Modern power depends on the ability to move information securely, reliably, and at scale. Communication networks form the invisible infrastructure that connects sensors, decision-makers, and operators across domains and distances
IDST Intelligence Briefings
Tactical communications, satellite networks, 5G/6G, secure data links, network resilience, and contested information environments..
Why This Magazine Exists
Communications systems are often taken for granted until they fail. This sub-magazine exists to analyze how networks are designed, protected, disrupted, and restored under strategic and operational pressure.
What We Track
- Military and civil communication architectures
- Satellite and space-based networking
- Cyber-physical vulnerabilities in networks
- Interoperability and coalition communications
- Resilience, redundancy, and denial strategies
Latest Analysis & Intelligence
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Bridging the Terahertz Gap: How Superconducting Receivers Are Unlocking Tomorrow’s Wireless Networks
Imagine downloading a feature-length movie in the blink of an eye, or participating in a real-time holographic meeting that feels indistinguishable from being physically present. These scenarios may sound futuristic, but they are exactly the kinds of experiences that next-generation wireless networks aim to deliver. The key lies in harnessing an immense, largely untapped…
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Bridging the Cosmic Divide: Free Space Laser Communications for Satellites, Moon, and Mars
For decades, radio frequency (RF) communication has been the lifeline of space exploration. From the faint signals of Sputnik to the continuous data streaming from the Perseverance rover on Mars, radio waves have carried humanity’s voice into the cosmos. But as our missions grow more ambitious—high-definition video from the Moon, vast sensor datasets from…
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The Technology and System Aspects of Free-Space Optical Communication
Free-Space Optical Communication (FSOC) represents a radical departure from traditional radio-based systems, signaling a paradigm shift in how we imagine communication across the cosmos. Unlike conventional radio waves, FSOC uses visible and infrared light to transmit data through tightly focused beams of photons. Operating on the principle of line-of-sight, FSOC establishes an optical wireless link…
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JRCSS Photonic Fusion: Unifying Radar, Communications, and Spectrum Sensing to Power 6G with Microwave Photonics
As the world moves toward the sixth generation of wireless networks, the core expectations go far beyond faster data rates. 6G must simultaneously enable intelligent sensing, hyper-connectivity, and dynamic spectrum awareness—all within a compact, efficient, and scalable framework. This trifecta of demands is pushing traditional radio-frequency (RF) systems to their breaking point. The Joint Radar-Communication-Spectrum…
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The Invisible Backbone: Free Space Optics and Its $47.5B Market Revolutionizing Global Connectivity (2025 Update)
Free Space Optical (FSO) communication refers to a line-of-sight communication technology that transmits modulated light beams—typically infrared—through the atmosphere. FSO uses the air as its transmission medium, allowing for high-speed data transfer without the need for physical cabling or spectrum licenses. FSO systems consist of two main components: an optical transceiver at each end. The…
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Distributed and Network-Centric Electronic Warfare: The Future of Spectrum Dominance
Modern warfare is no longer confined to tanks, missiles, and aircraft—it is increasingly fought in the invisible realm of the electromagnetic spectrum. Here, victory is measured not in captured territory but in control over radio waves, data links, and sensor networks. As near-peer adversaries deploy sophisticated radars, encrypted communications, and autonomous drone swarms, the United…
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Illuminating the Future: How Laser Free Space Optical Communication (FSO) technology Is Reshaping Global Connectivity
Introduction: A New Light in Global Connectivity In a world increasingly defined by data velocity and digital reach, the demand for faster, more secure, and more resilient communication has never been greater. As traditional infrastructure like fiber optics and radio frequency networks begin to strain under the weight of global bandwidth needs, Laser Free Space…
Related Domains & Cross-Cutting Themes
Cyber security, space systems, electronic warfare, command and control, and infrastructure protection.
Ethics, governance, and technology control
Industrial scaling and supply-chain constraints
Human–machine teaming and trust
Interoperability across platforms and institutions
Export controls and technological rivalry
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