An Instant Communications Network for Dismounted Applications

"In order to facilitate all weather communications in areas with dense foliage, we propose to develop an "instant" wireless local area network (WLAN). The WLAN will be deployed into the area where the dismounted team will operate. Nodes combine as relays ina communications network. Each node is an independent transceiver, able to receive and send data to neighboring nodes. Physically, the nodes are very small and housed in a variety of packages (depending on environment). Some packaging allows the node tointentionally be snagged in foliage. Other packaging can be camouflaged. Upon deployment, each node will activate, find neighborhood nodes (the so-called network discovery process) and relay information to other neighborhood nodes. Dismounted soldierscould also scatter additional nodes when entering an area, throwing them into trees or onto bushes - the node would be snagged in the branches and an aerial relay node is quickly established. Establishing a network is very simple and quick, hence ourdescription that the WLAN is "instant". Poor weather or dense foliage will not degrade network performance since network node density is proportional to the degree of environmental loss. Commercial applications include natural disaster recoveryinfrastructure and temporary building sites."