Tactical Communications for the Infantry of the Future

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Tactical Communications for the Infantry of the
Future

• Adrian Clarke

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is controlled under the International Traffic in
Arms Regulations (ITARs) or UK Export Control
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property of ITT and will be returned promptly
upon request.
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Future Infantry
Intoxicated by technology or blinded by science,
it is all too easy to lose touch with reality.
After a couple of centuries of extremely rapid
technological change the worlds most
sophisticated and adaptable instrument of war
(and, perhaps even more importantly, of military
operations short of war) is still the infantryman
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COMMUNICATIONS ELEMENTSPEARNET

• AG CLARKE

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ITTs Communication Pedigree

• Large Scale System Experience
• Air Force SACDIN - International multilevel
  secure switching network
• Marine Corps - Secure circuit data switching
  network
• Department of State - Backbone message switching
  network
• Air Force - JTIDS system development
• Air Force GPS - Payload and ground segment
  development
• Multifaceted Communications System Developments
• U.S. Army Tactical Internet
• U.K. Tactical Internet
• U.S. Army Soldier Level Integrated Communications
  Environment (SLICE)
• FAA Ground-to-Air Radios
• Network Waveforms Products
• Tactical Internet ESIP Waveform
• Wideband Network Radios (WNR)
• Soldier Radio
• JTRS VHF BOWMAN Waveform

ITT has a long history of systems development and
integration
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Issues to be considered by industry during the
development of such a system

• Key Issues v Performance
• Increase capability
• Reduce weight
• Cost effective

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The Vision a fully integrated force maximizing
each element of the force available to commanders

• Increased data and video capacity/timeliness
• Mobility of operations
• Ad hoc networking
• Integrated user services
• Situational awareness (SA)
• Increased use of Optical equipment at night
• Greater use of the unmanned sensor

ITT is on the leading edge of solving many key
challenges facing transformation
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How do we do it - Building blocks
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SpearNet Background

• Technology initially developed by ITT for
  Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA)
  as the Handheld Multimedia Terminal (HMT)
• Mesh Networks founded January 2000
• ITT was the largest shareholder (19) and ITT
  A/CD is exclusive partner for military
  applications
• Mesh Networks purchased by Motorola December
  2004. ITT retains exclusive rights to defense
  market

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SpearNet Attributes

• 100 IP-based
• IPv4 compliant
• Seamless roaming
• Mobility up to 250mph
• No fixed infrastructure
• Inexpensive and reliable
• High speed data
• High quality data
• VoIP
• Resistant to interference
• Multipath mitigation

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Communications

• Force Multiplication can be achieved through a
  fully informed network allowing voice and data
  traffic to flow unhindered

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Practical Considerations

• Network Design
• Terrain Topography Dependent
• Coverage Throughput Dependent
• Typical Design Assumptions
• 0.5 km Range Radius
• 3 Hops for 300 Kbps Throughput
• Interference
• Different Channelization than 802.11x
• Packet-by-Packet Channel Selection
• Route Around Congestion
• Virtual Carrier Sense
• Security
• DSSS Intrinsically Secure
• Ad Hoc Routing Intrinsically Secure
• Full Authentication of Network Elements
• No Promiscuous Mode
• Supports Standard IP VPN Clients

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Applications

• Military Data Networks
• Distributed/decentralized infrastructure mode
• Peer-to-peer mode
• VoIP (internal or external voice Codec)
• Video (still or motion)
• Sensor Networks
• Made up of hundreds of small autonomous nodes
• Use wireless technology to communicate
• Require low data rates, from a few bps to a few
  Kbps
• Subject to energy/power constraints (i.e.,
  battery operated)
• Interfaced into control or monitoring systems
• Necessitate low latency and survivable
  communications

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SpearNet Personal Role Modem

• 2.4 2.48 GHz, 4.9 4.95 GHz, 1.2 1.3 GHz
• 1 km range
• 1.5 to 6 mbps burst
• Ad hoc, self-forming, self-healing
• Mobile Ad-Hoc Networking (MANET)
• Hybrid Proactive/Reactive routing algorithm
• lt 700 cm3
• Software encryption
• Commercial GPS accuracy
• Standard USB, serial, Ethernet
• Frequency range can be easily moved to other
  bands. To maintain the 6 Mb data rate, a 20MHz BW
  is needed.

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SpearNet Networking
Intranet, Tactical Internet PSTN
Access Points
Wireless Routers
Client Devices
Peer-to-Peer Connection
Network Connection
Wired Connection
Access Point
Wireless Router
Clients
KEY
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Evolution of the Wearable Soldier Radio

• Handheld Multi-media Terminal (HMT)
• Enhanced Handheld Multi-media Terminal (EHMT)
• MESH Networks
• Small Unit Operation Situational Awareness System
  (SUO SAS)
• Solider Level Integrated Communications
  Environment (SLICE)
• Wearable Soldier Radio

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Why a Wideband Networked Radio for Dismounted
Communications

• Narrow band radios shown to be ineffective for
  dismounted forces in Urban Environments
• NB (25Khz) channels do not allow for adequate
  processing gain, error correction, or networking
• Inadequate connectivity in urban corridors,
  tunnels, in-building ops, etc., No relay
  capability
• Wide band networked radios address this
  capability gap, and more
• Significant Capabilities to the War Fighter
• Simultaneous Voice, Data and Situation Awareness
• Ability to monitor multiple voice nets (i.e.
  squad net, platoon net) simultaneously
• Anti-jam, Mobile Ad-Hoc Networking waveform for
  complex terrain
• A Smaller, Lighter Load Out
• One device does the job of three
• Voice radio, Data radio, GPS

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Protection - Sensors

• Responsible for ground mounted, unmanned sensors
• Integration of the equipment into the seamless
  network both between sensors, vehicles and
  dismounted infantry

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Sensor Radio Applications

• Sensor Network
• Command/Control to the Sensor and Sensor Radios
• Sensor Information from Sensors to C2
• Sleep/Wake Up Function for Power Sensor Radio
  Conservation
• Network Formation and Maintenance

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SUPPORT

• ITT will be responsible for the integration of
  its communications into the dismounted infantry
  system
• ITT has the capability to conduct
• System modelling (OPNET)
• System test laboratory
• Real time field testing
• ITT can trial scenarios prior to deployment
• ITT provides risk reduction support that ensure
  equipment success once deployed

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System Test Bed

• System deployments are extensively tested before
  being deployed both in labs and by Opnet modelling

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Interoperability Must Be Verified!

• Participation in Interoperability tests is
  essential
• The only opportunity to verify concepts and
  solutions with coalition partners
• - MIP test events
• Combined Endeavour
• JWID/CWID

JWID 2004 and 2007, Future Command Headquarter
(UK) ITT, QinetiQ Systematic delivers Joint
Interoperability