AU2021386629A1 - Network module, electronic system and communication network - Google Patents

Abstract

A network module of an electronic system of an operative for a communication network that couples a plurality of electronic systems is proposed. The network module comprises: interfaces for coupling applications, wherein the respective application is designed to provide packetized data to be transmitted, an interface unit for coupling a routing module, wherein the respective communication module is designed to interchange packetized data with at least one communication module of one of the further electronic systems, and an adjusting unit that comprises: a determination unit for determining a current network status of the communication network on the basis of data received from further electronic systems via the routing module, a decision unit for providing a decision to adjust a data flow of packetized data provided by the coupled applications to the routing module on the basis of the determined current network status, and a network interface unit designed to adjust the data flow of the packetized data provided by the coupled applications in accordance with the decision provided.

Description

NETWORK MODULE, ELECTRONIC SYSTEM, AND COMMUNICATIONS NETWORK

The present invention relates to a network module of an electronic system of a deployed person for a communications network coupling a plurality of electronic systems. The present invention further relates to an electronic system of a de ployed person, having such a network module, and to a communications network coupling a plurality of electronic systems, each electronic system comprising such a network module.

Military communications networks, for example, can couple a plurality of differ ent electronic systems, such as vehicle systems and soldier systems, using differ ent communications modules, such as tactical radios and LTE modules.

When operating such a military communications network, however, an overload of individual communications modules, for example of tactical radios, can disad vantageously occur. Communications via the communications network can thereby disadvantageously collapse, particularly disadvantageously when in the field.

Communications networks are known, for example, from the applicant's patents DE 10 2015 107 071 B3, EP 3 192 226 B1, and US 10 681057 B2.

Against this background, one object of the present invention is to improve com munications between electronic systems of a communications network.

According to a first aspect, a network module of an electronic system of a de ployed person is proposed for a communications network coupling a plurality N of electronic systems, where N > 2. The communications network is particularly a military communications network, preferably an IP network (IP: Internet Proto col). The network module comprises: a plurality of interfaces for coupling a plurality of applications, each applica tion being configured to provide packetized data to be transmitted via the commu nications network; an interface unit for coupling a routing module configured to couple a plural ity of communications modules, each communications module being configured to exchange packetized data with at least one communications module of one of the N-1 further electronic systems; and an adjusting unit capable of being coupled between the interfaces and the interface unit. The adjusting unit comprises: a determination unit for determining a current network status of the commu nications network depending on data received from a plurality M of the further electronic systems via the routing module, where 2 M N-1; a decision unit for providing a decision for adjusting a data flow of packetized data provided by the coupled applications to the routing module at least depending on the determined current network status; and a network interface unit capable of being connected between the interfaces and the interface unit and configured to adjust the data flow of the packetized data provided by the coupled applications according to the provided decision.

The decision unit accordingly provides a decision for adjusting a data flow of packetized data provided by the coupled applications at least depending on the determined current network status. The decision unit consequently decides which of the coupled applications may transmit which packetized data to the routing module, particularly with respect to the amount of data and with respect to the point or points in time of transmitting. The decision particularly indicates from which application or from which applications the packetized data are to be transmitted by the network module via the communications network.

The network interface unit then implements said decision of the decision unit and is thereby configured to adjust the data flow of the packetized data provided by the coupled applications according to the provided decision. The network in terface unit is preferably configured to allocate communications resources for the coupled applications for adjusting the data flow according to the provided deci sion. The routing module then brings about the further transmitting of the pack etized data via the communications modules to at least one of the M further elec tronic systems of the communications network.

By means of the present adjusting of the data flow by the network module, it is advantageously possible to allocate the resources in the communications network for differently prioritized, competing applications according to demand. In partic ular, a potential overload situation in the communications network can be de tected and therefore prevented by monitoring the current network status. For ex ample, the connected communications modules, such as radio devices, can be pro tected against overloading.

For example, tactical radio devices in military communications networks are preferably coupled to the routing module via queues or intermediate memory. Be cause the tactical radio devices can be protected against overloading by the pre sent adjusting of the data flow, the intermediate memory or internal queues of the radio devices can be kept at a constantly low fill level. Undesired queue changes are thereby also suppressed.

Overall, a dynamic resource allocation and decision are possible for a plurality of military and civil applications for a heterogeneous communications infrastruc ture of the communications network. Communications from applications highly prioritized on the user side can be also maintained under adverse conditions by the decision for adjusting the data flow. Herein, in particular, it is possible to im plement end-to-end quality assurance of the communications connection between a plurality of electronic systems.

The current network status particularly comprises information on the availabil ity of the coupled systems and/or the communications modules thereof; infor mation on priorities, particularly different priorities of the coupled systems; in formation on QoS (quality of service) of the coupled systems; and/or information on available bandwidths and/or data transfer rates. The current network status may also be referred to as the current network condition or current global net work condition.

In particular, the coupled communications modules may comprise different com munications modules. The communications network may thus also be referred to as a heterogeneous communications network. The communications modules may comprise a number of tactical radio devices, for example, particularly a number of VHF transmitter/receiver units (VHF: Very High Frequency); a number of UHF transmitter/receiver units (UHF: Ultra High Frequency); and a number of LTE modules. The routing module may also be referred to as a router.

In particular, the applications may be differently prioritized, competing applica tions. Examples of applications comprise land applications, information manage ment applications, medical applications, and communication and collaboration applications.

Land applications Land applications make it possible for users to collect, to process, to present, and to distribute information supporting the main functions of land operations. Land operations are all military activities performed by land military forces in order to achieve and maintain a desired level of control within the area of responsibility on land, and, if necessary, to support sea, air, and space operations. Examples of land applications are maneuvers, fire support, air defense, operational command, reconnaissance, mobility and survivability, and battle support.

Examples of these include: blue force tracking, map/location application, control applications for tactical unmanned ground vehicles and aircraft, and applications for processing and displaying reconnaissance data.

Information management applications Information management applications (IM) make it possible for user to maintain security and management of information exchange for information superiority in an integrated and federated network for information exchange. Said applications particularly support the staff assigned formal responsibility for particular IM roles for planning, archiving, supervision, or registration. IM functions are used, among other applications, for information protection, information security, and identity management in other areas of application of taxonomy. Fundamental in formation management functions are provided to all information systems and ap plications by the information management services.

One example of this is a graphic user interface for visualizing the network status.

Medical applications Medical applications make it possible for users to provide medical situational awareness (e.g., medical capabilities, demand assessment, and evaluation of med ical sustainability) input into a common operational picture (COP) by automating and standardizing the exchange of information between national and other sys tems, and to ensure the timely provision, exchange, and management of the data necessary for the same, in order to enable medical planning, medical manage ment, medical reconnaissance, health monitoring, and clinical support.

One example of this is an application supporting the reporting of casualties and the coordination of transporting causalities.

Communication and collaboration applications Communication and collaboration applications make it possible for users to more effectively support the exchange of information and corporate knowledge between users across different geographic locations. Said applications promote an efficient and effective environment for coordination and collaboration between users for attaining particular and useful results in joint activities. The capabilities sup ported by said applications include teleconferencing, digital messaging, collabora tive work, and social networking. Communication and collaboration applications support customized user interfaces specially tailored to the communication chan nel to be used and the tool to be used, as well as to the collaboration to be per formed.

The functionality for communication and for accessing and providing information can be limited or expanded depending on the technical services provided; on the user applications supported; and on the user devices (metadata) of the consumers accessing the same- In order to be able to be used effectively, communication and collaboration applications may be used for providing integrated, consolidated, co herent, and interoperable services and functions without difficulty.

Such applications may be provided in a single packet as standardized communi cation and collaboration platforms. Herein, preferably, the protection and man agement of the exchange of information and knowledge should be ensured, and it should particularly be ensured that collaborating users have the right infor mation at the right place and at the right time, and are able to remain in contact with each other.

Examples of these include: chat or instant messaging, formal messaging, video calling, live video on demand, streaming services, applications for generating a common situation picture, and target handover applications.

According to one embodiment, the determination unit, the decision unit, and the network interface unit are disposed in series in the adjusting unit. The series connection of the determination unit, the decision unit, and the network interface unit preferably implements a pipeline in the adjusting unit.

According to a further embodiment, the determination unit, the decision unit, and the network interface unit are disposed and configured such that said units, together with the routing module, form a control circuit for adjusting the data flow of packetized data provided by the coupled applications to the routing mod ule. In particular, the control circuit is a closed-loop control circuit.

Herein, the determination unit, the decision unit, the network interface unit, and the routing module implement the closed-loop control circuit by means of the in terface unit and a further interface unit coupling the routing module to the ad justing unit. A heterogeneous communications infrastructure can advantageously be effectively and efficiently used due to the closed-loop control circuit.

The closed-loop control circuit can advantageously react directly to changes in the communications network. For example, a change in the communications network particularly causes a change in the current network status able to be determined by the determination unit, whereby the decision made by the decision unit can change as a result. The present closed-loop control circuit can thus react to a change in the network status, particularly with minimal latency, and can prevent potential overloads in the communications network.

According to a further embodiment, the network interface unit is configured to al locate communications resources for the coupled applications for adjusting the data flow according to the provided decision.

The allocated communications resources preferably comprise allocated transmis sion time points, allocated bandwidths, allocated data transfer rates, and/or allo cated quality of service (QoS).

According to a further embodiment, the decision unit is configured to provide the decision for adjusting the data flow depending on the determined current net work status of the communications network and on requirements received from the applications. In particular, the requirements are QoS requirements (QoS: quality of service).

The applications may have different QoS requirements. Depending on said re quirements, the decision for adjusting the data flow can be changed.

According to a further embodiment, the decision unit is configured to provide the decision for adjusting the data flow depending on the determined current net work status of the communications network; on requirements received from the applications, particularly QoS requirements; and on priorities allocated to the ap plications.

In particular, different priorities can be or are allocated to the various applica tions. Said different priorities for the applications may influence the decision for adjusting the data flow with or without the different QoS requirements.

According to a further embodiment, the decision unit is configured to provide the decision for adjusting the data flow depending on the determined current net work status of the communications network; on requirements, particularly QoS requirements, received from the applications; on priorities associated with the applications; and on parameters for the coupled applications relevant for adjust ing the data flow.

According to a further embodiment, the network module comprises a further in terface unit for coupling a tactical service register. The tactical service register saves the relevant parameters for the coupled applications for adjusting the data flow.

Said relevant, application-specific parameters for adjusting the data flow may also influence the decision to be made for adjusting the data flow. By using the tactical service register, said parameters can also be changed or adjusted over time.

According to a further embodiment, the decision unit is configured to use a nego tiating mechanism to negotiate with at least one of the coupled applications the communications resources to be allocated and/or the requirements for the packet ized data to be provided by the coupled application.

The negotiating mechanism may be used for allocating communications resources for the applications. For example, one such application may negotiate with the decision unit particular parameters for transferring the packetized data. If it is negotiated, for example, that the application may indeed transfer image data at a particular point in time, but only at a reduced data transfer rate or reduced bandwidth, then said negotiation may require that the application does transmit still images but does not transmit moving images.

According to a further embodiment, the adjusting unit is configured to communi cate the determined current network status to at least one of the applications, particularly when queried by the at least one application.

The applications can thus also have access to the network status of the communi cations network. An application equipped with such a function can use the re ported current network status particularly in order to adjust the provided packet ized data to the current network status. However, applications not comprising such a function can also be connected to the network module.

According to a further embodiment, the communications modules comprise a number of tactical radio devices.

According to a further embodiment, the determination unit is configured to deter mine the current network status of the communications network depending on status information about the M further electronic systems received from the M further electronic systems via the routing module.

The status information may comprise information about the availability of the corresponding electronic system and/or about data transfer rates and/or band widths of the communications modules of the corresponding electronic system. For example, said status information may also comprise prioritization infor mation of individual electronic systems, thus, for example, when a particular communications module of a connected electronic system is used by a squad leader.

According to a further embodiment, the corresponding electronic system is imple mented as a vehicle system, as a command post system, or as a soldier system.

The particular unit, for example the determination unit or the decision unit, may be implemented as hardware and/or as software. For implementation as hard ware, the unit may be implemented as a device or as a part of a device, for exam ple as a computer or as a microprocessor. For implementation as software, the unit may be implemented as a computer program product, as a function, as a rou tine, as part of a program code, or as an executable object.

A computer program product, such as a computer program means, may be pro vided or delivered as a storage medium, such as a memory care, USB stick, CD ROM, DVD, or also in the form of a downloadable file from a server in a network, for example. Said providing may take place, for example, in a wireless communi cations network by transferring a corresponding file having the computer pro gram product or the computer program means.

According to a second aspect, an electronic system of a deployed person is pro posed. The electronic system comprises a network module according to the first consideration or according to one of the embodiments of the first consideration.

The embodiments and features described for the first consideration apply mutatis mutandis to the second consideration.

According to a third aspect, a communications network coupling a plurality N of electronic systems is proposed, each electronic system comprising a network mod ule according to the first aspect or according to one of the embodiments of the first aspect.

The embodiments and features described for the first aspect apply mutatis mu tandis to the third aspect.

According to a fourth aspect, a method for operating network module of an elec tronic system of an operative is proposed for a communications network coupling

a plurality N of electronic systems, where N > 2. The communications network is

particularly a military communications network, preferably an IP network (IP: Internet Protocol). Herein, the method for operating the network module com prises: coupling a plurality of applications to the network module, each applica tion being configured to provide packetized data to be transmitted via the com munications network; coupling to the network module a routing module configured to couple a plurality of communications modules, each communications module being config ured to exchange packetized data with at least one communications module of one of the N-1 further electronic systems; determining a current network status of the communications network de pending on data received from a plurality M of the further electronic systems via

the routing module, where 2 M N-1;

providing a decision for adjusting a data flow of packetized data provided by the coupled applications to the routing module at least depending on the de termined current network status; and adjusting the data flow of the packetized data provided by the coupled ap plications according to the provided decision.

The embodiments and features described for the first aspect apply mutatis mu tandis to the fourth aspect.

Further possible implementations or alternative solutions of the invention also encompass combinations - that are not explicitly mentioned herein - of features described above or be-low with regard to the embodiments. The person skilled in the art may also add individual or isolated aspects and features to the most basic form of the invention.

Further embodiments, features and advantages of the present invention will be come apparent from the subsequent description and dependent claims, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

The invention is further explained in detail using preferred exemplary embodi ments with reference to the attached figures.

Fig. 1 shows a schematic block diagram of a first exemplary embodiment of a network module of an electronic system of a deployed person for a com munications network coupling a plurality of electronic systems;

Fig. 2 shows a schematic block diagram of a second exemplary embodiment of a network module of an electronic system of a deployed person for a communications network coupling a plurality of electronic systems; and

Fig. 3 shows a schematic diagram of an exemplary embodiment of a commu nications network having a plurality of electronic systems.

In the Figures, like reference numerals designate like or functionally equivalent elements, unless otherwise indicated.

Fig. 1 shows a schematic block diagram of a first exemplary embodiment of a net work module 100 of an electronic system 10 of a deployed person for a communi cations network 1 coupling a plurality N of electronic systems 10. One example of such a communications network 1 is shown in Fig. 3. The communications net work 1 is preferably an IP-based network. Herein, the communications network 1 may also be referred to as a heterogeneous communications network.

Examples of electronic systems 10 comprise vehicle systems, command post sys tems, and soldier systems. Without limiting generality, Fig. 3 shows five elec tronic systems 10 (where N=5) coupled by means of the communications network 1. In particular, the electronic systems 10 are different from each other.

The network module 100 of Fig. 1 comprises a plurality of interfaces 110 for cou pling a plurality of applications 200. Without limiting generality, three applica tions 200 are shown in Fig. 1. Each application 200 is configured to provide pack etized data to be transmitted via the communications network 1. In particular, the applications are differently prioritized, competing applications.

The network module 100 further comprises an interface unit 120 for coupling a routing module 300. The routing module 300 may also be referred to as a router. The routing module 300 is configured to couple a plurality of communications modules 400. The communications modules 400 may comprise, for example, a number of tactical radio devices, including, but not limited to, a number of VHF transmitter/receiver units (VHF: Very High Frequency); a number of UHF trans mitter/receiver units (UHF: Ultra High Frequency); and a number of LTE mod ules.

In Fig. 1, for example, the left communications module 400 is implemented as a VHF transmitter/receiver unit, the middle communications module 400 is imple mented as a UHF transmitter/receiver unit, and the right communications mod ule 400 is implemented as an LTE module. Herein, Fig. 1 shows that the VHF transmitter/receiver unit 400 and the UHF transmitter/receiver unit 400 are cou pled to the routing module 300 by means of a respective intermediate memory 301, particularly a radio protection queue.

The network module 100 further comprises an adjusting unit 130 coupled be tween the interfaces 110 and the interface unit 120 of the network module 100. The adjusting unit 130 comprises a determination unit 131, a decision unit 132, and a network interface unit 133 connected between the interfaces 110 and the interface unit 120. Herein, the determination unit 131, the decision unit 132, and the network interface unit 133 are preferably disposed in series in the adjusting unit 130 and preferably implement a pipeline or processing pipeline.

The determination unit 131 is configured to determine a current network status of the communications network 1 depending on data received from a plurality M of the further electronic systems 10 via the routing module 300, where

2 ! M ! N-1. For the example of Fig. 3, where N = 6, M = 5.

The current network status comprises, in particular, information on the availa bility of the coupled systems 10 and/or the communications modules 400 thereof; information on priorities, particularly different priorities of the coupled systems 10; information on QoS (quality of service) of the coupled systems 10; and/or in formation on available bandwidths and/or data transfer rates. The current net work status may also be referred to as a current network condition or as a cur rent global network condition.

The decision unit 132 is configured to provide a decision for adjusting a data flow of packetized data provided by the coupled applications 200 to the routing module 300 at least depending on the determined current network status.

The decision unit 132 accordingly decides which of the coupled applications 200 may transmit which packetized data to the routing module 300, particularly with respect to the amount of data and with respect to the point or points in time of transmitting. The routing module 300 then brings about the further transmitting of the packetized data via the communications modules 400 to at least one of the M further electronic systems 10 of the communications network 1.

Herein, the network interface unit 133 is configured to adjust the data flow of the packetized data provided by the coupled applications 200 according to the pro vided decision. The network interface unit 133 is particularly configured to allo cate communications resources for the coupled applications 200 for adjusting the data flow according to the provided decision.

The decision particularly indicates from which application 200 or from which ap plications 200 the packetized data are to be transmitted by the network module 100 via the communications network 1. The network interface unit 133 then im plements said decision of the decision unit 132.

As shown in Fig. 1 and labeled with the reference sign R, the determination unit 131, the decision unit 132, and the network interface unit 133 are disposed and configured such that said units, together with the routing module 300, form a closed-loop control circuit R for adjusting the data flow of packetized data pro vided by the coupled applications 200 to the routing module 300. The data flow of the packetized data from the applications 200 is thus regulated by the network module 100.

Furthermore, in particular, the decision unit 132 is configured to provide the de cision for adjusting the data flow depending on the determined current network status and on requirements, particularly QoS requirements, received from the applications 200. In the example of Fig. 1, only the middle application 200 is cou pled to the decision unit 132 via corresponding interfaces (not individually shown). Therefore-without limiting generality-only the middle application 200 in Fig. 1 can report the requirements thereof to the decision unit 132. In the ex ample of Fig. 1, the right application 200 and the left application 200 are not suit able for this purpose.

The decision unit 132 is further configured to provide the decision for adjusting the data flow depending on the determined current network status of the commu nications network 1; on requirements received from the applications 200; and on priorities allocated to the applications 200. It is noted that different priorities can be associated with the applications 200. For example, the left application can have a highest priority, the middle application 200 can have a middle priority, and the right application 200 can have a lowest priority for transmitting packet ized data via the network module 100.

For the decision for adjusting the data flow, parameters for the coupled applica tions 200 relevant thereto can also be applied.

To this end, Fig. 2 shows a schematic block diagram of a second exemplary em bodiment of a network module 100. The second exemplary embodiment of Fig. 2 comprises all features of the first exemplary embodiment of Fig. 1. In addition, the network module 100 of Fig. 2 comprises a further interface unit 150 for cou pling a tactical service register 160. The tactical service 160 register stores, in particular, the relevant parameters for the coupled applications 200 for adjusting the data flow.

Furthermore, the network module 100 of Fig. 2 comprises a further interface unit 170 for coupling a tactical service register 180. The service register 180 stores, in particular, application-specific information for the coupled applications 200.

The decision unit 132 may additionally have a further function. The decision unit 132 may be configured to use a negotiating mechanism to negotiate with at least one of the coupled applications 200, with the middle application 200 in the exam ples of Fig. 1 and Fig. 2, the communications resources to be allocated and/or the requirements for the packetized data to be provided by the coupled application 200.

To this end, the connection between the middle application 200 and the decision unit 132 shown in Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 may also be used for exchanging the neces sary data.

The decision unit is further preferably configured to report the determined cur rent network status to at least one of the applications 200, particularly when queried. In the examples of Fig. 1 and Fig. 2, to this end, the middle application 200 and the right application 200 are connected to the determination unit 131 by means of suitable interfaces (not individually shown) in order to exchange said data, that is, the query and the response having the current network status.

Therein, the determination unit 131 determines the current network status of the communications network 1, preferably depending on status information about the M further electronic systems 10 received from the M further electronic systems 10 via the routing module 300.

Although the present invention has been described using exemplary embodi ments, various modifications of the invention are possible.

REFERENCE LIST

1 Communications network 10 Electronic system 100 Network module 110 Interface 120 Interface unit 130 Adjusting unit 131 Detection unit 132 Decision unit 133 Network interface unit 140 Interface unit 150 Interface unit 160 Tactical service register 170 Interface unit 180 Service register 200 Application 300 Routing module 301 Intermediate memory (radio protection queue) 400 Communications module R Closed-loop control circuit

Claims (15)

1. A network module (100) of an electronic system (10) of a deployed person for a communications network (1) coupling a plurality N of electronic systems (10), having: a plurality of interfaces (110) for coupling a plurality of applications (200), each application (200) being configured to provide packetized data to be transmit ted via the communications network (1); an interface unit (120) for coupling a routing module (300) configured to cou ple a plurality of communications modules (400), each communications module (400) being configured to exchange packetized data with at least one communica tions module (400) of one of the N-1 further electronic systems (10); and an adjusting unit (130) capable of being coupled between the interfaces (110) and the interface unit (120), comprising: a determination unit (131) for determining a current network status of the communications network (1) depending on data received from a plurality M of the further electronic systems (10) via the routing module (300), where 2 < M < N-1; a decision unit (132) for providing a decision for adjusting a data flow of pack etized data provided by the coupled applications (200) to the routing module (300) at least as a function of the determined current network status; and a network interface unit (133) capable of being connected between the inter faces (110) and the interface unit (120) and configured to adjust the data flow of the packetized data provided by the coupled applications (200) according to the provided decision.

2. The network module according to claim 1, characterized in that the determination unit (131), the decision unit (132), and the network interface unit (133) are disposed in series in the adjusting unit (130).

3. The network module according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the determination unit (131), the decision unit (132), and the network interface unit (133) are disposed and configured such that said units, together with the rout ing module (300), form a control circuit (R), particularly a closed-loop control cir cuit, for adjusting the data flow of packetized data provided by the coupled appli cations (200) to the routing module (300).

4. The network module according to any one of the claims 1 through 3, characterized in that the network interface unit (133) is configured to allocate communications resources for the coupled applications (200) for adjusting the data flow according to the pro vided decision.

5. The network module according to any one of the claims 1 through 4, characterized in that the decision unit (132) is configured to provide the decision for adjusting the data flow depending on the determined current network status of the communications network (1) and on requirements, particularly QoS requirements, received from the applications (200).

6. The network module according to any one of the claims 1 through 4, characterized in that the decision unit (132) is configured to provide the decision for adjusting the data flow depending on the determined current network status of the communications network (1); on requirements, particularly QoS requirements, received from the applications (200); and on priorities associated with the applications (200).

7. The network module according to any one of the claims 1 through 4, characterized in that the decision unit (132) is configured to provide the decision for adjusting the data flow depending on the determined current network status of the communications network (1); on requirements, particularly QoS requirements, received from the applications (200); on priorities associated with the applications (200); and on pa rameters for the coupled applications (200) relevant for adjusting the data flow.

8. The network module according to claim 7, characterized by a further interface unit (150) for coupling a tactical service register (160) for saving the relevant parameters for the coupled applications (200) for adjusting the data flow.

9. The network module according to any one of the claims 4 through 8, characterized in that the decision unit (132) is configured to use a negotiating mechanism to negotiate with at least one of the coupled applications (200) the communications resources to be allocated and/or the requirements for the packetized data to be provided by the coupled application (200).

10. The network module according to any one of the claims 1 through 9, characterized in that the adjusting unit (130) is configured to communicate the determined current net work status to at least one of the applications (200), particularly when queried by the at least one application.

11. The network module according to anyone of the claims 1 through 10, characterized in that the communications modules (400) comprise a number of tactical radio devices.

12. The network module according to anyone of the claims 1 through 11, characterized in that the determination unit (131) is configured to determine the current network status of the communications network (1) as a function of status information about the M further electronic systems (10) received from the M further electronic systems (10) via the routing module (300).

13. The network module according to any one of the claims 1 through 12, characterized in that the corresponding electronic system (10) is implemented as a vehicle system, as a command post system, or as a soldier system.

14. An electronic system (10) of a deployed person, comprising a network module (100) according to any one of the claims 1 through 13.

15. A communications network (1) coupling a plurality N of electronic systems (10), wherein each electronic system (10) comprises a network module (100) accord ing to any one of the claims 1 through 13.