Location-Aware QoS-enabled Wireless Reliable Communication for Sensor-Equipped Munition Networks

The Army's FCS and MOSAIC initiatives seek to develop the concepts and prototypes for a lightweight, multi-mission combat system, which includes sensor networks and deployable munition fields. These sensor networks and munition fields rely on collectedinformation and remote commands from a manned control unit. Sophisticated protocols are needed to address the military requirements for these mobile tactical networks, and to incorporate enough intelligence to enable reliable and secure node routing andaddressing based on nodal location information, such as provided from GPS.Trident Systems has developed a reliable multicast protocol, intended for the Army's tactical networks. The Wireless Reliable Multicast (WiReM) provides reliable multicast transfer, utilizing a dynamic self-configuring routing capability that works wellin ad hoc environments. Additionally, Trident has defined Quality of Service (QoS) extensions to support QoS criteria. We propose to build upon the successful implementation of WiReM to develop a scalable, location-aware QoS reliable multicast protocol.The Location-Aware QoS-enabled WiReM (LA-QWiReM) protocol is a logical evolution of our reliable multicast research. Trident will research and develop different approaches for implementing geographic-awareness in the WiReM protocol. For the Phase IOption, we propose to develop a simulation model to validate the feasibility of the LA-QWiReM design. Reliable multicast transport is a common problem to many industries and government agencies alike and many will be able to capitalize on location-awarerouting applications ranging from personal navigation to tracking systems A geographically aware, reliable multicast protocol will provide guaranteed and efficient dissemination of critical information. Geographic awareness will enable power-efficientoperation, thereby conserving valuable battery life for sensor and smart munition networks. Potential commercial applications include transit and tracking systems such as a package delivery service, or an inventory control program for locating items in awarehouse.