The TIBS network is connected through a common UHF channel selected from a range of 225-400 MHz using SATCOM or LOS communication system. It can support a variable number of active data producers and subscribers, as well as an unlimited number of receive-only terminals. A TIBS node can either be a Network Master, Alternate Master, Network Manager, Remote User, or Receive-only User. In order to receive TIBS information, a TIBS node requires a satellite communications receiver and/or transmitter, a message processor, and a graphics display. The network uses dynamic time division multiple access (DTDMA) protocol in near-realtime updates.
Air Force TIBS terminals are typically deployed as part of a C2 unit or at the Air Operations Center [AOC] level, and is a theater asset used by the Rivet Joint sensor.
TIBS is being integrated into the Integrated Broadcast Service approved by the ASD(C3I)in 1996. The IBS standardized protocols, with compatible hardware and software, were directed by the 1996 House Intelligence Bill. As a part of a larger Intelligence Systems Secretariat/ Intelligence Systems Board (ISS/ ISB) intelligence migration initiative to reduce the number of separate intelligence systems, the Broadcast/ Receive Working Group was formed in 1994 to examine the existing Ultra High Frequency (UHF) intelligence broadcast services and one emerging concept for combining the services (Binocular). The group's objective was to uncover and examine issues surrounding the potential combining of service functionality into a smaller number of services– functional re-dundancy, inefficiency, and impacts on the user; resource duplication; formatting issues; band-width contention and to make recommendations concerning concepts warranting further study.