What is Iris?
Soldier using the Iris Digital Communications SystemInformation must be shared quickly and securely by soldiers, commanders, and high-tech sensors operating on the modern battlefield. The Iris digital communications system gives the Army this capability. The Tactical Command and Control Communications System Project (TCCCS) replaced old radio equipment with the state-of-the-art Iris communications system. As a result, the Canadian Army has the most integrated digitized command and control system in the world.
Iris is a complete voice and data distribution system that consists of radios, telephones, computers, custom software, fibre-optic and wireless networks, trunk, satellite, and encryption and management applications. Iris provides a secure, survivable, and responsive means of tactical and strategic communications to support the Army's commitments in Canada and overseas.
The ability of commanders to effectively manoeuvre their troops is greatly enhanced by Iris. It supports commanders in making timely and balanced decisions based upon current information, and it operates in a range of geographic, climatic, and electromagnetic environments in Canada and throughout the world.
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What Will Iris Do For Canada's Army?
Iris brings communications for the Canadian Army into a new era of technology. Some fundamental improvements Iris offers are:
* Integrated voice and data capability
* Local Distribution Networks between vehicles
* Integrated links from hand-held radios, up to and including satellite communications
* Increased security via the implementation of frequency hopping technology
* Message handling with an integrated tactical e-mail system
Iris uses state of the art technology to bring the highest calibre of communication means to Canada's Army. This goal has been obtained through the following improvements:
Frequency Spectrum Utilization
Iris employs frequency-hopping technology, resulting in broader use of channels and compliance with NATO and national regulations.
Data Handling
Iris provides effective data capability with reliability and speed.
Capacity
There is an increased voice and data capacity and integration within battle group and formation command posts. Exchange of data within and among levels of command is now possible.
Interoperability
Iris has the ability to interface with existing Canadian and allied force systems as well as North American and European commercial systems.
Survivability
The expected survivability of equipment and system functionality has increased significantly with Iris. Timely restoration of communications is excellent due to the system's modular design, its redundant links, and the automatic switching capabilities, which in the event of link failure, will transfer signals to still-functional components. Also, Iris equipment is protected against the wide-ranging electromagnetic effects of nuclear explosion, namely electromagnetic pulse (EMP), and transient radiation effects on electronics (TREE). It will withstand the effects of nuclear and conventional weapons to at least the same degree as the soldier operating the equipment. It will resist permanent or long lasting contamination by chemical and biological agents and withstand decontamination.
Security
Most Iris manpack radios have embedded crypto, making secure communications possible without the need for external cryptographic devices. The Canadian Key Management Unit (CKMU) provides security services to assist in key management and the enforcement of the system security policy.
Timeliness
Iris System operators access the system directly, thus accelerating the passage of information. The Communication Management System (CMS) provides fully automated planning and control features for the system.
Mobility and Range
The Iris Trunk System (ITS) allows users to access other users through the various nodes and the Information Distribution System (IDS). The Trunk system uses switching to extend the range of tactical communications links across tactical boundaries, including strategic, allied, and commercial networks. Telephone and data services are available to every user.
Maintainability
Repairs of the Iris System occur as far forward as possible through fault-location and sub-assembly replacement. Whenever necessary, maintenance activities are supported by a system repair vehicle equipped with an automated test suite.
These improvements over the current communication system deliver a positive impact on the effectiveness of command and control, allied interoperability, and future development.
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Iris Components
Iris is made up of more than 200 types of equipment, including 15,000 radios, 1,500 data terminals, and three major software applications. Components of the system are installed in approximately 5,000 armoured and soft-skinned vehicles. Each of the systems or subsystems can operate independently; however, the full operational capability of the Iris System is met when they operate as a whole. The major components of Iris are as follows:
Combat Net Radios (CNR)
Information Distribution System (IDS)
Iris Trunk System (ITS)
Long Range Communications System (LRCS)
Iris System Management (ISM)
Tactical Message Handling System (TMHS)
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Combat Net Radio (CNR)
The Iris Combat Net Radio system consists of a full range of tactical radios. These include net-radio, point-to-point, ship-to-shore, air-ground-air, long range, and voice and data communications covering the HF, VHF, and UHF bands. The equipment can be employed in vehicles, ship, or manpack configurations. The Combat Net Radio subsystems provide users with the means to transmit and receive voice and data messages utilizing the Tactical Message Handling System(TMHS), and Radio Nodes (RN). The Combat Net Radio systems currently being used by the Army include:
Combat Net Radio (Primary)
Light Assault Radio
Combat Net Radio (HF)
Air-Ground-Air Radio
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Information Distribution System (IDS)
The IDS forms the heart of the Iris System. This system integrates all the components into a unified tactical command, control, and communications system at the Headquarters site. It serves users at all levels of command in a variety of vehicle configurations. Tactical command posts, formation headquarters, designated armoured vehicles, and other selected command vehicles use IDS to access secure and non-secure voice and data communications resources.
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Iris Trunk System (ITS)
The ITS allows users to access other users of the trunk system through the various nodes and the Information Distribution System. It operates over fibre optic cables and UHF and SHF Line-of-Sight Radio Relays. The switching capability of the ITS extends the range of tactical communications links across tactical boundaries and through the long range capability of the Iris System to strategic, allied, or commercial networks.
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Long Range Communications System (LRCS)
The LRCS provides extended range communications to commanders in the field by the use of both tactical and strategic resources. It is made up of both satellite and HF facilities, which can support operations independently or together as a system. The LRCS is divided into two main parts: a Static Switching site and Field Detachments.
Static Switching Site
The Static Switching site contains the Tactical Interface Equipment (TIE), which is used to interconnect the deployed detachments. The system(s) support secure voice and data communications over extended ranges not covered by other Iris components.
Field Detachments
The field detachments consist of the following:
* The Tactical Long Range Communication Terminal Detachment (TLRCT): The TLRCT detachment provides a mobile satellite ground station vehicle that provides Satellite Communications (SATCOM) with the Static site, or to another TLRCT.
* Medium Communications Terminal Detachment (MCT): The MCT Detachment provides extended range HF communications with one of the CF High Frequency Radio stations, and other MCT Detachmentss, and is also compatible with the Combat Net Radio (High Frequency).
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Iris System Management (ISM)
Iris System Management provides the Signal organizations of the Canadian Army with the ability to perform communication management functions without disrupting the elements that they support. This ensures a continuous and reliable communication system despite dispersion of resources, hostile activity, frequent tactical moves, and planned connectivity changes.
ISM is made up of three subsystem management tools and the Tactical Message Handling System (TMHS). The TMHS provides e-mail service for the user and a transport layer for the system management tools to function. The subsystem management tools are, the Communication Management System (CMS), the Cryptographic Material Management System (CMMS), and IDS Network Management (INM). Additional support for ISM comes from the IDS Network Services (INS) and IDS Operating to System Extension (IOSX).
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Tactical Message Handling System (TMHS)
The Iris System TMHS provides users with secure, tactical messaging capability through the data terminals assigned to them. It provides electronic messaging and a store and forward capability for mobile users. The segment interfaces with CF strategic and allied messaging systems. Users are able to transmit and receive messages utilizing either Combat Net Radio or Iris Trunk System links. Incorporated into the TMHS are the pre-formatted common reports required for field operations as well as the ability to write free-text messages.
IRIS DIGITAL COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEM
Canadian Forces
