“Developing a Military Broadband Wireless Communication System: A Scenario-Based Approach”
Emerging technologies for mobile broadband wireless are being considered as a Commercial Off-The-Shelf solution to cover the operational requirements of the future warfare. The capabilities of these technologies are being enhanced to meet the growing market demands on performance.
In this context, several standards such as WiMAX, LTE, or WLAN are introducing themselves as strong candidates to fulfill these requirements. These standards have been extensively adopted in the commercial sector and have proven their usability and effectiveness in providing high-speed wireless connectivity to users worldwide.
However, before these standards can be adopted for military applications, it is crucial to analyze how well they align with the operational and high-level technical requirements of a Military Broadband Wireless Communication System (MBWCS).
Scenario-Based Approach
This paper presents an innovative scenario-based approach to develop a MBWCS. Instead of simply comparing the existing standards against the military requirements, this approach takes into account the specific scenarios and operational needs of the military. By doing so, it provides a more comprehensive analysis of the suitability of each standard.
The main objective of this approach is to identify the similarities and differences between a military MBWCS and the identified civil standards. By understanding the areas in which the standards align with military requirements and where modifications may be needed, it becomes easier to determine the feasibility and aptitude of each standard.
Analyzing the Standards
Using this scenario-based approach, each layer of the identified standards (WiMAX, LTE, and WLAN) can be individually analyzed and modified to suit the needs of a military MBWCS.
For example, at the physical layer, the standard may need to be enhanced to provide increased range, improved security, and robustness against interference. This could involve the use of advanced modulation and coding techniques, as well as the incorporation of encryption algorithms to protect sensitive military communications.
Similarly, the medium access control (MAC) layer may need to be modified to facilitate prioritization of traffic, enabling the military to allocate bandwidth resources based on the requirements of different mission-critical applications. This could involve the development of new scheduling algorithms or the inclusion of Quality of Service (QoS) mechanisms.
Feasibility and Efficiency
By proving the feasibility and aptitude of each standard, this approach lays strong foundations for the development of a MBWCS that can meet the specific needs of the military efficiently.
An efficient MBWCS can greatly enhance the effectiveness and capabilities of the military, providing them with reliable and secure wireless communication networks that support a wide range of operational requirements. These requirements include real-time battlefield surveillance, command and control systems, unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) control, and soldier communications, among others.
Moreover, the adoption of commercial off-the-shelf standards for military applications can bring cost savings and interoperability benefits. Leveraging existing technologies not only reduces the development time and cost but also allows for seamless integration with civilian networks during joint military operations or humanitarian missions.
Conclusion
The scenario-based approach presented in this paper offers a comprehensive and systematic methodology for developing a Military Broadband Wireless Communication System. By analyzing the operational and high-level technical requirements of the military and aligning them with existing standards, it provides a roadmap for the modification and adaptation of these standards for military applications.
As the demand for mobile broadband in the military continues to grow, it is essential to have a robust and efficient communication system in place. By leveraging emerging technologies and modifying existing standards, a Military Broadband Wireless Communication System can be developed to meet the unique needs and challenges of the military, improving their operational capabilities and effectiveness in the battlefield.