Field Command Post Free Space Optical Communications (FSOC) Mesh Network

The primary objective is to develop, characterize, and deliver for Army evaluation a 10 GbE compatible optical mesh network that supports full duplex communications over distances of up to 2 km per link using packable hardware. Each of the four nodes will include two FSOC 10 GbE transceivers that can be remotely and independently aimed over azimuthal angles of 360 degrees and tilted +30 to -90 degrees from horizontal. Mounting apparatus will elevate each pair of line-of-sight transceivers to heights between 11’ and 14’ above ground to clear tents, vehicles, vegetation and other obstacles. Supporting networking equipment will allow rerouting of network traffic, as already demonstrated in Phase I, via other nodes in the network should an operating link become blocked or disabled. Network operations monitoring software running in a Windows environment on Army laptop computers will use a graphical user interface (GUI) to display network configuration and status along with performance metrics and signal alarms for each link, obtained from diagnostic capabilities built into the transceivers. For example, packet error rates will be used to infer bit error rates (BERs), which will be < 10-6 or lower. The Army’s field evaluation, including warfighter strike-move-setup, will be supported by providing training materials and access to a subject matter expert.