Nato standards for HF communications : an overview and technical description

Abstract

During the 1990's many STANAG's (Standard Agreements) on HF communications were developed and agreed upon within NATO. The standards cover the lowest layers of the OSI model containing radio functionality, modem waveforms, datalink protocols and some networking aspects. Some of the standards are very complex. This report gives an overview of the technical functionality of the standards and summarizes their ratification and implementation status as of August 2006. The report also gives descriptions of the American military standards at HF which are closely related to the NATO standard. This report was originally published in 2003.