Analytical approximation of net access delay and queue performance in MIL-STD-188-220B

The tactical Internet (TI) architecture deploying the MIL-STD-188-220B protocol has evolved into the tactical Internet division and below (TIDB) network. There are three means in the protocol to control message flows: (1) queue structure discipline, (2) net access delay (NAD) algorithm, and (3) frame multiple unit (FMU) packing. The TIDB design employs a disciplined queue structure which supports addition/extraction of queue entries based upon message precedence, type and age. The dominant traffic type on a TIDB Phase 2 network associated with the IOT&E is perishable friendly and enemy position reports. These situation awareness (SA) messages must be delivered in a timely manner or discarded in favor of more recent information. SA messages are divided into two types: SA UP messages, which are position reports broadcasted by members on the local SINCGARS net and relayed to the backbone by the gateway; and SA DOWN messages, which are position reports from the entire battlefield relayed from the backbone via the gateway. This paper develops an analytical approach for determination of SA queue discards and NAD scheduler interval. The accuracy of this approach is assessed through extensive simulations using OPNET modeling and simulation software. This paper shows that the results derived with the presented analytical approach are remarkably close to those obtained through simulation