Low-Cost Launchable Mesh Network Nodes For Maritime Applications

Effective situational awareness and Joint All-Domain Command and Control (JADC2) are crucial for maritime mission success. Wireless communications serve as a vital tool, providing real-time sensor data, information sharing and collaboration, and enhancing decision-making capabilities. However, the current landscape presents challenges, including high sensor and networking cost, limited deployment methods, large form factors, short battery life spans, and low-bandwidth radio topologies. A comprehensive wireless mesh networked sensor buoy solution should seamlessly connect to multiple communication networks, leverage distributed processing capabilities to enhance communications reliability, provide robust sea-state connectivity, and bridge the gap between cost and performance in dynamic future operational environments including diverse sea-state conditions. The opportunity is to employ low-cost Commercial Off-The-Shelf (COTS) mesh-networking radios, and sensing/receiving elements in a reduced SWaP-C ASW package compatible with existing AN/ALE-47 dispensers, and capable of allowing for other deployment methods like door thrown, or canister deployed from VTOL aircraft, UASs, USSs, and UUSs as well. The devices both canister and dispenser should also be able to provide for a small sensor payload such as a hydrophone or sonar module. IXI develops C5ISR and multi-band sensor and effector products with a focus on counter-UAS and SIGINT systems. OSU develops broadband compact antenna arrays, efficient signal processing techniques, and direction-finding algorithms. In this program, IXI and OSU team up to integrate COTS components with low-power processing to control a phased array antenna that transmits at the apex of swells to maximize datalink connectivity for a mesh network of sensor/relay buoys. By Phase I end, a final form factor and circuit schematic will be ready for layout and fabrication, and the candidate array will be modeled in HFSS at relevant C2, video/telemetry data, and SATCOM bands to show effectiveness in maintaining beam pattern under sea state 5 to 6.