FAUST: Finite-field Algebra for Unbeatable Situational-awareness in Tactical-networks

Scientific Systems Company, Inc. proposes FAUST, the Finite-field Algebra for Unbeatable Situational-awareness in Tactical-networks. FAUST utilizes CPISync, an advanced data set reconciliation (or data base synchronization) primitive developed at Boston University that provides information-theoretic guarantees on communication complexity. This primitive will have a great impact on improving network performance by enabling larger aggregation of data (scalability), higher rates of data collection during link failures and efficient utilization of low bandwidth data links. It significantly improves the synchronization and transmission of different types of Situational Awareness (SA) information among nodes using common SA platforms such as FBCB2. In Phase I, SSCI demonstrated FAUST offers performance improvements over baseline standard data synchronization mechanisms for ordered data such as flooding or epidemic dissemination. The demonstration was performed using a virtual network, and metrics such as SA picture quality, communication latency, volume of data synchronized per unit time were used for comparison. Phase II will continue this work by enabling user self management in the field, such as allowing the users to select the groups that it belongs to. It will also provide improved recovery mechanisms for failed synchronizations, data prioritization and more efficient many-to-many synchronization mechanisms. A demonstration of two scenarios involving several nodes, an SA picture synchronization scenario and a mission planning scenario, will be developed using tablet devices running Android.