Algorithms and Protocols for Narrow Band HF Data Networking

With the propagation disturbances for which HF is notorious, and the narrow bandwidths that are available, the effective use of HF networks for data communications requires efficient algorithms for network establishment and adaptive routing control after the network is operating. In military operations, the variabilities are further magnified by the mobility of the network nodes and the highly unpredictable, often bursty, nature of the traffic. The proposed protocols will consist of a hierarchial topology establishment/maintenance protocol and an adaptive routing control protocol. The topology protocol accommodates the slowly changing network propagation conditions, and the routing protocol accommodates the bursty, highly variable traffic from the network subscribers, as well as the effects of sudden propagation disturbances.