HF Radio Network Design Considerations

A practical networking design for HF radio, with an acceptable ECCM waveform and reasonable data rates, is difficult to achieve because of inherently narrow signalling bandwidths and poor connectivity. If HF networking is to be successful, higher than usual network management overhead and lower than desired data rates must be accepted. In addition, a successful networking design must consider the total system and not focus in on only selected issues such as waveforms, network models, relay, or link quality analysis. The design and analysis must be comprehensive for the entire system. Consideration should also be given to a radio terminal design that encompasses a wide variety of HF communication needs and not just those applicable to ECCM. This will increase the market for such equipment and result in lower life cycle cost. This paper describes some of the concepts that should be considered in future HF radio terminal designs and in the development of future HF radio networking standards.