Undersea Distributed Network (UDN)

Undersea Network delivering Power & Data

General Dynamics' Undersea Distributed Network (UDN) is an undersea network that reliably delivers power and data required for undersea operations including oil and gas exploration and production, military missions and scientific applications. The Intelligent-Node (I-NODE) provides four gigabits per second (Gbps) of non-blocking Ethernet bandwidth using dense wavelength division multiplexed (DWDM) transmission. It delivers constant power from shore-based trunk lines to remote mission systems. Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP) standards allow easy management of the I-NODE with minimal training.

About Our Undersea Distributed Network (UDN)

We provide power and huge data capacity for your critical mission system — from mid-ocean to littorals. UDN delivers power, data and control when and where you, and your mission, need it most.

The UDN allows users to:

Complete challenging maritime missions
Power or recharge maritime mission systems far from shore
Move large amounts of data with bi-directional gigabit data connections
Upload or change mission plans from shore-based operations center
Minimize training by using standard network management tools

Leveraging Existing Infrastructure to Extend Capability

The Undersea Distributed Network (UDN) concept extends the capabilities of today’s undersea trunks and includes two specific node types – the Backbone Node and the Mission Node.

The Backbone Node branches power and data from an undersea trunk to support remote mission systems. This Node’s power and data interfaces integrate with field-proven undersea cable elements. The Backbone Node delivers up to 340 watts of network managed power from the trunk to the Mission Nodes. This power and data capability enables a broad range of communication networks, undersea missions and sensing applications.

Mission Nodes contain up to four power and data interfaces tailored for commercial, military or scientific missions. Operators control and dynamically reconfigure these interfaces using SNMP. We ensure mission flexibility by equipping Mission Nodes with connectors that can mate at depth. The UDN architecture allows branching of Mission Nodes up to 100km from a Backbone Node or another Mission Node. This range can extend to hundreds of kilometers using optical amplifiers.