SC-Orderwire for the Airborne Network

ABSTRACT: In this proposal Silvus Technologies propose an overall architecture for the Airborne Network Orderwire. We refer to this technology as Silvus Communications Orderwire (SC-Orderwire). At the PHY layer, we propose to leverage Silvus"unique expertise with multi-antenna technology to provide a large one-hop link range of for data rate sufficient for Orderwire application using small aerodynamic omni-directional antennas and no external power ampliers. SC-Orderwire uses a spread spectrum waveform in the L band for Low Probability of Intercept (LPI). Additional range is achieved by the use of optimized relay and forwarding capability at the SC-Orderwire network layer. Each SC-Orderwire maintains a local database of node locations, radio parameters, application QoS requirements and network management information. SC-Orderwire architecture includes data replication and replicated computation features to maintain the consistency of distributed databases despite network partition and merges. SC-Orderwire requires no external coordination to setup and seamlessly handles node join and leave. To limit overhead SC-Orderwire architecture includes airborne node location prediction. Limiting orderwire updates ensures scalability and Low Probability of Detect (LPD) capability of SC-Orderwire. In Phase II Silvus Technologies proposes to host SC-Orderwire protocol on its SC-3000 radio product and conduct a TRL 4-5 flight test. BENEFIT: The techniques being developed under this program could have wide applicability with many types of mobile networks. The use of mobile networks is expected to explode both in military and civilian applications. The military airspace directly addressed by this proposal will become increasingly crowded with manned and ever more unmanned systems, making the coordination function addressed in this proposal critical to network efficiency and reliability. Even the civilian airspace might benefit from the techniques being developed. New concepts in air traffic control envision data communication directly between planes. Unmanned systems will almost certainly be introduced into the civilian airspace in coming years, putting additional coordination burdens on the system and likely requiring increased amounts of direct air to air data exchange. Even on the nations highways, proposed networks such as WAVE for passing traffic and safety information from car to car might benefit from concepts developed under this program.