The Wideband Networking Waveform (WNW) utilized by the Joint Tactical Radio System (JTRS) uses an adaptive networking architecture that optimizes network routing performance and overall network stability for various tactical applications. However, maintaining the desired performance to meet the demands of heterogeneous applications operating over a wide variety of deployment scenarios, with dynamically varying density and mobility patterns continues to be a challenge. The overall objective of the SBIR proposal, over the next three phases, is to deliver a set of cross-layer based enhancements to the Wideband Networking Waveform (WNW) to overcome the performance issues under dense and unstable network conditions and improve its performance in diverse set of on-the-move operational scenarios. The proposed enhancements focus on integrated adaptive transmit power control, adaptive routing update frequency control and adaptive control of degree of node connectivity via routing layer filters. In Phase 1, we will conduct design trade studies of the preceding WNW enhancements and perform a proof-of-concept demonstration for the most promising approach using Scalable JMEE, a real-time WNW emulation environment. The study will isolate the set of adaptive & scalable enhancements needed to the baseline WNW that can be smoothly transitioned to the JTRS program.
Benefit: There is a dramatic need for dynamic, adaptive and robust communications in a mobile context. Over the next 5 years, over $200B is expected to be invested in new programs for the DoD, DHS and Intelligence organizations to transform our forces to a network-centric force. The Army has begun with the Future Combat System (FCS) program which will re-capitalize the entire Army force structure (armored vehicles, UAVs, sensors, and communications equipment) and all assets will be tied to IP-based network. Similarly, the Navy and Air Force are undertaking major new communications initiatives. Following the US lead, European and Asian allies are similarly engaged in a process of transformation of their military forces. The key element of these transformations is that unlike previous stove-piped military systems, each of which had a dedicated communications network, the network-centric operations rely on a shared infrastructure that must dynamically allocate mobile, wireless communication resources among competing applications. Given the importance of network-centric warfare as the evolving doctrine, robust on-the-move communication is a key enabler. This research shall directly lead to the improvements in the WNW waveform performance in operational scenarios where the current waveform is known to exhibit sub-par performance. In addition to the Department of Defense, homeland security networks, public dispatch emergency networks and commercial software defined radio networks are emerging that share some of the same challenges as the military on-the-move communication networks and will directly benefit from adaptations of the technology that will be developed in the proposed effort.
Keywords: adaptive routing update frequency control, adaptive routing update frequency control, cross layer enhancements, routing layer filters, WNW, adaptive transmit power control, adaptive control of degree of node connectivity
