Network Manager Capability Enhancement

Mobile Ad Hoc Network technology (MANET) is prominently employed in the Joint Tactical Radio Systems (JTRS) Wideband Networking Waveform (WNW). Currently, network planning and re-configuration for the WNW MANET relies on the user"s experience and intuition. In this SBIR effort, the combined Scalable Network Technologies and Telcordia team proposes to develop advanced algorithms and produce an automated tool that will provide the network planner with a set of optimized design and configurations to achieve the mission goal. Our focus is on developing a Simulation-Assisted Network-Management Enhancement (SANE) module that will determine optimized network configuration (which includes IP subnetting, frequency and bandwidth assignments and waveform configuration parameters) during the planning phase as well as during mission execution when the network is online. The SANE module combines cutting-edge network optimization techniques and high fidelity"faster than real-time"network simulation to make"providing optimized configuration at all times"a reality. In the proposed Phase 2 effort, we will design SANE, develop a prototype of SANE for WNW network optimization and demonstrate how it works with the JTRS WNW Network Manager (in both planning and online modes) to optimize an 81 radio WNW network configuration towards improving the QoS of the network.