DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE INTERFACE STANDARD

NOTMEASUREMENTSENSITIVEMIL-STD-188-141CW/CHANGE 127 December 2011SUPERSEDINGMIL-STD-188-141B25 July 2011DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSEINTERFACE STANDARDINTEROPERABILITY AND PERFORMANCE STANDARDSFOR MEDIUM AND HIGH FREQUENCYRADIO SYSTEMSAMSC N/AAREA TCSSDISTRIBUTION STATEMENT A: Approved for public release; distribution unlimited.

MIL-STD-188-141CW/CHANGE 1FOREWORD1. This standard is approved for use by all Departments and Agencies of the Department ofDefense (DoD).2. In accordance with DoD Instruction 4630.8, it is DoD policy that all forces for joint andcombined operations be supported through compatible, interoperable, and integrated Command,Control, Communications, and Intelligence (C3I) systems. Furthermore, all C3I systemsdeveloped for use by U.S. forces are considered to be for joint use. The director of the DefenseInformation Systems Agency (DISA) serves as DoD's single point of contact for developinginformation technology standards to achieve interoperability and compatibility. All C3I systemsand equipment shall conform to technical and procedural standards for interface, interoperability,and compatibility, as recommended by DISA.3. MIL-STDs in the 188 series (MIL-STD-188-XXX) address telecommunication designparameters based on proven technologies. These MIL-STDs are to be used in all new DoDsystems and equipment, or major upgrades thereto, to ensure interoperability. The MIL-STD188 series is subdivided into a MIL-STD-188-100 series, covering common standards for tacticaland long-haul communications; a MIL-STD-188-200 series, covering standards for tacticalcommunications only; and a MIL-STD-300 series, covering standards for long-haulcommunications only. Emphasis is being placed on the development of common standards fortactical and long-haul communications (the MIL-STD-188-100 series). The MIL-STD-188series may be based on, or make reference to, Joint Technical Architecture, American NationalStandards Institute (ANSI) standards, International Telecommunications Union (ITU)recommendations, North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Standardization Agreements(STANAG), and other standards wherever applicable.4. This document contains technical standards and design objectives for medium- and highfrequency radio systems. Included are: (1) the basic radio parameters to support bothconventional and adaptive radio communications; and (2) technical parameters for automatic linkestablishment (ALE), linking protection, and other advanced adaptive features and functions.5. The technical parameters in certain identified paragraphs have not (as of the date ofpublication) been verified by testing or implementation. These parameters have, however, beensubjected to rigorous simulation and computer modeling. The DoD working group and theTechnical Advisory Committee (TAC) are confident that these features, functions, andparameters are technically valid. The un-tested portion of the technology are marked (NT)following the title of each paragraph containing un-tested material.6. Users of this MIL-STD should note that there is no proprietary or otherwise restricted usematerial in this document. This document is for unrestricted DoD, federal, and industry use.7. Comments, suggestions, or questions on this document should be addressed Tinker DefenseStandardization Program Manager, ATTN: OC-ALC/ENSDAA, 3001 Staff Drive, Suite1AB81A, Tinker AFB, OK 73145, or emailed to af71@tinker.af.mil. Since contact informationcan change, you may want to verify the currency of this address information using the ASSISTOnline database at https://assist.daps.dla.mil.ii

MIL-STD-188-141CW/CHANGE 1SUMMARY OF CHANGE 1 MODIFICATIONSChanges to this standard were clerical in nature and does not impact the technical content of thedocument. Graphic of some figures were redrawn where some labeling was missing and textblurred. The Table of Contents was updated remove listed paragraphs which no longer appliedto the document.iii

MIL-STD-188-141CW/CHANGE 1CONTENTSPARAGRAPHPAGE1. SCOPE. .11.1 Scope. .11.2 Applicability. .11.3 Application guidance. .12. APPLICABLE DOCUMENTS. .12.1 General. .12.2 Government documents. .12.2.1 Specifications, standards, and handbooks. .12.2.2 Other Government documents, drawings, and publications. .22.3 Non-Government publications. .32.4 Order of precedence. .33. DEFINITIONS. .43.1 Terms. .43.2 Abbreviations and acronyms. .54. GENERAL REQUIREMENTS. .64.1 General. .64.1.1 Equipment parameters.64.1.2 Basic HF radio parameters. .64.2 Equipment operation mode. .84.2.1 Baseline mode. .84.2.2 Manual mode push-to-talk operation. .84.2.3 ALE mode. .94.2.4 Anti-jam (AJ) mode. .94.2.5 Linking protection (LP). .94.3 Interface parameters. .94.3.1 Electrical characteristics of digital interfaces. .94.3.2 Electrical characteristics of analog interfaces. .94.4 NATO and Quadripartite interoperability requirements. .94.4.1 Single-channel communications systems.94.4.2 Maritime air communications systems. .94.4.3 High-performance HF data modems. .94.4.4 QSTAGs. .104.5 Adaptive communications. .104.6 Linking protection.104.7 HF data link protocol. .104.8 Networking functions. .104.9 HF e-mail and other application protocols for HF radio networks. .10iv

MIL-STD-188-141CW/CHANGE 1CONTENTS (continued)PARAGRAPHPAGE5. DETAILED REQUIREMENTS. .115.1 General. .115.1.1 Introduction. .115.1.2 Signal and noise relationships. .115.2 Common equipment characteristics. .115.2.1 Displayed frequency. .115.2.2 Frequency coverage. .115.2.3 Frequency accuracy.115.2.4 Co-sited operation .115.2.5 Phase noise. Deleted. .115.2.6 Bandwidths. .115.2.7 Overall channel amplitude responses. .125.2.8 Channel Delay .165.2.8.1 Absolute delay. .165.3 Transmitter characteristics. .165.3.1 Noise and distortion. .165.3.2 Spectral purity. .175.3.3 Carrier suppression. .205.3.4 Automatic level control (ALC). .205.3.5 Attack and release time delays. .225.3.6 Signal input interface characteristics. .225.3.7 Transmitter output load impedance.225.4 Receiver characteristics. .245.4.1 Receiver RF characteristics. .245.4.2 Receiver distortion and internally generated spurious outputs. .255.4.3 Automatic gain control (AGC) characteristic. .255.4.4 Receiver linearity. .265.4.5 Interface characteristics. .266. NOTES. .266.1 Intended use. .266.2 Subject term (key word) listing. .276.3 International standardization agreements. .286.4 Electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) requirements. .286.6 Changes from previous issue. .28v

MIL-STD-188-141CW/CHANGE 1TABLESTABLEPAGETABLE I. Bandwidths.12TABLE II. Broadband emissions power spectral density limits for radio transmitters. .17TABLE III. Application guidance for radio specifications. .27FIGURESFIGUREPAGEFIGURE 1. Physical layer with transceiver and modem elements. .7FIGURE 2. Radio subsystems interface points.7FIGURE 3. Overall channel response for single or dual 3kHz channel equipment. .13FIGURE 4. Overall channel response for single or dual channel WBHF equipment. .14FIGURE 5. Overall channel characteristics (four-channel equipment). .15FIGURE 6. Broadband emissions power spectral density for tactical HF transmitters.18FIGURE 7. Broadband emissions power spectral density for long-haul HF transmitters. .19FIGURE 8. Discrete frequency spurious emissions limit for tactical HF transmitters. .21FIGURE 9. Discrete frequency spurious emissions limit for long-haul HF transmitters. .21FIGURE 10. Output power vs. VSWR for transmitters with broadband output impedancenetworks. .23APPENDICESAPPENDIXPAGEAppendix A. Automatic Link Establishment System .29Appendix B. Linking Protection .224Appendix C. Third Generation HF Link Automation .251Appendix D. HF Radio Networking .256Appendix E. Application Protocols for HF Radio Networks .260Appendix F. Radio Requirements for Co-Located Installation .277vi

MIL-STD-188-141Cw/CHANGE 11. SCOPE.1.1 Scope.The purpose of this document is to establish technical performance and interface parameters inthe form of firm requirements and optional design objectives (DO) that are considered necessaryto ensure interoperability and interface standardization of new long-haul and tactical radio systems in the medium frequency (MF) band and in the high frequency (HF) band. It is also thepurpose of this document to establish a level of performance for new radio equipment that isconsidered necessary to satisfy the requirements of the majority of users. These technical parameters, therefore, represent a minimum set of interoperability, interface, and performance standards. The technical parameters of this document may be exceeded in order to satisfy certainspecific requirements, provided that interoperability is maintained. That is, the capability to incorporate features such as additional standard and nonstandard interfaces is not precluded.1.2 Applicability.This standard is approved for use within the Department of Defense (DoD) in the design and development of new MF and HF radio systems. It is not intended that existing equipment and systems be immediately converted to comply with the provisions of this standard. However, thisstandard establishes requirements for new equipment and systems, and those undergoing majormodification or rehabilitation. If deviation from this standard is required, the user should contactthe lead standardization activity for waiver procedures.1.3 Application guidance.The terms ―system standard‖ and ―design objective‖ are defined in FED-STD-1037. In this document, the word ―shall‖ identifies firm requirements. The word ―should‖ identifies design objectives that are desirable but not mandatory.2. APPLICABLE DOCUMENTS.2.1 General.The documents listed in this section are specified in sections 3, 4, and 5 of this standard. Thissection does not include documents cited in other sections of this standard, those recommendedfor additional information, or those used as examples. While every effort has been made to ensure the completeness of this list, document users are cautioned that they must meet all specifiedrequirements documents cited in sections 3, 4, and 5 of this standard, whether or not they arelisted.2.2 Government documents.2.2.1 Specifications, standards, and handbooks.The following specifications, standards, and handbooks form a part of this document to the extent specified herein. Unless otherwise specified, the issues of these documents are those cited inthe solicitation or contract.1

MIL-STD-188-141Cw/CHANGE 1INTERNATIONAL STANDARDIZATION AGREEMENTSNorth Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Standardization Agreements (STANAGs)STANAG 4203Technical Standards for Sing Channel HF Radio EquipmentSTANAG 4539Technical Standards for Non-Hopping HF CommunicationsWaveformsSTANAG 5035Introduction of an Improved System for Maritime AirCommunications on HF, LF, and UHFSTANAG 5066Profile for HF Data CommunicationQuadripartite Standardization Agreements (QSTAGs)QSTAG 733Technical Standards for Single Channel High FrequencyRadio EquipmentFEDERAL STANDARDSFED-STD-1037Telecommunications: Glossary of TelecommunicationsTermsDEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE STANDARDSMIL-STD-188-110Interoperability and Performance Standards for HF DataModemsMIL-STD-188-148Interoperability Standard for Anti-Jam (AJ) Communications in the High Frequency (2-30 MHz) Band (U)(Copies of these documents are available online at https://assist.daps.dla.mil/quicksearch/ orfrom the Standardization Document Order Desk, 700 Robbins Avenue, Building 4D, Philadelphia, PA 19111-5094.)2.2.2 Other Government documents, drawings, and publications. The following other Government documents, drawings, and publications form a part of this document to the extent specifiedherein. Unless otherwise specified, the issues of these documents are those cited in the solicitation or contract.U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCENational Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA)NTIA Manual of Regulations and Procedures for Federal Radio Frequency2