How Fazzt Gives Defense Forces a Battlefield Edge

Military communications have come a long way since ancient times, when the Greek writer Aeneas Tacticus invented the hydraulic telegraph in the 4th century BC. This device used water buckets and rods with predetermined messages to convey detailed information over long distances, surpassing the limitations of torches and beacons that could only signal simple alerts.

Today, militaries need to transmit and receive large data files and video streams in real time, under challenging network conditions and to multiple fixed and mobile receivers. To achieve this, they need the most advanced communications technology available, such as algorithms that ensure secure and error-free delivery of data.

Covering the battlefield and beyond

In modern conflicts — such as the war in Ukraine — the critical importance of verified, secure communications is clear. Forces must share UAV video, imagery, intelligence, maps, weather, biometric data, and security updates. These data streams aid tactical and strategic decision-making but pose challenges:

• High volume and bandwidth requirements.

• Adverse network conditions (interference, congestion, latency, packet loss).

• Threats from adversaries (jamming, hacking, deception, interception).

• The need for faster, more reliable comms as modern weapons and vehicles increase in speed.

• Diverse and challenging environments (urban, rural, mountainous, maritime).

• Frequent movement of data sources and receivers (aircraft, vehicles, troops).
  

To overcome these, militaries need content distribution techniques that ensure secure, error-free delivery over satellite and other networks.

Time to ditch the ‘spray and pray’

Large data volumes are typically sent over satellite. But with one-way transmission and no feedback channel, senders can’t know if receivers got the data intact. Traditionally, this led to “carousel delivery” or “spray and pray” — sending the same data multiple times, hoping enough pieces would arrive. This wastes bandwidth and time, and becomes inefficient as receiver numbers grow.

Forward Error Correction (FEC) solves this. By adding redundancy, FEC allows receivers to detect and correct errors without feedback. Think of it as a Sudoku puzzle: with enough clues, the missing pieces can be filled in.

Not all FEC is equal. Common techniques like Reed–Solomon or convolutional codes struggle with large files and varied error conditions. More advanced approaches are needed.

KenCast’s Application Layer FEC

KenCast developed Application Layer FEC (AL-FEC), applied across the entire file rather than just real-time segments. AL-FEC adapts to channel conditions and supports multicast and broadcast, enabling secure, efficient, scalable delivery.

Case Study: Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA)

In 1998, DISA began developing the Global Broadcast Service (GBS) to deliver content via satellite. Challenges included encrypted content, moving troops, atmospheric conditions, and no backchannel for feedback.

KenCast’s AL-FEC and Fazzt software proved effective, leading DISA to select KenCast as its content delivery partner. Over 26 years, KenCast has expanded the system with more servers, clients, and patents (including vehicle-specific FEC, acceleration protocols, and hardware appliances). Fazzt has since been widely adopted by military and government customers.

Conclusion

The better the algorithm, the more efficient the error correction, the greater the reliability, the faster the transmission, and the lower the cost of retransmissions.

Just as Aeneas Tacticus sought efficiency centuries ago, modern militaries refine communication strategies with technologies like AL-FEC and Fazzt. This ensures vital information flows seamlessly across the global theater, safeguarding missions and lives. How advanced comms give militaries an edge in the modern battlefield — Original article: CriticalComms. Link