scope:

This planning standard establishes a reference source of unified system design guidance applicable to the evolving and future DCS transmission subsystem. This guidance is intended to help assure the compatibility of future DCS subsystems, as well as the interoperability of the DCS with other DoD and non-DoD communications systems. Specifically, this planning standard is intended to:

a. Avoid unilateral design decisions by one engineering group.

b. Pinpoint areas where design decisions are needed.

c. Facilitate the comparison and evaluation of design criteria in regard to tradeoffs, impact on other subsystems, and overall system performance.

d. Assure utilization of appropriate advances in technology.

e. Provide wider exposure of design decisions to all interested DoD activities.

This planning standard is to be used in the planning and design stages of future DCS subsystems and programs for communications facilities intended to interface with the DCS. The parameter values, procedures and related technical information in this planning standard should be considered as design objectives as defined in MIL-STD-188-120, Command Long Haul/Tactical Telecommunications Terms and Definitions. As such they may be used as a basis for preparing system and equipment development specifications (Types A and B respectively, as described in MIL-STD-490). However, they should not be used for preparing equipment procurement specifications until such time as they have been proven by measured performance and published in the MIL-STD-188 series of military standards.