CombinedOpsLink: DCS Airspace and SRS Integration
CombinedOpsLink is a portable middleware utility that establishes a real-time data bridge between DCS Airspace and DCS Simple Radio Standalone (SRS). It acts as a communication relay between the SRS server and the DCS Airspace workstation, allowing tactical and radio information from the simulation environment to be synchronized with the controller's interface.
CombinedOpsLink is designed specifically for DCS Airspace controllers. It provides additional information required by ATC, GCI, and other controller functions, including IFF status and real-time radio frequency information. Without the bridge, these SRS-related data are not available to the DCS Airspace workstation.
How CombinedOpsLink Works
CombinedOpsLink operates as a lightweight bridge between the SRS server and DCS Airspace:
- SRS Connection: CombinedOpsLink connects to a designated DCS Simple Radio Standalone (SRS) server through TCP. The SRS server can be running locally or on a remote system.
- Data Retrieval: The utility continuously receives updates related to unit positions, radio settings, and transmission states from the SRS environment.
- Data Broadcast: The retrieved and processed information is transmitted to DCS Airspace, allowing the controller workstation to update its operating environment in real time.
Portable and Installation-Free
CombinedOpsLink is a portable standalone application and does not require a formal installation. It can be launched directly from any folder on the system, without modifying the Windows system registry or requiring a dedicated installation procedure.
The application also includes an integrated automatic updater that checks for new versions when CombinedOpsLink starts. This helps keep the bridge compatible with changes to the SRS communication protocol without requiring a manual update procedure.
Starting CombinedOpsLink
For normal operation, CombinedOpsLink should be started before DCS Airspace. Once running, the utility automatically establishes the data bridge and begins synchronizing the available SRS information with the DCS Airspace workstation.
When the bridge is active, DCS Airspace can use the synchronized SRS data to provide controller-oriented functions such as IFF status and real-time radio frequency displays, extending the tactical and communication information available to the controller.
Who Needs CombinedOpsLink?
CombinedOpsLink is required only by users operating DCS Airspace as controllers. It is used to synchronize tactical and radio information for ATC and GCI operations and other controller functions that require SRS data.
Pilots flying DCS World do not need to run CombinedOpsLink. Pilots continue to use their normal SRS client together with DCS World. The bridge is part of the DCS Airspace controller-side infrastructure and does not replace or modify the standard SRS client used by pilots.
CombinedOpsLink in the DCS Airspace Architecture
The resulting architecture is straightforward: DCS World and SRS provide the simulation and communication data, CombinedOpsLink bridges the relevant SRS information, and DCS Airspace presents the synchronized information to the controller. This allows ATC and GCI operators to work from a single tactical workstation while retaining SRS as the underlying voice-communication system.