TECHNOLOGY AREAS: Information Systems

ACQUISITION PROGRAM: Joint Tactical Radio System (JTRS) Network Enterprise Domain ACAT I

OBJECTIVE: Develop, test, and demonstrate a software application capable of running in real-time on a Software Defined radio, to monitor and characterize the Radio Frequency (RF) spectrum that is in use in a local area, identify available spectrum for reliable communications, and dynamically allocate spectrum usage to networking and legacy waveforms based upon a pre-programmed rule-set.

DESCRIPTION: Current operations in Iraq and Afghanistan illustrate the increasing scarcity of spectrum resulting in self-jamming and less effective tactical operations. Increasing needs for greater bandwidth to accommodate voice, video and data exchange exacerbate the problem. Current spectrum planning tools are ineffective and allow for exploitation of less than 10% of the available bandwidth. More advanced approaches are needed to monitor and measure spectrum, and intelligently allocate available spectrum based on ongoing tactics, propagation, and available connectivity among numerous users in the tactical arena. The spectrum planning tool must be aware of routing, and link-state properties of each user (networking node), and then make decisions to maximize spectral reuse by networking waveforms. The tool must be able to rapidly recognize and characterize signals in the spectrum and subsequently predict future availability. Maximizing spectral reuse throughout the area of operations involves dynamic allocation of available frequencies to nodes on a time slot by time slot basis without requiring operator management, or relying on extensive mission pre-planning. This capability is expected to be implemented as a real-time software application running in an embedded environment such as a Software Defined Radio (SDR); for example, in the Joint Tactical Radio System (JTRS) family of radios in conjunction with its high capacity networking waveforms.

PHASE I: Design and develop innovative concepts of implementing the spectrum monitoring and predictive algorithms, and implement them as efficient real-time software processes within an SDR. Develop a representative software implementation and environment for demonstration and test of the algorithms. Provide a plan for practical deployment within JTRS and commercial crisis management systems. Establish performance effectiveness parameters (metrics).

PHASE II: Develop a software prototype spectrum planning and management system and provide a demonstration of the capability to JPEO JTRS Network Enterprise Domain. The demonstration should identify potential capabilities that can be adapted by JTRS domains as well as developmental and implementation costs, porting and adaptation of the software to the real-time operating system environment and Application Programming Interfaces (APIs) of JTRS radios, and other concerns if applicable. Demonstrate performance effectiveness with experiments and testing of the prototype system.

PHASE III: Complete development of the application and obtain JTRS Test and Evaluation certification. Under the JTRS family of programs, port software to applicable form-factors for DoD fielding. Provide software upgrades and support to JTRS family of radios over life cycle of software application.

PRIVATE SECTOR COMMERCIAL POTENTIAL/DUAL-USE APPLICATIONS: Several recent disasters have indicated the value to emergency services that would be enabled by utilizing un-used RF spectrum in the affected geographical area. This software application can also be ported to commercial SDRs that are currently being developed for civilian emergency and Homeland Security use. The vendor would develop the software to meet the applicable requirements, provide regular updates, and provide life-cycle support for the users.

REFERENCES:
1. Naval Science Foundation � Digital Government / Rapidly-deployable broadband wireless, ITR � Wireless video sensor networks (CNS-0312655), - Advanced networking (DGE-9987586)
Office of Naval Research � Navy Collaborative Integrated Information Technology, Advanced Wireless Integrated Navy Networks (AWINN)
Catalyst Communications Technologies � Peer-to-peer radio interoperability, Project 25 interoperability using radio over IP
Software Communications Architecture, JTRS Standards, JTRS JPEO, http://jtrs.spawar.navy.mil/sca/home.asp

KEYWORDS: spectrum monitoring; dynamic spectral allocation; networking; communications; spectrum management; software; JTRS

TPOC: Dean Nathans
Phone: (619)524-6609
Fax: (619)524-4522
Email: [email protected]

** TOPIC AUTHOR (TPOC) **

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