N102-187 TITLE: Spectrum Fragmentation of Networking Waveforms with Distributed Network Control

TECHNOLOGY AREAS: Information Systems, Sensors

ACQUISITION PROGRAM: JPEO JTRS ACAT I

RESTRICTION ON PERFORMANCE BY FOREIGN CITIZENS (i.e., those holding non-U.S. Passports): This topic is "ITAR Restricted." The information and materials provided pursuant to or resulting from this topic are restricted under the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), 22 CFR Parts 120 - 130, which control the export of defense-related material and services, including the export of sensitive technical data. Foreign Citizens may perform work under an award resulting from this topic only if they hold the "Permanent Resident Card", or are designated as "Protected Individuals" as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3). If a proposal for this topic contains participation by a foreign citizen who is not in one of the above two categories, the proposal will be rejected.

OBJECTIVE: Define candidate distributed algorithms and protocols for the physical, MAC and network layers in a mobile non-centralized network environment for fragmenting single-carrier modulation spectra into multiple non-contiguous mini-bands in response to regulations on bandwidth limits and spectrum unavailability as well as to local time-varying spectrum disturbances.

DESCRIPTION: Military Mobile Ad-hoc Networks (MANETs) such as Soldier radio Waveform (SRW), faced with the realities of decreasing electromagnetic spectrum availability both in the US and overseas, now need to address how to respond to and operate within these restrictions, as well as be able to adapt to locally encountered electromagnetic disturbances such as interference or multipath fading. To address the narrowing bandwidth challenge, MANETs have the option to reduce the data rate (or increase the modulation efficiency) to the point of satisfying new narrow bandwidth restrictions. Another solution would be to multiplex the modulation and break the spectrum into from 1 to N mini- bands each of which satisfies the BW limit and availability constraints, and whose aggregate throughput goes from 1/N to 1 of the single channel equivalent, depending on how many mini-bands were available. In wireless MANET networks when channel sensing technology becomes available, this capability will then need to be adaptive, so spectrum fragmentation will demand new protocols for distributing the channel and data rate allocation control among the network members. Commercial (centralized) wireless systems with base stations have a distinct advantage over decentralized control networks without infrastructure in adaptively controlling subscriber terminals. Moreover, IEEE continues to develop protocols addressing networks with less infra-structure and decentralized control such as in 802.16 (ref 1 & 2). However the problems of distributed network control for MANET networks continues to be an area that is not well known. Some prior solutions for decentralized control of GSM networks (ref 3) have been studied that may be useful in analyzing this problem with respect to the SRW.

Because of the immediate pressing need for more spectrum flexibility to aid the spectrum authorization process, even a static solution without dynamic control will greatly increase the utility of SRW by making it possible to license in regions where it otherwise might be prohibited. Looking forward, spectrum sensing and dynamic spectrum access technologies are expected to be significant enablers of commercial and military wireless networks. The research requested here is intended to look at how spectrum fragmentation can be incorporated in the near term, and then to look at strategies that can solve electromagnetic problems, and how that strategy/algorithm can be shared and distributed in a non-centralized network. Some of the methods and protocols for this may be equally applicable to other MANETs such as WNW.

PHASE I: 1) Establish a state of art baseline in spectrum fragmentation and adaptive net control technology, referring to the IEEE standards 802.16 (ref 1 and 2) standards as a minimum.
2) Synthesize candidate spectrum reshaping (fragmentation) approaches in response to bandwidth shaping commands to convert single modulated carriers with unimodal spectra into multiple non-contiguous unimodal mini-bands spread over a region of spectrum wider than the original carrier, where the sum of the mini-bandwidths do not exceed the original bandwidth. The solution should consist of cross-layer sub-band allocations, and channel multiplexing paradigms involving SIS, MAC, and Link layers. Assuming a MANET non-centralized network, for the identified approaches, synthesize allocation strategies when a pool of defined narrowband channels is made available (as opposed to being pre-assigned) requiring network wide control and information dissemination.
3) Using simulations provide performance data and discuss ease of implementation and compatibility with Mobile Ad-hoc Networking Waveforms and Software Defined radio architectures. Evaluate and rank the candidates in terms of performance benefit, ease of implementation and compatibility with MANETs.

PHASE II: Develop, demonstrate and validate Phase I selected candidate algorithms and protocols. Generate a technology insertion plan for insertion into SRW. Build a test environment to demonstrate the recommended solutions including their network behavior for stressing environments appropriate to exercise the solutions. Update the net convergence and stability properties of the algorithms based on testing if necessary.

PHASE III: Transition the implementation to the JTRS software environment, insert into SRW and perform development tests. Phase III will be Software Communication Architecture (SCA) compliant and also incorporate JTRS APIs as an application software package for JTRS sets. In addition, the software generated in this project is planned to be incorporated into the JTRS Enterprise Business Model, which allows JTRS vendors to utilize common software.

PRIVATE SECTOR COMMERCIAL POTENTIAL/DUAL-USE APPLICATIONS: The techniques developed as part of this SBIR will greatly facilitate spectrum approvals of SRW with implications to WNW in the US and overseas in regards to wideband networking waveform licensing while the new protocols for distributed control developed here will also have applications to commercial wireless systems and extensions IEEE standards.

REFERENCES:
1. IEEE Standard 802.16d -2004

2. IEEE Standard 802.16e-2005

3. Implementation of a Low Cost Wireless Distributed Control System using GSM Network, Ganegedara, K.M.T.N, Jayalath, J.A. R.C., Kumara, K.M.K, Pandithage, D.N.U., Samaranayake, B.G.L.T., Ekanayake, E.M.N., Alahakoon, A.M.U.S.K., Industrial and Information Systems, 2008, ICIIS 2008, IEEE Region 10 and the Third International Conference on 8-10 Dec., 2008, pp 1-6.

KEYWORDS: wireless networks, distributed control, JTRS-SRW, spectrum fragmentation, adaptive, spectrum authorization

** TOPIC AUTHOR (TPOC) **

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