Network Survivability Oriented Markov Games (NSOMG) in Wideband Satellite Communications

ABSTRACT: In future military satellite communications infrastructure, it is envisioned that satellite communications systems and hybrid space-terrestrial systems are essential components for improved warfighting capabilities and enhanced defensive control over complex collaborative missions. These wideband space communication networks entail unprecedented complexity and unpredictability of the operating environments as well as extremely high stake of electronic attacks and countermeasures. Therefore, it is essential to develop cognitive spectrum management and agile waveform adaptation solutions that are not only context-aware and capable of learning and probing for subscriber distributions, quality of services, mission priorities and traffic patterns, but also agile in waveform adaptation to provide active countermeasures for persistent and adaptive RF interferences and adversarial jamming. IFT team proposes a network survivability oriented Markov game (NSOMG) framework for dynamic spectrum management and waveform adaptation of the advanced wideband satellite communications. There are four major intertwined components: i) observed or reported system states including status of satellites, earth stations, warfighters, and communication links; ii) on-line learning and subsystem performance evaluation; iii) NSOMG based prediction and scheduling; and iv) joint spectrum allocation and waveform adaptation. Our approach follows a general feedback control system structure: State Observation (SO) - System Identification (SI) - Controller Actuator. BENEFIT: The proposed NSOMG framework for dynamic radio spectrum management and waveform adaptation has tremendous applications potential in many military applications. It can be used to maintain tactical space communications with dynamic spectrum sharing, routing adaptation and interference mitigations. In addition, some relevant Defense Acquisition Programs within DoD are such as WIN-T Warfighter Information Network-Tactical, JSTARS Joint Surveillance and Target Attack Radar System Aircraft, JTRS GMR Joint Tactical Radio System Ground Mobile Radio, DCGS-N--Distributed Common Ground Station-Navy, DCGS-X (Air Force), DCGS Army (DCGS-A) system. For some of these programs we already have close connections and know considerable program details. The market for military applications is quite large and IFT has successfully transitioned research prototypes for inclusion in DoD contractor research simulations. Other potential commercial applications include wireless sensor networks in various monitoring applications, such as structural health monitoring for critical national infrastructure, habitat monitoring, homeland security, and remote sensing. It can also benefit police and first responders for US Coast Guard, Department of Homeland Security, multi-layered sensing, disaster assessment, air traffic control system, the national weather service, physical security systems, law enforcement agency, emergency control center, border and coast patrol, pollution monitoring, remote sensing and global awareness. We expect the aggregated market size will be similar to that of military applications