# Common Data Link

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Military communications protocol

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**Common Data Link (CDL)** is a secure [U.S. military](/source/U.S._military) [communication protocol](/source/Communication_protocol). It was established by the [U.S. Department of Defense](/source/U.S._Department_of_Defense) in 1991 as the military's primary protocol for [imagery](/source/Image) and [signals intelligence](/source/Signals_intelligence).[1][2] CDL operates within the [Ku band](/source/Ku_band) at data rates up to 274 Mbit/s. CDL allows for [full duplex](/source/Full_duplex) data exchange. CDL signals are transmitted, received, synchronized, routed, and simulated by **Common data link (CDL) Interface Boxes (CIBs)**.

The FY06 Authorization Act (Public Law 109-163) requires use of CDL for all imagery, unless waiver is granted. The primary reason waivers are granted is from the inability to carry the 300 pound radios on a small (30 pound) aircraft. Emerging technology expects to field a 2-pound version by the end of the decade (2010).[*[needs update](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Manual_of_Style/Dates_and_numbers#Chronological_items)*]

The **Tactical Common Data Link (TCDL)** is a secure data link being developed by the [U.S. military](/source/U.S._military) to send secure data and streaming video links from airborne platforms to ground stations. The TCDL can accept data from many different sources, then [encrypt](/source/Encrypt), [multiplex](/source/Multiplexing), [encode](/source/Code), transmit, demultiplex, and route this data at high speeds. It uses a [Ku](/source/Ku_band) narrowband uplink that is used for both payload and vehicle control, and a wideband downlink for data transfer.

The TCDL uses both directional and omnidirectional antennas to transmit and receive the Ku band signal. The TCDL was designed for [UAVs](/source/UAV), specifically the [MQ-8B Fire Scout](/source/MQ-8B_Fire_Scout), as well as crewed non-fighter environments. The TCDL transmits radar, imagery, video, and other sensor information at rates from 1.544 Mbit/s to 10.7 Mbit/s over ranges of 200 km. It has a [bit error rate](/source/Bit_error_rate) of 10e-6 with [COMSEC](/source/COMSEC) and 10e-8 without COMSEC. It is also intended that the TCDL will in time support the required higher CDL rates of 45, 137, and 274 Mbit/s.

## References

1. **[^](#cite_ref-1)** [http://directory.eoportal.org/auth/8127/pres_TacSat2Roadrunner.html](http://directory.eoportal.org/auth/8127/pres_TacSat2Roadrunner.html)[*[permanent dead link](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Link_rot)*] Accessed 28 June 2007.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-2)** [L-3 Communication Systems – West Homepage](https://www.l-3com.com/csw/)

- [L-3 business segments](https://web.archive.org/web/20110809114838/http://www2.l-3com.com/csw/product/specs/Airborne/TCDLAir.asp)

- [Avionics Systems Standardisation Committee](https://web.archive.org/web/20111003180634/http://www.assconline.co.uk/documents/ASSC_Study_Application_MPEG2_Digital_Video_Compression_Standard.pdf)

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