Analysis of hardware requirements for airborne tactical mesh networking nodes

• Main Author: Milicic, Gregory J.
• Other Authors: Bordetsky, Alexander
• Format: Others
• Published: Monterey California. Naval Postgraduate School Marc
• Subjects: Netcentric computing; United States; IEEE 80211 (Standard); Global Information Grid; Command and control systems; Wireless mesh networking; Ad hoc networking; IEEE 802.11; Global information grid; MANET; Wireless; OLSR; Sensor networks; Tactical network topology; Single board computer; PC/104; Tern UAV
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/10945/2218

Approved for public release, distribution is unlimited === Wireless mesh mobile ad hoc networks (MANETs) provide the military with the opportunity to spread information superiority to the tactical battlespace in support of network-centric warfare (NCW). These mesh networks provide the tactical networking framework for providing improved situational awareness through ubiquitous sharing of information including remote sensor and targeting data. The Naval Postgraduate School's Tactical Network Topology (TNT) project sponsored by US Special Operations Command seeks to adapt commercial off the shelf (COTS) information technology for use in military operational environments. These TNT experiments rely on a variety of airborne nodes including tethered balloon and UAVs such as the Tern to provide reachback from nodes on the ground to the Tactical Operations Center (TOC) as well as to simulate the information and traffic streams expected from UAVs conducting surveillance missions and fixed persistent sensor nodes. Airborne mesh nodes have unique requirements that can be implemented with COTS technology including single board computers and compact flash. === Lieutenant, United States Navy