Robust Communications and Ad-Hoc Networks

ITI has extensive experience in researching ad-hoc protocols (proactive and reactive, centralized, distributed, and autonomous) to solve live communication routes between swarms of distributed, static and moving devices , and in wired and wireless networks. For devices with limited capacities, work has been done with WiFi technology , and more recently with IEEE802.15.4e, which provides a high degree of determinism and two-dimensional planning of medium use through TSCH, which, through different planning and routing protocols such as 6TiSCH, Orchestra , or centralized management through SDN, allows communications to be organized in an efficient and coordinated manner. With this technology, for example, a proof of concept is being worked on, where a set of sensor nodes are launched from a drone to a study area, and the drone collects information from the node mesh. Advances are also being made with LPWAN technologies, which allow connections over greater distances with low consumption, and use spread spectrum coding that increases their immunity to noise and interference and jamming attacks , aimed at two main aspects: increased determinism between network nodes with multicast multifrequency polling ; and use of microwave bands for higher transmission rates and frequency.

Topics of interest applied to defense:

• wireless sensor /digitalization network : a set of sensor devices designed to allow rapid deployment, self-organization to generate a viable communication network between them, operator assistance with configuration and start-up, and self-management during operation to monitor and reorganize the network as needed. Applicable for sensor deployment in critical situations without communications infrastructure, for rapid measurement at different points (itinerant), sensor devices launched from drones to monitor an area, intrusion detection, unusual movements, and monitoring in border areas or perimeters of critical facilities. Since it can operate despite the failure of existing infrastructure (cellular, Wi-Fi , etc. ), it is especially useful for monitoring in emergency situations, tracking floods, landslides, and forest fires.

• Drone communications : Ad-hoc drone communications are a particularly interesting measure against jamming attacks and for reducing the range and detection of radio signals. They allow for the establishment of a limited-range network between drones, both for interaction and autonomous behavior, and for linking with a more distant ground controller, where a direct link to the ground or via satellite is unfeasible. Communication from the ground operator can be established with the closest drone and from there propagated among the swarm using short-range technologies. It is also possible to use technology based on spread spectrum modulation, which is highly robust against jamming techniques and can recover packets below the noise level, although they are detectable by distant external sources.

• Tactical Bubble : Short-range communications and robust communications stacks for data exchange between assets in local reach areas, enabling rapid information updates without dependence on external or long-range links, with low latency and security, and without reliance on external communications infrastructure.

• Point-of-interest beaconing and asset tracking using RoBLE . Validation and recognition of friendly troops and assets . 

• Resilient connectivity : Spread spectrum communications technology with long range and high immunity to jamming , and multi-level link: to base station via long-distance links, ad-hoc via multi-hop cooperation of participating nodes, or satellite.

• Non-satellite geopositioning : triangulation in LPWAN technology and new technologies for short and medium range RTLS.