Decision Making Systems Using Wireless Handheld Location Specific Applications

The US Army is seeking an innovative solution to a web-enabled secure location-specific decision and information system using push/pull techniques with long-range wireless handheld devices. The primary focus is to develop location-specific militarysoftware applications that run on a handheld device that can retrieve relevant information from remote sources at ranges that exceed 800 kilometers based on the end user's location. In addition, the end user should have a capability to achieve situationawareness through information requests/queries and to obtain automated status and alerts on their current location. Currently, no systems exist with these unique capabilities. The Phase I program identified the base requirements and specified a candidatesolution. Phase II program will implement and field test a prototype solution involving ruggedized handheld devices and long range secure communications. In addition, in Phase II, middleware software will be implemented in conjunction with the customerdatabase to facilitate wireless communication between an end user in the field and a Tactical Operation Center.A solution to the decision-making system problem will have broad application to a number of DoD and commercial programs. The project will evolveand verify new technologies and capabilities that will be integrated with commercial handheld devices and virtual terrestrial and satellite communication networks resulting in a very unique mobile architecture. Commercial applications include portabletraffic monitoring and route planning, emergency management, collaboration, medical communication systems, vehicle fleet control, business and industrial situation awareness, improved personal communication and upgraded software and hardware subsystems forPDA's.