Secure Order-wire for Airborne Network Topology Control

ABSTRACT: We develop a communication system we call order wire which is an autonomous mobile network management framework order-wire for heterogeneous networks. To enable mobile network management, order wire collects the network information, computes the optimal network operational parameters and disseminates these values across the network. Operating parameters controllable via the order-wire include frequency, transmit power level, time slots allocations and directional antenna pointing. In the proposal, we identify order-wire waveform features. Several waveforms that address operational requirements including network heterogeneity, reliability, LPI/LPD and resilience to MANET fragmentations are discussed. We also explore existing standards that already (partially) implement waveform features and can be leveraged in this work. Selection of waveform features with emphasis on air-network mobility, information assurance requirements and approach that leverages existing standards is one of the strengths of this proposal. BENEFIT: Anticipated Benefits: These products will have the following competitive advantages, when compared with current state-of-the-art products such as traditional MANETs: Ability to support network management in MANETs Ability create an overlay network order-wire for any data-network network domains Compatibility with existing IP based systems Commercial Applications: The order-wire for MANETs can be applied to several commercial applications. Small-scale applications include control of small devices like Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs), mobile phones, handhelds, and wearable computers enhance information processing and accessing capabilities with mobility. On a larger scale, ad hoc can be used in emergency/rescue operations for disaster relief efforts, e.g., in fire, flood, or earthquake. Emergency rescue operations must take place where non-existing or damaged communications infrastructure and rapid deployment of a communication network is needed. Information is relayed from one rescue team member to another over a small handheld. Other commercial scenarios include e.g., ship-to-ship ad hoc mobile communication, law enforcement, etc. Order-wire can be used to implement QoS protocols to prioritize data within ad hoc networks in order to reserve better connections for high data rate applications while still maintaining enough bandwidth for lower bit rate communication. The support of multimedia services will most likely be required within and throughout the MANET, for which different QoS classes (e.g., voice, video, audio, web, and data stream) are needed to facilitate the use of multimedia applications.