Dynamic Ad-Hoc Network Communications Visualization and Control

Toyon proposes to assess the development of a Geospatial Analysis and Planning Support (GAPS) Toolbox plug-in for the visualization of dynamic ad hoc communications networks with relevant detail required for effective mission planning, optimized node placement, and efficient unmanned relay routing. The urban setting will be the focus. In particular, we will assess the display requirements for indicating potential areas of communications failures, or choke points, based on radio link parameters, terrain, and other network resource constraints. A feasibility analysis of radio frequency (RF) propagation modeling will examine computational requirements and modeling fidelity. In Phase I, we will also address the necessary control aspects for the optimized placement of autonomous, ground-based robots, which may serve as communication relays for vulnerable areas. To ultimately evaluate large-scale situational awareness, our visualization toolbox will eventually consider real-time knowledge of radio node positions using global positioning system (GPS) information through a Phase II effort. A Phase I deliverable will be a demonstration of the GAPS Toolbox to visualize the communications network in a simulated urban environment. Phase II will advance our toolbox to a deployable solution that is capable of GPS-enabled, real-time communication link analysis, verification, and modification.