability requirements.
Ship-to-ship and shore-to-ship medium frequency (MF) and high frequency (HF) radio
teletypewriter system (RATT) operation shall be in accordance with the requirements of
FED-STD-1035.
4.3.2 International interoperability requirements.
4.3.2.1 Shore-to-ship broadcast systems.
For interoperation with North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) member nations, the
electrical characteristics of data modems employed in shore-to-ship broadcast systems shall be in
accordance with the applicable requirements of NATO Standardization Agreement (STANAG)
5031.
4.3.2.2 Maritime air communications systems.
For interoperation with NATO member nations, the electrical characteristics of data modems
employed in maritime air communication systems shall be in accordance with the applicable
requirements of STANAG 5035.
4.3.2.3 Radio teletypewriter systems.
For interoperation among American, British, Canadian, Australian (ABCA) armies, the electrical
characteristics of data modems employed in HF and very high frequency (VHF) RATT
operations shall comply with the applicable requirements of Quadripartite Standardization
Agreement (QSTAG)-303.
NOTE: The applicable characteristics of data modems standardized in this document
comply with STANAG 5031, STANAG 5035, and QSTAG-303.
4.4 Data link protocol (optional).
When an ARQ protocol is used it shall be in accordance with Appendix E.

22

MIL-STD-188-110B
5

DETAILED REQUIREMENTS

5.1

Frequency shift keying (FSK) data modulators-demodulators (modems) for single-channel

radio equipment.
Non-diversity FSK modems used primarily with single-channel (3 kHz) radio equipment shall
comply with the applicable requirements of 4.2, 4.3, 5.1.1, 5.1.2, and 5.1.3.
NOTE: The waveform requirements in this paragraph apply when backward
compatibility and interoperability are necessary.
Table IV shows characteristic frequencies of the various FSK modems for different radio
channels.
TABLE IV. Characteristic frequencies of FSK data modems for single-channel radio equipment.
Channel
LF radio
MM radio
HF radio
UHF radio

Mark frequency
(Hz)
915
1615
1575
500

Center frequency
(Hz)
1000
1700
2000
600

Space frequency
(Hz)
1085
1785
2425
700

5.1.1 Narrow-shift FSK modem.

For single-radio operation with binary narrow-shift FSK modulation, a shift of 170 hertz (Hz)
shall be used with the characteristic frequencies given in table IV. The tolerance of each
characteristic frequency shall be 4 Hz.
5.1.2 Wide-shift FSK modem.
For single-channel telegraph operation over high frequency (HF) radio links operating under 150
baud (Bd), the use of FSK with an 850-Hz shift is not consistent with the requirement that the
U.S. operate its HF communication services in accordance with International
Telecommunication Union (ITU) recommendations. However, where 850-Hz wide-shift FSK is
used, the characteristic frequencies given in table IV shall apply. The tolerance of each
characteristic frequency shall be 4 Hz.
5.1.3 Speech-plus-telegraph operation.
For speech-plus-telegraph operation, the modem shall use binary FSK modulation with a shift of
85 Hz at the characteristic frequencies shown in table V. The tolerance of each characteristic
frequency shall be 1 Hz.

23

MIL-STD-188-110B

TABLE V. Characteristic frequencies of FSK data modems for single-channel speech-plus-telegraph

operation.
Parameters

Characteristic
frequencies (Hz)
2762.5
2805.0
2847.5

MARK frequency
CENTER frequency
SPACE frequency

5.2 FSK data modems for voice frequency (VF) channel operation.
Non-diversity FSK modems used primarily in point-to-point (switched or non-switched)
connections over VF channels shall comply with the applicable requirements of 4.2, 4.3, and
5.2.1 through 5.2.2.2. The modems shall exhibit a bit error ratio (BER) of not more than 1 bit
error in 105 (design objective (DO): 106) data bits 99 percent of the time when operating over a
military C1 type circuit as defined in Defense Information Systems Agency Circular (DISAC)
300-175-9. As a DO, during 99 percent of the time that the network is in use the user throughput
should be equal to or greater than 50 percent.
5.2.1 FSK data modems for 150 bits per second (bps) or less.
Non-diversity FSK modems used primarily for single-channel telegraph with data signaling rates
of 150 bps or less shall comply with 5.2.1.1 through 5.2.1.4.
5.2.1.1 Operational characteristics.
The modem shall be capable of 2-wire half-duplex and 4-wire full-duplex operation. When the
modem is connected for 2-wire half-duplex operation, the modem shall be capable of generating
a break-in signal (see 5.2.1.4) that stops the transmission from the remote modem and allows the
direction of data flow to be reversed.
5.2.1.2 Modulation characteristics.
The modem shall use binary FSK modulation with a shift of 85 Hz at the characteristic
frequencies shown in table VI. The tolerance of each characteristic frequency shall be 4 Hz.
The modem shall have a ready means of reversing the signaling sense of MARK and SPACE
conditions to facilitate interoperation with older modems.
NOTE: The characteristic frequencies specified in 5.2.1.2 for MARK and SPACE
conditions are reversed in a large number of older modems.

24

MIL-STD-188-110B
TABLE VI. Characteristic frequencies of FSK data modems for 150 bps or less.

Parameters

Characteristic
frequencies (Hz)
1232.5
1275.0
1317.5

MARK frequency
CENTER frequency
SPACE frequency

5.2.1.3 Carrier suppression.

During periods of no transmission, the modulator output shall be removed automatically. The
carrier suppression time delay shall be such that the modulator output persists for 2.5 seconds (s),
0.5 s.
5.2.1.4 Break-in signal characteristics.
The frequency of the break-in signal shall be 1180 Hz, 3 Hz. The nominal level of the break-in
signal shall be the same as the nominal level of the quasi-analog data signal at the modulator
output. The break-in frequency detector of the demodulator shall operate with signal levels
ranging at least from -35 decibels referred to one milliwatt (dBm) to -5 dBm.
5.2.2 FSK data modems for 1200 bps or less.
5.2.2.1 Modulation characteristics.
The modem shall use phase-continuous FSK with a shift of 400 Hz for data signaling rates of
600 bps or less, and a shift of 800 Hz for a data signaling rate of 1200 bps. The characteristic
frequencies shall comply with those listed in table VII and shall have a tolerance of 5 Hz.
TABLE VII. Characteristic frequencies of FSK data modems for 1200 bps or less.

Parameters
MARK frequency
CENTER frequency
SPACE frequency

Characteristic frequencies (in Hz) for

600 bps or less*
1200 bps only
(400-Hz shift)
(800-Hz shift)
1300
1300
1500
1700
1700
2100

* Standard modulation and data signaling rates are given in 4.2.1.

5.2.2.2 Modulator output spectrum.
The transmitted spectrum energy of the quasi-analog signal, measured at the modulator output,
shall be suppressed for all frequencies above 3400 Hz to a level that is at least 40 decibels (dB)
below the level of the maximum spectrum energy. This requirement shall apply to all modulation
rates for which the modem was designed.

25

MIL-STD-188-110B
5.3 HF data modems.
The serial (single tone) transmit waveform described in this paragraph establishes the minimum
essential interoperability and performance requirements for new HF modems.
5.3.1 General requirements.
5.3.1.1 Capability.
The HF modems shall be capable of modulating and demodulating serial binary data into/from a
serial (single-tone) waveform. This waveform is transmitted received over HF radio operating in
either fixed-frequency or frequency-hopping modes of operation. The minimum acceptable
performance and joint service interoperability shall be at 75, 150, 300, 600, 1200, and 2400 bps
using the fixed-frequency phase shift keying (PSK) serial waveform specified herein. Uncoded
serial tone modem operation at 4800 bps is a design objective (DO). Note that this is a less
robust mode of operation at 4800 than that capability specified in Appendix C.
5.3.1.2 Voice digitization.
When integrated within the data modem, voice digitization functions shall be in accordance with
North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Standardization Agreement (STANAG) 4198.
5.3.1.3 Optional modes.
As a DO, the modem should be expandable to include one or more of the following optional
modes:
a. NATO mode. If included, this mode shall be in accordance with STANAG 4285 and
4481. The data link protocol for NATO interoperation is specified in Appendix E
b. Binary FSK mode. If included, this mode shall be in accordance with 5.1.
c. Advanced narrowband digital voice terminal (ANDVT) (thirty-nine tone) mode. If
included, this mode shall be in accordance with MIL-C-28883 and STANAG 4197.
d. Sixteen-tone differential phase-shift keying (DPSK) mode. If included this mode shall be
in accordance with appendix A.
e. Thirty-nine-tone DPSK mode. If included, this mode shall be in accordance with
appendix B.
f. Sixteen-tone DPSK mode for digital data applications. If included, the mode shall be in
accordance with MIL-C-28883.
g. High data rate mode (3200 9600 bps). If included, this mode shall be in accordance
with Appendix C. Note that in NATO documents (AC/322-D/17) data rates from 1200
through 9600 bps are termed Medium Data Rate.
h. Multiple channel mode (two independent sidebands, or 2-ISB). If included, this mode
shall be in accordance with Appendix F.

26

MIL-STD-188-110B
i. Robust 75 bps mode. If included, this mode shall be in accordance with STANAG 4415.
j. Frequency-hopping mode. If included, this mode shall be in accordance with the PSK
serial (single-tone) waveform contained herein and the data training and timing format
provided in MIL-STD-188-148.
k. STANAG 4529. When narrowband operation is required, it shall be in accordance with
STANAG 4529.
5.3.1.4 Interface requirements.
5.3.1.4.1 Line-side data characteristics.
Line-side data interfaces shall be in accordance with MIL-STD-188-114.
5.3.1.4.2 LAN interface (DO).
If an additional Ethernet LAN interface is provided (see Joint Technical Architecture,
2.3.2.2.2.1: Local Area Network (LAN) Access), the modem should be capable of performing
both line side and Remote Control (see 5.3.1.5) interface functions over the LAN including
transport of user data.
5.3.1.4.3 Equipment side characteristics.
Modems shall be designed to provide the required performance (see 5.3.2.5) using the
single-channel bandwidth and characteristics as given in MIL-STD-188-141. As a DO, modems
should be capable of transmitting and receiving the quasi-analog signals over unconditioned
3-kHz VF lines while maintaining the performance established in 5.3.2.5.
5.3.1.4.4 Transmit override.
When operating in other than full duplex mode, data presented for transmission at the line-side or
LAN interface shall cause the modem to commence transmit operation, overriding any reception
of data on the equipment side. An option may be provided to disable transmit override, so that
CTS is delayed after the assertion of RTS until a reception in progress is complete.
5.3.1.4.5 Buffering in synchronous serial mode.
When transferring line-side data in the synchronous mode, the modem shall transmit all user data
that occur after the assertion of CTS by the modem and before the de-assertion of RTS by the
DTE. At the receive end of the link, all of the bits that occur in this interval shall be delivered by
the modem to the DTE. Transmission and reception of user bits that fall outside this interval is
not precluded.
5.3.1.5 Remote control interface.
A remote control interface is mandatory for all new procurements of HF data modems.
5.3.1.5.1 Electrical interface.
The electrical interface for remote control of the modem shall comply with the specified
industrial or military interface standard.

27

MIL-STD-188-110B
5.3.1.5.2 Optional modem control driver.
As an option a software remote control driver shall be supplied for installation in a remote
control unit that provides a standardized Application Programming Interface (API) to
communications software.
5.3.2 Serial (single-tone) mode.
5.3.2.1 General.
This mode shall employ M-ary phase-shift keying (PSK) on a single carrier frequency as the
modulation technique for data transmission. Serial binary information accepted at the line-side
input is converted into a single 8-ary PSK-modulated output carrier. The modulation of this
output carrier shall be a constant 2400-symbols-per-second waveform regardless of the actual
throughput rate. The rate-selection capability shall be as given in 5.3.1.1. Selectable interleaver
settings shall be provided. This waveform (signal structure) has four functionally distinct,
sequential transmission phases. These time phases are:
a. Synchronization preamble phase.
b. Data phase.
c. End-of-message (EOM) phase.
d. Coder and interleaver flush phase.
NOTE: Unless otherwise specified, the included serial (single-tone) waveform
requirements apply to both the fixed-frequency and frequency-hopping modes of
operation.
5.3.2.2 Sequencing of time phases.
Figure 2 illustrates the functional block diagram for fixed-frequency and frequency-hopping
operation.

28

ZERO
(FLUSH)

FEC
ENCODER

EOM
SEQUENCE

INTERLEAVE
MATRIX #2

S2

FORMATION

SYMBOL

DATA

MODULATOR

SYNC
SEQUENCE
RANDOMIZING
GENERATOR

SYNC

S3

SCRAMBLER

DATA
SEQUENCE
RANDOMIZING
GENERATOR

KNOWN
DATA
(PROBE)

SYNC

29

FIGURE 2. Serial (single-tone) waveform functional block diagram

UNKNOWN
DATA

S1

SYNC
PREAMBLE
SEQUENCE

MODIFIED
GRAY
DECODER
(MGD)

INTERLEAVE
MATRIX #1

UNKNOWN
DATA

MIL-STD-188-110B

S4

OUTPUT

MIL-STD-188-110B
5.3.2.2.1 Synchronization (sync) preamble phase.
The duration of the sync preamble phase shall correspond to the exact time required to load the
selected interleaver matrix when an interleaver is present, with one block of data. During this
phase, switch S1 (see figure 2) shall be in the UNKNOWN DATA position and the encode and
load interleave functions shall be active as the modem begins accepting data from the data
terminal equipment (DTE). Switches S2 and S3 shall be in the SYNC position. The transmitting
modem shall send the required sync preamble sequence (see 5.3.2.3.7.2) to achieve time and
frequency sync with the receiving modem. The length of the sync preamble sequence pattern
shall be 0.6 s for the zero interleaver setting (this requires that a 0.6 s buffer be used to delay data
traffic during the sync preamble transmission), 0.6 s for the short interleaver setting, and 4.8 s for
the long interleaver setting. For radio frequency hopping operation, S4 and the data fetch
controller shall provide the required traffic dead time at the beginning of each hop by disabling
the modem output. The dead time shall be equal to the duration of 96 symbols. Switch S4 shall
be placed in the through position during fixed-frequency operation. Referring to figure 3, the
sequence of events for synchronous and asynchronous operation is as follows:
a. For fixed-frequency, full-duplex data operation, upon receipt of the message requestto-send (RTS) signal from the DTE, the modem shall simultaneously perform the following;
(1) return to the DTE a clear-to-send (CTS) signal,
(2) begin loading the interleaver with data traffic, and
(3) commence sending the special sync preamble pattern described in 5.3.2.3.7.2 and
5.3.2.3.8.2.
b. For fixed-frequency half-duplex (one-way reversible) data operation using radio
equipment without automatic link establishment (ALE) capability, the radio set transmitter shall
be keyed first, then the sequence of events shall be identical to that given for fixed-frequency
full-duplex operation.
c. Fixed-frequency half-duplex data operation using ALE radio equipment shall incorporate
a method of delaying the data CTS signal until radio link confirmation. In an example of this
operation, upon receipt of the RTS signal from the user data terminal, the controller first initiates
and confirms linking with the called station. During this link confirmation period, the RTS signal
is controlled and delayed in the controller until the link is confirmed. After link confirmation, the
controller sends the RTS signal to the modem. (In effect, the delaying of the RTS signal provides
the needed delay of the data CTS signal.) Upon receipt of the RTS signal from the controller, the
modem shall simultaneously perform the following:
(1) key the radio,
(2) return to the DTE a CTS signal,
(3) begin loading the interleaver with data traffic, and
(4) commence sending the special sync pattern described in 5.3.2.3.7.2 and 5.3.2.3.8.2.

30

MIL-STD-188-110B
USER
DATA/
TRAFFIC
TERMINAL
DTE
RTS

AUTOMATIC
NODE
CONTROLLER
DCE

DTE

DCE

RTS2

RTS

CTS2

CTS

CTS

RTX
PTT

P
R
EP
A
N

***

CTX

RD2

CTX

CTX2

TA

TD

RCE
RTX
PTT TU
N
E
&
*** TX
CTX
OR
HOP
PAUSE

TA

TA2

TA

TS

RA

LI
N
K
RS

RD

RA

RD

K
DCD DCD2

RTX2

RTX

RD

RTE

SY
N
C
TD2

TD

RCE

HF
RADIO

TD

RTE

RTS

CTS

AUTOMATIC
NODE
CONTROLLER

HF
MODEM

DCD

C
A
R
RI
DCD E

D
ET
E
CT

RA2

RA
K

K
RC2

RC2

RC

RC

TC

TC

TC2

TC2

HF AUTOMATIC NODE
CONTROLLER (ANC)

FIGURE 3 An example of equipment interface block diagram.

31

MIL-STD-188-110B
LEGEND:
* * * INDICATES A NECESSARY INTERFACE WHICH IS NOT PRESENTLY DEFINED
AND REQUIRED IN PRESENT EQUIPMENTS AND STANDARDS, AND
MUST BE INCORPORATED.
ANC
AND
CTS
CTS2
CTX
CTX2
DCD
DCD2
DCE
DTE
HOP PAUSE
K
LINK
OR
PREP
PTT
RA
RA2
RC
RC2
RCE
RD
RD2
RS
RTE
RTS
RTS2
RTX
RTX2
SYNC
TA
TA2
TC
TC2
TD

AUTOMATIC NODE CONTROLLER

LOGICAL AND, ALL (AVAILABLE) INPUTS MUST BE TRUE TO
OBTAIN A TRUE OUTPUT
CLEAR TO SEND
CTS CONTROLLED THROUGH ANC
CLEAR TO TRANSMIT (TRANSMITTER TUNED AND ON)
CTX CONTROLLED THROUGH ANC
DATA CARRIER DETECT (RECEIVED DATA CARRIER DETECTION)
DCD CONTROLLED THROUGH ANC
DATA CIRCUIT-TERMINATING EQUIPMENT
DATA TERMINAL EQUIPMENT
COMMAND TO PAUSE (TRANSMIT DATA) WHILE RADIO CHANGES
FREQUENCY
INDICATES HF AUTOMATIC NODE CONTROLLER (ANC) CONTROL,
WHICH MAY ALSO INCLUDE MONITORING AND/OR INJECTION.
HF RADIO LINK, INCLUDING DISTANT STATION AND
PROPAGATION
LOGICAL OR, SOME (AVAILABLE) INPUTS MUST BE TRUE TO
OBTAIN A TRUE OUTPUT
PREPARATION TO ACCEPT AND SEND DATA, AND KEY
TRANSMITTER
PUSH TO TALK (KEY TRANSMITTER ON)
RECEIVE AUDIO
RA CONTROLLED THROUGH ANC
RECEIVE CLOCK
RC CONTROLLED THROUGH ANC
RADIO COMMUNICATIONS EQUIPMENT
RECEIVE DATA
RD CONTROLLED THROUGH ANC
RECEIVE (HF RADIO) SIGNAL
RADIO TERMINAL EQUIPMENT
REQUEST TO SEND
RTS CONTROLLED THROUGH ANC
REQUEST TO TRANSMIT
RTX CONTROLLED THROUGH ANC
SYNCHRONIZATION FOR DATA TRANSMISSION
TRANSMIT AUDIO
TA CONTROLLED THROUGH ANC
TRANSMIT CLOCK
TC CONTROLLED THROUGH ANC
TRANSMIT DATA

32

MIL-STD-188-110B
TD2
TS
TUNE
TX

TD CONTROLLED THROUGH ANC

TRANSMIT (HF RADIO) SIGNAL
TUNING OF THE TRANSMITTER AND ANTENNA SYSTEM BEFORE
TRANSMIT
TRANSMIT (HF RADIO ON AND READY TO SEND DATA)
FIGURE 3. An example of equipment interface block diagram - Continued.

d. For frequency-hopping data operation, the modem shall, upon receipt of the RTS signal
from the DTE input device, simultaneously perform the following:
(1) key the radio,
(2) return a data CTS signal to the DTE,
(3) commence loading the interleaver, and
(4) wait for the radio clear-to-transmit (CTX) signal. In no case shall the radio CTX
signal occur later than 2.4 seconds after receipt of the data CTS signal. This requires,
in addition to an interleaver buffer, a buffer of at least 2.45 times the highest data rate
used.
NOTE: This additional buffer shall be bypassed during fixed-frequency operation.
Upon receipt of the radio CTX, the transmitting modem shall then commence sending the sync
pattern as given in 5.3.2.3.7.2 and 5.3.2.3.8.2, and will use the data framing and timing format in
MIL-STD-188-148.
NOTE: The interleaver fetch and modified-Gray decoding functions are not active
during this phase. All received data prior to entry into the data phase must be buffered
by the modem. The radio CTX signal can originate from either the radio set itself or,
if using ALE radio equipment, an ALE controller.
5.3.2.2.2 Data phase.
During the data phase, the transmit waveform shall contain both message information
(UNKNOWN DATA) and channel probes (KNOWN DATA), that is, training bits reserved for
channel equalization by the distant receive modem. Function switches S1 and S3 (figure 2) are in
the UNKNOWN DATA and DATA position, respectively, and switch S2 toggles between the
UNKNOWN DATA (modified-Gray decoder (MGD) output) and the KNOWN DATA (probe)
positions. The probe shall consist of zeros, D1, and D2 (D1 and D2 are defined in 5.3.2.3.7.1.2).
The period of dwell in each switch position shall be as follows:
a. For frequency-hopping operation, the dwell is a function of bit rate and time duration of
the hop. MIL-STD-188-148 gives the required timing of switches S2 and S4 during each
hop time as a function of data rate and dead time.

33

MIL-STD-188-110B
b. For fixed-frequency operation, the period of dwell shall be a function of bit rate only. At
2400 and 4800 bps, there shall be a 32-symbol duration in the UNKNOWN DATA position
followed by a 16-symbol duration in the KNOWN DATA position. At 150, 300, 600, and
1200 bps, the two durations shall be 20 symbols in each position. At 75 bps, switch S2
shall remain in the UNKNOWN DATA position. Data transfer operation shall be
terminated by removal of the RTS signal by the input DTE.
NOTE: In all cases, switch S2 is placed in the UNKNOWN DATA position first,
following the end of the sync preamble phase.
5.3.2.2.3 EOM phase.
When the last UNKNOWN DATA bit prior to the absence of the RTS signal has entered the
forward error correction (FEC) encoder, S1 (figure 2) shall be switched to the EOM position.
This shall cause a fixed 32-bit pattern (see 5.3.2.3.1) to be sent to the FEC encoder. Function
switches S2 and S3 (and also S4 in frequency-hopping operation) shall continue to operate as
established for the data phase.
5.3.2.2.4 FEC coder and interleaver flush phase.
Immediately upon completion of the EOM phase, S1 (figure 2 shall be switched to the FLUSH
position causing input of flush bits (see 5.3.2.3.2) to the FEC encoder.
5.3.2.3 Functional descriptions.
The following subparagraphs provide figure 2 block descriptions.
5.3.2.3.1 EOM sequence.
The eight-digit hexadecimal number, 4B65A5B2 shall represent the EOM sequence. The bits
shall be transmitted with the most significant digit first. Thus the first eight bits are, left to right,
0100 1011.
5.3.2.3.2 Interleaver flush
If an interleaver is used, the duration of the flush phase shall be 144 bits (for coder flush) plus
enough bits to complete transmission of the remainder of the interleaved matrix data block (see
5.3.2.3.4 for data block size) containing the last coder flush bit. Flush bits shall be set to "0". If
the interleaver is in a bypass (0.0 s) state, only the coder flush bits are transmitted.
NOTE: This causes the transmission of enough flush bits to allow effective flushing
of the FEC decoder and the deinterleaver at the receiving modem.
5.3.2.3.3 FEC encoder.
The FEC encoder shall be used for data rates up to and including 2400 bps. The FEC encoder
block diagram for frequency-hopping and fixed-frequency operation is shown on figure 4. For
frequency-hopping operation, the FEC encoder function shall be accomplished by a constraint
length 7 convolutional coder with repeat coding used at the 75, 150, and 300 bps rates. The two
summing nodes on the figure represent modulo 2 addition. For each bit input to the encoder, two
bits shall be taken as output from the encoder, the upper output bit Tl(x) being taken first. For the

34

MIL-STD-188-110B
2400 bps rate, every fourth bit (the second value of T2(x) shall be omitted at the interleaver
output to form a punctured rate 2/3 convolutional rate. At all other rates, the convolutional coder
shall be rate 1/2. Coded bit streams of 3600, 2400, and 1200 bps shall be generated for the input
data rates of 2400, 1200, and 600 bps, respectively. For the 300, 150, and 75 bps input data rates,
a 1200 bps coded bit stream shall be generated by repeating the pairs of output bits the
appropriate number of times. The bits shall be repeated in pairs rather than repetitions for the
first, Tl(x), followed by repetitions of the second T2(x). Error-correction coding for
frequency-hopping operation shall be in accordance with table VIII.
TABLE VIII. Error correcting coding, frequency hopping operation.
Data
rate (bps)
2400
1200
600
300
150
75

Effective
Code rate
2/3
1/2
1/2
1/4
1/8
1/16

Method for achieving the code rate

Rate 2/3 punctured convolutional code
Rate 1/2 code
Rate l/2 code
Rate l/2 code repeated 2 times
Rate 1/2 code repeated 4 times
Rate 1/2 code repeated 8 times

35

MIL-STD-188-110B

T 1(X)

+
SWITCH RATE
= TWICE INPUT
SYMBOL RATE

I(X)
INPUT

OUTPUT
x6

x5

x4

x3

x2

+
T 2(X)

CONSTRAINT LENGTH =
GENERATOR
FOR T1 X6+X4+X3+X+1
FOR T2 X6+X5+X4+X3+1
.

FIGURE 4 FEC encoder block diagram

36

MIL-STD-188-110B

b. For fixed-frequency operation, the FEC encoder function shall be accomplished by a

single rate 1/2 constraint length 7 convolutional coder with repeat coding used at 150 and 300
bps. The two summing nodes shall operate as given for frequency-hopping operation; that is, for
each bit input to the encoder, two bits shall be taken as output from the encoder. Coded bit
streams of 4800, 2400, and 1200 bps shall be generated for input data rates of 2400, 1200, and
600 bps, respectively. For 300-bps and 150-bps input data rates, repeating the pairs of output bits
the appropriate number of times shall generate a 1200-bps coded bit stream. The bits shall be
repeated in pairs rather than repetitions for the first, T1(X), followed by repetitions of the second
T2(X). At 75 bps, a different transmit format (see 5.3.2.3.7.1.1) is used and the effective code
rate of 1/2 shall be employed to produce a 150-bps coded stream. Error-correction coding for
fixed-frequency operation shall be in accordance with table IX.
TABLE IX. Error-correcting coding, fixed frequency operation.
Data
rate (bps)
4800
2400
1200
600
300
150
75

Effective
code rate
(no coding)
1/2
1/2
1/2
1/4
1/8
1/2

Method for achieving the code rate

(no coding)
Rate 1/2
Rate 1/2 code
Rate1/2 code
Rate l/2 code repeated 2 times
Rate 1/2 code repeated 4 times
Rate 1/2

c. For 4800-bps fixed-frequency operation, the FEC encoder shall be bypassed.

5.3.2.3.4 Interleave load.
The interleaver, when used, shall be a matrix block type that operates upon input bits. The matrix
size shall accommodate block storage of 0.0, 0.6, or 4.8 s of receiving bits (depending on
whether the zero, short, or long interleave setting is chosen) at all required data rates. Because
the bits are loaded and fetched in different orders, two distinct interleave matrices shall be
required.
NOTE: This allows one block of data to be loaded while the other is being fetched.
The selection between the long and short interleaves is contained in the transmitted
sync pattern (5.3.2.3.7.2). The short interleaves shall be switch selectable to be either
0.0 s or 0.6 s (see 5.3.2.3.7.2.1).
To maintain the interleave delay at a constant value, the block size shall be scaled by bit rate.
TABLES X lists the interleaver matrix dimensions (rows and columns) that shall be allocated for
each required bit rate and interleave delay.

37

MIL-STD-188-110B
NOTE: For frequency-hopping operation at rates of 300, 150, and 75 bps, the number
of bits required for a constant time delay is the same as that for 600 bps due to repeat
coding. For fixed-frequency operation, repeat coding is used with only the 300-bps
and 150-bps rates.
Unknown data bits shall be loaded into the interleaver matrix starting at column zero as follows:
the first bit is loaded into row 0, the next bit is loaded into row 9, the third bit is loaded into row
18, and the fourth bit into row 27. Thus, the row location for the bits increases by 9 modulo 40.
This process continues until all 40 rows are loaded. The load then advances to column 1 and the
process is repeated until the matrix block is filled. This procedure shall be followed for both long
and short interleave settings.
NOTE: The interleaver shall be bypassed for 4800-bps fixed-frequency operation.
For fixed-frequency operation at 75 bps only, the following changes to the above description
shall apply:
a. When the interleaver setting is on long, the procedure is the same, but the row number
shall be advanced by 7 modulo 20.
b. When the interleaver setting is on short, the row number shall be advanced by 7 module
10. If the short interleaver is selected and the short interleaver setting is 0.0 s, the interleaver
shall be bypassed.
TABLE X. Interleaver matrix dimensions.
Bit rate
(bps)
2400
1200
600
300
150
75H
75N

Long interleaver
Number
Number
of rows
of columns
40
576
40
288
40
144
40
144
40
144
40
144
20
36

Short interleaver
Number
Number
of rows
of columns
40
72
40
36
40
18
40
18
40
18
40
18
10
9

NOTE: H = frequency-hopping operation, N = fixed-frequency operation.

5.3.2.3.5 Interleave fetch.
The fetching sequence for all rates shall start with the first bit being taken from row zero, column
zero. The location of each successive fetched bit shall be determined by incrementing the row by
one and decrementing the column number by 17 (modulo number of columns in the interleaver
matrix). Thus, for 2400 bps with a long interleave setting, the second bit comes from row 1,
column 559, and the third bit from row 2, column 542. This interleaver fetch shall continue until
38

MIL-STD-188-110B
the row number reaches the maximum value. At this point, the row number shall be reset to zero,
the column number is reset to be one larger than the value it had when the row number was last
zero and the process continued until the entire matrix data block is unloaded. The interleaver
fetch process shall be the same for frequency-hopping and fixed-frequency operation except as
follows:
a. For frequency-hopping operation (as stated in 5.3.2.3.3), the puncture process at 2400
bps shall occur during the fetch routine by omitting every fourth bit from the interleaver output.
b. For fixed-frequency operation at the 75-bps rate, the interleaver fetch is similar except
the decrement value of the column number shall be 7 rather than 17.
The bits obtained from the interleaver matrix shall be grouped together as one, two, or three bit
entities that will be referred to as channel symbols. The number of bits that must be fetched per
channel symbol shall be a function of bit rate as given in table XI.
TABLE XI. Bits-per-channel symbol.
Data rate (bps)
2400
1200
600
300
150
75H
75N

Number of bits fetched per

channel symbol
3
2
1
1
1
1
2

NOTE: H = frequency-hopping operation, N = fixed-frequency operation.

5.3.2.3.6 Modified-Gray decoder.
At 4800 and 2400 bps, the channel bits are effectively transmitted with 8-ary channel symbols.
At 1200 bps and 75 bps (fixed frequency), the channel bits are effectively transmitted with 4-ary
channel symbols.
NOTE: The purpose of decoding the bits from the interleaver matrix (through the
MGD) is to guarantee that only one bit is in error when symbol errors involving
adjacent phases are made at the receiving demodulator.
Modified-Gray decoding of the 2400 bps, 4800 bps (tribit), and 75 bps (fixed frequency) 1200
bps (dibit) channel symbols shall be in accordance with tables XII and XIII respectively. When
one-bit channel symbols are used (600-150 bps, and 75 bps (frequency-hopping operation)) the
MGD does not modify the unknown data bit stream.

39

MIL-STD-188-110B
TABLE XII. Modified-Gray decoding at 2400 bps and 4800 bps.

First bit
0
0
0
0
1
1
1
1

Input bits
Middle bit
0
0
1
1
0
0
1
1

Last bit
0
1
0
1
0
1
0
1

Modified Gray decoded value

000
001
011
010
111
110
100
101

TABLE XIII. Modified-Gray decoding at 75 bps (fixed frequency) and 1200 bps.
Input bits
First bit
Last bit
0
0
0
1
1
0
1
1

Modified-Gray decoded value

00
01
11
10

5.3.2.3.7 Symbol formation.

The function of symbol formation is one of mapping the one, two, or three bit channel symbols
from the MGD or from the sync preamble sequence into tribit numbers compatible with
transmission using an 8-ary modulation scheme. The mapping process is discussed separately for
data and preamble transmissions.
5.3.2.3.7.1 Symbol formation for data transmission.
Channel symbols shall be fetched from the interleaver only during the portion of time that
unknown symbols are to be transmitted. For all frequency-hopping and fixed-frequency
operation data rates, the output of the symbol formation shall be scrambled with pseudo-random
three bit numbers. This scrambled waveform shall appear to be 8-ary tribit numbers regardless of
operational throughput bit rates. The relationship of tribit numbers (0-7) to the transmitted phase
of the waveform is further defined in 5 3.2.3.9.
5.3.2.3.7.1.1 Unknown data.
At all frequency-hopping operation rates and rates above 75 bps for fixed-frequency operation,
each one, two, or three bit channel symbol shall map directly into one of the 8-ary tribit numbers
as shown on the state constellation diagram, figure 5. When one bit channel symbols are used
(600-150 bps, and 75 bps (frequency-hopping)), the symbol formation output shall be tribit
numbers 0 and 4 At the 1200-bps rate, the dibit channel symbol formation shall use tribit
numbers 0, 2, 4, and 6. At the 4800-bps and 2400-bps rates, all the tribit numbers (0-7) shall be
used for symbol formation. At 75 bps fixed-frequency operation, the channel symbols shall
consist of two bits for 4-ary channel symbol mapping. Unlike the higher rates, no known
40

MIL-STD-188-110B
symbols (channel probes) shall be transmitted and no repeat coding shall be used. Instead, the
use of 32 tribit numbers shall be used to represent each of the 4-ary channel symbols. The
mapping that shall be used is given in table XIV. The mapping in table XIVa shall be used for all
sets of 32 tribit numbers with the exception of every 45th set (following the end of the sync
pattern) if short interleave is selected, and every 360th set (following the end of sync pattern) if
long interleave is selected. These exceptional sets, every 45th set for short interleave and every
360th set for long interleave, shall use the mappings of table XIVb. In any case, the resultant
output is one of four orthogonal waveforms produced for each of the possible dibits of
information. As before, these values will be scrambled later to take on all 8-phase states.
NOTE: Each set consists of 32 tribit numbers. The receive modem shall use the
modification of the known data at interleaver boundaries to synchronize without a
preamble and determine the correct date rate and mode of operation.
5.3.2.3.7.1.2 Known data.
During the periods where known (channel probe) symbols are to be transmitted, the channel
symbol formation output shall be set to 0 (000) except for the two known symbol patterns
preceding the transmission of each new interleaved block.. The block length shall be 1440 tribit
channel symbols for short interleave setting and 11520 tribit channels symbols for the long
interleave setting. When the two known symbol patterns preceding the transmission of each new
interleaver block are transmitted, the 16 tribit symbols of these two known symbol patterns shall
be set to Dl and D2, respectively, as defined in table XV of 5.3.2.3.7.2.1 and table XVII of
5.3.2.3.7.2.2. The two known symbol patterns are repeated twice rather than four times as they
are in table XVII to produce a pattern of 16 tribit numbers. In cases where the duration of the
known symbol pattern is 20 tribit symbols, the unused last four tribit symbols shall be set to 0
(000).
NOTE: When zero interleaver setting is selected, the pattern associated with the 0.6 s
block is used. When 4800 bps operation is selected, the pattern associated with the
short interleaver setting is selected.
TABLE XIV. Channel symbol mapping for 75 bps.
Channel symbol
a. Mapping for normal sets
00
01
10
11
b. Mapping for exceptional sets.
00
01
10
11

41

Tribit numbers
(0000) repeated 8 times
(0404) repeated 8 times
(0044) repeated 8 times
(0440) repeated 8 times
(0000 4444) repeated 4 times
(0404 4040) repeated 4 times
(0044 4400) repeated 4 times
(0440 4004) repeated 4 times

MIL-STD-188-110B
5.3.2.3.7.2 Sync preamble sequence.
5.3.2.3.7.2.1 General.
The waveform for synchronization is essentially the same for all data rates. The synchronization
pattern shall consist of either three or twenty four 200 millisecond (ms) segments (depending on
whether either zero, short, or long interleave periods are used). Each 200-ms segment shall
consist of a transmission of 15 three bit channel symbols as described in 5.3.2.3.7.2.2. The
sequence of channel symbols shall be 0, 1, 3, 0, 1, 3, 1, 2, 0. Dl, D2, C1, C2, C3, 0.
The three bit values of Dl and D2 shall designate the bit rate and interleave setting of the
transmitting modem. Table XV gives the assignment of these values.
NOTE: The D1, D2 combinations 5,6 and 5,7 are reserved for application-specific
use.
If a demodulator receives any D1, D2 combination that it does not implement, it shall not
synchronize but shall continue to search for synchronization.
NOTE: The short interleave can be selected to either 0.0 (bypassed) or 0.6 s. The short
interleave generally should be set to 0.6 s. If the 0.0s interleave is selected,
coordination with the distant terminal must be made before transmitting data. An
automatic feature of selection between the 0.0 s and 0.6 s interleaver for both
transmitter and receiver is a DO.
The three count symbols C1, C2, and C3 shall represent a count of the 200 ms segments starting
at 2 for the zero and short sync (interleave) setting cases and 23 for the long sync (interleave)
case. The count in either case shall start at the value established by the sync case setting and
count down each segment to zero. The values shall be read as a six-bit word (C1, C2, C3), where
C1 contains the most significant two bits. The two bit values of each C (C1, C2, C3) shall be
converted to three bit values. Adding a 1 before the two-bit value does this so that this "1"
becomes the most significant bit. This conversion shall be as shown in table XVI.
NOTE: The converted count of 23 (010111) would have values of 5, 5, and 7 for C1, C2,
and C3, respectively.

42

MIL-STD-188-110B
TABLE XV. Assignment of designation symbols D1 and D2.

Bit rate
4800
2400 (Secure voice).
2400 (Data)
1200
600
300
150
75

Short interleave
D1
D2
7
6
7
7
6
4
6
5
6
6
6
7
7
4
7
5

Long interleave
D1
D2
4
4
4
5
4
6
4
7
5
4
5
5

TABLE XVI. Conversion of two bit count value to three bit symbol.
Two-bit count value
00
10
01
11

Three-bit sync symbol

4 (100)
5 (101 )
6 (110)
7 (111)

43

MIL-STD-188-110B
90
(01)
2 (010)
45

135
3 (011)

180

1 (001)

( 0 )
( 00 )
0 (000)

( 1 )
( 10 )
4 (100)

7 (111)

5 (101)
225
( 11 )
6 (110)
270

LEGEND:
0...315 = PHASE (DEGREES)
0 ...7 = TRIBIT NUMBERS
(000) ... (111) = THREE BIT CHANNEL SYMBOLS
(00) ... (11) = TWO BIT CHANNEL SYMBOLS
(0) ... (1) = ONE BIT CHANNEL SYMBOLS

.
FIGURE 5. State constellation diagram

44

315

MIL-STD-188-110B
5.3.2.3.7.2.2 Preamble pattern generation.
The sync preamble pattern shall be a sequence of channel symbols containing three bits each (see
5.3.2.3.7.2.1). These channel symbols shall be mapped into thirty two tribit numbers as given in
table XVII.
NOTE: When the two known symbol patterns preceding the transmission of each new
interleaves block are transmitted, the patterns in table XVII are repeated twice rather
than four times to produce 8 pattern of 16 tribit numbers.
TABLE XVII. Channel symbol mapping for sync preamble.
Channel Symbol
000
001
010
011
100
101
110
111

Tribit Numbers
(0000 0000)repeated 4 times
(0404 0404) repeated 4 times
(0044 0044) repeated 4 times
(0440 0440) repeated 4 times
(0000 4444) repeated 4 times
(0404 4040) repeated 4 times
(0044 4400) repeated 4 times
(0440 4004) repeated 4 times

5.3.2.3.8 Scrambler.
The tribit number supplied from the symbol formation function for each 8-ary transmitted
symbol shall be modulo 8 added to a three bit value supplied by either the data sequence
randomizing generator or the sync sequence randomizing generator.
5.3.2.3.8.1 Data sequence randomizing generator.
The data sequence randomizing generator shall be a 12 bit shift register with the functional
configuration shown on figure 6. At the start of the data phase, the shift register shall be loaded
with the initial pattern shown in figure 6 (101110101101 (binary) or BAD (hexadecimal)) and
advanced eight times. The resulting three bits, as shown, shall be used to supply the scrambler
with a number from 0 to 7. The shift register shall be shifted eight times each time a new three
bit number is required (every transmit symbol period). After 160 transmit symbols, the shift
register shall be reset to BAD (hexadecimal) prior to the eight shifts.
NOTE: This sequence produces a periodic pattern 160 transmit symbols in length.

45

MIL-STD-188-110B

MSB

Middle
Bit

LSB

NOTES:
1. Initial settings shown
2. Shifted 8 times between

FIGURE 6. Randomizing shift register functional diagram

5.3.2.3.8.2 Sync sequence randomizing Generator.
The following scrambling sequence for the sync preamble shall repeat every 32 transmitted
symbols:
74305150221157435026216200505266
where 7 shall always be used first and 6 shall be used last. The sequences in 5.3.2.3.8.1 and this
paragraph shall be modulo 8 added to the output of the symbol formation function.
5.3.2.3.9 PSK modulation.
a. The eight-phase modulation process shall be achieved by assigning the tribit numbers
from the scrambler to 45-degree increments of an 1800-Hz sinewave. Thus, 0 (000) corresponds
to 0 degrees, 1 (001) corresponds to 45 degrees, 2 (010) corresponds to 90 degrees, etc. Figure 5
shows the assignment and pattern of output waveform generation.
NOTE: Since the transmit channel symbol duration is less than one cycle of the
1800-Hz carrier, the waveforms controlling the sine and cosine components must be
filtered to prevent severe aIiasing.
b. Clock accuracy for generation of the 1800-Hz carrier shall be within 1 Hz.
5.3.2.4 Waveform summary.
For frequency-hopping and fixed-frequency operation, tables XVIII and XIX summarize the data
phase characteristics of the transmitted formats that shall be used for each bit rate.
46

MIL-STD-188-110B
NOTE: 4800 bps is not applicable to the frequency-hopping operation.
TABLE XVIII. Frequency-hopping operation waveform characteristics.
Information
rate
2400
1200
600
300
150
75

Coding
rate

Channel
rate

2/3
1/2
1/2
1/4
1/8
1/16

3600
2400
1200
1200
1200
1200

Bits/channel
symbol

8-Phase
channel
symbol

Hop
format

3
2
1
1
1
1

1
1
1
1
1
1

*
*
*
*
*
*

*See MIL-STD-188-148 (S).

TABLE XIX. Fixed-frequency operation waveform characteristics.

Information
rate
4800
2400
1200
600
300
150
75

Coding
rate
No coding
1/2
1/2
1/2
1/4
1/8
1/2

Channel
rate
4800
4800
2400
1200
1200
1200
150

Bits/channel
symbol
3
3
2
1
1
1
2

8-Phase
symbols/
channel
symbol
1
1
1
1
1
1
32

No. of
unknown
8-phase
symbols
32
32
20
20
20
20
All

No. of
known 8phase
symbols
16
16
20
20
20
20
0

5.3.2.5 Performance requirements.

The measured performance of the serial (single-tone) mode, using fixed-frequency operation and
employing the maximum interleaving period, shall be equal to or better than the coded BER
performance in table XX. Performance verification shall be tested using a baseband HF
simulator patterned after the Watterson Model in accordance with International
Telecommunications Union (ITU) Recommendation ITU-R F.520-2. The modeled multipath
spread values and fading (two sigma) bandwidth (BW) values in table XX shall consist of two
independent but equal average power Rayleigh paths. For frequency-hopping operation, an
additional 2 dB in signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) shall be allowed.

47

MIL-STD-188-110B
TABLE XX. Serial (single-tone) mode minimum performance.
User
bit rate
4800
4800
2400
2400
2400
2400
1200
600
300
150
75

Channel
Paths
1 Fixed
2 Fading
1 Fixed
2 Fading
2 Fading
2 Fading
2 Fading
2 Fading
2 Fading
2 Fading
2 Fading

Multipath
(ms)
2
2
2
5
2
2
5
5
5

Fading (Note l)
BW (Hz)
0.5
l
5
1
1
1
5
5
5

SNR (Note 2)
(dB)
17
27
10
18
30
30
11
7
7
5
2

Coded
BER
1.0 E-3
1.0 E-3
1.0 E-5
l.0 E-5
1.0 E-3
1.0 E-5
1.0 E-5
1.0 E-5
1.0 E-5
1.0 E-5
1.0 E-5

NOTES: 1. Per ITU-R F520-2.

2. Both signal and noise powers are measured in a 3-kHz bandwidth.
5.3.3 Frequency hopping mode (optional).
See MIL-STD-188-148 (S).
5.3.4 Robust serial tone mode for severely degraded HF links (optional).
The optional robust serial tone mode shall employ the waveform specified above for 75 bps
operation, and shall meet the performance requirements of STANAG 4415.

48

MIL-STD-188-110B
5.4 Wireline data modems.
Wireline data modems shall be capable of operation in private line (leased) point-to-point
circuits and in the public switched network (PSN) dial-up circuits. General and specific
requirements for these applications are provided below in 5.4.1 and 5.4.2, respectively.
5.4.1 General requirements.
5.4.1.1 Interface requirements.
The modem shall be directly connectable to the PSN in conformance with Part 68 of the Federal
Communications Commission (FCC) Rules and Regulations.
5.4.1.2 Output power level.
The total power transmitted by the modem to the line shall be adjustable in no greater than 1 dB
steps from at least -12 dBm to -3 dBm.
5.4.2 Performance requirements.
5.4.2.1 General.
As a minimum, wireline data modems shall be evaluated using BER and user throughput as
standardized measures. During 99 percent of the time that the network is in use, the user
throughput shall be equal to or greater than 50 percent. BER requirements for private line
(leased) service point-to-point circuits and PSN circuits are given below in 5.4.2.2 and 5.4.2.3,
respectively.
5.4.2.2 BER for private line (leased) service point-to point circuits.
The BER shall not exceed one bit error in 105 (DO: 106) bits 99 percent of the time when
operating over a military C1 type circuit at 600 or 1200 bps, or over a military C2 type circuit at
the higher bit rates. Cl and C2 type circuits are defined in DISAC-300-175-9.
5.4.2.3 BER and other parameters for PSN service dial-up circuits.
The BER for PSN service dial-up circuits shall not exceed one bit error in 105 bits 95 percent of
the time when operating over a military C3 type circuit. The C3 type circuit is defined in DISAC
300-175-9. Modem performance shall be evaluated in accordance with the channel impairment
combinations specified in Telecommunications Industries Association (TIA) (formerly
Electronic Industries Association (EIA)) Standard EIA-496-A, Section 5, Data Transmission
Evaluation Criteria.
5.4.2.4 Automatic answering and calling sequence for PSN.
PSN wireline modems shall perform the automatic answering and calling sequence in accordance
with International Telecommunication Union (ITU) Recommendation V.25.
5.4.3 Data modems for 600 bps or 1200 bps.
Full duplex modems used for transmitting data with signaling rates of 600 bps or 1200 bps over
nominal 4 kilohertz (kHz) VF channels terminated by 2-wire circuits shall comply with the

49

MIL-STD-188-110B
applicable requirements of Federal Standard FIPS-PUB-136 as modified by 5.4 above.
FIPS-PUB-136 is based on ITU Recommendation V.22.
5.4.4 Data modems for 2400 bps.
The data modems used for transmitting data with signaling rates of 2400 bps over nominal 4-kHz
VF channels shall comply with the applicable requirements of FIPS-PUB-133. FIPS-PUB-133 is
based on ITU Recommendation V.22 bis, V.26, and V.26 bis. As a DO, the modem should be
capable of expansion to include the following, optional mode: a 2-wire DPSK full-duplex
modem with optional fallback rate to 1200 bps in accordance with ITU Recommendation V.26.
5.4.5 Data modems for 4800 bps.
Nondiversity DPSK modems used for transmitting data with signaling rates of 4800 bps over
nominal 4-kHz VF channels shall comply with the applicable requirements of FIPS-PUB-134-1
as modified by 5.4 above. FIPS-PUB-134-1 is based on techniques described in ITU
Recommendations V.27bis, V.27 ter ad V.32.
5.4.5.1 Fallback operation.
If 2400-bps fallback operation is required, it shall be in accordance with one of the two
alternative modes of FIPS-PUB-134-1.
NOTE: This implements FIPS-PUB-133 and 5.6 above.
5.4.5.2 Optional modes.
As a DO, the modem should be capable of expansion to include one or more of the following
additional modes.

2-wire half-duplex and 4-wire full-duplex mode in accordance with ITU

Recommendation V.27 ter.
2-wire full-duplex mode in accordance with ITU Recommendation V.32.
2-wire half-duplex and 4-wire full-duplex mode in accordance with ITU
Recommendation V.29.

5.4.6 Data modems for 9600 bps.

5.4.6.1 Private line operation.
Quadrature amplitude modulation (QAM) 4-wire full-duplex modems, used for transmitting data
with signaling rates of 9600 bps with optional fallback rates of 7200 bps and 4800 bps over
nominal 4-kHz VF channels, shall comply with the applicable requirements of FIPS-PUB-135 as
modified by 5.4 above.
5.4.6.2 Fallback operation.
If 4800-bps fallback operation is required, it shall be in accordance with option II in
FIPS-PUB-135
NOTE: This implements FIPS-PUB-134-1 and 5.7 above.

50

MIL-STD-188-110B
5.4.6.3 Switched network operation (U.S. PSN, foreign push-to-talk (PTT) and Digital
Switched Network (DSN)).
The modem shall be capable of operation at 9600 bps in accordance with ITU Recommendation
V.32 and provide a level of performance in accordance with section 5 of EIA-496A. (D.O. 14.4
kbps).
5.4.7 Data modems with data signaling rates greater than 9600 bps.
Requirements for wireline data modems with data signaling rates greater than 9600 bps are not
standardized here.

51

MIL-STD-188-110B
6

NOTES

(This section contains information of a general or explanatory nature that may be helpful, but is
not mandatory.)
6.1 Intended use.
This standard contains requirements to ensure interoperability and minimum performance of new
long-haul and tactical data modulators-demodulators (modems). These modems are intended for
use in dedicated point-to-point circuits, public switched network (PSN) circuits, and in single
purpose systems such as medium frequency (MF) and high frequency (HF) radio; however, other
radio systems employ this standard.
6.2 Issue of Department of Defense Index of Specifications and Standards (DODISS).
When this standard is used in acquisition, the applicable issue of the DODISS must be cited in
the solicitation (see 2.1.1 and 2.2).
6.3

Subject term (key word) listing.

Asynchronous
DPSK
Error-correcting code
Fallback Operation
Fixed-frequency
Frequency hopping
FSK
Full-duplex
Modified gray decoder
Half-duplex
HF data modems
In-band signaling
Interleaving
Modulator/demodulator
PSK
QAM
Quasi-analog signals
Randomizing generator
Scrambler
Serial (single tone)
Synchronous
16-tone DPSK mode
39-tone parallel mode

52

MIL-STD-188-110B
APPENDIX A
16-TONE DIFFERENTIAL PHASE-SHIFT KEYING (DPSK) MODE

TABLE OF CONTENTS
PAGE

PARAGRAPH
A.1
A.1.1

GENERAL ..................................................................................................................................... 54
Scope.................................................................................................................................... 54

A.1.2
Applicability. ....................................................................................................................... 54
A.2 APPLICABLE DOCUMENTS .................................................................................................... 54
A.3 DEFINITIONS............................................................................................................................... 54
A.4 GENERAL REQUIREMENTS.................................................................................................... 54
A.4.1

Introduction.......................................................................................................................... 54

A.4.2
Input/output data signaling rates......................................................................................... 54
A.5 DETAILED REQUIREMENTS................................................................................................... 54
A.5.1

Modulator output signal. ..................................................................................................... 54

A.5.2

Data tone frequencies. ......................................................................................................... 54

A.5.3

Phase modulation and encoding. ........................................................................................ 55

A.5.4

Synchronization................................................................................................................... 55

A.5.5

Doppler correction............................................................................................................... 55

A.5.6
A.5.7

In-band diversity combining............................................................................................... 55

Demodulator signal alarm.......................................................................................... 55

LIST OF FIGURES
A-1 PHASE MODULATION VECTORS FOR HF 16 TONE DPSK DATA MODEM.................. 56

LIST OF TABLES
TABLE A- I DATA TONE FREQUENCIES AND BIT LOCATIONS FOR HF 16-TONE DPSK
DATA MODEM................................................................................................................................ 56
TABLE A- II. MODULATION CHARACTERISTICS FOR HF 16-TONE DPSK DATA MODEM.
56 .............................................................................................................................................................

53

MIL-STD-188-110B
APPENDIX A
16-TONE DIFFERENTIAL PHASE-SHIFT KEYING (DPSK) MODE

A.1 GENERAL
A.1.1 Scope.
This appendix describes the 16-tone differential phase-shift keying (DPSK) mode.
A.1.2 Applicability.
This appendix is a nonmandatory part of MIL-STD-188-ll0B; however, when the optional
16-tone DPSK mode is used, it shall be implemented in accordance with this appendix.
A.2 APPLICABLE DOCUMENTS
This section is not applicable to this appendix
A.3 DEFINITIONS
See section 3.
A.4 GENERAL REQUIREMENTS
A.4.1 Introduction.
The modulator accepts serial binary data signals at the input and converts this information into
DPSK data tones transmitted at the modulator output. The input data-signaling rate determines
the type of modulation and the degree of in-band diversity that is used. The modulation rate of
the modulator output signal is constant for all input signaling rates accepted by the modulator.
The modulator-demodulator (modem) provides a means for synchronization and, if required, a
separate tone for Doppler correction. The demodulator accepts the DPSK data tones at the input
and reconverts this information into serial binary data signals at the demodulator output.
A.4.2 Input/output data signaling rates.
The modulator input shall accept, and the demodulator output shall deliver, a serial binary bit
stream with standard data signaling rates ranging from 75 to 2400 bits per second (bps).
A.5 DETAILED REQUIREMENTS
A.5.1 Modulator output signal.
The modulator output signal shall contain 16 DPSK data tones (table A-I). The 16 data tones
shall be simultaneously keyed to produce a signal element interval of 13 1/3 milliseconds (ms)
for each data tone. The composite modulator output signal shall have a constant modulation rate
of 75 baud for all input data signaling rates from 75 to 2400 bps. The modulator shall provide a
separate tone combination to initiate synchronization and, if required, a separate tone for Doppler
correction.
A.5.2 Data tone frequencies.
The frequency of each data tone shall be as listed in table A-II. The tone frequencies shall
maintain an accuracy of 0.1 hertz (Hz).
54

MIL-STD-188-110B
APPENDIX A
A.5.3 Phase modulation and encoding.
For data signaling rates of 75, 150, 300, or 600 bps at the modulator input, each data tone signal
element shall be two phase (biphase) modulated (see figure A-1a). Each bit of the serial binary
input signal shall be encoded, depending on the MARK or SPACE logic sense of the bit, into a
phase change of the data-tone signal element as listed in table A-II. For data signaling. rates of
1200 or 2400 bps at the modulator input, each data-tone signal element shall be four-phase
(quadrature-phase) modulated (see figure A-lb). Each dibit of the serial binary input signal shall
be encoded, depending on the MARK or SPACE logic sense and the even or odd bit location of
each bit, into a phase change of the data tone signal element as listed in table A-II. The phase
changes of the data tone signal elements specified in table A-II shall be relative to the phase of
the immediately preceding signal element.
A.5.4 Synchronization.
Upon receipt of a transmit command, the modem shall initiate a synchronization preamble. The
preamble shall consist of two tones with frequencies of 605 Hz and 1705 Hz, for a minimum
duration of 66 2/3 ms, corresponding to a duration of five to 32 data tone signal elements. The
605 Hz tone shall be unmodulated and used for Doppler correction, if required. The 1705 Hz
tone shall be phase shifted 180 degrees for each data tone signal element and shall be used to
obtain proper modem synchronization by the demodulator. During the preamble, the transmitted
level of the 605 Hz tone shall be 7 decibels (dB), 1 dB higher than the level of the 1705 Hz
tone. The composite transmitted signal level of the 605 Hz and 1705 Hz tones during the
preamble shall have a root-mean-square (rms) value within 1 dB of the rms value of the
modulator output signal level during data transmission when all 16 data tones plus Doppler
correction tone are transmitted. At the completion of the preamble, all data tones shall be
transmitted for the duration of one signal element (13 1/3 ms) prior to the transmission of data to
establish a phase reference. During data transmission, synchronization shall be maintained by
sampling the signal energy in the 825 Hz synchronization slot. No tone shall be transmitted in
the synchronization slot of 825 Hz.
A.5.5 Doppler correction.
For those applications where a Doppler correction capability is required, a tone with a frequency
of 605 Hz shall be used. The level of the 605 Hz tone shall be 7 dB 1 dB higher than the normal
level of any one of the subcarriers.
A.5.6 In-band diversity combining.
In-band diversity combining shall be accomplished at data signaling rates from 75 bps to 1200
bps The data tones shall be combined in accordance with table A-I. The degree of diversity
combining shall be as listed in table A-II.
A.5.7 Demodulator signal alarm.
Provisions shall be made in the demodulator to activate an alarm when the incoming signals
from the HF radio link decreases below a preset level.
NOTE: The specific techniques and levels to be used for the demodulator signal
alarm are not standardized and should be defined in applicable modem specifications.
55

935
1045
1155
1265
1375
1485
1595
1705
1815
1925
2035
2145
2255
2365
2475
2585

825*

Tone
frequency
(Hz)
605
Continuous
Doppler tone
Synchronization
slot
Data tone 1
Data tone 2
Data tone 3
Data tone 4
Data tone 5
Data tone 6
Data tone 7
Data tone 8
Data tone 9
Data tone 10
Data tone 11
Data tone 12
Data tone 13
Data tone 14
Data tone 15
Data tone 16

Function

1st and 2nd

3rd and 4th
5th and 6th
7th and 8th
9th and 10th
11th and 12th
13th and 14th
15th and 16th
1st and 2nd
3rd and 4th
5th and 6th
7th and 8th
9th and 10th
11th and 12th
13th and 14th
15th and 16th

Biphase modulation
300 bps
150 bps

1st
2nd
3rd
4th
5th
6th
7th
8th
1st
2nd
3rd
4th
5th
6th
7th
8th

1st
2nd
3rd
4th
1st
2nd
3rd
4th
1st
2nd
3rd
4th
1st
2nd
3rd
4th

56

1st
2nd
1st
2nd
1st
2nd
1st
2nd
1st
2nd
1st
2nd
1st
2nd
1st
2nd

In-band diversity (See A.5.6)

600 bps

*No tone is transmitted at this frequency. (See A.5.4)

1st and 2nd

3rd and 4th
5th and 6th
7th and 8th
9th and 10th
11th and 12th
13th and 14th
15th and 16th
17th and 18th
19th and 20th
21st and 22nd
23rd and 24th
25th and 26th
27th and 28th
29th and 30th
31st and 32nd

Quadrature-phase modulation
2400 bps
1200 bps

1st
1st
1st
1st
1st
1st
1st
1st
1st
1st
1st
1st
1st
1st
1st
1st

75 bps

Even and odd bit locations of serial binary bit stream, encoded and phase
modulated on each data tone employing:

TABLE A- I Data tone frequencies and bit locations for HF 16-tone DPSK data modem

MIL-STD-188-110B
APPENDIX A

N/A
2
2
4
8
16

1200
600
300
150
75

Degree of in-bond
diversity combining

Input data
signaling rate
(bps)
2400
MARK
SPACE
SPACE
MARK

Even bit
locations

SPACE*

MARK*

SPACE
SPACE
MARK
MARK

Odd bit
locations

57

*Regardless of even or odd bit locations.

Twophase

Fourphase

Type of
modulation

Logic sense of dibits or bits in serial

binary bit stream depending on:

+135

+45
+135
+225
+315
+315

Phase (in degrees)of data tone

signal element relative to phase of
preceding signal element

TABLE A- II. Modulation characteristics for HF 16-tone DPSK data modem.

MIL-STD-188-110B
APPENDIX A

MIL-STD-188-110B
APPENDIX A
90
135
S

0 REFERENCE

315

a. For data signalling rates of 75, 150, 300, or 600 bps

90
45
MeSo

135
SeSo

0 REFERENCE

SeMo

MeMo
315

225

Notes:

b. For data signalling rates of 1200, or 2400 bps

1. M= Logic sense of MARK; S= Logic sense of SPACE

2. The subscripts refer to the even (e) or odd (o) bit locations of the
serial binary bit stream (see table A-II).
FIGURE A- 1. Phase modulation vectors for HF 16 tone DPSK data modem.

58

MIL-STD-188-110B
APPENDIX B
39-TONE PARALLEL MODE
TABLE OF CONTENTS
PAGE

PARAGRAPH
B.1

GENERAL ..................................................................................................................................... 61

B.1.1

Scope.................................................................................................................................... 61

B.1.2
B.2
B.3
B.4
B.5

Applicability. ....................................................................................................................... 61
APPLICABLE DOCUMENTS .................................................................................................... 61
DEFINITIONS............................................................................................................................... 61
GENERAL REQUIREMENTS.................................................................................................... 61
DETAILED REQUIREMENTS................................................................................................... 61

B.5.1

Characteristics...................................................................................................................... 61

B.5.2

Error-correcting coding....................................................................................................... 61

B.5.3

Interleaving. ......................................................................................................................... 62

B.5.4
B.5.4.1
B.5.4.2
B.5.4.3

Synchronization................................................................................................................... 62
Preamble. ............................................................................................................................. 62
Extended preamble.............................................................................................................. 62
Data block synchronization................................................................................................. 63

B.5.5

Modulator output signal. ..................................................................................................... 63

B.5.6
B.5.6.1
B.5.6.2

In-band diversity.................................................................................................................. 63
Time/frequency diversity. ................................................................................................... 64
Frequency diversity. ............................................................................................................ 64

B.5.7
Asynchronous data operation.............................................................................................. 64
B.5.7.1
Character length................................................................................................................... 64
B.5.7.2
Data signaling rate constraint.............................................................................................. 64
B.5.7.3
Data-rate adjustment............................................................................................................ 64
B.5.7.3.1
Input data source rate greater than modem rate......................................................... 64
B.5.7.3.2
Input data source rate less than modem rate.............................................................. 64
B.5.7.4
End-of-message (EOM) indication. ................................................................................... 65
B.5.7.5
Asynchronous mode interleaving and block framing........................................................ 65
B.5.7.6
Bit packing........................................................................................................................... 65
B.6 PERFORMANCE REQUIREMENTS ........................................................................................ 65

59

MIL-STD-188-110B
APPENDIX B
LIST OF FIGURES
FIGURE B- 1. TRANSMIT DIRECTION FUNCTIONAL DIAGRAM. .......................................... 81
FIGURE B- 2. DATA FLOW THROUGH ENCODER AND INTERLEAVER FOR AN
INTERLEAVER CONTAINING AN EVEN NUMBER OF CODE WORDS........................... 82
FIGURE B- 3. DATA FLOW THROUGH ENCODER AND INTERLEAVER FOR AN
INTERLEAVER CONTAINING AN ODD NUMBER OF CODE WORDS............................. 83
FIGURE B- 4. TRANSMIT SEQUENCE OF EVENTS. .................................................................... 84
FIGURE B- 5. FRAMING SEQUENCE FEEDBACK SHIFT REGISTER GENERATOR............ 85

LIST OF TABLES
TABLE B- I. SELECTABLE INTERLEAVING DEGREES. ............................................................ 65
TABLE B- II. NORMALIZED TONE AMPLITUDES AND INITIAL PHASES............................ 66
TABLE B- III. FRAMING SEQUENCE INSERTION INTERVALS AND LENGTHS................. 68
TABLE B- IV. DATA-TONE FREQUENCIES AND BIT LOCATIONS. ....................................... 69
TABLE B- V. MODULATION CHARACTERISTICS OF THE 39-TONE HF MODEM. ............ 70
TABLE B- VI. IN-BAND TIME/FREQUENCY DIVERSITY. ......................................................... 71
TABLE B- VII. IN-BAND FREQUENCY DIVERSITY. ................................................................... 72
TABLE B- VIII. ASYNCHRONOUS CHARACTER SET. ............................................................... 73
TABLE B- IX. 75 BPS AND 150 BPS ASYNCHRONOUS OPERATIONAL PARAMETERS. .. 74
TABLE B- X. 300 BPS AND 600 BPS ASYNCHRONOUS OPERATIONAL PARAMETERS... 76
TABLE B- XI. 1200 BPS AND 2400 BPS ASYNCHRONOUS OPERATIONAL PARAMETERS.
............................................................................................................................................................. 78
TABLE B- XII. PROBABILITY OF BIT ERROR VS SIGNAL-TO-NOISE RATIO. .................... 80

60

MIL-STD-188-110B
APPENDIX B
39-TONE PARALLEL MODE
B.1 GENERAL
B.1.1 Scope.
This appendix describes the 39-tone parallel mode.
B.1.2 Applicability.
This appendix is a nonmandatory part of MIL-STD-188-ll0B; however, when the optional
39-tone parallel mode is used, it shall be implemented in accordance with this appendix.
B.2 APPLICABLE DOCUMENTS
This section is not applicable to this appendix.
B.3 DEFINITIONS
See section 3.
B.4 GENERAL REQUIREMENTS
The mode specified herein uses 39 orthogonal subcarrier tones in the audio frequency band with
quadrature differential phase shift keying (QDPSK) modulation for bit synchronous data
transmission. In the transmit direction, this mode (see figure B-1) (1) accepts UNKNOWN serial
binary data at its line side data input port, (2) performs forward error correction (FEC) encoding
and interleaving, and (3) converts the resulting bit stream into QDPSK data tones at the
modulator output port. The modulation rate of the modulator output is constant for all data rates.
In-band diversity of varying degrees is used at data rates below 1200 bits per second (bps). A
means is provided for synchronization of the signal element and interleaved data block timing. A
40th unmodulated tone is used for correcting frequency offsets introduced by Doppler shift or
radio equipment instability. In a like manner, the receive direction (1) accepts QDPSK data tones
at its input, (2) converts them into the transmitted serial bit stream, (3) performs deinterleaving
and FEC decoding, and (4) makes the resulting data stream available at its line-side output port.
B.5 DETAILED REQUIREMENTS
B.5.1 Characteristics.
In this section, detailed requirements are given for the waveform characteristics for which
knowledge is needed to achieve over-the-air interoperability. These characteristics are error
correction coding, interleaving, synchronization, modulator output signal, in-band
time/frequency diversity, and asynchronous data operation.
B.5.2 Error-correcting coding.
All UNKNOWN input data shall have redundant bits added to it, prior to modulation, for the
purpose of correcting errors introduced by the transmission medium. The added bits shall be
computed by a shortened Reed-Solomon (15,11) block code, whose generator polynomial is:
g(x) = x4 + al3 x3 + a6x2 + a3x + a10;

61

MIL-STD-188-110B
APPENDIX B
where a is a non zero element of the Galois field (GF)(24) formed as the field of polynomials
over GF(2) module x4 + x + 1.
For input signaling rates of 2400 bps, the code shall be shortened to (14,10). Otherwise, the code
shall be shortened to (7,3).
B.5.3 Interleaving.
The mode shall perform block interleaving for the purpose of providing time separation between
contiguous symbols of a code word. Selectable interleaving degrees for the data rates is shown in
table B-I shall be provided. For a data signaling rate of 2400 bps, the selection shall consist of
eight degrees. At data signaling rates below 2400 bps, four degrees for each bit rate shall be
provided as shown in table B-I. The input data stream shall be loaded into the interleaver buffer
as described by figures B-2 and B-3.
B.5.4 Synchronization.
A means shall be provided whereby the receive demodulator process achieves time alignment
with both signal element and code word timing. Frame synchronization shall be acquired within
680 milliseconds (ms). The transmit sequence of events is shown on figure B-4.
B.5.4.1 Preamble.
Prior to the transmission of data, a three part preamble shall be transmitted. Part one shall last for
14 signal element periods and consist of four equal amplitude unmodulated data tones of 787.5,
1462.5, 2137.5, and 2812.5 hertz (Hz). Part two shall last for 8 signal element periods and
consist of three modulated data tones of 1125.0, 1800.0, and 2475.0 Hz. The three data tones of
part two shall be advanced 180 degrees at the boundary of each data signal element. Part three
shall last for one signal element period and consist of all 39 data tones plus the Doppler
correction tone. This last part establishes the starting phase reference for subsequent signal
element periods. During all parts of the preamble, the transmitted level of the composite signals
shall have a root-mean-square (rms) value within 1 decibel (dB) of the rms value of the
modulator output (39-tone) levels occurring during subsequent data transmission. The tone
phases at the onset of each part of the preamble, along with their normalized amplitudes, shall be
in accordance with table B-II.
B.5.4.2 Extended preamble.
To improve the probability of synchronization and signal presence detection in low
signal-to-noise ratio situations, the ability to select an extended preamble shall be provided. Part
one of the extended preamble shall last for 58 signal element periods, part two shall last for 27
signal element periods, and part three shall last for 12 signal element periods. In parts one and
two, the data tones shall be as described in the nonextended preamble given above. In part three,
the phase of each data tone shall be set at the onset of each signal element to the phase that it had
at the onset of the first signal element in this part.
NOTE: When operating with the extended preamble, the minimum doppler correction
shall be 20 Hz and frame synchronization shall be acquired within 2.5 seconds (s).

62

MIL-STD-188-110B
APPENDIX B
B.5.4.3 Data block synchronization.
A set of interleaved code words is known as a super block. Block synchronization (framing) is
the process whereby a receiving demodulator locates super block boundaries. This
synchronization process must occur before proper deinterleaving and decoding can commence.
Framing shall be established and maintained by periodically inserting into the encoded unknown
data bit stream a known pseudo-random sequence. The required sequence is defined by the
primitive polynomial f(x) = x9 + x7 + x6 + x4 + 1, when used in the feedback shift register
configuration shown in figure B-5.
The first insertion of the block framing sequence shall start on the first signal element following
the synchronization preamble. Upon transmission of the last bit of the sequence, the first bit of
the first super block shall be transmitted without interruption. Thereafter, the framing sequence
shall be inserted each time the number of super blocks specified in table B-III has been
transmitted. Upon transmission of the last bit of the framing sequence, transmission of data bits
shall resume without interruption.
The number of framing bits to be transmitted per insertion varies with data rate and interleaving
degree, and is specified in table B-III. However, the final bit of the framing sequence shall
always be the first space bit that follows a contiguous block of nine MARK bits. Equivalently,
the final sequence bit shall be the bit generated by the shift register when its present state is
111111111 (binary) or 511 (decimal).
B.5.5 Modulator output signal.
The modulator output shall contain 39 QDPSK data tones (see table B-IV). The 39 data tones
shall be simultaneously keyed to produce a signal element interval of 22.5 milliseconds (ms) for
each data tone. The composite modulator output shall have a constant modulation rate of 44.44
baud (Bd) for all standard input data signaling rates from 75 to 2400 bps. At input signaling rates
less than 2400 bps, information carried on data tones 1 through 7 shall also be carried on data
tones 33 through 39. The modulator shall also provide the required special preamble tone
combinations used to initiate synchronization and Doppler correction.
During data transmission, the unmodulated Doppler correction tone shall be 6 dB 1 dB higher
than the normal level of any data tone. All tone frequencies shall maintain an accuracy of 0.05
Hz. At the onset of each signal element, every data tone shall experience a phase change relative
to its phase at the onset of the previous signal element. The modulator shall partition the bit
stream to be transmitted into 2 bit symbols (dibits) and map them into a phase change of the
appropriate data tone according to table B-V.
B.5.6 In-band diversity.
Two selectable methods of in-band diversity for data rates of 75 - 600 bps shall be incorporated
in each modem as follows: a modern method containing both time and frequency diversity, and
a frequency-only diversity method for backward compatibility with older modems. The
requirements given for these methods in the following subparagraphs apply to diversities of
order d, where d = 1200/(data signaling rate).

63

MIL-STD-188-110B
APPENDIX B
B.5.6.1 Time/frequency diversity.
Disregarding the redundant data carried on data tones 33 through 39, 64 bits, equally partitioned
into d data words, shall be transmitted during each 22.5 ms signal element. Each data word and
its d-1 copies shall be transmitted on 32/d unique data tones in d different signal elements. If data
word i is being transmitted in a given signal element, the other data words that are to be
transmitted in the same signal element are given by i - k(16/d), where k ranges from l through
d-1 (see table B-VI).
B.5.6.2 Frequency diversity.
In-band diversity shall be characterized by transmitting a data word and its (d-1) copies in one
signal element (e.g., 22.5 ms time interval). This characterization is according to the tone/bit
assignments shown in table B-VII.
B.5.7 Asynchronous data operation.
In addition to bit synchronous data transmission, an asynchronous mode shall also be supported.
When operating in the asynchronous mode, the modulator shall accept source data in
asynchronous start/stop character format, and convert it to bit synchronous data prior to FEC
encoding. Conversely, after FEC decoding, the demodulator shall convert bit synchronous data
back into asynchronous format. Also, before FEC encoding, SPACE bits shall replace the start,
stop, and parity bits. After FEC decoding, the start, stop, and parity bits shall be re-generated
before placing the characters in the output data stream.
Otherwise, the mode operates as specified in B.5.1 through B.5.6.2 above.
B.5.7.1 Character length.
A means shall be provided whereby the modulator will accept, and the demodulator will
generate, any of the data characters shown in table B-VIII.
B.5.7.2 Data signaling rate constraint.
A means shall be provided whereby the selected data signaling rate of the modem is constrained
to not exceed the nominal bit rate of the data input source.
B.5.7.3 Data-rate adjustment.
A means shall be provided whereby differences between data signaling rates of the data input
source and the modem are accommodated with no loss of data or introduction of extraneous data
in the demodulated output.
B.5.7.3.1 Input data source rate greater than modem rate.
The modem shall maintain a control path to the data source for the purpose of stopping the flow
of data into the modulator. When the modem senses that continued flow of input data will result
in data loss, it shall cause the data source to suspend the transfer of data. Upon sensing that the
threat of data loss has passed, the modem shall allow the transfer of data to resume.
B.5.7.3.2 Input data source rate less than modem rate.
When the modem senses that it is about to exhaust its supply of source data, it shall insert a
special "null" character into the source data bit stream prior to encoding. The null character shall

64

MIL-STD-188-110B
APPENDIX B
be formed by making each of its bits a SPACE, and the start, stop, and parity bits a MARK. The
demodulator shall recognize this bit pattern as a null character, and discard it from its data
output.
B.5.7.4 End-of-message (EOM) indication.
Upon reception of the source's final data character, the modulator shall insert a series of EOM
characters into the source data bit stream prior to encoding. The EOM character shall be formed
by making each of its bits a MARK. The number of EOM characters inserted shall range from a
minimum of ten to the number greater than ten required to fill a super block. The demodulator
shall use the arrival of the EOM characters to terminate its data output.
B.5.7.5 Asynchronous mode interleaving and block framing.
The degree of interleaving, and the framing sequence length used in the asynchronous mode,
vary with data signaling rate and character length. With each data rate and character length, four
selectable interleaving degrees shall be provided as shown in tables B-IX, B-X, and B-XI, along
with the corresponding framing sequence length.
B.5.7.6 Bit packing.
An integral number of data characters shall be transmitted between framing sequence
transmissions. Therefore, the number of bits encoded will not always equal the number of bits
received from the data source. In such cases, the modulator shall insert into the source data a
number of fill bits equal to the difference between the number of bits encoded and the number of
bits received (see tables B-IX, B-X, and B-XI). The fill bits shall be located in the bit stream so
that they are the first bits encoded, thereby permitting the remainder of the data transmission to
carry an integral number of data characters.
B.6 PERFORMANCE REQUIREMENTS
The minimum performance of the 39-tone mode employing soft decision decoding and
maximum interleaving, as measured using a baseband HF simulator patterned after the
Watterson Model for channel simulation shall be as shown in table B-XII.
TABLE B- I. Selectable interleaving degrees.
Data rate (bps)

75

150

300

600

1200

Interleaving
degree

1
4
12
36

1
9
25
81

1
17
47
153

1
33
99
297

1
63
189
567

65

2400
1
9
18
27

36
72
144
288

MIL-STD-188-110B
APPENDIX B
TABLE B- II. Normalized tone amplitudes and initial phases.
Preamble
part
number
1
1
1
1
2
2
2
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3

Tone freq
(Hz)
787.50
1462.50
2137.50
2812.50
1125.00
1800.00
2475.00
393.75
675.00
731.25
787.50
843.75
900.00
956.25
1012.50
1068.75
1125.00
1181.25
1237.50
1293.75
1350.00
1406.25
1462.50
1518.75
1575.00
1631.25
1687.50
1743.75
1800.00
1856.25
1912.50
1968.75
2025.00
2081.25
2137.50
2193.75
2250.00
2306.25
2362.50
2418.75

Function
Data tone 3
Data tone 15
Data tone 27
Data tone 39
Data tone 9
Data tone 21
Data tone 33
Doppler
Data tone 1
Data tone 2
Data tone 3
Data tone 4
Data tone 5
Data tone 6
Data tone 7
Data tone 8
Data tone 9
Data tone 10
Data tone 11
Data tone 12
Data tone 13
Data tone 14
Data tone 15
Data tone 16
Data tone 17
Data tone 18
Data tone 19
Data tone 20
Data tone 21
Data tone 22
Data tone 23
Data tone 24
Data tone 25
Data tone 26
Data tone 27
Data tone 28
Data tone 29
Data tone 30
Data tone 31
Data tone 32

66

Normalized
amplitude

Initial phase
(degrees)

3
3
3
3
4
4
4
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1

0.0
103.7
103.7
0.0
0.0
90.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
5.6
19.7
42.2
73.1
115.3
165.9
225.0
295.3
14.1
101.3
199.7
303.8
59.1
185.6
317.8
101.3
253.1
56.3
225.0
45.0
236.3
73.1
281.3
137.8
5.6
239.1
123.8
19.7
281.3
194.1
115.3

MIL-STD-188-110B
APPENDIX B
Preamble
part
number
3
3
3
3
3
3
3

Tone freq
(Hz)
2475.00
2531.25
2587.50
2643.75
2700.00
2756.25
2812.50

Function
Data tone 33
Data tone 34
Data tone 35
Data tone 36
Data tone 37
Data tone 38
Data tone 39

67

Normalized
amplitude

Initial phase
(degrees)

1
1
1
1
1
1
1

45.0
345.9
295.3
253.1
222.2
199.7
185.6

MIL-STD-188-110B
APPENDIX B
TABLE B- III. Framing sequence insertion intervals and lengths.

Data rate
(bps)
75
75
75
75
150
150
150
150
300
300
300
300
600
600
600
600
1200
1200
1200
1200
2400
2400
2400
2400
2400
2400
2400
2400

Interleaving
degree
1
4
12
36
1
9
25
81
1
17
47
153
1
33
99
297
1
63
189
567
1
9
18
27
36
72
144
288

Insertion interval
(super blocks)
(bits)
567
234
75
16
576
100
36
8
567
54
18
4
567
30
10
2
567
14
6
1
144
16
12
9
7
3
1
1

15876
26208
25200
16128
16128
25200
25200
18144
15876
25704
23688
17136
15876
27720
27720
16632
15876
24696
31752
15876
8064
8064
12096
13608
14112
12096
8064
16128

Sequence length
(bits)
252
416
400
256
256
400
400
288
252
408
376
272
252
440
440
264
252
392
504
252
256
256
384
432
448
384
256
512

NOTE: Insertion interval does not include framing sequence bits.

68

MIL-STD-188-110B
APPENDIX B
TABLE B- IV. Data-tone frequencies and bit locations.
Tone freq(Hz)
393.75
675.00
731.25
787.50
843.75
900.00
956.25
1012.50
1068.75
1125.00
1181.25
1237.50
1293.75
1350.00
1406.25
1462.50
1518.75
1575.00
1631.25
1687.50
1743.75
1800.00
1856.25
1912.50
1968.75
2025.00
2081.25
2137.50
2193.75
2250.00
2306.25
2362.50
2418.75
2475.00
2531.25
2587.50
2643.75
2700.00
2756.25
2812.50

Bit locations
2400 bps
1200 bps

Function
Continuous Doppler
Data tone 1
Data tone 2
Data tone 3
Data tone 4
Data tone 5
Data tone 6
Data tone 7
Data tone 8
Data tone 9
Data tone 10
Data tone 11
Data tone 12
Data tone 13
Data tone 14
Data tone 15
Data tone 16
Data tone 17
Data tone 18
Data tone 19
Data tone 20
Data tone 21
Data tone 22
Data tone 23
Data tone 24
Data tone 25
Data tone 26
Data tone 27
Data tone 28
Data tone 29
Data tone 30
Data tone 31
Data tone 32
Data tone 33
Data tone 34
Data tone 35
Data tone 36
Data tone 37
Data tone 38
Data tone 39

1
3
5
7
9
11
13
15
17
19
21
23
25
27
29
31
33
35
37
39
41
43
45
47
49
51
53
55
57
59
61
63
65
67
69
71
73
75
77

69

2
4
6
8
10
12
14
16
18
20
22
24
26
28
30
32
34
36
38
40
42
44
46
48
50
52
54
56
58
60
62
64
66
68
70
72
74
76
78

1
3
5
7
9
11
13
15
17
19
21
23
25
27
29
31
33
35
37
39
41
43
45
47
49
51
53
55
57
59
61
63
1
3
5
7
9
11
13

2
4
6
8
10
12
14
16
18
20
22
24
26
28
30
32
34
36
38
40
42
44
46
48
50
52
54
56
58
60
62
64
2
4
6
8
10
12
14

MIL-STD-188-110B
APPENDIX B
TABLE B- V. Modulation characteristics of the 39-tone HF modem.
Logic sense of dibits
Later bit
Earlier bit
MARK (1)
SPACE (0)
SPACE (0)
SPACE (0)
SPACE (0)
MARK (1)
MARK (1)
MARK (1)

70

Phase change (degrees)

+45
+135
+225
+315

MIL-STD-188-110B
APPENDIX B
TABLE B- VI. In-band time/frequency diversity.
Tone
number
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39

600 bps
1
3
5
7
9
11
13
15
17
19
21
23
25
27
29
31
1
3
5
7
9
11
13
15
17
19
21
23
25
27
29
31
1
3
5
7
9
11
13

Data
word
2
4
6
8
10
12
14
16
18
20
22
24
26
28
30
32
2
4
6
8
10
12
14
16
18
20
22
24
26
28
30
32
2
4
6
8
10
12
14

i-8

300 bps
1
3
5
7
9
11
13
15
1
3
5
7
9
11
13
15
1
3
5
7
9
11
13
15
1
3
5
7
9
11
13
15
1
3
5
7
9
11
13

Data
word
2
4
6
8
10
12
14
16
2
4
6
8
10
12
14
16
2
4
6
8
10
12
14
16
2
4
6
8
10
12
14
16
2
4
6
8
10
12
14

i-4

i-8

i-12

71

150 bps
1
3
5
7
1
3
5
7
1
3
5
7
1
3
5
7
1
3
5
7
1
3
5
7
1
3
5
7
1
3
5
7
1
3
5
7
1
3
5

Data
word
2
4
6
8
2
4
6
8
2
4
6
8
2
4
6
8
2
4
6
8
2
4
6
8
2
4
6
8
2
4
6
8
2
4
6
8
2
4
6

i-2

i-4

i-6

i-8

i-10

i-12

i-14

i
i-2

75 bps
1
3
1
3
1
3
1
3
1
3
1
3
1
3
1
3
1
3
1
3
1
3
1
3
1
3
1
3
1
3
1
3
1
3
1
3
1
3
1

Data
word
2
4
2
4
2
4
2
4
2
4
2
4
2
4
2
4
2
4
2
4
2
4
2
4
2
4
2
4
2
4
2
4
2
4
2
4
2
4
2

i
i-1
ii-3
i-4
i-5
i-6
i-7
i-8
i-9
i-10
i-11
i-12
i-13
i-14
i-15
i
i-1
i-2
i-3

MIL-STD-188-110B
APPENDIX B
TABLE B- VII. In-band frequency diversity.
Tone freq
(Hz)
393.75
675.00
731.25
787.50
843.75
900.00
956.25
1012.50
1068.75
1125.00
1181.25
1237.50
1293.75
1350.00
1406.25
1462.50
1518.75
1575.00
1631.25
1687.50
1743.75
1800.00
1856.25
1912.50
1968.75
2025.00
2081.25
2137.50
2193.75
2250.00
2306.25
2362.50
2418.75
2475.00
2531.25
2587.50
2643.75
2700.00
2756.25
2812.50

Function
Continuous
Doppler
Data tone 1
Data tone 2
Data tone 3
Data tone 4
Data tone 5
Data tone 6
Data tone 7
Data tone 8
Data tone 9
Data tone 10
Data tone 11
Data tone 12
Data tone 13
Data tone 14
Data tone 15
Data tone 16
Data tone 17
Data tone 18
Data tone 19
Data tone 20
Data tone 21
Data tone 22
Data tone 23
Data tone 24
Data tone 25
Data tone 26
Data tone 27
Data tone 28
Data tone 29
Data tone 30
Data tone 31
Data tone 32
Data tone 33
Data tone 34
Data tone 35
Data tone 36
Data tone 37
Data tone 38
Data tone 39

600 bps

1
3
5
7
9
11
13
15
17
19
21
23
25
27
29
31
1
3
5
7
9
11
13
15
17
19
21
23
25
27
29
31
1
3
5
7
9
11
13

2
4
6
8
10
12
14
16
18
20
22
24
26
28
30
32
2
4
6
8
10
12
14
16
18
20
22
24
26
28
30
32
2
4
6
8
10
12
14

300 bps

1
3
5
7
9
11
13
15
1
3
5
7
9
11
13
15
1
3
5
7
9
11
13
15
1
3
5
7
9
11
13
15
1
3
5
7
9
11
13

72

150 bps

2
4
6
8
10
12
14
16
2
4
6
8
10
12
14
16
2
4
6
8
10
12
14
16
2
4
6
8
10
12
14
16
2
4
6
8
10
12
14

1
3
5
7
1
3
5
7
1
3
5
7
1
3
5
7
1
3
5
7
1
3
5
7
1
3
5
7
1
3
5
7
1
3
5
7
1
3
5

75 bps

2
4
6
8
2
4
6
8
2
4
6
8
2
4
6
8
2
4
6
8
2
4
6
8
2
4
6
8
2
4
6
8
2
4
6
8
2
4
6

1
3
1
3
1
3
1
3
1
3
1
3
1
3
1
3
1
3
1
3
1
3
1
3
1
3
1
3
1
3
1
3
1
3
1
3
1
3
1

2
4
2
4
2
4
2
4
2
4
2
4
2
4
2
4
2
4
2
4
2
4
2
4
2
4
2
4
2
4
2
4
2
4
2
4
2
4
2

MIL-STD-188-110B
APPENDIX B
TABLE B- VIII. Asynchronous character set.
Character bit designation and location
Number of
bits
7

St

Da

Da

Da

Da

Da

Sp

8
8
8
8

St
St
St
St

Da
Da
Da
Da

Da
Da
Da
Da

Da
Da
Da
Da

Da
Da
Da
Da

Da
Da
Da
Da

P+
PSp
Da

Sp
Sp
Sp
Sp

9
9
9
9
9
9

St
St
St
St
St
St

Da
Da
Da
Da
Da
Da

Da
Da
Da
Da
Da
Da

Da
Da
Da
Da
Da
Da

Da
Da
Da
Da
Da
DA

Da
Da
Da
Da
Da
Da

P+
PDa
Da
Da
Da

Sp
Sp
P+
PSp
Da

Sp
Sp
Sp
Sp
Sp
Sp

l0
10
10
10
10
10

St
St
St
St
St
St

Da
Da
Da
Da
Da
Da

Da
Da
Da
Da
Da
Da

Da
Da
Da
Da
Da
Da

Da
Da
Da
Da
Da
Da

Da
Da
Da
Da
Da
Da

Da
Da
Da
Da
Da
Da

P+
PDa
Da
Da
Da

Sp
Sp
P+
PSp
Da

Sp
Sp
Sp
Sp
Sp
Sp

11
11
11
11
11

St
St
St
St
St

Da
Da
Da
Da
Da

Da
Da
Da
Da
Da

Da
Da
Da
Da
Da

Da
Da
Da
Da
Da

Da
Da
Da
Da
Da

Da
Da
Da
Da
Da

Da
Da
Da
Da
Da

P+
PDa
Da
Da

Sp
Sp
P+
PSp

Sp
Sp
Sp
Sp
Sp

12
12

St
St

Da
Da

Da
Da

Da
Da

Da
Da

Da
Da

Da
Da

Da
Da

Da
Da

P+
P-

Sp
Sp

Bit labeling key: Da = Data

St = Start
Sp = Stop

73

P+ = Positive parity
P- = Negative parity

10

11

12

Sp
Sp

MIL-STD-188-110B
APPENDIX B
TABLE B- IX. 75 bps and 150 bps asynchronous operational parameters.
Data
rate
(bps)

Char
length
(bits)

Number of
bits encoded

Number
of source
bits

fill
bits

Seq
Number
length (bits)

Intlv
degree

Super
blocks

75
75
75
75

7
7
7
7

1
5
12
35

567
189
84
18

6804
11340
12096
7560

6804
11340
12096
7560

0
0
0
0

252
420
448
280

75
75
75
75

8
8
8
8

1
4
12
36

576
234
75
16

6912
11232
10800
6912

6912
11232
10800
6912

0
0
0
0

256
416
400
256

75
75
75
75

9
9
9
9

1
4
12
36

567
252
84
16

6804
12096
12096
6912

6804
12096
12096
6912

0
0
0
0

252
448
448
256

75
75
75
75

10
10
10
10

1
4
12
35

585
242
75
18

7020
11616
10800
7560

7020
11610
10800
7560

0
6
0
0

260
416
400
280

75
75
75
75

11
11
11
11

1
4
11
33

594
260
99
18

7128
12480
13068
7128

7128
12474
13068
7128

0
6
0
0

264
448
484
264

75
75
75
75

12
12
12
12

1
4
12
36

567
261
84
16

6804
12528
12096
6912

6804
12528
12096
6912

0
0
0
0

252
464
448
256

150
150
150
150

7
7
7
7

1
9
27
81

567
112
35
7

6804
12096
11340
6804

6804
12096
11340
6804

0
0
0
0

252
448
420
252

150
150
150
150

8
8
8
8

1
9
25
81

576
100
36
8

6912
10800
10800
7776

6912
10800
10800
7776

0
0
0
0

256
400
400
288

74

MIL-STD-188-110B
APPENDIX B
Data
rate
(bps)

Char
length
(bits)

Intlv
degree

Super
blocks

Number of
bits encoded

Number
of source
bits

fill
bits

Seq
Number
length (bits)

150
150
150
150

9
9
9
9

1
9
25
81

567
112
38
7

6804
12096
11400
6804

6804
12096
11394
6804

0
0
6
0

252
448
408
252

150
150
150
150

10
10
10
10

1
9
25
75

585
110
36
9

7020
11880
10800
8100

7020
11880
10800
8100

0
0
0
0

260
440
400
300

150
150
150
150

11
11
11
11

1
9
27
77

594
110
33
9

7128
11880
10692
8316

7128
11880
10692
8316

0
0
0
0

264
440
396
308

150
150
150
150

12
12
12
12

1
9
27
81

567
110
33
7

6804
11880
10692
6804

6804
11880
10692
6804

0
0
0
0

252
440
396
252

75

MIL-STD-188-110B
APPENDIX B

TABLE B- X. 300 bps and 600 bps asynchronous operational parameters.

Data rate
(bps)

Char length
(bits)

Intlv
degree

Super
blocks

Number of
bits encoded

Number
of source
bits

fill
bits

Seq Number
length (bits)

300
300
300
300

7
7
7
7

1
15
49
145

567
63
18
5

6804
11340
10584
8700

6804
11340
10584
8694

0
0
0
6

252
420
392
308

300
300
300
300

8
8
8
8

1
17
47
153

576
54
18
4

6912
11016
10152
7344

6912
11016
10152
7344

0
0
0
0

256
408
376
272

300
300
300
300

9
9
9
9

1
17
47
153

567
54
18
4

6804
ll016
10152
7344

6804
11016
10152
7344

0
0
0
0

252
408
376
272

300
300
300
300

10
10
10
10

1
17
45
153

585
49
22
5

7020
9996
11880
9180

7020
9990
11880
9180

0
6
0
0

260
356
440
340

300
300
300
300

11
11
11
11

1
19
45
161

594
43
22
4

7128
9804
11880
7728

7128
9801
11880
7722

0
3
0
6

264
356
440
272

300
300
300
300

12
12
12
12

1
17
49
153

567
54
18
4

6804
11016
10584
7344

6804
11016
10584
7344

0
0
0
0

252
408
392
272

600
600
600
600

7
7
7
7

1
35
105
315

567
27
9
2

6804
11340
11340
7560

6804
11340
11340
7560

0
0
0
0

252
420
420
280

600
600
600

8
8
8

1
33
99

576
30
10

6912
11880
11880

6912
11880
11880

0
0
0

256
440
440

76

MIL-STD-188-110B
APPENDIX B
Data rate
(bps)
600

Char length
(bits)
8

Intlv
degree
297

Super
blocks
2

Number of
bits encoded
7128

Number
of source
bits
7128

fill
bits
0

Seq Number
length (bits)
264

600
600
600
600

9
9
9
9

1
33
99
297

567
30
10
2

6804
11880
11880
7128

6804
11880
11880
7128

0
0
0
0

252
440
440
264

600
600
600
600

10
10
10
10

1
33
99
315

585
30
10
2

7020
11880
11880
7560

7020
11880
11880
7560

0
0
0
0

260
440
440
280

600
600
600
600

11
11
11
11

1
33
99
297

594
30
10
2

7128
11880
11880
7128

7128
11880
11880
7128

0
0
0
0

264
440
440
264

600
600
600
600

12
12
12
12

1
33
99
297

567
30
10
2

6804
11880
11880
7128

6804
11880
11880
7128

0
0
0
0

252
440
440
264

77

MIL-STD-188-110B
APPENDIX B
TABLE B- XI. 1200 bps and 2400 bps asynchronous operational parameters.

Data rate
(bps)

Char length
(bits)

Intlv
degree

Super
blocks

Number of
bits encoded

Number
of source
bits

1200
1200
1200
1200

7
7
7
7

1
63
189
587

567
15
6
1

6804
11340
13608
6804

6804
11340
13608
6804

0
0
0
0

252
420
504
252

1200
1200
1200
1200

8
8
8
8

1
63
189
576

576
14
6
1

6912
10584
13608
6912

6912
10584
13608
6912

0
0
0
0

256
392
504
256

1200
1200
1200
1200

9
9
9
9

1
63
189
567

567
15
6
1

6804
11340
13608
6804

6804
11340
13608
6804

0
0
0
0

252
420
504
252

1200
1200
1200
1200

10
10
10
10

1
63
195
585

585
15
6
1

7020
11340
14040
7020

7020
11340
14040
7020

0
0
0
0

260
420
520
260

1200
1200
1200
1200

11
11
11
11

1
65
203
619

594
16
5
1

7128
12480
12180
7428

7128
12474
12177
7425

0
6
3
3

264
448
444
268

1200
1200
1200
1200

12
12
12
12

1
63
189
567

567
15
6
1

6804
11340
13608
6804

6804
11340
13608
6804

0
0
0
0

252
420
504
252

2400
2400
2400
2400

7
7
7
7

1
36
73
282

145
7
3
1

5800
10080
8760
11280

5796
10080
8757
11277

4
0
3
3

252
448
385
497

2400
2400
2400
2400

8
8
8
8

1
36
72
288

144
7
3
1

5760
10080
8640
11520

5760
10080
8640
11520

0
0
0
0

256
448
384
512

78

fill
bits

Seq Number
length (bits)

MIL-STD-188-110B
APPENDIX B
Data rate
(bps)

Char length
(bits)

Intlv
degree

Super
blocks

Number of
bits encoded

Number
of source
bits

fill
bits

Seq Number
length (bits)

2400
2400
2400
2400

9
9
9
9

1
36
72
288

144
7
3
1

5760
10080
8640
11520

5760
10080
8640
11520

0
0
0
0

256
448
384
512

2400
2400
2400
2400

10
10
10
10

1
36
72
288

144
7
3
1

5760
10080
8640
11520

5760
10080
8640
11520

0
0
0
0

256
448
384
512

2400
2400
2400
2400

11
11
11
11

1
33
71
297

151
9
3
1

6040
11880
8520
11880

6039
11880
8514
11880

1
0
6
0

267
528
370
528

2400
2400
2400
2400

12
12
12
12

1
36
72
288

144
7
3
1

5760
10080
8640
11520

5760
10080
8640
11520

0
0
0
0

256
448
384
512

79

MIL-STD-188-110B
APPENDIX B

TABLE B- XII. Probability of bit error vs signal-to-noise ratio.

Probability of bit error
Signal-to-noise ratio
(dB in 3-kHz
bandwidth)
5
10
15
20
30

0
2
4
6
8

2400 bps
8.6 E-2
3.5 E-2
1.0 E-2
1.0 E-3
1.8 E-4
Probability of bit error

1200 bps
6.4 E-2
4.4 E-3
3.4E-4
9.0 E-6
2.7 E-6

300 bps
1.8 E-2
6.4 E-3
1.0 E-3
5.0 E-5
1.5 E-6

75 bps
4.4 E-4
5.0 E-5
1.0 E-6
1.0 E-6
1.0 E-6

NOTE: Two independent equal average power Rayleigh fading paths, with 2 Hz fading
bandwidth and 2 ms multipath spread.

80

FILL OR EOM
SEQUENCE

UNKNOWN
DATA

(2400)

FEC
CODING

INTERLEAVE
MATRIX #2

81

(107)

TONE
MODULATOR

PREAMBLE CONTROL

PREAMBLE
SYNC

BLOCK SYNC

DATA
FETCH

FIGURE B- 1. Transmit direction functional diagram.

(3360)

INTERLEAVE
MATRIX #1

MIL-STD-188-110B
APPENDIX B

COMPOSITE
39-TONE
+ DOPPLER
SIGNAL

D29
D37
D45
P49
P53
P57
P61

D2

P63 P62
D25 D24 D7

D3

D26
D34
D42
P34
P38
P42
P46

D25
D33
D41
P33
P37
P41
P45

D24
D32
D40
P32
P36
P40
P44

D7
D15
D23
P19
P23
P27
P31

D6
D14
D22
P18
P22
P26
P30

D5
D13
D21
P17
P21
P25
P29

D4
D12
D20
P16
P20
P24
P28

D2
D10
D18
P2
P6
P10
P14

D1
D9
D17
P1
P5
P9
P13

D0
D8
D16
P0
P4
P8
P12

SYMBOL
SYMBOL
SYMBOL
SYMBOL
SYMBOL
SYMBOL
SYMBOL

0
1
2
3
4
5
6

FIRST
BIT OUT

D19 D18 D17 D16

D3 D2 D1 D0

D31 D30 D29 D28 D27 D26

D0

P0
D8

CODEWORD 1

CODEWORD 1

D3
D11
D19
P3
P7
P11
P15

P3 P2 P1
D11 D10 D9

CODEWORD 2

D8
D1

FEC
ENCODER

D16 D39
D4 D3 D2

FIRST
BIT IN

D0

CODEWORD 3

P12
D6 D5

D1

D27
D35
D43
P35
P39
P43
P47

82

FIGURE B- 2. Data flow through encoder and interleaver for an interleaver containing an even number of code words.

INTERLEAVER

D4

INPUT DATA STREAM

D47 D46 D45 D44

D28
D36
D44
P48
P52
P56
P60

CODEWORD 4

D31 D30
D39 D38
DATA
SYMBOLS D47 D46
P51 P50
P55 P54
PARITY P59 P58
SYMBOLS P63 P62

MIL-STD-188-110B
APPENDIX B

D25
D29
D33
P33
P37
P41
P45

D2

P47 P46
D25 D24 D7

D3

FIRST
BIT IN

D0

P13 P12
D6 D5 D4

D1

D6
D14
D22
P18
P22
P26
P30

D5
D13
D21
P17
P21
P25
P29

D4
D12
D20
P16
P20
P24
P28

D2
D10
D18
P2
P6
P10
P14

D1
D9
D17
P1
P5
P9
P13

D0
D8
D16
P0
P4
P8
P12

D16 D31
D3 D2 D1

0
1
2
3
4
5
6

D12 D11 D10 D9

D0

D8

P0
D8

D27 D26

FIRST
BIT OUT

D19 D18 D17 D16

D3 D2 D1 D0

CODEWORD 1

SYMBOL
SYMBOL
SYMBOL
SYMBOL
SYMBOL
SYMBOL
SYMBOL

P3 P2 P1
D11 D10 D9

CODEWORD 1

D3
D11
D19
P3
P7
P11
P15

FEC
ENCODER

CODEWORD 2

D7
D15
D23
P19
P23
P27
P31

83

FIGURE B- 3. Data flow through encoder and interleaver for an interleaver containing an odd number of code words.

INTERLEAVER

D4

INPUT DATA STREAM

D35 D34 D33 D32

D24
D28
D32
P32
P36
P40
P44

CODEWORD 3

D27 D26
D31 D30
DATA
SYMBOLS D35 D34
P35 P34
P39 P38
PARITY P43 P42
SYMBOLS P47 P46

MIL-STD-188-110B
APPENDIX B

3
MODULATED
TONES

180 ms

PREAMBLE

4
UNMODULATED
TONES

315 ms

517.5 ms

84

FIGURE B- 4. Transmit sequence of events.

40 REFERENCE TONES

BLOCK
SYNC

DATA SUPER
BLOCKS(S)
1-576 BLOCKS
8064 TO 31752 BITS

22.5 ms

MIL-STD-188-110B
APPENDIX B

BLOCK
SYNC

FILL
OR
DATA

DATA

ASYNC
EOM

85

FIGURE B- 5. Framing sequence feedback shift register generator

MIL-STD-188-110B
APPENDIX B

MIL-STD-188-110B
APPENDIX C
HF DATA MODEM WAVEFORMS FOR DATA RATES ABOVE 2400 BPS
TABLE OF CONTENTS
PARAGRAPH
C.1

PAGE

GENERAL ..................................................................................................................................... 89

C.1.1

Scope.................................................................................................................................... 89

C.1.2
C.2
C.3
C.4
C.5

Applicability. ....................................................................................................................... 89
APPLICABLE DOCUMENTS .................................................................................................... 89
DEFINITIONS............................................................................................................................... 89
GENERAL REQUIREMENTS.................................................................................................... 89
DETAILED REQUIREMENTS................................................................................................... 90

C.5.1
C.5.1.1
C.5.1.2
C.5.1.2.1
C.5.1.2.1.1
C.5.1.2.1.2
C.5.1.2.2
C.5.1.2.2.1
C.5.1.2.2.2
C.5.1.2.2.3
C.5.1.3

Modulation........................................................................................................................... 90
Known symbols................................................................................................................... 90
Data symbols. ...................................................................................................................... 91
PSK data symbols....................................................................................................... 92
QPSK symbol mapping. ........................................................................................ 92
8PSK symbol mapping. ......................................................................................... 92
QAM data symbols..................................................................................................... 92
The 16 QAM constellation. ................................................................................... 93
The 32 QAM constellation. ................................................................................... 94
The 64QAM constellation. .................................................................................... 95
Data scrambling................................................................................................................... 97

C.5.2
C.5.2.1
C.5.2.1.1
C.5.2.1.2
C.5.2.2

Frame structure.................................................................................................................... 99
Synchronization and reinserted preambles......................................................................... 99
Synchronization preamble.......................................................................................... 99
Reinserted preamble. ................................................................................................ 101
Mini-probes........................................................................................................................ 102

C.5.3
C.5.3.1
C.5.3.2
C.5.3.2.1
C.5.3.2.2
C.5.3.2.3
C.5.3.3
C.5.3.3.1
C.5.3.3.2
C.5.3.3.3

Coding and interleaving. ................................................................................................... 104

Block boundary alignment................................................................................................ 104
Block encoding.................................................................................................................. 104
Rate 1/2 convolutional code..................................................................................... 105
Full-tail-biting encoding........................................................................................... 106
Puncturing to rate 3/4................................................................................................ 106
Block interleaver structure. ............................................................................................... 106
Interleaver size in bits............................................................................................... 107
Interleaver load. ........................................................................................................ 107
Interleaver fetch. ....................................................................................................... 108

C.5.4

Operational features and message protocols.................................................................... 108

86

MIL-STD-188-110B
APPENDIX C
C.5.4.1
User interfaces. .................................................................................................................. 108
C.5.4.1.1
Conventional asynchronous interface...................................................................... 108
C.5.4.1.2
High speed asynchronous user interface with flow control.................................... 108
C.5.4.1.3
Ethernet interface...................................................................................................... 109
C.5.4.2
Onset of transmission........................................................................................................ 109
C.5.4.3
End of message.................................................................................................................. 109
C.5.4.4
Termination of a transmission. ......................................................................................... 109
C.5.4.5
Termination of receive data processing............................................................................ 110
C.5.4.5.1
Detection of EOM. ................................................................................................... 110
C.5.4.5.2
Command to return to acquisition............................................................................ 110
C.5.4.5.3
Receipt of a specified number of data blocks.......................................................... 110
C.5.4.5.4
Initiation of a transmission. ...................................................................................... 110
C.5.4.6
Remote control. ................................................................................................................. 110
C.6 PERFORMANCE........................................................................................................................ 112
C.6.1

BER performance.............................................................................................................. 112

C.6.2

Acquisition performance................................................................................................... 112

C.6.3

Doppler shift test. .............................................................................................................. 112

C.6.4
Doppler sweep performance. ............................................................................................ 113
C.7 ASSOCIATED COMMUNICATIONS EQUIPMENT ........................................................... 113

LIST OF FIGURES
FIGURE C- 1. 8PSK SIGNAL CONSTELLATION AND SYMBOL MAPPING........................... 91
FIGURE C- 2. 16QAM SIGNALING CONSTELLATION................................................................ 93
FIGURE C- 3. 32QAM SIGNALING CONSTELLATION................................................................ 94
FIGURE C- 4. 64QAM SIGNALING CONSTELLATION................................................................ 96
FIGURE C- 5. SCRAMBLING SEQUENCE GENERATOR ILLUSTRATING SCRAMBLING
GENERATOR FOR 8PSK SYMBOLS. ......................................................................................... 98
FIGURE C- 6. FRAME STRUCTURE FOR ALL WAVEFORMS................................................... 99
FIGURE C- 7. CONSTRAINT LENGTH 7, RATE 1/2 CONVOLUTIONAL ENCODER. ......... 105

LIST OF TABLES
TABLE C- I. 8PSK SYMBOL MAPPING. .......................................................................................... 90
TABLE C- II. MODULATION USED TO OBTAIN EACH DATA RATE. .................................... 91
TABLE C- III. TRANSCODING FOR 3200 BPS................................................................................ 92
TABLE C- IV. TRANSCODING FOR 4800 BPS................................................................................ 92
TABLE C- V. IN-PHASE AND QUADRATURE COMPONENTS OF EACH 16QAM SYMBOL.
............................................................................................................................................................. 94
TABLE C- VI. IN-PHASE AND QUADRATURE COMPONENTS OF EACH 32QAM SYMBOL.
............................................................................................................................................................. 94
87

MIL-STD-188-110B
APPENDIX C
TABLE C- VII. IN-PHASE AND QUADRATURE COMPONENTS OF EACH 64QAM
SYMBOL........................................................................................................................................... 94
TABLE C- VIII. SYNCHRONIZATION PREAMBLE. ................................................................... 100
TABLE C- IX. D0, D1, D2 8 PSK SYMBOL VALUES AS A FUNCTION OF DATA RATE AND
INTERLEAVER LENGTH............................................................................................................ 101
TABLE C- X. BIT PATTERNS FOR SPECIFYING DATA RATE AND INTERLEAVER
LENGTH.......................................................................................................................................... 101
TABLE C- XI. REINSERTED PREAMBLE...................................................................................... 102
TABLE C- XII. S0, S1, S2, S3, S4, S5 (SIGN) VALUES AS A FUNCTION OF DATA RATE
AND INTERLEAVER SETTING................................................................................................. 103
TABLE C- XIII. S6, S7, S8 (SIGN) VALUES AS A FUNCTION OF MINI-PROBE SET.......... 103
TABLE C- XIV. INPUT DATA BLOCK SIZE IN BITS AS A FUNCTION OF DATA RATE
AND INTERLEAVER LENGTH.................................................................................................. 104
TABLE C- XV. INTERLEAVER SIZE IN BITS AS A FUNCTION OF DATA RATE AND
INTERLEAVER LENGTH............................................................................................................ 107
TABLE C- XVI. INTERLEAVER INCREMENT VALUE AS A FUNCTION OF DATA RATE
AND INTERLEAVER LENGTH.................................................................................................. 107
TABLE C- XVII. HIGH DATA RATE MODE PERFORMANCE REQUIREMENTS................ 112

88

MIL-STD-188-110B
APPENDIX C
HF DATA MODEM WAVEFORMS FOR DATA RATES ABOVE 2400 BPS
C.1 GENERAL
C.1.1 Scope.
This appendix describes the HF data modem waveforms for data rates above 2400 bps.
C.1.2 Applicability.
This appendix is a nonmandatory part of MIL-STD-188-110B; however, when using HF data
modem waveforms for data rates above 2400 bps, they shall be implemented in accordance with
this appendix.

C.2 APPLICABLE DOCUMENTS

This section is not applicable to this appendix.

C.3 DEFINITIONS
See section 3.

C.4 GENERAL REQUIREMENTS

This appendix presents a modem waveform and coding specification for data rates of 3200,
4800, 6400, 8000 and 9600 bps. Uncoded operation at 12800 bps is a DO. The single-tone
waveforms specified in this appendix use modulation techniques of greater complexity and data
blocks larger than those found in section 5.3.2 of this standard in order to achieve the efficiencies
necessary to obtain the required data rates. A block interleaver is used to obtain 6 interleaving
lengths ranging from 0.12 s to 8.64 s. A single coding option, a constraint length 7, rate 1/2
convolutional code, punctured to rate 3/4, is used for all data rates. The full-tail-biting approach
is used to produce block codes from this convolutional code that are the same length as the
interleaver. Since the minimum interleaver length spans a single data frame, there is no option of
zero interleaving, since the time delays would not be reduced.
Both the data rate and interleaver settings are explicitly transmitted as a part of the waveform,
both as part of the initial preamble and then periodically as both a reinserted preamble and in the
periodic known symbol blocks. This autobaud feature is critical in developing an efficient
(ARQ) protocol for high frequency (HF) channels. The receive modem is required to be able to
deduce the data rate and interleaver setting both from the preamble or from the subsequent data
portion of the waveform.

89

MIL-STD-188-110B
APPENDIX C
C.5 DETAILED REQUIREMENTS
C.5.1 Modulation.
The symbol rate for all symbols shall be 2400 symbols-per-second, which shall be accurate to a
minimum of 0.24 (10 ppm) symbols-per-second when the transmit data clock is generated by
the modem and not provided by the data terminal equipment (DTE). Phase-shift keying (PSK)
and quadrature amplitude modulation (QAM) modulation techniques shall be used. The subcarrier (or pair of quadrature sub-carriers in the case of QAM) shall be centered at 1800 Hz
accurate to a minimum of 0.018 Hz (10 ppm). The phase of the Quadrature sub-carrier relative to
the In-phase carrier shall be 90 degrees. The correct relationship can be achieved by making the
In-phase sub-carrier cos(1800 Hz) and the Quadrature sub-carrier -sin(1800 Hz).
The power spectral density of the modulator output signal should be constrained to be at least 20
dB below the signal level measured at 1800 Hz, when tested outside of the band from 200 Hz to
3400 Hz. The filter employed shall result in a ripple of no more than 2 dB in the range from
800 Hz to 2800 Hz.
C.5.1.1 Known symbols.
For all known symbols, the modulation used shall be PSK, with the symbol mapping shown in
table C-I and figure C-1. No scrambling shall be applied to the known symbols.
TABLE C- I. 8PSK symbol mapping.
Symbol
Number
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7

Phase

In-Phase

Quadrature

0
/4
/2
3/4

5/4
3/2
7/4

1.000000
0.707107
0.000000
-0.707107
-1.000000
-0.707107
0.0000000
0.707107

0.000000
0.707107
1.000000
0.707107
0.000000
-0.707107
-1.000000
-0.707107

Note that the complex symbol values = exp[jn/4] where n is the symbol number.

90

MIL-STD-188-110B
APPENDIX C
Symbol 2
Symbol 3

Symbol 1

Symbol 4

Symbol 0

Symbol 5

Symbol 7
Symbol 6

FIGURE C- 1. 8PSK signal constellation and symbol mapping.

C.5.1.2 Data symbols.
For data symbols, the modulation used shall depend upon the data rate. Table C-II specifies the
modulation that shall be used with each data rate.
TABLE C- II. Modulation used to obtain each data rate.
Data Rate
(bps)
3200
4800
6400
8000
9600
12800

Modulation
QPSK
8PSK
16QAM
32QAM
64QAM
64QAM

The 3200 bps quadrature phase-shift keying (QPSK) constellation is scrambled to appear, on-air,
as an 8PSK constellation. Both the 16QAM and 32QAM constellations use multiple PSK rings
to maintain good peak-to-average ratios, and the 64QAM constellation is a variation of the
standard square QAM constellation, which has been modified to improve the peak-to-average
ratio.

91

MIL-STD-188-110B
APPENDIX C
C.5.1.2.1 PSK data symbols.
For the PSK constellations, a distinction is made between the data bits and the symbol number
for the purposes of scrambling the QPSK modulation to appear as 8PSK, on-air. Scrambling is
applied as a modulo 8 addition of a scrambling sequence to the 8PSK symbol number.
Transcoding is an operation which links a symbol to be transmitted to a group of data bits.
C.5.1.2.1.1 QPSK symbol mapping.
For the 3200 bps user data rate, transcoding shall be achieved by linking one of the symbols
specified in table C-I to a set of two consecutive data bits (dibit) as shown in table C-III. In this
table, the leftmost bit of the dibit shall be the older bit; i.e., fetched from the interleaver before
the rightmost bit.
TABLE C- III. Transcoding for 3200 bps.
Dibit
00
01
11
10

Symbol
0
2
4
6

C.5.1.2.1.2 8PSK symbol mapping.

For the 4800 bps user data rate, transcoding shall be achieved by linking one symbol to a set of
three consecutive data bits (tribit) as shown in table C-IV. In this table, the leftmost bit of the
tribit shall be the oldest bit; i.e., fetched from the interleaver before the other two, and the
rightmost bit is the most recent bit.
TABLE C- IV. Transcoding for 4800 bps.
Tribit
000
001
010
011
100
101
110
111

Symbol
1
0
2
3
6
7
5
4

C.5.1.2.2 QAM data symbols.

For the QAM constellations, no distinction is made between the number formed directly from the
data bits and the symbol number. Each set of 4 bits (16QAM), 5 bits (32QAM) or 6 bits
(64QAM) is mapped directly to a QAM symbol. For example, the four bit grouping 0111 would
map to symbol 7 in the 16QAM constellation while the 6 bits 100011 would map to symbol 35 in
the 64QAM constellation. Again, in each case the leftmost bit shall be the oldest bit, i.e. fetched
from the interleaver before the other bits, and the rightmost bit is the most recent bit. The
mapping of bits to symbols for the QAM constellations has been selected to minimize the
number of bit errors incurred when errors involve adjacent signaling points in the constellation.
92

MIL-STD-188-110B
APPENDIX C
C.5.1.2.2.1 The 16 QAM constellation.
The constellation points which shall be used for 16QAM are shown in figure C-2 and specified
in terms of their In-phase and Quadrature components in table C-V. As can be seen in the figure,
the 16 QAM constellation is comprised of two PSK rings: 4 PSK inner and 12 PSK outer
16 Point Constellation
1

-1

-1

FIGURE C- 2. 16QAM Signaling Constellation.

93

MIL-STD-188-110B
APPENDIX C
TABLE C- V. In-phase and Quadrature components of each 16QAM symbol.
Symbol
Number
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15

In-Phase

Quadrature

0.866025
0.500000
1.000000
0.258819
-0.500000
0.000000
-0.866025
-0.258819
0.500000
0.000000
0.866025
0.258819
-0.866025
-0.500000
-1.000000
-0.258819

0.500000
0.866025
0.000000
0.258819
0.866025
1.000000
0.500000
0.258819
-0.866025
-1.000000
-0.500000
-0.258819
-0.500000
-0.866025
0.000000
-0.258819

C.5.1.2.2.2 The 32 QAM constellation.

The constellation points which shall be used for 32QAM are shown in figure C-3 and specified
in terms of their In-phase and Quadrature components in table C-VI. This constellation contains
an outer ring of 16 symbols and an inner square of 16 symbols.

FIGURE C- 3. 32QAM signaling constellation.

TABLE C- VI. In-phase and Quadrature components of each 32QAM symbol.
94

MIL-STD-188-110B
APPENDIX C
Symbol
Number
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15

In-Phase

Quadrature

0.866380
0.984849
0.499386
0.173415
0.520246
0.520246
0.173415
0.173415
-0.866380
-0.984849
-0.499386
-0.173415
-0.520246
-0.520246
-0.173415
-0.173415

0.499386
0.173415
0.866380
0.984849
0.520246
0.173415
0.520246
0.173415
0.499386
0.173415
0.866380
0.984849
0.520246
0.173415
0.520246
0.173415

Symbol
Number
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31

In-Phase

Quadrature

0.866380
0.984849
0.499386
0.173415
0.520246
0.520246
0.173415
0.173415
-0.866380
-0.984849
-0.499386
-0.173415
-0.520246
-0.520246
-0.173415
-0.173415

-0.499386
-0.173415
-0.866380
-0.984849
-0.520246
-0.173415
-0.520246
-0.173415
-0.499386
-0.173415
-0.866380
-0.984849
-0.520246
-0.173415
-0.520246
-0.173415

C.5.1.2.2.3 The 64QAM constellation.

The constellation points which shall be used for the 64QAM modulation are shown in figure C-4
and specified in terms of their In-phase and Quadrature components in table C-VII. This
constellation is a variation on the standard 8 x 8 square constellation, which achieves better peakto-average without sacrificing the very good pseudo-Gray code properties of the square
constellation.

95

MIL-STD-188-110B
APPENDIX C
64 Point Constellation
1

-1

-1

FIGURE C- 4. 64QAM signaling constellation.

96

MIL-STD-188-110B
APPENDIX C
TABLE C- VII. In-phase and Quadrature components of each 64QAM symbol.
Symbol
Number
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31

In-Phase

Quadrature

1.000000
0.822878
0.821137
0.932897
0.000000
0.822878
0.821137
0.932897
0.568218
0.588429
0.588429
0.588429
0.568218
0.588429
0.588429
0.588429
0.152996
0.117686
0.117686
0.117686
0.152996
0.117686
0.117686
0.117686
0.360142
0.353057
0.353057
0.353057
0.360142
0.353057
0.353057
0.353057

0.000000
0.568218
0.152996
0.360142
-1.000000
-0.568218
-0.152996
-0.360142
0.822878
0.588429
0.117686
0.353057
-0.822878
-0.588429
-0.117686
-0.353057
0.821137
0.588429
0.117686
0.353057
-0.821137
-0.588429
-0.117686
-0.353057
0.932897
0.588429
0.117686
0.353057
-0.932897
-0.588429
-0.117686
-0.353057

Symbol
Number
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
49
50
51
52
53
54
55
56
57
58
59
60
61
62
63

In-Phase

Quadrature

0.000000
-0.822878
-0.821137
-0.932897
-1.000000
-0.822878
-0.821137
-0.932897
-0.568218
-0.588429
-0.588429
-0.588429
-0.568218
-0.588429
-0.588429
-0.588429
-0.152996
-0.117686
-0.117686
-0.117686
-0.152996
-0.117686
-0.117686
-0.117686
-0.360142
-0.353057
-0.353057
-0.353057
-0.360142
-0.353057
-0.353057
-0.353057

1.000000
0.568218
0.152996
0.360142
0.000000
-0.568218
-0.152996
-0.360142
0.822878
0.588429
0.117686
0.353057
-0.822878
-0.588429
-0.117686
-0.353057
0.821137
0.588429
0.117686
0.353057
-0.821137
-0.588429
-0.117686
-0.353057
0.932897
0.588429
0.117686
0.353057
-0.932897
-0.588429
-0.117686
-0.353057

C.5.1.3 Data scrambling.

Data symbols for the 8PSK symbol constellation (3200 bps, 4800 bps) shall be scrambled by
modulo 8 addition with a scrambling sequence. The data symbols for the 16QAM, 32QAM, and
64QAM constellations shall be scrambled by using an exclusive or (XOR) operation.
Sequentially, the data bits forming each symbol (4 for 16QAM, 5 for 32QAM, and 6 for
64QAM) shall be XORd with an equal number of bits from the scrambling sequence. In all
cases, the scrambling sequence generator polynomial shall be x9 +x4 +1 and the generator shall be
97

MIL-STD-188-110B
APPENDIX C
initialized to 1 at the start of each data frame. A block diagram of the scrambling sequence
generator is shown in figure C-5.

FIGURE C- 5. Scrambling sequence generator illustrating scrambling generator for 8PSK symbols.
For 8PSK symbols (3200 bps and 4800 bps), the scrambling shall be carried out taking the
modulo 8 sum of the numerical value of the binary triplet consisting of the last (rightmost) three
bits in the shift register, and the symbol number (transcoded value). For example, if the last three
bits in the scrambling sequence shift register were 010 which has a numerical value equal 2, and
the symbol number before scrambling was 6, symbol 0 would be transmitted since: (6+2)
Modulo 8 = 0. For 16QAM symbols, scrambling shall be carried out by XORing the 4 bit
number consisting of the last (rightmost) four bits in the shift register with the symbol number.
For example, if the last 4 bits in the scrambling sequence shift register were 0101 and the
16QAM symbol number before scrambling was 3 (i.e. 0011), symbol 6 (0110) would be
transmitted. For 32QAM symbols, scrambling shall be carried out by XORing the 5 bit number
formed by the last (rightmost) five bits in the shift register with the symbol number. For 64QAM
symbols, scrambling shall be carried out by XORing the 6 bit number formed by the last
(rightmost) six bits in the shift register with the symbol number.
After each data symbol is scrambled, the generator shall be iterated (shifted) the required number
of times to produce all new bits for use in scrambling the next symbol (i.e., 3 iterations for 8PSK,
4 iterations for 16QAM, 5 iterations for 32QAM and 6 iterations for 64QAM). Since the
generator is iterated after the bits are use, the first data symbol of every data frame shall,
therefore, be scrambled by the appropriate number of bits from the initialization value of
00000001.

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MIL-STD-188-110B
APPENDIX C
The length of the scrambling sequence is 511 bits. For a 256 symbol data block with 6 bits per
symbol, this means that the scrambling sequence will be repeated just slightly more than 3 times,
although in terms of symbols, there will be no repetition.
C.5.2 Frame structure.
The frame structure that shall be used for the waveforms specified in this appendix is shown in
figure C-6. An initial 287 symbol preamble is followed by 72 frames of alternating data and
known symbols. Each data frame shall consist of a data block consisting of 256 data symbols,
followed by a mini-probe consisting of 31 symbols of known data. After 72 data frames, a 72
symbol subset of the initial preamble is reinserted to facilitate late acquisition, Doppler shift
removal, and sync adjustment. It should be noted that the total length of known data in this
segment is actually 103 symbols: the 72 reinserted preamble symbols plus the preceding 31
symbol mini-probe segment which follows the last 256 symbol data block.

...

...

Initial Synchronization Preamble - 287 symbols

Data Block - 256 symbols
Mini-probe - 31 symbols of a repeated 16 symbol
Frank-Heimiller polyphase code
Regularly Re-inserted Preamble -103 symbols
FIGURE C- 6. Frame structure for all waveforms.
C.5.2.1 Synchronization and reinserted preambles.
The synchronization preamble is used for rapid initial synchronization. The reinserted preamble
is used to facilitate acquisition of an ongoing transmission (acquisition on data).
C.5.2.1.1 Synchronization preamble.
The synchronization preamble shall consist of two parts. The first part shall consist of at least N
blocks of 184 8-PSK symbols to be used exclusively for radio and modem AGC. The value of N
shall be configurable to range from values of 0 to 7 (for N=0 this first section is not sent at all).
These 184 symbols shall be formed by taking the complex conjugate of the first 184 symbols of
the sequence specified below for the second section.
The second section shall consist of 287 symbols. The first 184 symbols are intended exclusively
for synchronization and Doppler offset removal purposes while the final 103 symbols, which are
common with the reinserted preamble, also carry information regarding the data rate and
interleaver settings.

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MIL-STD-188-110B
APPENDIX C
Expressed as a sequence of 8PSK symbols, using the symbol numbers given in table C-I the
synchronization preamble shall be as shown in Table C-VIII:
TABLE C- VIII. Synchronization preamble.
1, 5, 1, 3, 6, 1, 3, 1, 1, 6, 3, 7, 7, 3, 5, 4, 3, 6, 6, 4, 5, 4, 0,
2, 2, 2, 6, 0, 7, 5, 7, 4, 0, 7, 5, 7, 1, 6, 1, 0, 5, 2, 2, 6, 2, 3,
6, 0, 0, 5, 1, 4, 2, 2, 2, 3, 4, 0, 6, 2, 7, 4, 3, 3, 7, 2, 0, 2, 6,
4, 4, 1, 7, 6, 2, 0, 6, 2, 3, 6, 7, 4, 3, 6, 1, 3, 7, 4, 6, 5, 7, 2,
0, 1, 1, 1, 4, 4, 0, 0, 5, 7, 7, 4, 7, 3, 5, 4, 1, 6, 5, 6, 6, 4, 6,
3, 4, 3, 0, 7, 1, 3, 4, 7, 0, 1, 4, 3, 3, 3, 5, 1, 1, 1, 4, 6, 1, 0,
6, 0, 1, 3, 1, 4, 1, 7, 7, 6, 3, 0, 0, 7, 2, 7, 2, 0, 2, 6, 1, 1, 1,
2, 7, 7, 5, 3, 3, 6, 0, 5, 3, 3, 1, 0, 7, 1, 1, 0, 3, 0, 4, 0, 7, 3,
0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 2, 4, 6, 0, 4, 0, 4, 0, 6, 4, 2, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 2, 4, 6, 0, 4, 0, 4, 0, 6, 4,
2,
( D0, D0, D0, D0, D0, D0, D0, D0, D0, D0, D0, D0, D0 + 0, 4, 0, 4, 0, 0, 4, 4, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0) Modulo 8
( D1, D1, D1, D1, D1, D1, D1, D1, D1, D1, D1, D1, D1 + 0, 4, 0, 4, 0, 0, 4, 4, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0) Modulo 8
( D2, D2, D2, D2, D2, D2, D2, D2, D2, D2, D2, D2, D2 + 0, 4, 0, 4, 0, 0, 4, 4, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0) Modulo 8
6,
4, 4, 4, 4, 4, 6, 0, 2, 4, 0, 4, 0, 4, 2, 0, 6, 4, 4, 4, 4, 4, 6, 0, 2, 4, 0, 4, 0, 4, 2, 0
where the data symbols D0, D1, and D2 take one of 30 sets of values chosen from table C-IX to
indicate the data rate and interleaver settings. The Modulo operations are meant to signify that
each of the D values are used to shift the phase of a length 13 bit Barker code (0101001100000)
by performing modulo 8 addition of the D value with each of the Barker code 13 phase values (0
or 4). This operation can encode 6 bits of information using QPSK modulation of the 13 bit
(chip) Barker codes. Since the three Barker code sequences only occupy 39 symbols, the 31
symbol mini-probes are lengthened to 32 symbols each to provide the additional 2 symbols
required to pad the three 13 symbol Barker codes up to a total of 41 symbols.

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MIL-STD-188-110B
APPENDIX C
TABLE C- IX. D0, D1, D2 8 PSK symbol values as a function of data rate and interleaver length.
Data Rate
(bps)
3200
4800
6400
8000
9600
12800

1
0,0,4
0,6,2
0,6,4
6,0,2
6,0,4
6,6,2*

Interleaver Length in Frames (256 Symbol Data Blocks)

3
9
18
36
0,2,6
0,4,0
0,4,6
6,2,0
6,2,6
reserved

0,2,4
0,4,2
0,4,4
6,2,2
6,2,4
reserved

2,0,6
2,6,0
2,6,6
4,0,0
4,0,6
reserved

2,0,4
2,6,2
2,6,4
4,0,2
4,0,4
reserved

72
2,2,6
2,4,0
2,4,6
4,2,0
4,2,6
reserved

* For 12800 bps 1 frame interleaver shall be interpreted as no interleaving

The mapping chosen to create table C-IX uses 3 bits each to specify the data rate and interleaver
length. The 3 data rate bits are the 3 most significant bits (MSB) of 3 dibit symbols and the
interleaver length bits are the least significant bits (LSB). The phase of the Barker code is
determined from the 3 resulting dibit words using TABLE C- III, the dibit transcoding table.
The 3 bit data rate and interleaver length mappings are shown in table C-X. Note that the
transcoding has the effect of placing the 3 interleaver length bits in quadrature with the 3 data
rate bits.
TABLE C- X. Bit patterns for specifying data rate and interleaver length.
Data Rate
reserved

3200
4800
6400
8000
9600
12800
reserved

3 Bit Mapping
000
001
010
011
100
101
110
111

Interleaver Length
illegal: see C.5.2.1.2

1 Frame
3 Frames
9 Frames
18 Frames
36 Frames
72 Frames
illegal: see C.5.2.1.2

3 Bit Mapping
000
001
010
011
100
101
110
111

Name
Ultra Short (US)
Very Short (VS)
Short (S)
Medium (M)
Long (L)
Very Long (VL)

Because the Barker code is unbalanced in terms of the number of 0s and 1s, the 000 or 111
patterns exhibit a net imbalance in each quadrature component of the 39 symbols that is 12 to 27.
These two patterns are reserved for future standardization of high data rate modes that employ
constellations more dense than those specified in C.5.1. The other 3-bit patterns are more
balanced (17 to 22) and are used for the more robust constellations.
C.5.2.1.2 Reinserted preamble.
The reinserted preamble shall be identical to the final 72 symbols of the synchronization
preamble. In fact, the final 103 symbols are common between the synchronization preamble and
the contiguous block consisting of the reinserted preamble and the mini-probe which

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MIL-STD-188-110B
APPENDIX C
immediately precedes it. The 103 symbols of known data (including the 31 mini-probe symbols
of the preceding data frame) are thus:
TABLE C- XI. Reinserted preamble.
0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 2, 4, 6, 0, 4, 0, 4, 0, 6, 4, 2, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 2, 4, 6, 0, 4, 0, 4, 0, 6, 4,
2,
( D0, D0, D0, D0, D0, D0, D0, D0, D0, D0, D0, D0, D0 + 0, 4, 0, 4, 0, 0, 4, 4, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0) Modulo 8
( D1, D1, D1, D1, D1, D1, D1, D1, D1, D1, D1, D1, D1 + 0, 4, 0, 4, 0, 0, 4, 4, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0) Modulo 8
( D2, D2, D2, D2, D2, D2, D2, D2, D2, D2, D2, D2, D2 + 0, 4, 0, 4, 0, 0, 4, 4, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0) Modulo 8
6,
4, 4, 4, 4, 4, 6, 0, 2, 4, 0, 4, 0, 4, 2, 0, 6, 4, 4, 4, 4, 4, 6, 0, 2, 4, 0, 4, 0, 4, 2, 0;
where the data symbols D0, D1, and D2 again take one of 30 sets of values chosen from table CIX to indicate the data rate and interleaver settings as described in the Synchronization Preamble
section above. The first 31 of these symbols are the immediately preceding mini-probe, which
follows the last of the 72 data blocks.
Note that the 3 Bit Mappings for Interleaver Length of 000 or 111 may result in an S0 to S8
pattern that could be confused with the fixed (- - - - - - - +) mini probe pattern. For this reason,
these mappings are referred to as illegal in Table C-X.
C.5.2.2 Mini-probes.
Mini-probes 31 symbols in length shall be inserted following every 256 symbol data block and at
the end of each preamble (where they are considered to be part of the preamble). Using the 8PSK
symbol mapping, each mini-probe shall be based on the repeated Frank-Heimiller sequence. The
sequence that shall be used, specified in terms of the 8PSK symbol numbers, is given by:
0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 2, 4, 6, 0, 4, 0, 4, 0, 6, 4, 2, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 2, 4, 6, 0, 4, 0, 4, 0, 6, 4.
This mini-probe will be designated +.
The phase inverted version of this is:
4, 4, 4, 4, 4, 6, 0, 2, 4, 0, 4, 0, 4, 2, 0, 6, 4, 4, 4, 4, 4, 6, 0, 2, 4, 0, 4, 0, 4, 2, 0
and mini-probes using this sequence will be designated -, as the phase of each symbol has been
rotated 180 degrees from the +.
There are a total of 73 mini-probes for each set of 72 data blocks. For convenience, each miniprobe will be sequentially numbered, with mini-probe 0 being defined as the last 31 symbols of
the preceding (reinserted) preamble, mini-probe number 1 following the first data block after a
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MIL-STD-188-110B
APPENDIX C
(reinserted) preamble. Mini-probe 72 follows the 72nd data block, and is also the first 31
symbols of the next 103 symbol reinserted preamble. Mini-probes 0 and 72 have been defined as
part of the reinsertion preamble to have the signs - and + respectively. The data rate and
interleaver length information encoded into the synchronization and reinserted preambles shall
also be encoded into mini-probes 1 through 72. These 72 mini-probes are grouped into four sets
of 18 consecutive mini-probes (1 to 18, 19 to 36, 37 to 54, and 55 to 72). Note that the 256
symbol data block that immediately follows the 18th mini-probe, in each of the first three sets, is
also the 1st data block of an interleaver block with frame lengths of 1, 3, 9, and 18. The length 36
interleaver block begins after the second set, and a reinserted preamble begins after the fourth
set. This structure permits data to begin to be demodulated as soon as the interleaver boundary
becomes known.
Each 18 mini-probe sequence shall consists of seven signs, a + sign, followed by six sign
values that are dependent on the data rate and interleaver length, three sign values that specify
which of the four sets of 18 mini-probes it is, and then finally a + sign. For the fourth set, this
final + sign (mini-probe 72) is also the initial mini-probe of the next reinserted preamble (which
uses the + phase).
Pictorially, this length 18 sequence is: - - - - - - - + S0 S1 S2 S3 S4 S5 S6 S7 S8 +, where the first
six Si sign values are defined in table C-XII. Note that these 6 bit patterns ( + is a 0 ) correspond
to the concatenation of the 3 bit mappings from table C-X for the data rate (S0 S1 S2) and the
interleaver length (S3 S4 S5). The final three Si sign values which specify the mini-probe set
(count) are defined in table C-XIII.
TABLE C- XII. S0, S1, S2, S3, S4, S5 (sign) values as a function of data rate and interleaver setting.
Data Rate
(bps)
3200
4800
6400
8000
9600
12800

Interleaver Length in Frames (256 Symbol Data Blocks)

3
9
18
36

72

++-++-

++-+-+

++-+--

++--++

++--+-

++---+

+-+++-

+-++-+

+-++--

+-+-++

+-+-+-

+-+--+

+--++-

+--+-+

+--+--

+---++

+---+-

+----+

-++++-

-+++-+

-+++--

-++-++

-++-+-

-++--+

-+-++-

-+-+-+

-+-+--

-+--++

-+--+-

-+---+

--+++-

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

TABLE C- XIII. S6, S7, S8 (sign) values as a function of mini-probe set.

1 to 18
++-

Mini-probe set
19 to 36
37 to 54
+-+

+--

55 to 72
-++

The 1st eight mini-probes in each set (- - - - - - - +) uniquely locate the starting point for the
following nine Si values. This is possible since the Si sequences used contain at most runs of four
+ or - phases. This makes it impossible for a sequence of 7 mini-probes with the same phase
followed by one with a phase reversal to occur anywhere else except at the beginning of one of
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MIL-STD-188-110B
APPENDIX C
the 18 mini-probe sequences. Once this fixed 8 mini-probe pattern is located, the 0 or 180
degree phase ambiguity is also resolved so that the following 9 mini-probes can be properly
matched to the data rate, interleaver length, and mini-probe set count. The entire mini-probe
sequence shall therefore be as follows:
[rp] -

- - - - - - +

S0 S1 S2 S3 S4 S5 S6 S7 S8 + - S0 S1 S2 S3 S4 S5 S6 S7 S8 +

- - - - - - - +

- - - - - +

S0 S1 S2 S3 S4 S5 S6 S7 S8 +
S0 S1 S2 S3 S4 S5 S6 S7 S8 [rp]

- - - - - - - +

where the [rp] represents the 103 reinserted preamble symbols (includes mini-probes 72 and 0).
C.5.3 Coding and interleaving.
The interleaver used shall be a block interleaver. Each block of input data shall also be encoded
using a block encoding technique with a code block size equal to the size of the block
interleaver. Thus, the input data bits will be sent as successive blocks of bits that span the
duration of the interleaver length selected. Table C-XIV shows the number of input data bits per
block as function of both data rate and interleaver length. Note that an input data block should
not be confused with the 256 symbol data block that is part of a data frame in the waveform
format. The bits from an input data block will be mapped through the coding and interleaving to
the number of data frames, and thus 256 symbol data blocks, that define the interleaver length.
TABLE C- XIV. Input data block size in bits as a function of data rate and interleaver length
Data
(bps)
3200
4800
6400
8000
9600

Interleaver Length in Frames

Rate 1
3
9
18
36
Number of Input Data Bits per Block
384
1152 3456 6912 13824
576
1728 5184 10368 20736
768
2304 6912 13824 27648
960
2880 8640 17280 34560
1152 3456 10368 20736 41472

72
27648
41472
55296
69120
82944

C.5.3.1 Block boundary alignment.

Each code block shall be interleaved within a single interleaver block of the same size. The
boundaries of these blocks shall be aligned such that the beginning of the first data frame
following each reinserted preamble shall coincide with an interleaver boundary. Thus for an
interleaver length of 3 frames, the first three data frames following a reinserted preamble will
contain all of the encoded bits for a single input data block. The first data symbol from the first
data frame in each interleaver set shall have as its MSB the first bit fetched from the interleaver.
This is no different from what would normally be expected, but is a requirement.

C.5.3.2 Block encoding.

The full-tail-biting and puncturing techniques shall be used with a rate 1/2 convolutional code to
produce a rate 3/4 block code that is the same length as the interleaver.

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MIL-STD-188-110B
APPENDIX C
C.5.3.2.1 Rate 1/2 convolutional code.
A constraint length 7, rate 1/2 convolutional code shall be used prior to puncturing. This shall be
the same code as is used in the single-tone waveform described in section 5.3.2 of this standard.
figure C-7 is a pictorial representation of the encoder.

T1(X)

+
SWITCH RATE
= TWICE INPUT
SYMBOL RATE

I(X)
INPUT

OUTPUT
x6

x5

x4

x3

x2

+
T2(X)
CONSTRAINT LENGTH = 7
GENERATOR POLYNOMIALS:
FOR T1 X6+X4+X3+X+1
FOR T2 X6+X5+X4+X3+1

FIGURE C- 7. Constraint length 7, rate 1/2 convolutional encoder.

The two summing nodes in the figure represent modulo 2 addition. For each bit input to the
encoder, two bits are taken from the encoder, with the upper output bit, T1(x), taken first.

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APPENDIX C
C.5.3.2.2 Full-tail-biting encoding.
To begin encoding each block of input data, the encoder shall be preloaded by shifting in the first
six input data bits without taking any output bits. These six input bits shall be temporarily saved
so that they can be used to flush the encoder. The first two coded output bits shall be taken
after the seventh bit has been shifted in, and shall be defined to be the first two bits of the
resulting block code. After the last input data bit has been encoded, the first six saved data bits
shall be encoded. Note that the encoder shift register should not be changed before encoding
these saved bits; i.e., it should be filled with the last seven input data bits. The six saved data
bits are encoded by shifting them into the encoder one at a time, beginning with the earliest of
the six. The encoding thus continues by taking the two resulting coded output bits as each of the
saved six bits is shifted in. These encoded bits shall be the final bits of the resulting
(unpunctured) block code. Prior to puncturing, the resulting block code will have exactly twice
as many bits as the input information bits. Puncturing of the rate 1/2 code to the required rate 3/4
shall be done prior to sending bits to the interleaver.
C.5.3.2.3 Puncturing to rate 3/4.
In order to obtain a rate 3/4 code from the rate 1/2 code used, the output of the encoder must be
punctured by not transmitting 1 bit out of every 3. Puncturing shall be performed by using a
puncturing mask of 1 1 1 0 0 1, applied to the bits output from the encoder. In this notation a 1
indicates that the bit is retained and a 0 indicates that the bit is not transmitted. For an encoder
generated sequence of
T1(k), T2(k), T1(k+1), T2(k+1), T1(k+2), T2(k+2) . . .
the transmitted sequence shall be
T1(k), T2(k), T1(k+1), T2(k+2) . . .
Defining T1(0), T2(0) to be the first two bits of the block code generated as defined in paragraph
C.5.3.2, then the value of k in the above sequences shall be an integral multiple of 3. The block
code shall be punctured in this manner before being input to the interleaver.
C.5.3.3 Block interleaver structure.
The block interleaver used is designed to separate neighboring bits in the punctured block code
as far as possible over the span of the interleaver with the largest separations resulting for the bits
that were originally closest to each other. Because of the 30 different combinations of data rates
and interleaver lengths, a more flexible interleaver structure than used for the single-tone
waveform described in section 5.3.2 of this standard is needed. The structure to be used is
actually simpler than that used previously.

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APPENDIX C
C.5.3.3.1 Interleaver size in bits.
The interleaver shall consist of a single dimension array, numbered from 0 to its size in bits 1.
The array size shall depend on both the data rate and interleaver length selected as shown in table
C-XV.
TABLE C- XV. Interleaver size in bits as a function of data rate and interleaver length.
Data Rate
(bps)
3200
4800
6400
8000
9600

1
512
768
1024
1280
1536

Interleaver Length in Frames

9
18
36
Interleaver Size in Bits
1536
4608
9216
18,432
2304
6912
13,824
27,648
3072
9216
18,432
36,864
3840
11,520
23,040
46,080
4608
13,824
27,648
55,296
3

72
36,864
55,296
73,728
92,160
110,592

C.5.3.3.2 Interleaver load.

The punctured block code bits shall be loaded into the interleaver array beginning with location
0. The location for loading each successive bit shall be obtained from the previous location by
incrementing by the Interleaver Increment Value specified in table C-XVI, modulo the
Interleaver Size in Bits.
Defining the first punctured block code bit to be B(0), then the load location for B(n) is given by:
Load Location = ( n * Interleaver Increment Value) Modulo (Interleaver Size in Bits)
Thus for 3200 bps, with a one frame interleaver (512 bit size with an increment of 97), the first 8
interleaver load locations are: 0, 97, 194, 291, 388, 485, 70, and 167.
TABLE C- XVI. Interleaver increment value as a function of data rate and interleaver length.
Data Rate
(bps)
3200
4800
6400
8000
9600

97
145
189
201
229

229
361
481
601
805

Interleaver Length in Frames

9
18
36
Interleaver Increment Value
805
1393
3281
1045
2089
5137
1393
3281
6985
1741
3481
8561
2089
5137
10,273

72
6,985
10,273
11,141
14,441
17,329

These increment values have been chosen to ensure that the combined cycles of puncturing and
assignment of bit positions in each symbol for the specific constellation being used is the same as
if there had been no interleaving. This is important, because each symbol of a constellation
contains strong and weak bit positions, except for the lowest data rate. Bit position refers to
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MIL-STD-188-110B
APPENDIX C
the location of the bit, ranging from MSB to LSB, in the symbol mapping. A strong bit position
is one that has a large average distance between all the constellation points where the bit is a 0
and the closest point where it is a 1. Typically, the MSB is a strong bit and the LSB a weak bit.
An interleaving strategy that did not evenly distribute these bits in the way they occur without
interleaving could degrade performance.
C.5.3.3.3 Interleaver fetch.
The fetching sequence for all data rates and interleaver lengths shall start with location 0 of the
interleaver array and increment the fetch location by 1. This is a simple linear fetch from
beginning to end of the interleaver array.
C.5.4 Operational features and message protocols.
The format of this high-rate waveform has been designed to permit it to work well with most of
the protocols used and planned for use with HF. The reinserted preamble facilitates acquisition
(or re-acquisition) of an ongoing broadcast transmission. The short length of the synchronization
preamble, wide range of interleaving lengths, and the use of full-tail-biting coding is intended to
provide efficient operation with ARQ protocols. To further enhance the operation with these
protocols, the following operational features shall be included in the HF modem.
C.5.4.1 User interfaces.
C.5.4.1.1 Conventional asynchronous interface.
The modem shall be capable of interfacing with an asynchronous DTE. In this case the DTE
provides (accepts) asynchronous Words consisting of a Start Bit, an N bit Character, and some
minimum number of Stop Bits. Additional Stop Bits are provided (accepted) by the DTE
between Words as necessary to accommodate gaps between their occurrence. Interoperability
shall be provided for those cases where the value of N, the number of Bits in the Character, is
5,6,7, or 8 (including any parity bits), and the minimum number of Stop Bits is 1 or 2. Hence
interoperability is defined for those cases where the number of Bits in the Word is N+2 and N+3.
In these cases the entire N+2 or N+3 bits of the Word shall be conveyed contiguously in the
modulated signal. Additional Stop Bits shall be conveyed as necessary to accommodate gaps in
data from the DTE; there shall be no modem-defined null character incorporated into the
modulated signal.
C.5.4.1.2 High speed asynchronous user interface with flow control.
Certain high speed user interfaces provide data to (and accept data from) the modem in units of 8
bit bytes. Furthermore, the Input Data Blocks shown in Table C-XIV are all mutiples of 8 bit
bytes. An optional mode shall be provided to accommodate the special case of an 8 bit character
(which includes any parity check bits) and a 1.0 unit interval Stop Bit. In this optional mode, the
8 bit Character shall be aligned with the 256 symbol modem frame boundary, and no Start or
Stop Bits shall be transmitted. In this mode of operation it is assumed that the DTE data rate is
greater than that which can be accommodated by the modem. Consequently flow control shall be
used to temporarily stop data flow from the DTE to the modem when the modems input buffer
becomes full. Conversely, when the modems input buffer becomes empty, the modem shall
assume that the DTE has finished its message, and the modem shall initiate its normal messagetermination procedure. This method of operation obviates the need for the transmission of Null

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MIL-STD-188-110B
APPENDIX C
characters for the purpose of rate padding. Consequently, no Null characters shall be
transmitted for this purpose.
C.5.4.1.3 Ethernet interface.
The modem shall provide an Ethernet interface (see 5.3.1.4.2) for byte oriented user data
transfers (see C.5.4.1.2), and these bytes shall be aligned with the Input Data Block boundaries.
C.5.4.2 Onset of transmission.
The modem shall begin a transmission no later than 100 ms after it has received an entire input
data block (enough bits to fill a coded and interleaved block), or upon receipt of the last input
data bit, whichever occurs first. The latter would only occur when the message is shorter than
one interleaver block. A transmission shall be defined as beginning with the keying of the radio,
followed by the output of the preamble waveform after the configured pre-key delay, if any.
The delay between when the modem receives the first input data bit and the onset of transmission
will be highly dependent on the means for delivery of the input data bits to the modem. A
synchronous serial interface at the user data rate will have the greatest delay. For this reason it is
recommended that a high speed asynchronous interface (serial or Ethernet port) with flowcontrol be used if this delay is of concern for the deployed application.
C.5.4.3 End of message.
The use of an end-of-message (EOM) in the transmit waveform shall be a configurable option.
When the use of an EOM has been selected, a 32-bit EOM pattern shall be appended after the
last input data bit of the message. The EOM, expressed in hexadecimal notation is 4B65A5B2,
where the left most bit is sent first. If the last bit of the EOM does not fill out an input data
block, the remaining bits in the input data block shall be set to zero before encoding and
interleaving the block.
If the use of an EOM has been inhibited, and the last input data bit does not fill out an input data
block, the remaining bits in the input data block shall be set to zero before encoding and
interleaving the block. It is anticipated that the use of an EOM will only be inhibited when an
ARQ data protocol uses ARQ blocks which completely fill (or nearly so) the selected input data
block size (interleaver block). Without this feature, the use of an EOM would require the
transmission of an additional interleaver block under these circumstances.
C.5.4.4 Termination of a transmission.
Upon receipt of a radio silence (or equivalent) command, the modem shall immediately un-key
the radio and terminate its transmit waveform.
In normal operation, the modem shall terminate a transmission only after the transmission of the
final data frame, including a mini-probe, associated with the final interleaver block. Note that a
data frame consists of a 256 symbol data block followed by a mini-probe. Note that any signal
processing and/or filter delays in the modem and the HF transmitter must be accounted for (as
part of the key line control timing) to ensure that the entire final mini-probe is transmitted before
the transmitter power is turned off.

109

MIL-STD-188-110B
APPENDIX C
C.5.4.5 Termination of receive data processing.
There are a number of events which shall cause the HF modem to cease processing the received
signal to recover data, and return to the acquisition mode. These are necessary because a modem
is not able to acquire a new transmission while it is attempting to demodulate and decode data.
C.5.4.5.1 Detection of EOM.
The HF modem shall always scan all of the decoded bits for the 32-bit EOM pattern defined in
paragraph C.5.4.3. Upon detection of the EOM the modem shall return to the acquisition mode.
The modem shall continue to deliver decoded bits to the user (DTE) until the final bit
immediately preceding the EOM has been delivered.
C.5.4.5.2 Command to return to acquisition.
Upon receipt of a command to terminate reception, the HF modem shall return to the acquisition
mode and terminate the delivery of decoded bits to the user (DTE).
C.5.4.5.3 Receipt of a specified number of data blocks.
The maximum message duration measured in number of Input Data Blocks (interleaver blocks)
shall be a configurable parameter. One value of this parameter shall specify that an unlimited
number may be received. Once the modem has decoded and delivered to the user (DTE), the
number of bits corresponding to the configured maximum message duration, the HF modem
shall return to the acquisition mode and terminate the delivery of decoded bits to the user (DTE).
Note that for a given interleaver length, this parameter also specifies the maximum message
duration in time, independent of the bit rate. Note that this parameter is the maximum duration
and that the transmit end always has the option of using an EOM for shorter transmissions.
Operation with a specified number of input data blocks may be used by an ARQ protocol where
the size of the ARQ packet is fixed, or occasionally changed to accommodate changing
propagation conditions. In this case we anticipate that this parameter (maximum message
duration) will be sent to the receiving end of the link as part of the ARQ protocol. It would then
be sent to the receiving modem through the remote control interface (see C.5.4.6 below), since it
is not embedded in the waveform itself as the data rate and interleaver length parameters are.
C.5.4.5.4 Initiation of a transmission.
If, and only if, the HF Modem is configured to operate in half-duplex mode with transmit
override, the initiation of a transmission by the user (DTE) shall cause the HF modem to
terminate the receive processing and the delivery of decoded bits to the user (DTE).
C.5.4.6 Remote control.
The remote control interface (see section 5.3.1.5) shall provide the capability to specify the
following parameters and commands:
a. High-rate waveform parameters:
1) The 5 data rates for the high-rate waveform
2) The 6 interleaver lengths for the high-rate waveform
b. A command to select the usage of the optional EOM in the transmit waveform. Note that the
receiving modem must always scan for the EOM regardless of this setting.

110

MIL-STD-188-110B
APPENDIX C
c. A command to specify the maximum message duration measured in number of Input Data
Blocks (interleaver blocks). The value of 0 (zero) for this parameter shall specify that an
unlimited number may be received.
d. A command to cause the modem to terminate receive data processing and return to
acquisition mode.

111

MIL-STD-188-110B
APPENDIX C

C.6 PERFORMANCE
C.6.1 BER performance.
The measured performance of the high data rate mode, using fixed-frequency operation and
employing the maximum interleaving period (the 72-frame Very Long interleaver), shall
achieve coded BER of no more than 1.0E-5 under each of the conditions listed in table C-XVII.
TABLE C- XVII. High data rate mode performance requirements.
User data
rate (bps)
12800
9600
8000
6400
4800
3200

Average SNR (dB) for BER 1.0E-5

AWGN Channel
ITU-R Poor Channel
27
21
33
19
28
16
24
13
20
9
15

Performance shall be tested using a baseband HF simulator patterned after the Watterson Model
in accordance with ITU-R 520-2.

The AWGN channel shall consist of a single, non-fading path. Each condition shall be
measured for at least 60 minutes.

The ITU-R Poor channel shall consist of two independent but equal average power Rayleigh
fading paths, with a fixed 2 ms delay between paths, and with a fading (two sigma)
bandwidth (BW) of 1 Hz. Each condition shall be measured for at least 5 hours.

Both signal and noise power shall be measured in a 3 kHz bandwidth. Note that the average
power of QAM symbols is different from that of the 8PSK mini-probes and reinserted
preambles; the measured signal power shall be the long-term average of user data, miniprobe, and reinserted preamble symbols.

C.6.2 Acquisition performance.

Not yet standardized.
C.6.3 Doppler shift test.
The modem shall acquire and maintain synchronization for at least 5 minutes with a test signal
having the following characteristics: 9600 bps/Very Long interleaver, 75 Hz frequency offset, 2
ms delay spread, a fading BW of 1 Hz, and an average SNR of 30 dB. The test shall be repeated
with a 75 Hz frequency offset. No BER test is required.

112

MIL-STD-188-110B
APPENDIX C
C.6.4 Doppler sweep performance.
The AWGN BER test at 9600 bps from Table C-XVII shall be repeated with a test signal having
a frequency offset that continuously varies at a rate of 3.5 Hz/s between the limits of -75 and +75
Hz, such that a plot of frequency offset vs. time describes a periodic triangle waveform having
a period of (300/3.5) seconds. Over a test duration of 1 hour, the modem shall achieve a BER of
1.0E-5 or less at an SNR of 24 dB.
C.7 ASSOCIATED COMMUNICATIONS EQUIPMENT
The QAM constellations specified in this appendix are more sensitive to equipment variations
than the PSK constellations specified in section 5.3.2 of this standard. Because of this sensitivity,
radio filters will have a significant impact on the performance of modems implementing the
waveforms in this appendix. In addition, because of the level sensitive nature of the QAM
constellations, turn-on transients, AGC, and ALC can cause significant performance degradation.
It is recommended that modems implementing the waveforms in this appendix should include a
variable pre-key feature, by which the user can specify a delay between the time when the
transmitter is keyed and the modem signal begins. This allows for turn-on transient settling,
which is particularly important for legacy radio equipment.
It is recommended that a slow AGC setting (e.g., the nondata mode in MIL-STD-188-141) be
used when receiving the HDR waveforms in this appendix.

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MIL-STD-188-110B
APPENDIX D
SUBNETWORK INTERFACE
TABLE OF CONTENTS
PARAGRAPH

PAGE

D.1 GENERAL...................................................................................................................................... 115

D.1.1 Scope. ........................................................................................................................................... 115
D.1.2 Applicability................................................................................................................................. 115
D.2 APPLICABLE DOCUMENTS..................................................................................................... 115
D.3 DEFINITIONS................................................................................................................................ 115
D.4 GENERAL REQUIREMENTS .................................................................................................... 115
D.4.1 Introduction. ................................................................................................................................. 115
D.4.2 Primitives...................................................................................................................................... 115
LIST OF TABLES
TABLE D- I. SUBNETWORK INTERFACE PRIMITIVES............................................................ 116

114

MIL-STD-188-110B
APPENDIX D
SUBNETWORK INTERFACE
D.1 GENERAL
D.1.1 Scope.
This appendix describes the optional subnetwork interface to be provided by data modems.
D.1.2 Applicability.
This appendix is a nonmandatory part of MIL-STD-188-ll0B; however, when the optional
subnetwork interface is provided, it shall be implemented in accordance with this appendix.
D.2 APPLICABLE DOCUMENTS
The following documents form a part of this document to the extent specified herein. Unless
otherwise specified, the issues of the documents that are DoD adopted are those listed in the
issues of the DODISS cited in the solicitation. Unless otherwise specified, the issues of
documents not listed in the DODISS are the issues of the documents cited in the solicitation (see
6.2).
INTERNATIONAL STANDARDIZATION DOCUMENTS
NORTH ATLANTIC TREATY ORGANIZATION (NATO) STANDARDIZATION
AGREEMENTS (STANAG)
STANAG 5066

Profile for High Frequency (HF) Radio Data Communications

D.3 DEFINITIONS
See section 3.
D.4 GENERAL REQUIREMENTS
D.4.1 Introduction.
The subnetwork interface for MIL-STD-188-110B is an extended version of that specified in
STANAG 5066 Annex A.
D.4.2 Primitives.
The primitives to be provided are listed in table D-I.

115

MIL-STD-188-110B
APPENDIX D
TABLE D- I. Subnetwork interface primitives.
Primitive
HF_BIND_REQUEST
HF_UNBIND_REQUEST
HF_BIND_ACCEPTED
HF_BIND_REJECTED
HF_UNBIND_INDICATION
HF_HARD_LINK_ESTABLISH
HF_HARD_LINK_TERMINATE
HF_HARD_LINK_ESTABLISHED
HF_HARD_LINK_REJECTED
HF_HARD_LINK_TERMINATED
HF_HARD_LINK_INDICATION
HF_HARD_LINK_ACCEPT
HF_HARD_LINK_REJECT
HF_HARD_LINK_KEY
HF_HARD_LINK_UNKEY
HF_PACKET_SEND
HF_PACKET_INDICATION
HF_PACKET_RECEIVE
HF_PACKET_STATUS_REQUEST
HF_PACKET_STATUS_REPLY
HF_PACKET_ABORT
HF_STATUS_REQUEST
HF_STATUS_REPLY
HF_STATUS_INDICATION

5066
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X

New

X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X

116

Function
Client registers with HFSN
Client disconnects from HFSN
HFSN accepts client
HFSN rejects client
HFSN detaches client
Client requests virtual circuit
Client releases virtual circuit
Virtual circuit available
Virtual circuit not established
Virtual circuit released
Incoming virtual circuit
Accept incoming virtual circuit
Reject incoming virtual circuit
Key transmitter
Unkey transmitter
Send packet, return ID
Incoming packet
Accept incoming packet
Request packet status by ID
Return packet status
Abort sending packet by ID
Request HF subnetwork status
Report HF subnetwork status
Report discovery of status change

MIL-STD-188-110B
APPENDIX E
DATA LINK PROTOCOL
TABLE OF CONTENTS
PARAGRAPH

PAGE

E.1 GENERAL ...................................................................................................................................... 118

E.1.1 Scope............................................................................................................................................. 118
E.1.2 Applicability. ................................................................................................................................ 118
E.2 APPLICABLE DOCUMENTS ..................................................................................................... 118
E.3 DEFINITIONS ................................................................................................................................ 118
E.4 GENERAL REQUIREMENTS..................................................................................................... 118
E.4.1 Introduction................................................................................................................................... 118
E.4.2 Channel access protocol............................................................................................................... 118
E.4.3 Data transfer protocol................................................................................................................... 118

117

MIL-STD-188-110B
APPENDIX E
DATA LINK PROTOCOL
E.1 GENERAL
E.1.1 Scope.
This appendix describes the optional data link protocol to be used with data modems.
E.1.2 Applicability.
This appendix is a nonmandatory part of MIL-STD-188-ll0B; however, when the optional data
link protocol is provided, it shall be implemented in accordance with this appendix.
E.2 APPLICABLE DOCUMENTS
The following documents form a part of this document to the extent specified herein. Unless
otherwise specified, the issues of the documents that are DoD adopted are those listed in the
issues of the DODISS cited in the solicitation. Unless otherwise specified, the issues of
documents not listed in the DODISS are the issues of the documents cited in the solicitation (see
6.2).
INTERNATIONAL STANDARDIZATION DOCUMENTS
NORTH ATLANTIC TREATY ORGANIZATION (NATO) STANDARDIZATION
AGREEMENTS (STANAG)
STANAG 5066

Profile for High Frequency (HF) Radio Data Communications

E.3 DEFINITIONS
See section 3.
E.4 GENERAL REQUIREMENTS
E.4.1 Introduction.
The optional data link protocol is adapted from STANAG 5066.
E.4.2 Channel access protocol.
The channel access protocol is specified in STANAG 5066 Annex B.
E.4.3 Data transfer protocol.
The data transfer protocol is specified in STANAG 5066 Annex C.

118

MIL-STD-188-110B
APPENDIX F
HF DATA MODEMS FOR MULTIPLE CHANNEL SYSTEMS
TABLE OF CONTENTS
PARAGRAPH
F.1

PAGE

GENERAL ................................................................................................................................... 122

F.1.1

Scope.................................................................................................................................. 122

F.1.2
Applicability. ..................................................................................................................... 122
F.2 APPLICABLE DOCUMENTS .................................................................................................. 122
F.3 DEFINITIONS............................................................................................................................. 122
F.4 GENERAL REQUIREMENTS.................................................................................................. 122
F.4.1
F.4.1.1
F.4.1.2
F.4.1.3

Architectures for multiple channel operation................................................................... 122

Multiple channel operation with independent-sideband modem.................................... 122
Multiple channel operation with multiple modems. (Optional)..................................... 123
Multiple channel operation with parallel ARQ channels. (Optional)............................ 124

F.4.2
HF data modem waveform for two-independent-sideband applications........................ 124
F.5 DETAILED REQUIREMENTS................................................................................................. 125
F.5.1
F.5.1.1
F.5.1.2
F.5.1.2.1
F.5.1.2.1.1
F.5.1.2.1.2
F.5.1.2.2
F.5.1.2.2.1
F.5.1.2.2.2
F.5.1.2.2.3
F.5.1.3

Modulation......................................................................................................................... 125
Known symbols................................................................................................................. 125
Data symbols. .................................................................................................................... 126
PSK data symbols..................................................................................................... 126
QPSK symbol mapping. ...................................................................................... 126
8PSK symbol mapping. ....................................................................................... 126
QAM data symbols................................................................................................... 126
The 16 QAM constellation. ................................................................................. 126
The 32 QAM constellation. ................................................................................. 126
The 64QAM constellation. .................................................................................. 127
Data scrambling................................................................................................................. 127

F.5.2

Frame structure.................................................................................................................. 127

F.5.3
F.5.3.1
F.5.3.2
F.5.3.3
F.5.3.3.1
F.5.3.3.2
F.5.3.3.3

Coding and interleaving. ................................................................................................... 128

Block boundary alignment................................................................................................ 128
Block encoding.................................................................................................................. 128
Block interleaver structure. ............................................................................................... 128
Interleaver size in bits............................................................................................... 128
Interleaver load. ........................................................................................................ 129
Interleaver fetch. ....................................................................................................... 129

119

MIL-STD-188-110B
APPENDIX F
F.5.4
Operational features and message protocols.................................................................... 129
F.6 PERFORMANCE........................................................................................................................ 129
F.7

ASSOCIATED COMMUNICATIONS EQUIPMENT.................................................... 129

120

MIL-STD-188-110B
APPENDIX F
LIST OF FIGURES
FIGURE F- 1. MULTIPLE CHANNEL OPERATION WITH INDEPENDENT-SIDEBAND
MODEM. ......................................................................................................................................... 123
FIGURE F- 2. MULTIPLE CHANNEL OPERATION WITH SINGLE-SIDEBAND MODEMS.
........................................................................................................................................................... 123
FIGURE F- 3. MULTIPLE CHANNEL OPERATION WITH PARALLEL ARQ CHANNELS. 124
FIGURE F- 4. 2-ISB MODEM............................................................................................................. 125

LIST OF TABLES
TABLE F- I. MODULATION USED TO OBTAIN EACH DATA RATE FOR 2-ISB
OPERATION................................................................................................................................... 126
TABLE F- II. DATA SYMBOL PATTERNS FOR SPECIFYING DATA RATE AND
INTERLEAVER LENGTH FOR THE 2-ISB MODEM. ............................................................ 127
TABLE F- III. INPUT DATA BLOCK SIZE IN BITS AS A FUNCTION OF DATA RATE AND
INTERLEAVER LENGTH............................................................................................................ 128
TABLE F- IV. INTERLEAVER SIZE AND INCREMENT IN BITS AS A FUNCTION OF DATA
RATE AND INTERLEAVER LENGTH...................................................................................... 129

121

MIL-STD-188-110B
APPENDIX F
HF DATA MODEMS FOR MULTIPLE CHANNEL SYSTEMS

F.1 GENERAL
F.1.1 Scope.
This appendix describes HF data modem operation over multiple discrete channels (including
independent sidebands of a single carrier), and specifies a waveform that supports data rates of
9600 to 19,200 bps over two-independent-sideband (2-ISB) radios using the waveforms from
Appendix C.
F.1.2 Applicability.
This appendix is a nonmandatory part of MIL-STD-188-110B; however, systems using HF data
modem waveforms on multiple discrete channels shall operate in accordance with this appendix.
F.2 APPLICABLE DOCUMENTS
This section is not applicable to this appendix.
F.3 DEFINITIONS
See section 3.
F.4 GENERAL REQUIREMENTS
The use of multiple HF channels in parallel can provide data throughput greater than the use of a
single sideband channel. Section F.4.1 describes a range of architectures for multiple channel
operation that may be useful in specific applications. Section F.4.2 describes an independent
sideband (ISB) modem waveform that may be used in any of these architectures.
F.4.1 Architectures for multiple channel operation.
F.4.1.1 Multiple channel operation with independent-sideband modem.
When ISB radios and channel allocations are available, the channels provided by the radio
inherently have similar channel characteristics, and can support similar data rates. A modem that
spreads coded symbols over the available channels takes full advantage of this capability. Such a
modem is shown in Figure F-1 (with optional link-level encryption). The two-channel ISB (2ISB) modem specified in sections F.4.2 and F.5 is the mandatory portion of this appendix. The
ISB capability is currently limited to two channels per modem. Four-channel radios support two
such 2-ISB modems using either of the techniques described in the following sections.

122

MIL-STD-188-110B
APPENDIX F

User
Data

Traffic
Manager

Modulator
ARQ

Crypto

FEC

Mux
Modulator

ISB
Radio

Modem

FIGURE F- 1. Multiple channel operation with independent-sideband modem.

F.4.1.2 Multiple channel operation with multiple modems. (Optional)
When ISB radios and channel allocations are available, but ISB modems with a matching
number of audio channels are not available, multiple modems may be employed as shown in
Figure F-2. The upper diagram illustrates the case of unencrypted user data and link-level
encryption (as in the previous section). The lower diagram depicts application-layer (end-toend) encryption.
SSB or ISB Modem
User
Data

Traffic
Manager

ARQ

Crypto

Mux

ISB
Radio

SSB or ISB Modem

SSB or ISB Modem

Encrypted
Data
Control

Traffic
Manager

ARQ

Mux

ISB
Radio

SSB or ISB Modem

FIGURE F- 2. Multiple channel operation with single-sideband modems.

The first bit of data to be sent shall be delivered to the modem associated with the highest overthe-air frequency, with succeeding bits delivered to modems with decreasing frequencies. When
M modems are attached to a single ISB radio (M = 2 shown), all modems shall operate at a single
data rate, and modem i (i = 0 .. M - 1) shall carry bits numbered i + nM (n = 0, 1,).
This architecture also may be applied to multiple radios operating on unrelated frequencies.
However, performance may not be satisfactory if the characteristics of the various channels are
not sufficiently similar to support a common maximum data rate. Bit ordering shall be as
specified above, with the identity of the modem associated with the highest over-the-air
frequency determined when the link is initially established, regardless of subsequent frequency
changes while linked.

123

MIL-STD-188-110B
APPENDIX F
In the bit-synchronous approach described above, it is understood that the multiplexer and
modems share a common clock. In addition, the multiplexer provides a short synchronization
header in the bit stream to each modem prior to the payload data. Note that this header is
transparent to the ARQ or other modem-user process. The header is used by the multiplexer at
the receive end to establish bit-order integrity. This header is required since a bit-synchronous Tx
modem interface does not generally guarantee that the first bit out of the receiving modem is the
first bit out of the transmitting DTE following assertion of CTS.
Alternatively, the High Speed Asynchronous Interface with Flow Control that is described in
section C.5.4.1 may be used. In this case, data to successive modems from the multiplexer will
be successive bytes rather than successive bits.
F.4.1.3 Multiple channel operation with parallel ARQ channels. (Optional)
The architecture shown in Figure F-3 accommodates any combination of radios and modems for
multiple-channel operation. As above, the upper diagram illustrates link-level encryption while
the lower diagram depicts application-layer (end-to-end) encryption.
ARQ
User
Data

Crypto

SSB or ISB Modem

Traffic
Manager

ARQ

Crypto

Radio(s)

SSB or ISB Modem

Modems
ARQ
Encrypted
Data
Control

Traffic
Manager

SSB or ISB Modem

ARQ

Radio(s)

SSB or ISB Modem

FIGURE F- 3. Multiple channel operation with parallel ARQ channels.

A traffic manager process dynamically assigns packets to a separate ARQ protocol process
associated with each modem. Each ARQ process adapts its modems data rate to the channel
conditions it encounters; the traffic manager likewise adapts the rate that it assigns packets to the
ARQ processes based on their completion rates. Message reassembly relies on packet offset
fields in the packet headers.
F.4.2 HF data modem waveform for two-independent-sideband applications.
This appendix presents a modem waveform and coding specification for data transmission over
two HF sidebands for data rates from 9.6 up to 19.2 kbps. As in Appendix C, a block interleaver
is used to obtain 6 interleaving lengths ranging from 0.12 s to 8.64 s. The waveforms in this

124

MIL-STD-188-110B
APPENDIX F
appendix have been designed to be compatible with the Appendix C waveforms, and use
identical preamble processing with the exception that these waveforms employ settings for
specifying data rate and interleaver that are reserved in Appendix C.
Data rate and interleaver settings are explicitly transmitted as a part of the waveform, both as
part of the initial preamble and then periodically as a reinserted preamble and in the periodic
known symbol blocks (mini-probes). This autobaud feature is critical in developing an
efficient (ARQ) protocol for high frequency (HF) channels. The receive modem is required to be
able to deduce the data rate and interleaver setting from either the preamble or the subsequent
data portion of the waveform.
A block diagram of the 2-ISB modem with 2-ISB radios is shown in Figure F-4. In all
applications of this modem, the quasi-analog signal designated Channel 0 shall be connected to
the radio equipment so that the sideband that it produces is higher in frequency than the sideband
produced by the quasi-analog signal designated Channel 1. In particular, with 2-ISB radios
Channel 0 shall use the upper sideband and Channel 1 shall use the lower sideband.

Modulator
FEC

Ch 1

deMux

Modulator

Ch 0

Ch 1
ISB
Radio

ISB
Radio

Demodulator
Mux

Ch 0

FEC

Demodulator

FIGURE F- 4. 2-ISB Modem.

F.5 DETAILED REQUIREMENTS

F.5.1 Modulation.
Each of the channels shall be modulated independently. The modulation of each of the channels
is identical, with a few specified exceptions, to that specified in appendix C for the high data rate
single sideband option. The transmit data clock for both of the channels shall be synchronized so
that there is no drift in the relative clocks for each of the channels.
The power spectral density of each modulator output signal should be constrained to be at least
20 dB below the signal level measured at 1800 Hz, when tested outside of the band from 200 Hz
to 3400 Hz. The filter employed shall result in a ripple of no more than 2 dB in the range from
800 Hz to 2800 Hz.
F.5.1.1 Known symbols.
For all known symbols, the modulation used shall be PSK, with the symbol mapping shown in
table C-I and figure C-1. No scrambling shall be applied to the known symbols.

125

MIL-STD-188-110B
APPENDIX F

F.5.1.2 Data symbols.

For data symbols, the modulation used depends upon the data rate as shown in Table F-I.
TABLE F- I. Modulation used to obtain each data rate for 2-ISB operation.
Modulation
8PSK
16QAM
32QAM
64QAM

Code Rate
3/4
3/4
3/4
3/4

Data Rate (kbps)

9.6
12.8
16.0
19.2

F.5.1.2.1 PSK data symbols.

For the PSK constellations, a distinction is made between the data bits and the symbol number.
Transcoding is an operation which links a symbol to be transmitted to a group of data bits.
F.5.1.2.1.1 QPSK symbol mapping.
For QPSK symbols, used in the preamble and reinserted preamble to specify data rate and
interleaving, transcoding shall be achieved by linking one of the symbols specified in table C-I to
a set of two consecutive data bits (dibit) as shown in table C-III. In this table, the leftmost bit of
the dibit shall be the older bit; i.e., fetched from the interleaver before the rightmost bit.
F.5.1.2.1.2 8PSK symbol mapping.
For the 9600 bps user data rate, transcoding shall be achieved by linking one symbol to a set of
three consecutive data bits (tribit) as shown in table C-IV. In this table, the leftmost bit of the
tribit shall be the oldest bit; i.e., fetched from the interleaver before the other two, and the
rightmost bit is the most recent bit.
F.5.1.2.2 QAM data symbols.
For the QAM constellations, no distinction is made between the number formed directly from the
data bits and the symbol number. Each set of 4 bits (16QAM), 5 bits (32QAM) or 6 bits
(64QAM) is mapped directly to a QAM symbol. For example, the four bit grouping 0111 would
map to symbol 7 in the 16QAM constellation while the 6 bit grouping 100011 would map to
symbol 35 in the 64QAM constellation. Again, in each case the leftmost bit shall be the oldest
bit, i.e. fetched from the interleaver before the other bits, and the rightmost bit is the most recent
bit.
F.5.1.2.2.1 The 16 QAM constellation.
See figure C-2 and table C-V.
F.5.1.2.2.2 The 32 QAM constellation.
See figure C-3 and table C-VI.

126

MIL-STD-188-110B
APPENDIX F
F.5.1.2.2.3 The 64QAM constellation.
See figure C-4 and table C-VII.
F.5.1.3 Data scrambling.
Data symbols for the 8PSK symbol constellation shall be scrambled by modulo 8 addition with a
scrambling sequence. The data symbols for the 16QAM, 32QAM, and 64QAM constellations
shall be scrambled by using an exclusive or (XOR) operation. Sequentially, the data bits
forming each symbol (4 for 16QAM, 5 for 32QAM, and 6 for 64QAM) shall be XORd with an
equal number of bits from the scrambling sequence. In all cases, the scrambling sequence
generator polynomial shall be x9 +x4 +1 and the generator shall be initialized to 1 at the start of
each data frame. A block diagram of the scrambling sequence generator is shown in figure C-5.
Further details of the operation of the data scrambler may be found in C.5.1.3.
F.5.2 Frame structure.
The frame structure shall be as described in C.5.2 except that the data symbols D0, D1, and D2
(used in the preambles and encoded in the mini-probes) take on values distinct from those used
for the Appendix C SSB modes.
For the two sideband option, the 3 bits used for data rate in SSB are fixed at 000. The bits
normally used for interleaver setting in SSB are employed as specified in Table F-II, using both
channels, to select data rate and interleaver settings. Channel 0 carries the code for the combined
data rate and Channel 1 carries the code for the common interleaver. Recall that channel 0 is
always the lower of the two sidebands. Unused codings are reserved and shall not be used until
standardized.
TABLE F- II. Data symbol patterns for specifying data rate and interleaver length for the 2-ISB
modem.
Channel 0
Data Rate (kbps)
9.6
12.8
16.0
19.2

D0,D1,D2
0,0,2
0,2,0
0,2,2
2,0,0

3 Bit Mapping
001
010
011
100

Interleaver
Ultra Short
Very Short
Short
Medium
Long
Very Long

D0,D1,D2
0,0,2
0,2,0
0,2,2
2,0,0
2,0,2
2,2,0

3 Bit Mapping
001
010
011
100
101
110

Channel 1

127

MIL-STD-188-110B
APPENDIX F
F.5.3 Coding and interleaving.
The interleaver used shall be a block interleaver. Each block of input data shall be encoded
using a block encoding technique with a code block size equal to the size of the block
interleaver. Thus, the input data bits will be sent as successive blocks of bits on both channels
that together span the duration of the interleaver length selected.
Table F-III shows the number of input data bits per block as function of both data rate and
interleaver length. Note that an input data block should not be confused with the 256 symbol
data block that is part of a data frame in the waveform format. The bits from an input data block
will be mapped through the coding and interleaving to the number of data frames, and thus 256
symbol data blocks, that define the interleaver length.
TABLE F- III. Input data block size in bits as a function of data rate and interleaver length
Data Rate
(kbps)
9.6
12.8
16.0
19.2

Interleaver Length in Frames

1
3
9
18
Number of Input Data Bits per Block
1,152
3,456
10,368
20,736
1,536
4,608
13,824
27,648
1,920
5,760
17,280
34,560
2,304
6,912
20,736
41,472

36

72

41,472
55,296
69,120
82,944

82,944
110,592
138,240
165,888

F.5.3.1 Block boundary alignment.

Each code block shall be interleaved within a single interleaver block of the same size. The
boundaries of these blocks shall be aligned such that the beginning of the first data frame
following each reinserted preamble shall coincide with an interleaver boundary. Thus for an
interleaver length of 3 frames, the first three data frames following a reinserted preamble will
contain all of the encoded bits for a single input data block. The first data symbol from the first
data frame in each interleaver set shall have as its MSB the first bit fetched from the interleaver.
This is no different from what would normally be expected, but is a requirement.
F.5.3.2 Block encoding.
See C.5.3.2.
F.5.3.3 Block interleaver structure.
The block interleaver used is designed to separate neighboring bits in the punctured block code
as far as possible over the span of the interleaver with the largest separations resulting for the bits
that were originally closest to each other.
F.5.3.3.1 Interleaver size in bits.
The interleaver shall consist of a single dimension array, numbered from 0 to its size in bits 1.
The array size shall depend on both the data rate and interleaver length selected as shown in table
F-IV.

128

MIL-STD-188-110B
APPENDIX F
TABLE F- IV. Interleaver size and increment in bits as a function of data rate and interleaver length.
Modulation
8 PSK
16QAM
32QAM
64QAM

Data
Rate
(kbps)
9.6
12.8
16.0
19.2

Ultra Short
1 Frame
Size
Inc
1536
229
2048
363
2560
453
3072
481

Very Short
3 Frames
Size
Inc
4608
805
6144 1303
7680 1343
9216 1393

Short
9 Frames
Size
Inc
13,824
2089
18,432
3281
23,040
3481
27,648
5137

Medium
18 Frames
Size
Inc
27,648
5,137
36,864
6,985
46,080
8,561
55,296
10,273

Long
36 Frames
Size
Inc
55,296
10,273
73,728
11,141
92,160
14,441
110,592
17,329

Very Long
72 Frames
Size
Inc
110,592
17,329
147,456
28,007
184,320
34,907
221,184
47,069

F.5.3.3.2 Interleaver load.

The punctured block code bits shall be loaded into the interleaver array beginning with location
0. The location for loading each successive bit shall be obtained from the previous location by
incrementing by the interleaver increment value Inc specified in table F-IV, modulo the
interleaver size in bits, Size.
Defining the first punctured block code bit to be B(0), then the load location for B(n) is given by:
Load Location = ( n * Inc) modulo (Size)
F.5.3.3.3 Interleaver fetch.
The fetching sequence for all data rates and interleaver lengths shall start with location 0 of the
interleaver array and increment the fetch location by 1. The first bit fetched from the interleaver
shall be sent to the symbol formation module for channel 0, the second bit fetched shall be sent
to the symbol formation module for channel 1, and this pattern shall continue until all bits have
been fetched from the interleaver. This is a linear fetch from beginning to end of the interleaver
array with even numbered bits delivered to channel 0 and odd numbered bits to channel 1.
F.5.4 Operational features and message protocols.
See C.5.4.

F.6 PERFORMANCE
The performance requirements of the 2-ISB mode have not yet been established.

F.7 ASSOCIATED COMMUNICATIONS EQUIPMENT

See C.7

129

MIL-STD-188-110B
CONCLUDING MATERIAL
Custodians:
Air Force - 90
Army - SC
Navy - EC
Review activities:
Army - CR
Navy- MC
DoD - DC, NS, JT

Preparing activity:
Air Force - 90
(Project TCSS-00361)

130

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MIL-STD-188-110B

000427

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Interoperability and Performance Standards for Data Modems

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WHS/DIOR, Feb 99