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EXAM OVERVIEW

The TSS certification exam evaluates the core competencies required to operate and maintain tactical SATCOM systems. It includes eleven modules with a total of 175 questions. Candidates are allowed a maximum of 43 incorrect answers to pass the exam.

• Format: Online, proctored exam

• Duration: 1.5 hours

• Passing Score: 75% (132/175 correct answers)

The exam assesses candidates on three dimensions of knowledge:

• Factual (What): Understanding key concepts and definitions.

• Conceptual (Why): Recognizing the importance and reasoning behind practices.

• Procedural (How): Applying methods to real-world scenarios.

Exam standards

• 1. Properties of Electromagnetic (EM) Waves

  1.1 Define key properties of EM waves, including frequency, wavelength, amplitude, and phase.

  1.2 Describe how atmospheric conditions affect EM wave propagation, including attenuation, scattering, and refraction.

  1.3 Explain polarization and its importance in satellite communication systems.

• 2. Key Features of Power in SATCOM Systems

  2.1 Identify power requirements for tactical SATCOM systems in mobile and fixed deployments.

  2.2 Explain the role of power amplifiers, including their effects on signal strength and quality.

  2.3 Describe power management techniques for portable SATCOM terminals.

  2.4 Explain RF amplifier tuning and gain control for optimal SATCOM transmission.

• 3. Radio Frequency (RF) Propagation Methods and Equipment

  3.1 Explain RF propagation methods used in SATCOM:

  • 3.1.1 Line-of-sight (LOS) communication.

  • 3.1.2 Skywave and groundwave propagation.

  • 3.1.3 Tropospheric and ionospheric effects on RF propagation.

  3.2 Identify key RF equipment, including BUCs (Block Upconverters), LNBs (Low-Noise Blocks), modems, and spectrum analyzers. 

  3.3 Describe the use of spectrum analyzers in diagnosing RF issues and mitigating interference. 

  3.4 Explain RF interference sources and mitigation techniques, including adjacent satellite interference (ASI) management.

• 4. Modulation Techniques and Access Methods

  4.1 Identify and describe modulation techniques used in SATCOM:

  • 4.1.1 BPSK, QPSK, 8PSK, 16APSK, and higher-order modulation schemes.

  • 4.1.2 Adaptive coding and modulation (ACM) techniques.

  4.2 Explain multiple access methods:

  • 4.2.1 TDMA (Time Division Multiple Access).

  • 4.2.2 FDMA (Frequency Division Multiple Access).

  • 4.2.3 CDMA (Code Division Multiple Access).

  4.3 Describe the relationship between modulation, bandwidth, and signal quality.

• 5. RHN SATCOM Signal Flow

  5.1 Explain the flow of signals through Regional Hub Nodes (RHNs):

  • 5.1.1 Describe uplink and downlink signal paths.

  • 5.1.2 Identify critical components of the RHN, including gateways and encryption devices.

  5.2 Outline how tactical SATCOM systems interact with RHNs for secure communication.

• 6. Segments of Satellite Communications

  6.1 Describe the three main segments of SATCOM:

  • 6.1.1 Space segment: satellites in orbit.

  • 6.1.2 Ground segment: terminals, RHNs, and teleport facilities.

  • 6.1.3 Control segment: mission control and satellite operations centers.

  6.2 Explain the role of each segment in ensuring secure and reliable communication.

  6.3 Describe the integration of commercial SATCOM constellations (LEO/MEO/GEO) with military satellite networks for hybrid operations.

• 7. Satellite Access Authorization (SAA)

  7.1 Identify the purpose of an SAA and its key components.

  7.2 Describe the two DTGs (Date-Time Groups) and their role in defining access times.

  7.3 Explain where to locate distant-end terminal contact information in the SAA.

  7.4 Outline network-specific information found in the LinkWay portion of the SAA.

• 8. Tactical SATCOM Systems

  8.1 Describe the operational capabilities of WGS (Wideband Global SATCOM), AEHF (Advanced Extremely High Frequency), MUOS (Mobile User Objective System), and emerging LEO/MEO networks.

  8.2 Explain the deployment and use of vehicle-mounted and man-portable SATCOM terminals.

  8.3 Discuss frequency hopping, null steering, and beamforming techniques used in tactical SATCOM systems.

• 9. Secure Communication and Anti-Jamming Techniques

  9.1 Identify encryption protocols used in tactical SATCOM, including Type 1 devices and AES-256.

  9.2 Describe anti-jamming and ECCM (Electronic Counter-Countermeasures) techniques:

  • 9.2.1 Frequency hopping and interference cancellation.

  • 9.2.2 Resilient network architectures.

  • 9.2.3 Spread spectrum techniques and LPI/LPD (Low Probability of Intercept/Detection) methods.

• 10. Tactical SATCOM Deployment and Maintenance

  10.1 Describe the setup and teardown procedures for mobile SATCOM systems in austere environments. 10.2 Explain power and environmental considerations for field-deployed terminals.

  10.3 Identify key troubleshooting steps for maintaining operational readiness.

  10.4 Conduct hands-on spectrum analysis for diagnosing and resolving RF interference.

  10.5 Explain SATCOM-on-the-Move (SOTM) and SATCOM-on-the-Pause (SOTP) operations in battlefield scenarios.

• 11. Next-Generation SATCOM Technologies

  11.1 Explain the role of multi-orbit SATCOM solutions integrating GEO, MEO, and LEO networks.

  11.2 Discuss the convergence of SATCOM with 5G and AI-assisted networking technologies.

  11.3 Identify cybersecurity threats to SATCOM infrastructure and countermeasures.

  11.4 Explain Software-Defined Radio (SDR) and its applications in tactical SATCOM and military communications.

  11.5 Describe General Network Management principles, including TCP/IP, UDP, VLAN configurations, and SATCOM network security best practices.