Intuitive and Secure CNHF User Interface

Open summary

KNL’s CNHF radios use a browser-based user interface that is intuitive, platform-independent, and requires no special software, making the system accessible from any device with a modern web browser.
The interface uses familiar web design elements and real-time input validation to reduce user errors and training requirements, supporting safe and efficient operation.
Role-based access control allows different user permissions, ensuring operational security and usability for users with varying skill levels.
System updates and new features are delivered seamlessly via the web interface, reducing maintenance overhead and ensuring compatibility across devices.
The CNHF Manpack also includes a local user interface for field use, designed with the same logic and terms as the web UI, ensuring consistent usability in disconnected or harsh conditions.

When you think of traditional HF radios, what comes to your mind? Perhaps a lot of knobs and buttons, a small screen that’s difficult to read, and operation that requires radio technical expertise and extensive training?

KNL’s cognitive networked HF radios are everything but that. All our CNHF radios are run by a software that is flexible and enables continuous development and updates. Thanks to our browser-based intuitive user interface, our radios are extremely easy to operate without compromising on security. You can manage KNL’s radios from any device, whether it’s a computer or mobile device/phone, without needing any special software or separate applications. All actions are controlled via sliders and buttons, just as you are used to in other web services and mobile applications.

In this blog post, we will go over the key elements that contribute to the CNHF user interface’s ease of use, the principles guiding its design, and how the interface features scale between the CNHF1 radio and the CNHF Manpack. The focus has been that using KNL’s radios should not require any special knowledge of radio technology.

The CNHF user interface has several game-changing features currently not found elsewhere.

KNL radios are extremely easy to operate

What are the benefits of a browser-based user interface?

For radios designed for military and defence use, a browser-based user interface offers several advantages:

1. Effortless adoption, thanks to familiar web elements

KNL’s CNHF User Interface is designed to resemble regular internet usage. People with varying levels of skills participate in modern military and defence operations, so it’s important that using the radio doesn’t differ much from normal internet activities.

Compared to other web services, the CNHF user interface has a very similar look and feel when sending emails and instant messages, for example. The design language of the interface is based on Material Design, from which components and styles are derived. This makes the interface intuitive and easy to adopt, as it uses commonly known components.

Thanks to the browser-based design, our radios can utilise all the features that browsers typically offer. For example, the use of keyboard shortcuts is already familiar to users and works seamlessly in the CNHF user interface.

2. Minimising errors with real-time validation

KNL’s browser-based user interface enables real-time validation in all data entry fields. This means the system immediately checks the data entered by the user, such as frequencies or spectrum information, and provides instant feedback if the information is improperly formatted. The system’s guidance and error notifications prevent incorrect data entry by the user. This improves operational safety.

The browser-based user interface ensures that all users, regardless of their technical expertise, can use KNL’s radios correctly and efficiently.

3. Streamlined user role definition and management

The browser-based user interface simplifies the definition and management of the radio’s user roles. A single radio can have multiple users with different permissions. Each user sees only the features relevant to their role, with the user interface automatically adapting to their specific needs.

The role-based access allows certain elements to be visible only to specific roles in the UI, helping to segment users by their skill levels. Users in lower roles cannot perform actions that might inadvertently complicate future operations. Meanwhile, admin users have broader rights and capabilities to perform various tasks, ensuring the radio’s flexible and efficient use.

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KNL radio’s browser-based user interface

4. Easy system upgrades, universally compatible

The browser-based UI is platform-independent, so you don’t need to worry about the operating system on your devices, as the radio works seamlessly with different devices. This is especially important in operational use, where devices may be outdated or tied to a specific operating system.

As long as the device has an up-to-date web browser, the browser-based design supports all devices and screen sizes, making our radios flexible and easy to use. New features added to the radio software are seamlessly integrated into the web UI without requiring updates to the terminal devices. You also don’t need to worry about updating applications on older devices, saving you a lot of time and resources.

KNL’s browser-based CNHF interface works without separate desktop or mobile applications, making it user-friendly and easy to learn. The browser-based design also reduces maintenance costs, as there is no need to update any applications every time the radio gets new features.

5. Enhanced security features

Browser-based design ensures that the user interface always runs on the most secure platform available. Supported browsers like Chrome and Edge are constantly updated, which continually improves security.

One of the advantages of using a browser-based UI is the ability to install extensions, such as password managers. By using a password manager integrated into the browser, you can securely store radio user credentials and access them easily.

Thoughtful design ensures consistency between CNHF web UI and CNHF Manpack’s local UI

At KNL, we are committed to staying at the frontline of cognitive radio technology, delivering innovative and adaptable solutions that meet the demands of current military and defence operations. Our product range includes both the robust CNHF1 radio and the revolutionary wideband HF Manpack Radio.

In both radios, the primary user interface is the CNHF UI, that is, the web UI. While the CNHF1 radio is controlled only via the web UI, the CNHF Manpack can also be operated using its local UI.

The Manpack’s local UI is designed for situations where the web interface is unavailable, for instance, when a computer or mobile device cannot withstand cold weather or becomes damaged. To ensure a seamless user experience, the Manpack’s local UI uses the same terms and icons as the CNHF web UI.

The CNHF Manpack’s local UI has a six-button interface, and a small display that closely resembles a smartphone. It includes a similar back button, allowing you to select options from the navigation menu, move forward, and use a single button for navigation.

CNHF Manpack

The local UI includes all the essential features for setting up a radio station, without any unnecessary elements, to ensure smooth and efficient use on a small screen. For example, an email client, message queue, status information, GPS and Wi-Fi modes and an SWR analyser are included in the Manpack’s local UI.

The development of CNHF User Interface is an ongoing process

Scalability is a key aspect of a software-defined radio. As new features are developed for the radio, we can seamlessly integrate these enhancements into the CNHF intuitive user interface. When you choose to upgrade to new versions of the radio software, these updates are automatically reflected in the user interface.

By keeping our user interface up to date, we support the most recent versions of Chromium based browsers, providing a seamless and reliable experience for our users.

We actively seek feedback from our users, thoroughly analysing all input to guide our design improvements. This process ensures that we continuously enhance and optimise the user experience to meet our users’ evolving needs.