System Perspectives

 Track 4

Chair: Thomas Royster (MIT Lincoln Lab) Co-Chair: Frederick Block (MIT Lincoln Lab)

Net-Centric Systems and Networking - 1

A Policy-based Approach to Automated Data Reduction for Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance Systems 1569569183

Department of Defense (DoD) intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) assets; including manned and unmanned airborne, space-borne, maritime, and terrestrial systems; play critical roles in support of current and future military operations. However, military services and defense agencies face an ever growing challenge of effectively processing, exploiting, and disseminating ISR data from multiple, diverse senor platforms for end-users who collaborate and share information within a net-centric enterprise environment. Adding to the physical limitations of transport and infrastructure are personnel shortages with respect to the number of operator and analytical staff possessing the required skill sets to effectively exploit collected ISR information. This shortage raises the risk that important information may not be available to war fighters in a timely manner that assures mission success. The Multifactor Analytics Information Engine (MAIE) directly addresses the aforementioned issues by reducing the flood of sensor data to only actionable information that is directly applicable to the mission-at-hand. MAIE focuses on target discovery, communication capacity management, and automation techniques that enable ISR system operators and analysts to derive the knowledge they need to meet end-user mission requirements. A primary feature of the MAIE approach is the use of on-board processing, close to the sensor on the platform where the data originates. This processing includes screening and then compressing the data using established algorithms before transmission to the operations center for dissemination and exploitation. A major contribution of MAIE is its novel approach for automatically selecting these algorithms based on premeditated mission plans and dynamically occurring mission events. We implement a policy-based management system driven by a rules-based, event-correlation engine to select the most appropriate algorithms to reduce sensor data to only mission-required exploitation products. By doing so, MAIE greatly improves productivity of operators and analysts to enable them to meet end-user time-critical needs while using fewer resources.

Paul Hershey Raytheon, Inc., USA

Using Hybrid Simulation/Emulation for Experimental Assessment of Routing Policy on Mission Outcomes 1569570129

As tactical military networks deploy new IP-capable radios (e.g., JTRS), it is expected that network connectivity will increase both within and among Service and Coalition networking domains (e.g., Army, Navy, NATO). Joint commanders will likely desire control of this increased connectivity to complete their mission goals. One mechanism known to (coarsely) manage multiple disparate IP networks is BGP routing policy. As such, this paper presents an experimental framework to estimate BGP's policy impacts on mission outcomes (e.g., expected Blue/Red casualties). In support of this effort, a testing platform was developed by integrating an agent-based combat simulation tool with a large-scale network emulation platform. Here, the simulation tool provides military mission modeling (e.g., force movements) and metrics (e.g., casualties counts) while the network emulation platform models the mission's underlying communications network (e.g., link characteristics, protocols, policy). Using this testbed, a sample military mission was evaluated over three communication architectures. The first architecture connected (Blue) mission units together using (fixed) point-to-point circuits, whereas the latter two used shortest-path (dynamic) routing and policy-based (dynamic) routing, respectively. It was found that both dynamically routed network architectures provided better Blue/Red casualty ratios and higher network reachability than the fixed, point-to-point network architecture. However, the addition of BGP policy did degrade performance relative to short-path routing. Furthermore, the degradation in mission and network performance did vary based on the BGP policies implemented. This paper's results imply that if policy-based routing is to be considered as a

System Perspectives

 network management element for newly deployed joint IP networks, further experimental assessment is needed to understand the inter-relationships between BGP policy, mission outcomes, and network performance.

Glenn Carl MIT Lincoln Laboratory, USA

C2 Information Quality: An Enterprise Systems Perspective 1569598359

With the advent of the Information Age and the continued development of information and communications technologies (ICT), individuals and organizations have had to manage a transition from a world characterized by the paucity of information to one marked by a deluge of information. The information-related quality metrics that have been developed and used measure both absolute characteristics and "fitness for use." The absolute measures relate to inherent aspects of a particular piece of data or information while the fitness-for-use measures generally consider the context of a single information consumer. Command and Control (C2) in the 21st century relies increasingly on decentralized and distributed networks. As a result, data and information quality needs to be considered from a systems or networked-enterprise perspective. This paper provides an example of enterprise information quality metrics and employs these to explore two networked-enterprise information quality-related hypotheses. The first of these posits a relationship between measures of enterprise information quality and the effectiveness of an enterprise. The second argues that the values of selected enterprise information quality measures determine the most appropriate organizational approach option. Experimental results are presented that support these two hypotheses.

David Alberts Institute for Defense Analyses, USA

A NNEC compliant approach for a Future Mission Network 1569598401

In recent years, NATO has developed a NATO Network Enabled Capabilities (NNEC) framework and created a substantial Body of Knowledge (BoK) in support of NNEC implementation. Experience and lessons learnt from mission support in Afghanistan's International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) and Libya (operation Unified Protector) has sparked an initiative for a Future Mission Network (FMN) capability, both in NATO and some NATO Allies. This paper will introduce the NATO NNEC framework, its persistent requirements and the NNEC operational and technical achievements. Then, the NATO requirements for a Future Mission Network (FMN) are derived. Those requirements stem both from experience from ISAF (and the Afghan Mission Network, AMN) and other NATO requirements to support future expeditionary operations. Finally a NNEC compliant approach for a NATO Future Mission Network is proposed, and a high-level system architecture for a NNEC compliant FMN is presented. As interoperability in a coalition environment is one main focus of the FMN, special attention is given to interoperability requirements and, in particular, to interconnection and interoperability requirements with non-traditional, non-NATO and non-military partners.

Alberto Domingo NATO Allied Command Transformation, USA

An Architecture to Support Information Availability in the Tactical Domain 1569599263

Access to information is critical to both the commander in an AOC and the warfighter in the field to enable situational awareness, target prosecution, and forensic investigation. Typically information is readily available at centralized command posts, however, at the tactical edge, resources are far more limited, making information dissemination a challenge. Targeting pods, already found mounted to the hardpoints of many tactical aircraft, provide a cost effective platform for making information available to tactical users. To this end, the Network-Centric Exploitation and Tracking (N-CET) program is designing, developing, and implementing a proof of concept architecture for pods that is net-centric, reconfigurable, and allows processing at the sensor. The approach taken to achieve these attributes is to embed processing and communications on the pod, making them organic and independent of the host platform. Net-centric

System Perspectives

 exploitation and fusion algorithms are hosted on this processing capability to distil information from the high fidelity data originating from the pod's sensors and from processed data from other pods/platforms. Information Management services provide the interface between the sensors, algorithms, and communications network, managing and disseminating information between algorithms, and prioritizing it as it goes out over the network. This paper provides an overview of the N-CET architecture and the sensors and net-centric algorithms integrated to evaluate the performance of the architecture through ground based experimentation.

James Metzler Air Force Research Laboratory, Information Directorate, USA

An Adaptive SoS Framework for Integrating Dynamic Cyber Defense 1569600291

This Paper addresses Architecting building Services in the Clouds to meet the next generation DoD requirements of Functionality, Security, Agility and Austerity.

Bassam Farroha US Department of Defense, USA

Comparing Radio-to-Router Interface Implementations on Experimental CoTs and Open Source Routers 1569587575

In highly dynamic wireless environments, link metrics such as link quality, availability, and others have become increasingly important to enable smart multi-hop routing decisions. In recent years, a number of radio-to-router interface (R2RI) protocols such as Point-to-Point over Ethernet RFC5578, Dynamic Link Exchange Protocol (DLEP), and Radio-to-Router Control Protocol (R2CP) have emerged to address the need to have a common set of link metrics exposed from the radio to the router to allow informed multi-hop routing decisions. To fully evaluate R2RI functionality and specifications, differing implementations of both radio/client and router/server-side R2RI protocols must be made and tested. In this paper, we present comparison tests of each of the three (3) radio-to-router interfaces with two (2) router/server-side R2RI experimental/beta R2RI implementations one on a commercial Cisco router, and one on an open source Quagga platform. The goal of the comparison is not necessarily to provide a holistic performance comparison (as much of the code is experimental), but to highlight implementation differences and potential issues. In some cases, observed issues are already in plans to be resolved.

Bow-Nan Cheng BMIT Lincoln Laboratory, USA

System Perspectives

 

Net-Centric Systems and Networking - 2

Supporting Military Communications with Named Data Networking: An Emulation Analysis 1569602505

Named Data Networking is a new concept that takes a fundamentally different approach to what is found in Internet Protocol (IP) network systems. IP-type networks name locations (in the form of IP addresses) to route messages to destinations when sending data. Named Data Networks (NDNs), on the other hand, are primarily concerned about the data itself and not necessarily about the locations where the data is found. The forwarding decisions in an NDN are based on the actual data being sent/requested and not the presumed locations of the data content. Instead of naming network locations to facilitate message delivery (IP), NDNs name the actual data. This new approach allows the nodes of NDNs to more easily take advantage of the broadcast capabilities found in many of today's networking devices while also avoiding many of the problems and inefficiencies that exist within IP networks. Because many modern military communication systems rely on IP mechanisms to provide networking functionality, it is worthwhile to investigate the benefits NDN might be able to provide these systems. Specific design features of the NDN architecture provide an efficient alternative to IP-based systems, particularly those systems operating within challenged environments. Thus, this paper presents an emulation analysis of NDN-aided military communication networks. We also briefly describe the NDN architecture and how it can be incorporated into various military communication networks, such as the Navy's Automated Digital Networking System (ADNS) and the Army's Warfighter Information Network-Tactical (WIN-T). Preliminary results show tremendous performance gains when the NDN architecture is applied to these military communication networks.

Basil Etefia Aerospace Corporation, USA)

Beyond Line-of-Sight Information Dissemination for Force Protection 1569607127

Force protection capabilities have emerged as necessary for operations such as Village Stability Operations and Forward Operating Base security. Current Force Protection Kits include a rich set of sensors that can be monitored from a core operator station. This paper describes ongoing research to extend the reach of Force Protection capabilities as part of an integrated, network-centric system to protect mobile troops on patrol, to include sensors beyond the organic Force Protection perimeter, and to enable the automated, selective transfer of information to and from kit locations. These extended Force Protection capabilities are enabled by a highly-mobile, vehicle mounted information management system providing beyond line-of-sight publish-subscribe capabilities, sensor data archiving, video storage and retrieval, and data ferrying across long distances.

Matthew Gillen BBN Technologies, USA

Hybrid Solving Technique for Vehicle Planning with Communication Constraints 1569612733

The complexity of modern engagements and the numerous communication links made available increase the difficulties of mission planning and execution. In particular, finding unit waypoints while meeting frequencies allocation is a hard operational problem. Continuity of communications among the command chain must be guaranteed on the move in spite of tactical mobility, networks availability, path loss, jamming, mission updates and versatile threats. In previous works, we proposed a problem formulation relying on vehicle plan optimization, that satisfies network connectivity and operational constraints. This paper adress hybrid search techniques to solve Bandwidth-constrained Vehicle Planning (BVP) on-line problem instances. It is modeled using constraint-based formulations to express both network connectivity and operational requirements (missions, waypoints, terrain). Vehicle planning is then solved and optimized according to a combination of

System Perspectives

 a metaheuristic, namely Ant Colony Optimisation (ACO) and Constraint Programming (CP) techniques. Various forms of optimization strategies are compared and evaluated on realistic scenarios, outperforming previous results.

Christophe Guettier SAGEM, France

Supporting Information Management and Information Superiority via Federation Services 1569612865

Network-centric warfare is often credited for the superior warfighting capabilities of the United States. One of the fundamental requirements for network-centric warfare is the timely exchange of information critical to mission success. The Phoenix Information Management Services (IMS) have been developed to address this all-important requirement. This paper describes a set of federation services that extend Phoenix IMS to span multiple enclaves or domains of information management. Federation services interconnect multiple instances of Phoenix and support controlled information exchange across enclaves. Phoenix coupled with Federation services addresses the core requirements of information management and dissemination for a variety of mission requirements.

Rita Lenzi Florida Institute for Human & Machine Cognition, USA

System Perspectives

 

Network Management

Next Generation NATO SATCOM Management and Control Services 1569581595

This paper introduces NATO's next generation satcom management and control (M&C) capability, intended to support the new deployable assets of the growing and constantly evolving NATO ground segment. The Advanced Satcom Management and Control System (ASNMC) introduces a new paradigm for implementing centralized and highly resilient M&C services for military satellite communications. ASNMC brings in assured communications over a dedicated network overlay, spanning over control centres, static anchor stations, multiple satellite payloads, and deployable terminals. It takes a holistic approach, leading to any NATO resource operating at military X-band frequencies falling under ASNMC control, paving the way to control other frequency bands and deployable satcom assets, in the near future. ASNMC introduces the notion of assured engineering orderwires (EOW), relying on bearer diversity and geographical diversity, to maximize the availability of critical M&C threads, even when the terminals operate in hostile RF environments. On top of that, ASNMC integrates classical satcom management and control capabilities, like link power control (LPC) or spectrum monitoring services (SMS), and closely integrates them with centralized mission planning tools, enabling the fast roll-out of large satcom networks, involving heterogeneous links (protected and non-protected) and ground terminals, across multiple theatres of operation.

Ramon Segura NATO Communications and Information Agency (NCIA), The Netherlands

Impact of Enclave Network Devices to the Tactical Inter-Service Architecture 1569588913

United States Department of Defense (DoD) Services (e.g., Army, Navy, Air Force) deploy different network devices in their enclave networks. These devices provide edge network functions such as information assurance, plain text routing, admission and congestion control, and TCP performance enhancements. Due to the different enclave network implementations in different Service networks, interoperability issues arise when connecting enclave networks between different Services. This paper describes tactical user enclave network implementations within the DoD's Global Information Grid, and how these networks currently achieve interoperable connectivity by backhauling traffic to fixed gateways connected to the Defense Information Systems Network (DISN) core. This paper examines three gateway options, including a cipher text gateway, a plain text gateway, and a Joint plain text gateway for providing interoperable inter-Service connectivity within the tactical environment. We provide qualitative comparisons of these architecture options and provide recommendations for their use in creating an interoperable tactical architecture.

Xinyu Wang Booz Allen Hamilton, USA

TITAN: Integrated Network Management in Tactical Mobile Ad Hoc Networks 1569607255

Network management represents one of the most challenging activities in tactical mobile ad hoc networks due to the need for rapid planning and configuration to support a given mission, in the face of large variability in wireless network performance and unpredictable conditions. Traditionally, independent tools, such as network planning and configuration, fault and performance management, and middleware have been designed to provide comprehensive network management capabilities. However, the lack of any integration between these tools often results in sub-optimal or conflicting network actions, resulting in inadequate network performance. More importantly, state of the art network management tools do not incorporate the mission intent into autonomous network management activities. This paper describes the TITAN (Tactical Information Technologies for Assured Networks) NM (Network Manager), an integrated network management tool that orchestrates and coordinates its actions such that network planning, configuration, fault response and performance adaptation take place seamlessly and coherently, on the basis of the mission intent. This ensures optimized network operations that achieve the intent of the mission. We present performance evaluation results for the TITAN NM in field experiments performed during C4ISR 2011 On-The-Move exercises at Fort Dix, NJ.

System Perspectives

 Constantin Serban Applied Communication Sciences, USA

Secure & Agile Wide-Area Virtual Machine Mobility 1569609931

Global Information Grid (GIG) operations would benefit greatly from improved support for virtual machines (VMs) that can migrate not only between physical devices within a datacentre, but also between physical devices located on different continents, while maintaining their existing IP communications sessions. Such VM migration can enable improvements with: CPU load-balancing, network traffic-engineering, distributed denial of service (DDoS) mitigation, fault-tolerance, and resilience. Existing migration approaches often require complex network configuration and management, may often require use of expensive proprietary technologies, and also often require active cooperation from upstream service providers. We describe a VM mobility approach that enables datacentre operators to directly and unilaterally provide and control intra-site and wide-area VM mobility. We present several use cases with different degrees of location transparency. Our mechanism is based on a new naming approach which has been recommended for progression within the IETF.

Saleem Bhatti University of St Andrews, United Kingdom

Network Management for Multi-Network Terminals 1569612417

There is increasing interest in using terminal architectures capable of supporting multiple networks. A terminal that is episodically present on a network is a new situation for most Network Managers. Likewise, having to accommodate interaction with multiple network managers is a different paradigm for the terminal. This paper discusses the kinds of node architecture features that would support this kind of interaction. It looks at the extension of traditional control plane architectures to support the use of Cognitive engines to simplify interactions with network managers and network security functions. It also discusses the use of a Service Oriented Architecture for alerting user networks when a terminal becomes part of the backhaul path.

Stephen Dudley L-3 Communications, USA

Performance Management in Cognitive Radio Ad Hoc Networks using Congestion based Metric 1569612905

In this paper, we examine performance management for cognitive radio (CR) ad hoc networks, and address the problem of data link congestion for secondary users. Our approach is to propose a metric based on the probability of contended link access and the probability of packet error to identify potential congestion on those links. We consider this metric in the context of a dynamic spectrum environment and account for effect of primary user activity on secondary user channel access. Specifically, since an ad hoc network is typically not controlled by a central base station, we propose using a clustered architecture that provides hierarchical network management utilizing a designated central manager and cluster heads that function as local managers. The cluster heads collect information from multiple layers of the protocol stack to capture the characteristics of CR ad hoc networks such as the location dependent spectrum availability. Then we define the average congestion level of the network and derive it analytically as a function of primary users' activities and CR users' strategy. The objective of the management action is to utilize a network level view of the congestion situation in the network by directing the CR nodes to select the highest quality links available and avoid congestion. Simulations demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed scheme.

Paul Potier Prairie View A&M University, USA

System Perspectives

 

Open Architectures

Adaptation of RSVP-AGG Protocol to Tactical Networks - A Tactical Edge Open Architecture Concept 1569569133

This paper addresses the adaptation of the RSVP-AGG (RSVP aggregate) protocol for the tactical edge. Deploying the standard protocol over HAIPE encrypted network has no benefit since the encrypted RSVP packets cannot be utilized by the encrypted core network router. This paper investigates the use of RSVP-AGG where all RSVP tunnels are aggregated over a single tunnel at the tactical edge. The tactical edge also ties the aggregate tunnel to the HAIPE IPSec tunnel. There are several gains from this approach, including: 1) The ability to use COTS RSVP protocol at the plain text enclaves; 2) Elimination of RSVP packets going over the encrypted core that has no use for them, which results in bandwidth savings; and 3) Acquiring the ability to tie RSVP to admission control and flow control at the tactical edge. The paper shows that the use of RSVP-AGG over the HAIPE encrypted core cannot follow RSVP-AGG RFC 3175 verbatim. While RSVP-AGG developed for COTS routers assumes the existence of multiple interfaces over the same router, a HAIPE has only one plain text side interface. This calls for a deviation from the COTS RFC 3175 in order to implement an RSVP-AGG protocol that can work over HAIPE. This deviation is explained in detail. The paper also presents simulation results showing the bandwidth savings obtained from using RSVP-AGG over HAIPE.

Michael Vitt DSCI, USA

A Comparison of Open Architecture Standards for the Development of Complex Military Systems: GRA, FACE, SCA NeXT 1569577343

Tightly coupled, poorly encapsulated, hardware and software implementations have resulted in systems that are rigid and fragile. These systems lack desirable architectural attributes including efficient extensibility, technology insertion, hardware and software portability and effective use of COTS equipment. The realization of flexible and robust systems without a supporting architecture is difficult, requires significant system rework and precludes the concept of a product line. Three recently generated examples of standards intended to mitigate these fundamental engineering shortcomings are the Government Reference Architecture (GRA) promoted by ARMY CERDEC, the Software Communications Architecture, promoted by the JTRS JPEO and the Future Avionics Capability Environment, promoted by The Open Group and sponsored by NAVAIR. In this paper we compare these three architectural standards relative to the concerns identified in each and the techniques proposed. We find that these three approaches promote similar key concerns and use similar techniques to achieve a loosely coupled, modular architecture that allows the realization of flexible and robust systems.

Mark Henry Raytheon, USA

SCA4: An Evolved Framework 1569599381

It has been over 10 years since the first iteration of Software Communication Architecture (SCA) and more than 5 years since the release of the previous version of the specification, SCA 2.2.2. While there have been numerous technological advancements and lessons learned in the field of software defined radio since the release of SCA 2.2.2, the framework remained relatively static and was extended to include a small subset of the new features. The latest specification release, commonly known as SCA4, incorporates a wider range of resolutions, significantly optimizes the framework and improves a programmer's ability to develop software defined radios efficiently. The new standard builds on a decade of expertise and makes the SCA even more relevant in today's market of resource constrained systems with the ever increasing need for secure mobile communications. With the breadth of potential SCA based target platforms and applications, SCA4

System Perspectives

 broadens its applicability beyond U.S. military software defined radios. DISTRIBUTION STATEMENT A Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited (29 March 2012).

Chalena Jimenez Joint Tactical Radio System, USA

Policy-Based Spectrum Management Architecture 1569610195

The Department of Defense (DoD) is developing policy-based spectrum management (PBSM) concepts, architectures, and capabilities to improve DoD's use of the electromagnetic spectrum, particularly in the area of edge networking. This use of PBSM is a paradigm shift in the way DoD will manage the use of the electromagnetic spectrum in support of Dynamic Spectrum Access (DSA) enabled Policy Based Radios (PBRs). The multifaceted implications of PBSM need to be understood so that required changes to spectrum-related business processes (and the data and automated capabilities used within these processes) can be identified and coordinated with stakeholders. A major element of PBSM is the generation, distribution, and consumption of Digital Spectrum Policy (DSP) by DSA-enabled PBRs. The US Army Communications Electronics Research Development Engineering Center (CERDEC) is developing a broad set of DSA/PBSM-related capabilities including tools to generate DSP. The Defense Information Systems Agency Defense Spectrum Organization (DSO) is developing enterprise solutions for DSA/PBSM. CERDEC and DSO collaborated with BAE Systems and Applied Communication Sciences on the development of an end-to-end PBSM architecture called DSA Policy Management Architecture (DPMA). This paper presents a summary of the architecture development.

Jeffrey Boksiner US Army RDECOM CERDEC S&TCD, USA

Type Based Abstraction for QoI Aware Applications 1569612883

Quality of Information (QoI) is the name for a system of enabling methods to request data over a network by specifying not only queries dependent on the content of the data, but also on qualities inherent to the data and data delivery. Part of this system is the ability for the data source to apply data processing and make decisions about the manner in which the data is responded in order to increase the usefulness of the data returned. In this paper we present a use case for QoI, based on a software framework created to enable such applications, and explained in terms of a information processing model based on for a strongly typed functional programming.

Trevor Cook Army Research Lab, USA

System Perspectives

 

Performance Modeling and Simulation

Integrating Radio-to-Router Protocols into EMANE 1569569015

In highly dynamic wireless environments, link metrics such as link quality, availability, and others have become increasingly important to enable smart multi-hop routing decisions. In recent years, a number of radio-to-router interface (R2RI) protocols such as Point-to-Point over Ethernet RFC5578, Dynamic Link Exchange Protocol (DLEP), and Radio-to-Router Control Protocol (R2CP) have emerged to address the need to have a common set of link metrics exposed from the radio to the router to allow informed multi-hop routing decisions. In the past, testing R2RI required separate processes and proxies to convert layer 2 link metrics into R2RI standard formats. Although useful for allowing legacy radio systems to comply with R2RI formats, the proxy technique is difficult for building large-scale (100+ node) test environments with emulated radios and routers. In this paper, we describe modifications made to a popular open source link emulator, EMANE, to support an emerging radio-to-router interface standard, DLEP, on several EMANE MAC models including 802.11. Additionally, we provide performance results of the system to show functionality.

Leonid Veytser MIT Lincoln Laboratory, USA

Evaluating Communications System Performance Effects at a System of Systems Level 1569602517

The complexity of net-centric system of systems (SoS) being fielded today has the military leadership increasingly dependent on modeling and simulation (M&S) tools for evaluating performance. Several types of M&S tools are required to model different aspects of military information systems, yet these tools often have different computational fidelities in terms of time and scale. Current approaches using direct information transfer between M&S tools, such as High Level Architecture (HLA), do not provide the mechanisms to enable these tools to make direct, or straight forward, use of each other's information. For this reason, many military SoS analyses assume perfect communications, an unrealistic assumption that leaves a gap in the ability to conduct more comprehensive analyses for today's large-scale, net-centric SoS problems. This research addresses this gap by developing methodologies to enable high-fidelity (HF) networked communications (comms) system performance data to be used in a lower-fidelity, larger scope SoS analysis. Sandia National Laboratories (Sandia) is developing a general purpose methodology to bridge the gap between diverse M&S tools resulting in a capability that enables military decision makers to evaluate comms system performance effects at a SoS level [Miner 09].Our approach goes beyond direct information transport, focusing on the information usability between diverse M&S tools. A HF comms simulation tool, such as OPNET™ or QUALNET™, is used to generate a Simulation Data Library consisting of comms system performance information under various conditions. A Communications Network Surrogate (CNS) uses the library to create a surrogate model of the HF data and generate a response to a parameterized request from a SoS tool. This architecture decouples the M&S tools so that they may be executed independently and permits dynamic access to the information from one M&S tool to another. Furthermore, multiple sets of M&S information can be accessed during a SoS simulation run. The SoS simulation proceeds, with calls being made to the CNS as necessary, as the SoS-level tool calculates the system level performance over multiple scenario segments. In this way, HF comms system performance information is transformed and made accessible to a SoS-level M&S tool so that the effects of the comms system application availablity on SoS performance can be evaluated over large system scales and long scenario durations. The result is a SoS analysis that provides information about SoS-level metrics, such as operational availability (Ao), survivability, and situational awareness (SA), that incorporate the effects of the comms system performance. This paper describes the research approach including parameter selection, HF data generation, surrogate modeling and SoS analysis and simulation results. The approach has wide-spread potential for linking communications performance information between diverse M&S tools.

Nadine Miner Sandia National Laboratories, USA

System Perspectives

 

Laboratory-Based End-To-End Network System of Systems Integration, Design and Risk Reduction: Critical Activity for System of Systems Integration Directorate and the Army 1569609525

The Army is currently using the Network Integration Events (NIE) to test emerging technologies in a relevant military environment with soldiers operating the equipment. This process strengthens the design and deployment process as network integrators are able to detect and diagnose problems and equipment glitches before they affect deployed troops. However, past events have demonstrated that a large number of network problems experienced during the NIE are time consuming to troubleshoot and require expert intervention from engineers in the field. To address this, the System of Systems Integration Directorate has begun the process of Laboratory Based Risk Reduction (LBRR) that performs network integration, design and automated analysis in a laboratory environment prior to each NIE. This allows pre-screening of the NIE integrated network enabling the early discovery of problems related to integration, debugging of network anomalies by subject matter experts in a controlled environment, early detection of incorrect configurations and up-front analysis of network performance. LBRR uses capabilities that include 1) Thread-based lab testing, 2) Unified Offered Load, 3) Communication Effects through waveform emulation and 4) Automated performance analysis. To date, this LBRR approach has been used in advance of NIE 12.2 and the results are encouraging. The lab-based integration exercise helped in discovering numerous technical problems related to integrating the highly heterogeneous network, many of them of a critical nature that would have caused extensive delays during the NIE. With LBRR, the vendors and Army programs were able to provide fixes or workarounds in time for NIE. For future NIEs, it is anticipated that the full LBRR capability set will provide more sophisticated analysis and results.

Michael Badger Army SOSI Directorate, USA

On Accurately Predicting Mote Deaths 1569612477

Frequent replacement of batteries or network partitions (i.e., ``sudden" decreased network coverage) resulting from unexpected (pre-mature) mote deaths impede the wide scale deployment of low power wireless networks comprising battery-operated embedded systems or motes. With this in mind, the primary purpose of this paper is to profile the energy consumption in a mote using a novel ``off-line" model to predict its operation life with high accuracy for simple, normal routing tasks, and validate it using our testbed. The results show that the predicted energy consumption (in the PHY layer of the mote) and the operation lives of the motes were within $\approx~10\%$ of the values obtained using the testbed. Furthermore, the cross-layer energy profiling involving the MAC layer provided insights into the energy consumed during the key modes of a simple, practical MAC protocol.

Sankarkumar Thandapani University of North Carolina at Charlotte, USA

Operationally Realistic Testing of Network Centric Tactical Applications in a Lab Environment 1569628487

Lab-based operationally realistic testing for the next generation tactical SA, C2 and network management applications over wireless tactical network architectures has always been a challenge due to limited access to live radio hardware and the inability to set up the operational environment in the lab even if live assets are available. In this paper we describe how network emulation can be the basis for a lab-based testbed that offers an operationally realistic environment to test live tactical applications. Our approach involves the use of high fidelity models to represent the underlying tactical network as well as the tactical environment to a high degree of accuracy such that the live applications cannot discern between live and emulation. Such an approach can in a cost effective manner address the challenges of development test and evaluation that several DoD programs are currently facing, as well as be employed in lab based risk reduction activities that are conducted prior to live operational test events (such as the NIEs). We illustrate our approach with a case study on

System Perspectives

 how network emulation can be used for operationally realistic testing of the JTRS Enterprise Network Manager application in a lab based environment for both development testing as well as lab-based risk reduction prior to a live operational test.

Sheetal Doshi Scalable Networking Technologies, USA

System Perspectives

 

Satcom on the Move (SOTM)

SATCOM-On-the-Move, Why One Size Doesn't Fit All 1569573941

Satcom-On-the-Move systems are now finding broad use in military and civil communications systems. As the only communications media which can provide broadband service without local terrestrial infrastructure, it is being considered for a growing number of requirements. Satcom-On-The-Move systems are possible through a careful combination of trade-offs. On the ground those include such factors as desired user data rate, terminal size, mobility, antenna RF performance, and cost. In space, those trade-offs include satellite transponder power and bandwidth allocations, as well as technical and regulatory provisions both to permit the desired link to support needed traffic levels, but also to permit continued operations with adjacent satellites. This paper will consider several of the factors driving the Satcom-On-The-Move trade space and how they can be expected to evolve as a variety of real world Satcom-On-The-Move systems are fielded.

Timothy Shroyer General Dynamics SATCOM Technologies, USA

Adjacent Satellite Interference from a Network of MF-TDMA Satellite Communications on-the-Move Terminals 1569579899

Satellite communications on-the-move (SOTM) networks are being deployed to provide various broadband communication services. Typically, an SOTM network consists of a large number of small aperture terminals deployed over a wide geographical area. These terminals are intended to operate over geostationary orbit satellites. To utilize network resources efficiently, these networks may employ time- and frequency-division multiple access methods. Also, SOTM terminals may operate using a range of antenna aperture sizes and may require different transmit power levels to meet various user's data rate needs. Additionally, antenna pointing errors of the terminals may contribute to a time-varying interference pattern from the SOTM network to a victim receiver in another satellite network. This paper provides a methodology to analyze the time-varying interference resulting from a MF-TDMA network consisting of such terminals.

Vijitha Weerackody Johns Hopkins University/APL, USA

Performance Criteria Affecting Pointing Error and the Impact on Total Cost of Ownership 1569579987

Methods to determine pointing error per the FCC Vehicle Mounted Earth Station (VMES) license have been presented with accurate measurements. Accurate pointing is a defining requirement for transmitting mobile satellite communication ("Satcom-on-the-move") antennas. Indirectly, pointing error has an immediate impact on the total space segment cost by the user community. The following paper will discuss system performance parameters that affect pointing error, its implications in meeting FCC VMES regulations, and the overall impact on cost of ownership by the communications network.

Rohit Murthy General Dynamics SATCOM Technologies, USA

How to Evaluate SOTM Antennas, Modems, Systems, and Architectures 1569580943

"How to Evaluate SOTM Terminals, Antennas, Modems, Systems, and Architectures" Lino Gonzalez, Joe Levantino, Wendy Lui, Mike Tracey, LinQuest Corporation, and Richard E. Greel, Jr. PM WIN-T

System Perspectives

 The two key components make up a "Satellite on the Move" (SOTM) terminal, the antenna and the modem. SOTM terminals can be combined to form a mobile network. At least one controller, typically a stationary, larger aperture terminal is required to manage and police the network. The SOTM network also requires an assigned set of satellite resources with its corresponding regional radio regulations limits. These minimum elements must be defined for any SOTM network. SOTM networks operating in the traditional commercial satellite Ku-band (14-14.5 GHz uplink) have very unique operating constraints that must be considered before acquiring or deploying any such system. One of the key drivers of SOTM capability is the ability of the waveform/modem/terminal to meet off axis emission requirements. The SOTM network considerations that must be analyzed are: 1) World regional EIRP Spectral Density (ESD) limits 2) Antenna pointing accuracy and ESD limits 3) Modem available and achievable operating modes 4) Satellite transponder performance/parameters and Controller/Hub terminal performance This paper will discuss in detail each of the above requirements, with an emphasis on how antenna ESD limits are determined, Figure 1 illustrates this concepts. Figure 1- ESD Mask and Antenna Pointing Error Impact On SOTM The paper will develop a concept of "Available" vs. "Achievable" operating modes of a SOTM system. Analysis and equations to determine the mobile link's spectral efficiency as measured in bps/Hz will be derived. The paper will build up analysis to show that the SOTM link's spectral is ultimately determined by the ratio of the antenna's maximum ESD limit and the modem's operating Eb/N0, or . The paper will cover traditional "Link Availability" and "Link Margin" and present their overall impact to network throughput, and introduce a new concept for mobile availability with practical weather/channel impairment mitigation techniques i.e. ACM. The paper will trade SOTM architectures, peer-to-peer, vs. Hub-Spoke, thresholds for delay sensitive vs. satellite resources. Finally the paper will prove that the best performing SOTM system, in terms of spectral efficiency, connectivity, and the greatest worldwide flexibility, will be the system that matches, as closely as possible, the available operating modes to its achievable modes with conclusions.

Lino Gonzalez LinQuest Corporation, USA

Low Cost MEMS based INS for land-based MILITARY SATCOM OTM 1569589565

To minimize satellite communications interference Ground-based SATCOM terminals operating over Military X- band and Ka- band geosynchronous satellites must adhere to MIL-STD requirements for downlink pointing loss and off-axis EIRP. Similarly vehicle mounted earth stations (VMES) must adhere to strict FCC requirements on antenna pointing to avoid adjacent satellite interference when using commercial Ku- band geosynchronous satellites. Ground-based SATCOM OTM terminals use varied tracking approaches to meet military and commercial requirements. In particular systems that utilize an Open-loop tracking solution traditionally use an Inertial Navigation System (INS) based on expensive combinations of sensors that may include accurate ring-laser or fiber optic gyroscopes. With the advent of improved performance micro electrical mechanical system (MEMS) inertial sensors, new generations of INS are now available that provide acceptable open-loop tracking performance at reduced cost. Key to tracking performance is the mitigation of MEMS sensor errors and any INS based on MEMS sensors necessarily adapts processing to the challenging MEMS characteristics. Pinpoint is an example of an MEMS-based INS that has been developed by Enpoint LLC under the auspices of CERDEC. As a result of robust design, Pinpoint can coast through extended GPS outages and perform well in GPS-limited scenarios. Overall, Pinpoint meets many SATCOM system requirements for pointing accuracy, but its current performance is limited by significant MEMS errors. SATCOM systems however will soon benefit from the near term evolution of MEMS sensors that will permit further significant improvements to INS performance.

Saul Foresta US Army, USA

System Perspectives

 

Optimal PSD Limit Accommodation in Heterogeneous SHF SATCOM Networks 1569598271

The regulations for both the uplink off-axis power spectral density (PSD) emissions and the downlink interference PSD due to adjacent satellites are strict constraints when operating with mobile/small-aperture SHF SATCOM terminals. Driven by the tactical needs of the military, the population of mobile terminals is expected to grow within ad-hoc heterogeneous networks. Given this trend, only waveforms that can maximally utilize satellite resources, while complying with regulatory constraints, will serve as viable, long-term, solutions for the military. The Network-Centric Waveform (NCW), which supports adaptive and automated spread-spectrum to accommodate uplink/downlink PSD regulations, simultaneously with narrowband operation, optimizes network population and throughput. In this paper, we present the spread-spectrum capabilities of NCW and compare it with systems that apply static approaches to meeting PSD limits.

William Harbison L-3 Communications, Linkabit, USA

System Perspectives

 

Satellite Communications - 1

Enabling Fractionated Spacecraft Communications Using F6WICS 1569585435

Southwest Research Institute® (SwRI®) has designed a wireless transceiver to provide inter-satellite communications as part of the DARPA System F6 program. System F6 (Future, Fast, Flexible, Fractionated, Free-Flying Spacecraft United by Information Exchange) seeks to demonstrate the feasibility and benefits of a satellite architecture wherein the functionality of a traditional "monolithic" spacecraft is delivered by a cluster of wirelessly-interconnected modules capable of sharing their resources and utilizing resources found elsewhere in the cluster. SwRI's System F6 Wireless Inter-module Communication System (F6WICS) is a regulatory compliant, K-Band radio system that features a high reliability, guaranteed capacity, omni-directional communications link. The F6WICS supports the System F6 vision with a minimal size, weight, and power consumption (SWaP) system capable of fully supporting on-orbit demonstrations of the viability of fractionated spacecraft architecture.

Michael Koets Southwest Research Institute, USA

Roadmap to Wide Band Optical GEO Relay Networks 1569599333

Optical inter-satellite communication has been verified in-orbit. Between two LEO satellites bit error rates better than 10-11 at a data rate of 5.625 Gbps are achieved. Optical LEO-to-ground and ground-to-LEO links have been demonstrated. For the first time ESA will apply optical communication for operational services. The LEO-to-GEO link of a GEO relay, EDRS, the European data relay system, shall be established by optical communication at a data rate of 1.8 Gbps with a bit error rate of 10-8. For the time being the GEO-to-ground link still is based on radio frequency communication limiting the overall GEO relay data rate to the value of about 2 Gbps. Significantly higher data rates will be achieved by optical space-to-ground links with ground stations equipped with adaptive optics as has been demonstrated in a free-field measurement campaign. Optical LEO-to-ground and GEO-to-ground links shall be verified in the near future. Optical Air-to-GEO links are under preparation.

Robert Lange Tesat-Spacecom, Germany

Multiple Layered Method of Terminal Slot Contention Resolution for the Integrated Waveform (DAMA UHF SATCOM) 1569611159

The Integrated Waveform, specified in MIL-STD-188-181C/182B/183B/185A, defines a TDMA communication system in an attempt to improve satellite bandwidth utilization over conventional SATCOM waveforms. To overcome some of the limitations of statically defined user communications (UCOM) services in MIL-STD-188-183A, the flexibility to assign services nearly anywhere within a frame was introduced in MIL-STD-188-183B. Although this feature has the ability to greatly improve satellite bandwidth utilization, the enhanced flexibility also has a tendency to complicate the issue of slot contention. Consequently, one technique utilized by the IW Network Management System, to mitigate the increase in slot contention, is to allow to allocation of numerous Uplink and Downlink support services in order to accommodate the diverse array of UCOM service placements. Unfortunately, this technique largely transfers the burden of detecting and resolving slot contention, between one or more desired UCOM services, and the services essential to maintaining Uplink and Downlink acquisition, onto the terminal systems. This paper will discuss a method for detecting terminal slot contention, within an IW communications system, by employing a multilayered strategy in order to avoid, or at least minimize, disruption of ongoing user communications with a desired UCOM service while maintaining both Downlink and Uplink acquisition.

System Perspectives

 Richard Booton Harris Corporation, USA

NMT X/Ka Tri-Band Antennas 1569612049

Two X/Ka tri-band antennas (Large XKa and Small XKa) have been designed, fabricated, and tested successfully for the Navy Multiband Terminal (NMT) program. Both systems have gone through DVT tests with excellent performance and 17 EDM units have been tested passing all RF requirements. Key challenges of the design will be addressed, including: • Reflector optics that produce high antenna efficiencies for all bands while keeping low sidelobe levels. • A compact tri-band feed that operates at Ka (30-31 GHz), K (20.2-21.2 GHz) and X (7.25-8.4 GHz) bands with similar beamwidths and a common phase center. • Key features of the design to meet a very tough PIM requirement. Excellent measured results have been obtained from DVT and EDM units, and some of it will be presented.

Yueh-Chi Chang Raytheon Company, USA

Evaluation of the Expansion of Joint IP Modem to Support DVB-RCS2 1569612223

In 2006 the Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA) Joint Internet Protocol Modem (JIPM) Product Management Office (PMO) took the initiative to define a standard interoperable IP modem with transmission security. One of the prime motivations was to reduce the costs associated with operating the relatively large number of different proprietary IP modems with similar performance and capabilities, performing similar functions, which are inefficiently consuming precious Military Satellite Communication (MILSATCOM) bandwidth. In March 2010, the Digital Video Broadcast (DVB) organization released DVB Document A155-1 in support of Second Generation DVB Interactive Satellite System (DVB-RCS2), with a similar objective brought forth by commercial satellite operators to reduce equipment costs by promoting economies of scale and increased interoperable solutions among IP modem vendors, while also lowering operational costs through increases in power and bandwidth efficiencies. Recently, the commercial market has started to express a need for transmission security (TRANSEC), which DVB-RCS2 aims to provide through a more effective and interoperable TRANSEC capability. The JIPM Interoperability Document was released in September 2010 through a Request for Information (RFI) to the IP modem industry. As a result of this exercise, the JIPM PMO has recognized an increased acceptance by the commercial industry in support of DVB-RCS2. This paper will evaluate the potential impacts of transitioning JIPM to DVB-RCS2, including an assessment as to whether DVB-RCS2 meets the objectives of the JIPM PMO .

Bruce Bennett DISA, USA

High Capacity Ka Commercial Communications Satellite Architectures for Defense Applications 1569611989

This paper proposes multiple high capacity Ka satellite design options that can be used for resilient communications architectures for national security. These design options are strongly influenced by rapid emergence of very high capacity commercial narrow beam satellites that have been placed in service. Resilience requires rapid deployment of aggregate capacity, support for multiple connectivity patterns, flexibility in coverage areas including hot spots with high capacity density, compatibility with heterogeneous ground segments, and finally support for a variety of applications including fixed, ground mobile, maritime, and airborne. The paper analyzes performance of candidate architectures for driving requirements, provides costs estimates for acquisition and operations, and makes specific recommendations consistent

System Perspectives

 with military interest in disaggregation of missions with smaller satellites and enhanced use of commercial SATCOM for government use.

Rajeev Gopal Hughes Network Systems, LLC, USA

System Perspectives

 

Satellite Communications - 2

Ka and Ku Operational Considerations for Military SATCOM Applications 1569555741

During last year's MILCOM event (MILCOM 2011), McLain et al [1] presented a paper that provided a comprehensive comparison of Ku, commercial Ka and military Ka-band efficiencies against a number of parameters; including terminal size, regulatory restrictions, and performance in the presence of rain. This comparison showed that each band has its strengths and weaknesses, depending on the application for which it is being used (aeronautical, maritime, land based), terminal size, and the operational environment (mobile and fixed) This paper provides an expanded comparison of Ku and Ka-band systems, focusing on operational aspects and other key considerations; including coverage resilience, operational flexibility, regulatory impacts and potential regulatory changes that would improvc commercial Ka-band performance,and the use of hybrid (multi-band) systems to minimize potential shortcomings in Ka-band performance due to rain.

Ling-Bing Kung Inmarsat, USA

IP Networking over the AEHF MILSATCOM System 1569612561

Due to the US Government's cancellation of the Transformational Satellite Communications (TSAT) program, internet protocol (IP) networking using Military Satellite Communications (MILSATCOM) is not currently planned. In order to support military IP based communications over MILSATCOM systems; affordable, effective and efficient solutions must be developed. An alternate near-term MILSATCOM networking solution may include the Advanced Extremely High Frequency (AEHF) MILSATCOM system, which provides circuit switched data rates up to 8 Mbps.

Katie Schroth The MITRE Corporation, USA

High Throughput Ku-band Satellites for Aeronautical Applications 1569613053

Recent advancements in high throughput Ku-band satellites will allow commercial Ku-band aeronautical mobile satellite systems (AMSS) to equal or exceed commercial Ka-band AMSS systems on cost and performance. Currently, Ku-band dominates the AMSS broadband market. Systems like eXConnect, Row44, Yonder provide service to the commercial market while other providers such as Tachyon and the Boeing Broadband Satellite Network (formerly Connexion by Boeing) serve the government market. A wide variety of UAV and government ISR systems also use Ku-band. All of these systems use conventional continental-scale widebeams that are leased from Fixed Satellite Service (FSS) providers like Intelsat and Eutelsat However, in several years the dominance of Ku-band in the AMSS market is going to be challenged by forthcoming Ka-band systems, like Inmarsat-5. These systems use customized satellites with multiple spot beams to offer enhanced performance. Previous work has shown that these systems may offer better performance and better economics than conventional Ku-band systems. The key insight of this paper is that the performance advantage of spot beam Ka-band systems comes from their smaller size of their beams rather than the frequency that they operate at. Ku-band satellites can be built with similar sized spot beams to systems like Inmarsat-5 and can achieve equal or better costs and performance. Such high throughput Ku-band systems are now on the drawing board. This result has critical implications for existing users and operators of AMSS systems:

System Perspectives

 - Currently installed Ku-band terminals will be able to take advantage of dramatic improvements in performance when high throughput Ku-band becomes available - Current users of Ku-band will not have to undergo costly retrofits to Ka-band to maintain competitive performance - Operators can continue to invest in Ku-band terminals today without fear of them becoming obsolete in the near future - The AMSS market will continue to be diverse and competitive for years to come

Christopher McLain Panasonic Avionics Corporation, USA

Transformational Satellite (TSAT) Lessons Learned 1569613233

The Transformational Satellite Communications System (TSAT) Program was intended to extend the Global Information Grid (GIG) to disadvantaged users through a robustly interconnected, high capacity space-based capability. Prior to its cancellation for affordability, the $2B TSAT investment demonstrated many organizational, enterprise and technological innovations to deploy next generation, internet-based communication technologies. While the government investment strategy has changed, many of these innovations remain relevant and useful. With inputs from across TSAT's senior government acquisition and FFRDC leadership, this paper explores the relevant TSAT's lessons learned in support of future enterprise program planning. The paper's findings include governance successes & challenges across a diverse stakeholder and industry enterprise, lessons from government oversight and integration of multiple contract acquisitions, risk management successes, requirements management, budget management and lessons learned from deployment of a program-wide system engineering and integration structure. The paper also explores the challenges associated with interconnection of tactical Internet Packet (IP)-based communications systems. This submittal is not a new Abstract (this posting is to attempt submittal of draft manuscript) Reference EDAS number: 1569601829

Joe Vanderpoorten Space and Missile Systems Center, USA

Performance of Combatant Command Satellite (COCOMSat) Communications in Contested Environments 1569612237

This paper presents satellite loading methodologies for loading satellite communications (SATCOM) requirements at Ka-band commercial satellites in contested environments experiencing jamming noises. The cell-like user beams assembled in hexagonal arrays are optimized to enhance the user supportability, and transmit powers of all links are determined. Future high-capacity Ka-band commercial satellites will rely on ground concentration nodes (GCNs) and adaptive coding and modulation (ACM) techniques to provide digital video broadcasting/return channel via satellite (DVB/RCS) services for forward and return links to achieve high throughput. Traffic flows between the user beams are coordinated through GCNs thus requiring double hops for peer-to-peer traffic while reachback traffic requires single hops relying on terrestrial networks. The optimal satellite loading in the presence of uplink jamming will be devised to minimize the satellite/terminals powers and to maximize the supported data rates simultaneously. Degradation of throughputs of the COCOMSat in contested environments results when the transponders begin to operate in non-linear mode approaching saturation.

Kenneth Jo Defense Information Systems Agency, USA

System Perspectives

 

CubeSat Torrent: Torrent Like Distributed Communications For CubeSat Satellite Clusters 1569612801

CubeSats are very small satellites used primary for space research. Weight, volume, power and geometry constraints severely limit communication capabilities of individual CubeSats. Owing to these constraints, CubeSats typically use monopole, dipole and canted turnstile antennas and have a limited communication capability of about 9.8 Kbps. As a result communication subsystem is one of the major bottlenecks for CubeSat missions that require uplinking or downlinking of large amount of data like images or videos. For interplanetary and emerging missions like remote sensing, communication bottleneck becomes poses even bigger threat as the connectivity with ground station will be very limited, intermittent and comes at a very high price. This paper proposes CubeSat Torrent(CST), using which communication resources can be pooled among CubeSats in a cluster to speedup missions that require downlinking or uplinking of images and videos. CubeSat Torrent works in a fashion very similar to a torrent. CubeSat Torrent uses multiple CubeSats and multiple ground stations to downlink or uplink a file. Each CubeSat cluster has a master node. Master node keeps track of all the nodes in the cluster and their available downlink and uplink capacity. When a large file needs to be downloaded, master will split it into fixed size blocks called chunks. Each node in the cluster is given a chunk to downlink to the best possible ground station that it can connect to. As and when a node finishes downlinking the chunk given to it, it is given a new chunk. While this process is going on, the master downlinks the metadata containing the chunk identifiers and the nodes that are assigned to downlink them. As soon as the chunks are downloaded to the ground stations, they are forwarded to a central server which stitches them into original file. A file is uploaded to a Cubesat cluster in a similar fashion. We simulated CubeSat Torrent using CubeNet, a Python CubeSat network simulator. Our simulation results indicate that Cubesat Torrent, with cluster sizes in range of 5 - 25 CubeSats, enables 4 - 20 times faster (compared to a single CubeSat) downloading of images and videos. All this speed is achieved by consuming only about 30% more power for inter-cluster communication and almost negligible memory overhead (< 0.01%) to store metadata. This can potentially speed up missions like imaging and remote sensing by factor of 20x. Future work will include inter-cluster laser communication and distributed file systems for CubeSat clusters to improve the power efficiency and scalability of CubeSat Torrent.

Obulapathi Challa University of Florida, USA

System Perspectives

 

Spectrum Management

Criteria for Multi-Carrier X-band Intermodulation Products in the Receive Band 1569578959

The criteria for intermodulation products falling within the receiver of an X-band satellite earth terminal are historically governed by MIL-STD-188-164 and STANAG 4484. These specifications limit received intermodulation products from a simple two-tone transmitter measurement. X-band earth terminals that satisfy the challenging criteria qualify for multi-carrier operation. This paper investigates the practical implications of the existing criteria on X-band earth terminal design, models the intermodulation phenomena, and develops alternative criteria for X-band multi-carrier operations. The proposed alternative criteria would facilitate a broader deployment of multi-carrier X-band capability for tactical users.

James Offner Harris Corporation, USA

Increasing Network Area Spectral Efficiency by combining multiple PHY techniques 1569599423

Physical Layer (PHY) techniques such as Spatial Multiplexing, Eigen Beamforming, Eigen Beamnulling, Power Control, Spectrum Segmentation and Link Adaptation have been proved effective in improving the Network Area Spectral Efficiency of ad hoc networks. Several works have focused on optimizing the parameters of these PHY techniques individually to maximize different components of the Network Area Spectral Efficiency using an analytical approach. However, the impact of combining these PHY techniques has not been well studied. Moreover, it remains to be seen what kind of tradeoffs exist in a realistic scenario where the the parameters of the PHY techniques need to be selected in a distributed manner and there might not be scope for complex optimization. We use a heuristic based approach to combine these six PHY techniques in a distributed manner, and analyze the performance of the network in the presence of practical non-idealities. Simulation results indicate that the gain in network area spectral efficiency achieved by combining these PHY techniques is additive, and is atleast 3x better than any of the PHY techniques in isolation.

Gaelen Pereira University of California, Los Angeles, USA

A Phased Approach to Policy-Based Spectrum Operations 1569611843

The Department of Defense (DoD) is currently engaged in a broad set of research and development efforts relating to the technical, operational, regulatory, and standardization of Dynamic Spectrum Access (DSA) capabilities for mission related applications. DoD is converging on the use of a policy-based management approach as the fundamental source of situational awareness for DSA radios to base their transmission decisions. Digital Spectrum Policy (DSP) can represent something as simple as a frequency assignment, all the way to a complex policy which describes conditions for advanced sharing scenarios. This paper investigates the role of Policy Based Spectrum Management (PBSM) in the DoD's spectrum management transformation. It looks at the current spectrum management lifecycle activities which guide joint task force (JTF) operations in the electromagnetic battlespace (EMB). As the use of Policy-Based Spectrum Dependent Systems (SDSs) extends across the JTF, the impact of PBSM will be felt across the different activities in the spectrum management lifecycle. Viewed from this perspective, a phased introduction of PBSM is expected to take place as policy-based SDS technology matures and is deployed.

Darcy Swain The MITRE Corporation, USA

System Perspectives

 

Simulation of Moderate Time-Scale Dynamic Spectrum Access with Wide-Area Spectrum Sensors 1569612409

Simulation approaches and results are provided for dynamic spectrum access (DSA) with remote wide-area spectrum monitoring equipment and moderate delay in spectrum data dissemination. Issues expected to arise using this approach include information delay time, failure to detect all transmitters, transmitter location errors, poor transmit-power estimates, and errors in the propagation model used to predict radio interference. The system works well if information delays do not exceed 10 minutes and location errors are less than or equal to 2 km. It can also tolerate more than 25% transmitter omissions. The system is found to be more sensitive to poor transmit-power and propagation-loss estimates.

Matthew Rebholz MIT Lincoln Laboratory, USA

Tactical Troposcatter Applications in Challenging Climate Zones 1569589217

Transportable troposcatter terminals are a valid beyond line-of-sight transmission medium in support of NATO expeditionary operations. Troposcatter systems are able to provide augmentation capacity to SATCOM in support of forward-deployed military headquarters and a valid alternative to cascaded line-of-sight systems. In more tactical scenarios, where capacity and reach requirements are less demanding, the ability to direct low transmission-delay wireless links is a critical capability to support secondary deployed locations such as APODs, etc. In this paper, the authors analyse the performance and military potential of less-capable tactical troposcatter terminals (compared to transportable systems) in tactical scenarios typical of smaller deployed locations. The analysis is performed with a commercial implementation of a troposcatter system and in a realistic scenario subject to challenging propagation conditions using a commercial implementation of tactical troposcatter terminals.

Luis Bastos NATO C3 Agency, The Netherlands

System Perspectives

 

Tactical Communications

Use of Dynamic Flight Paths to Enhance Support to Priority Subscribers on a Communications UAV 1569590339

Airborne communications nodes have been considered for many years as a key component in future communications networks. This paper addresses the optimal location of a Medium Altitude/Long Endurance (MALE) UAV carrying an airborne communications node which supports a community of mobile subscribers. Consider the case of a power-limited communications payload being flown on a UAV in support of a large community of mobile subscribers. Each subscriber is connected to the UAV payload by a two-way radio link. Radio links are only activated when there is traffic to be exchanged, thus the RF power demanded from the payload is changing regularly. An algorithm has been developed which attempts to maximize coverage of the subscriber community by moving the UAV between waypoints at which coverage is maximized. The algorithm, called Select Locally Optimum Waypoints (SLOW), estimates the future locations of subscribers from historic traffic and location data, and uses this information to move to waypoints at which the greatest number of links can be supported within the available RF power, and to the required signal quality. This improves the overall coverage of the subscriber community. This paper considers the performance of the algorithm in different conditions. Initially the performance of the algorithm is assessed against the maximum RF power available from the payload. The paper considers the case where all subscribers are given equal weighting, and then addresses the case where 10% of subscribers are given priority access to the payload. The paper also considers how the algorithm responds to different traffic patterns and concludes with a brief assessment of the airspace implications of allowing the UAV to track the mobile subscribers.

Philip Charlesworth EADS, United Kingdom

Non-Satellite Based Field Communications System for Battlefield Deployments 1569598219

Many wireless systems used by military ground personnel are satellite based. This paper explores a hybrid system that benefits from both satellite and terrestrial wireless technologies while overcoming the limitations of each. We present the architecture, describe the merits, and then explain the essence of the system: IP Flow mobility. After introducing this concept, we describe some of the important aspects that specifically relate to mobility and security.

John Cartmell InterDigital Communications Corp, USA

Demonstration of a Hybrid Free-Space Optical/RF Airborne Network 1569612097

The goal of the DARPA Free-Space Optical Experimental Network Experiment (FOENEX) is to develop and demonstrate a hybrid free-space optical (FSO)/RF network between multiple airborne and ground nodes. The first of two test phases was recently completed, successfully demonstrating both triangle and string networks using both the hybrid (FSO/RF) and FSO only links between two aircraft and a ground station. This paper will describe the system configuration used in the test as well as discuss the range, individual link configurations, data throughput performance, and performance of the hybrid FSO/RF network

David Young Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory, USA

System Perspectives

 

One Force Tactical Communications System: Connecting the Tactical Edge at AEWE Spiral G 1569612295

With the appeal of smart phones and tablets on the battlefield, the One Force Tactical Communications System (OFTCS), a hybrid cellular-tactical network solution by Raytheon, enabled networked intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance (ISR) and mission command services to the Tactical Edge at the Army Expeditionary Warfighter Experiment Spiral G. Using commercial mobile computing devices communicating on OFTCS, small unit leaders at Company and Below were able to share position location information (blue/red), view ISR streaming video from multiple unmanned aerial systems, execute call-for-fires, and coordinate command and control to achieve greater situational understanding and mitigate tactical surprise. OFTCS is a viable gapfiller where a mobile, tactical Internet Protocol (IP) network is needed to connect the Tactical Edge (horizontally and vertically) with converged intelligence and mission command services.

Lawrence Young Raytheon Company, USA

Development of an Open-Source GSM Femtocell and Integrated Core Infrastructure 1569612917

Open source development applied to cellular GSM technology is a fairly recent, but growing, concept. Another trend is the continually growing capability of low-power embedded processors, which makes them increasingly suitable for open- source GSM applications. This paper applies two open-source software packages, OpenBTS and OpenBSC, to an readily available embedded hardware platform, the USRP E100. The USRP E100 device is a heterogeneous processor platform designed for software-defined radio use. The result is an embedded base station that can be deployed in standalone configuration or as part of a larger GSM network. A software radio transceiver implementation is presented that leverages optimized capabilities of all available processors: a general purpose ARM processor, DSP, and FPGA. Comparative performance measures are also provided.

Thomas Tsou Virginia Tech, USA

System Perspectives

 

Testbeds

Building an Operation Support System for A Fast Reconfigurable Network Experimentation Testbed 1569591287

We discuss in this paper the emerging need for an operation support system to support reconfigurable, time-shared testbeds. We articulate the needs for building an operation support system for such testbeds in order to provide better utilization of testbed resources, enable testers to closely examine and analyze tests, streamline the process of test setup and execution, as well as enhance the efficacy of tests and the throughput of the testbed. In addition, the progress that we have made so far, our current research and development road map, along with foreseeable research challenges are also discussed.

Alexander Poylisher Applied Communication Sciences, USA

Laboratory Evaluation of Military Radios and Network Architectures 1569600041

As the ARMY prepares to deploy modern tactical networks in theater [1], there is an increasing need to ensure that radio systems will perform up to expectations before integrating them into emerging Army Capability Sets for Brigade tactical networks. Evaluating these radio systems before field deployments in a controlled laboratory setting provides a critical opportunity to establish baseline performance levels, as well as to identify and resolve design flaws and engineering bugs, long before they are encountered in the field. This paper discusses the role of the CERDEC S&TCD Radio Evaluation and Analysis Laboratory (REAL) in evaluating military radio networks, not only as black-box systems, but also as part of a larger tactical network consisting of a mix of radio systems. This testing has already become an important element of the Army's Agile Process, and has demonstrated its value many times over in preparing new technologies for operational experimentation in the Army's Network Integration Evaluations (NIE) taking place at Ft Bliss, TX.

Paul Sass MITRE Corp., USA

A Test Bed for Collaborative Development of Underwater Communications and Networking 1569605033

Communications and networking in the underwater domain pose significant challenges not seen in typical terrestrial networking. Models available for the underwater acoustic channel typically fall short on estimating the time variance of features such as multipath arrival structure and channel spread. Another sometimes overlooked aspect is that underwater hardware typically does not benefit from the large scale testing that consumer electronics enjoys and is, in general, less than ideal. Simulation environments are great tools to overcome the challenges of at-sea operations such as high cost, risks and difficulties in implementing methodical testing to achieve repeatable conditions. The drawback is that they tend to fall short on modelling true hardware behaviour and the true physical environment, failing to expose the algorithms and solutions to the real conditions of use. This is why collecting data in the real world is essential and a true differentiating factor in achieving an underwater networking capability. In June 2011, under the scope of the ACommsNet11 experiment, the NATO Undersea Research Centre deployed an underwater network in the bay of La Spezia to be used as a communications test bed. The system consists of four tripods sitting on the seabed and cabled to a shore side container lab where a control station was installed. Each tripod has 2 acoustic modems operating in overlapping frequency windows, with fundamentally different modulation schemes. In addition to the modems, two sound sources were used in the bands of 7-16 and 20-30 kHz to probe the channel and support the development and experimentation of the JANUS modulation scheme. A tetrahedral array of hydrophones provided full band acoustic raw data at 192 kSa/s with 24 bit

System Perspectives

 resolution. Environmental (Wind, Pressure, Rain) and Oceanographic (Temperature and sound speed profiles, Wave spectra) data were also gathered. Later in the deployment, a fifth communications module was added in the west side of the bay, connected via radio to the control station. This "world-in-the-loop" setup was configured as a remotely accessible infrastructure, allowing NURC scientists, engineers and collaborating institutions to log into the system, run experiments and collect data. Throughout ACommsNet11, repetitive as well as opportunistic testing was conducted. The comprehensive data set collected in repetitive, periodic fashion provides a documented study of the harbour acoustic channel (complete with environmental data) through daily, weekly and seasonal changes along with end-to-end connectivity between the "black-box" commercial modems over the same time span. This allows a complete analysis from environment to end-point connectivity that can be used to guide networking design choices. Opportunistic testing was conducted to try out particular developments in protocols developed at NURC, such as routing and DTN implementations, support JANUS development, prepare NURC's participation in NATO's Proud Manta 2012 exercise, stress-test hardware and software and conduct experimentation with bio fouling effects on long-term, shallow water deployments. Having a simple and immediate way to test software interfaces and hardware components and to conduct more ambitious research programmes, an at-sea test bed represents an invaluable asset. The value of a research organisation such as NURC, where 28 nations can find common ground for research and experimentation in the maritime domain, can be explored not only by conducting these development programmes but also by creating the means to foster research and collaboration in the field. This is especially critical in the underwater domain where regulations, standards and canonical models are lacking.

Joao Alves NATO Undersea Research Centre, Italy

Automated Performance Assessment Framework Innovation (APAFI) Project 1569608933

The Automated Performance Assessment Framework (APAFI) is an integrated system that provides an automated approach to evaluating network performance against technical performance requirements and that will score operational mission effectiveness over scenarios of interest. It does this in real-time or as a post-integration event analysis tool. APAFI can support multiple analysts thru Web Clients. APAFI provides visual indication of compliance to requirements (technical and operational) and allows clients to determine root-causes of complex system of systems integrated behaviors.

Michael Badger Army SOSI Directorate, USA

TimeSync: Virtual Time for Scalable, High-Fidelity Hybrid Network Emulation 1569612879

Hybrid network emulation comprises primarily a discrete event simulated network and virtual machines that send and receive traffic through the simulated network. It allows testing network applications rather than their models on simulated target networks, particularly mobile wireless networks. Scalability of this test approach is hindered by the time divergence problem: for complex, large-scale simulations, discrete event simulation time advances slower than real time, thus distort packet transmission characteristics. To address this problem, we developed TimeSync, which references discrete event simulation time to control and synchronize time advance on virtual machines for large-scale hybrid network emulation. In this paper, we describe how TimeSync controls and synchronizes time perception in hybrid network emulation between simulator and virtual machines, and present experiment results.

Florin Sultan Applied Communication Sciences, USA

Determining RF Angle of Arrival Using COTS Antenna Arrays: A Field Evaluation 1569612925

We are interested in estimating the angle of arrival of an RF signal by using commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) software-defined radios (SDRs). The proposed COTS-based approach has the advantages of flexibility, low cost and ease of

System Perspectives

 deployment, but--unlike traditional antenna arrays in which elements are already phase-aligned--we face the challenge of aligning individual SDRs during field deployment in order to ensure coherent phase detection. We propose a strategy to relax the requirement of tight phase synchronization between distributed oscillators by using a novel phase difference of arrival mechanism based on a field-deployable reference transmitter. This approach enables flexible and inexpensive COTS antenna array designs. We evaluate our method in an outdoor, 20m x 20m open field and observe localization errors below 3m. We conclude that a COTS-based approach to RF source localization is amenable to rapid and low-cost deployment of sensing infrastructure and could potentially be of interest to the Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) community at the tactical edge.

Hsieh-Chung Chen Harvard University, USA