Adaptive and Automated Network Management Framework for Inverse Mission Planning over Aerial Communications

ABSTRACT: The proposed IMPACT system provides an automated and adaptive network planning capability that processes the network capacity and communication factors provided by the airborne gateway/relays network in conjunction with resource requirements of a new mission (achieved by mission mapping) and optimally performs flow control, scheduling and allocation of communication resources for specific missions. IMPACT deploys robust stochastic optimization framework to reserve network resources, prioritize and assign critical communication factors for transmitter-receiver prior to the mission and adaptively mange network routes and resource scheduling and control mission traffic flows with respect to dynamic changes during the mission. IMPACT system prototype is designed within the airborne gateway/relays communication platform enabled by BACN and JALN technologies. IMPACT effectively utilizes airborne gateways/relays as a high capacity and low latency network that dedicates wireless resources (e.g., bandwidth, frequency, power) to mission traffic and utilizes the available network resources optimally with the flexibility to adapt to any dynamic changes during the course of the mission. BENEFIT: The proposed IMPACT system has tremendous application potential in military and commercial wireless communication systems to provide inverse planning via optimal prioritization of bandwidth prioritization. IMPACT increases the RF coverage via airborne gateways and adaptively balances traffic load with the necessary network capacity in hostile/contested environments. Commercial applications include first-response, emergency and border patrol communications, sensor network deployment planning, cellular and vehicular communications. In addition, optimization and management components of IMPACT can be used for general planning purposes such as air traffic control, training, education, and learning. IMPACT can be used in a broad range of wireless communication networks, and it can add significant values to various tactical airborne network programs.