WIRL: Wireless Integrated Routing Link

"This proposal suggests a fault-tolerant communication that uses a wired primary network and a wireless backup network. The Wireless Integrated Routing Link, or WIRL, is independent of specific hardware and can be applied to a number of environments. WIRLprovides fault detection on the primary network, switchover to the wireless backup network, multi-hop routing through the wireless network, and wireless-route optimization. WIRL is initially designed for Ethernet/IP environments where no modification ofapplication source code or the network device drivers is necessary, i.e., WIRL is a transparent fault-tolerance module. Extensions for ANSI/EIA 709.x LonTalk networks are provided. In Phase I, a detailed WIRL design will be developed, modeling andsimulation will be performed to determine feasibility, and a demonstration of the fault-detection mechanism will be provided. WIRL can be applied to numerous high-availability environments including Navy ships, general maritime applications, nuclear-powergeneration, and air-traffic control applications. Since WIRL is a transparent fault-tolerance module, it can be easily integrated into existing systems to provide communications fault tolerance. Commercial applications include direct integration intoNavy command and control environments as well as any civilian application where a transparent fault-tolerance module is needed."