Adaptive and Integrated Multicast for the Airborne Networks (AIM-AN)

ABSTRACT: Secure and efficient IP multicast improves efficiency of bandwidth utilization in tactical networks such as the Airborne Networks and facilitates effective and timely dissemination of mission critical information among tactical edge users. In this SBIR effort, Architecture Technology Corporation (ATC) proposes an innovative Adaptive and Integrated Multicast for the Airborne Networks (AIM-AN) technology to address the need identified by the Air Force for secure, dynamic and efficient multicast services over heterogeneous black airborne networks. The AIM-AN approach will overcome two major limitations of the existing IP multicast approaches: 1) inefficient use of the scarce transmission resources in the airborne networks as well as failure of multicast protocols due to changes in network topology; 2) need for intense manual coordination and configuration of the red enclaves protected by Inline Network Encryption (INE) devices such as HAIPE. The technology will be developed to operate within the existing COTS network infrastructure, providing a cost-effective solution to secure and efficient multicast in the tactical networks. BENEFIT: This research will yield a software-based solution to secure and efficient multicast in resource constrained networks. Potential customers of the commercial product from this research include the military, the homeland defense and the commercial enterprises. For the military, this technology will facilitate effective and timely dissemination of ISR and C2 video, voice, etc., among tactical edge users as well as implementation of other net-centric services. For the homeland defense, this technology will be very useful in emergency response communications, which tend to have the characteristics of constrained bandwidth, uneven connectivity and high security requirements. In the private sector, AIM-AN will enable the development of applications that support secure group collaboration employing IP-based communication in networks that that are bandwidth or connectivity constrained.