SBIR-STTR Award

Compromise of security networks is easiest through the communication links. Wired links between sensors and their controls require skilled preplanning and installation. They are expensive to maintain, especially in the connections to central security monitors and command centers. We propose to use a radio based communication system to replace the hardwire/fiberoptic links. This system is packet radio based and uses an adaptive method of network and communication optimization. The key feature is that each reporting node in the system is a transceiver that acts as independent data transfer switch. Each transceiver will automatically adapt to network fault problems, data errors, and change data routing patterns without human intervention. Radio packet transmissions will permit encryption and the use of anti-jamming techniques. AES will develop the software protocols and hardware needed to build a demonstration system which will automatically reconfigure and optimize the security network to pass data between each node and a central control. AES has extensive overseas and domestic experience in designing and installing radio based security systems. The military and commercial viability of this concept are manifest in ease of deployment, simplified skill level required for installation, multiple anti-jamming techniques, and elimination of repeaters.

During the Phase I effort of the project we successfully demonstrated the feasibility of a packet radio based, dynamically reconfigurable layered security communication system in which each reporting node in the system is an intelligent transceiver that acts as an independent data transfer switch, and allows the system to automatically reconfigure transmission paths in response to changes in the system. We propose in the Phase II effort of this program to expand the technology's capabilities and develop a modular system having greater communication speed and capacity, coupled with versatile configurations and interfaces to other optional communication and data processing devices. The proposed development will result in secure networks, allow mixing mobile and stationary nodes in a single network and enable the rapid switching of central (command) communication module functions between the various nodes in the system. The system will also have anti-jamming capabilities, tamper detection and message authentication algorithms. The transmission speed and packet length will be augmented to allow for short E-Mail, and in the future, transmission of snap shot video signals. Finally, the system development will be such that interoperability with prior tactical automated security systems technology will be feasible

Keywords:
radio security communications wireless encoded packet adaptive network