Next generation ALE concepts

Automatic Link Establishment (ALE) is the mechanism through which automated HF radio systems automatically establish communication on one of a set of channels where a channel is typically a 3 kHz single sideband frequency assignment. In some cases this may be the "best" channel based on either predicted or measured parameters. In other cases the selected channel may simply be good enough to establish communication at some minimum level of service. This paper provides a basic overview of the basic features of both second and third generation ALE system and then discusses what improvements and enhancements may be possible in a next generation ALE system.