Beyond Line of Sight Communications

Abstract

To provide a system in which usability of 5G waveforms is improved.SOLUTION: Cellular communications, such as 5G cellular, may be a primary link between cell phones and a base station. Such cellular communications may be desirable, due to a high link rate. When the cellular communications are denied, a tactical waveform may be used to bridge communications between the cell phones and the base station. The tactical waveform may be transmitted between tactical radios coupled with the cell phones. The waveform may include a line-of-sight waveform. The tactical waveform may also include a beyond-line-of-sight waveform.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1A

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. Patent Application No. 17 / 171,324, filed February 9, 2021, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

[0002] The present invention relates generally to communication systems, and more particularly to resilient communication. [Background technology]

[0003] In 2015, Long-Term Evolution Advanced (LTE-A) Release-12 was released. As part of this release, a feature called "device-to-device" (D2D) communications was supported, enabling emergency security deployments. Since then, this capability has evolved and today forms the basis for direct device-to-device communications in 5G to support vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communications. Such 5G communications can be used in permissioned environments when cyber threats and all security features provided by the 5G standard are enabled. The use of external end-to-end encryption and the incorporation of zero-trust networks are considered sufficient to operate in permissioned environments. However, in conflict scenarios, the potential use of 5G waveforms is limited by the ability of rival adversaries to deny them.

[0004] Therefore, it would be advantageous to provide devices, systems, and methods that address the above-mentioned shortcomings. Summary of the Invention

[0005] A system is disclosed in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. In one embodiment, the system includes a first user equipment (UE) configured to bidirectionally communicate with a first base station over a first cellular waveform. In another embodiment, the system includes a first tactical radio coupled to the first UE by a first connectivity interface for bidirectional communication with the first UE. In another embodiment, the first tactical radio is configured to communicate over a non-line-of-sight waveform. In another embodiment, the system includes a second tactical radio configured to communicate over a non-line-of-sight waveform. In another embodiment, the second tactical radio bidirectionally communicates with the first tactical radio over a non-line-of-sight waveform. In another embodiment, the system includes a second UE configured to couple to the second tactical radio by a second connectivity interface for bidirectional communication with the second tactical radio. In another embodiment, the second UE bidirectionally communicates with a second base station over a second cellular waveform. In another embodiment, the first user equipment communicates bidirectionally with the second base station via the first tactical radio, the second tactical radio, and the second user equipment.

[0006] A system is disclosed in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. In one embodiment, the system includes a first user equipment configured to communicate with a first base station via a cellular waveform. In another embodiment, the system includes a first tactical radio coupled to the first user equipment by a first connectivity interface to communicate bidirectionally with the first user equipment. In another embodiment, the first tactical radio is configured to communicate via a first line-of-sight waveform. In another embodiment, the system includes a second tactical radio configured to communicate via the first line-of-sight waveform. In another embodiment, the second tactical radio communicates bidirectionally with the first tactical radio via the first line-of-sight waveform. In another embodiment, the system includes a third tactical radio configured to communicate via a first non-line-of-sight waveform. In another embodiment, the third tactical radio communicates bidirectionally with the second tactical radio via the first non-line-of-sight waveform. In another embodiment, the third tactical radio is configured to communicate via a second line-of-sight waveform. In another embodiment, the system includes a fourth tactical radio configured to communicate over a second line-of-sight waveform. In another embodiment, the third tactical radio communicates bidirectionally with the third tactical radio over the second line-of-sight waveform. In another embodiment, the system includes a second user equipment configured to couple with the fourth tactical radio over a second connectivity interface. In another embodiment, the second user equipment communicates bidirectionally with a second base station over a second cellular waveform. In another embodiment, the first user equipment communicates bidirectionally with a second base station over the first tactical radio, the second tactical radio, the third tactical radio, the fourth tactical radio, and the second user equipment.

[0007] Implementations of the concepts disclosed herein may be better understood in light of the following detailed description thereof. Such description refers to included drawings, which are not necessarily to scale, and in which some features may be exaggerated, omitted, or represented diagrammatically for clarity. Like reference numerals in the drawings may represent and refer to the same or similar elements, features, or functions. The drawings are as follows: [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1A] 1 illustrates a system in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. [Figure 1B] 1 illustrates a system in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. [Figure 1C] 1 illustrates a system in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. [Figure 2] 1 illustrates a system in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] Before describing one or more embodiments of the present disclosure in detail, it should be understood that the embodiments are not limited to the details of construction and the arrangement of components, or to the application of steps or methodologies set forth in the following description or illustrated in the following drawings. In the following detailed description of the embodiments, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a more thorough understanding of the present disclosure. However, it will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art having had the benefit of this disclosure that the embodiments disclosed herein may be practiced without some of these specific details. In other instances, well-known features may not be described in detail to avoid unnecessarily complicating the disclosure.

[0010] As used herein, a letter following a reference number is intended to refer to an embodiment of a feature or element that is similar, but may not necessarily be identical, to the preceding element or feature having the same reference number (e.g., 1, 1a, 1b). Such shorthand notation is used for convenience only and should not be construed as limiting the present disclosure in any way, unless specifically stated.

[0011] Furthermore, unless expressly stated to the contrary, "or" refers to an inclusive or, not an exclusive or. For example, a condition A or B is satisfied by any one of the following: A is true (or exists) and B is false (or does not exist); A is false (does not exist) and B is true (or exists); and both A and B are true (or exist).

[0012] Additionally, the use of "a" or "an" may be employed to describe elements and components of the embodiments disclosed herein. This is done merely for convenience, and "a" and "an" are intended to include "one" or "at least one," and the singular includes the plural unless it is clear that otherwise is meant.

[0013] Finally, as used herein, any reference to "one embodiment" or "some embodiments" means that a particular element, feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with that embodiment is included in at least one embodiment disclosed herein. The appearances of the phrase "in some embodiments" in various places throughout this specification do not necessarily all refer to the same embodiment, but rather an embodiment may include one or more of the features explicitly described or inherently present herein, or any combination or subcombination of two or more such features, along with any other features that may not necessarily be explicitly described or inherently present in the present disclosure.

[0014] Reference will now be made in detail to the disclosed subject matter, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Referring generally to Figures 1A-2, a networking communication system is illustrated in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0015] Because cellular communication waveforms have low robustness, the military employs a primary, alternate, backup, emergency (PACE) doctrine in which cellular communication is used as a last resort. The present disclosure enables the use of 5G cellular as the primary link, with the ability to fall back to alternate communications when the cellular node is subject to denial. The use of cellular communication as the primary link is desirable because it can sustain much higher throughput in a more spectrally efficient manner than tactical waveforms.

[0016] "Device to Device Communication in LTE" by Rohde & Schwarz is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

[0017] A user equipment (UE) may bidirectionally communicate (e.g., send and / or receive) messages to a base station. A UE may include any suitable device for communicating with a base station, such as, but not limited to, a cellular phone or any device equipped for cellular network connectivity. A base station may include an Evolved Terrestrial Radio Access Network (E-UTRAN) Node B station, which is commonly referred to as an eNB. A base station may also include a 3GPP 5G next-generation Node B base station, which is commonly referred to as a gNB. A UE may communicate with a base station over one or more air interfaces (e.g., access modes). An air interface may include both a physical layer and a data link layer. For example, an air interface may include an LTE / LTE-A mode, which is commonly referred to as a Uu interface or Uu. The base station (e.g., an eNB or gNB) may then communicate (e.g., send and / or receive) messages to a network. The network may include any suitable 3GPP network architecture, such as, but not limited to, Evolved Packet Core (EPC). The base station may communicate with the network by any suitable interface, such as, but not limited to, an S1 interface.

[0018] The UE may also communicate with a proximity services (ProSe) server. The UE may communicate with the ProSe server by any suitable interface, such as, but not limited to, a PC3 interface. The PC3 interface may include, but is not intended to be limiting, a cellular interface specification for communicating with a ProSe server co-located at a cellular base station. The PC3 interface may be relayed over a Uu interface, which the base station routes to the ProSe server.

[0019] The protocol stack of a UE may include one or more stack layers. The one or more stack layers may include a proximity services (ProSe) application layer, a network layer (IP), a packet data convergence control (PDCP) layer, a radio resource control (RRC) layer, a radio link control (RLC) layer, a medium access (MAC) layer, and a physical layer (LTE-PHY). Release 12 D2D communication may use the LTE uplink physical layer for communication between UEs. The UE may also include one or more layers of a USB protocol layer, a USB link layer, and a USB physical layer. For example, the UE may be configured with any USB standard, such as, but not limited to, USB 1.1, 2.0, 3.0, or 3.1. The USB protocol layer may be configured to receive and / or transmit data from the network layer (IP) to the USB link layer. Similarly, the USB link layer may be configured to receive and / or transmit data from the USB protocol layer to the USB physical layer. Similarly, the USB physical layer may be configured to receive and / or transmit data from the USB link layer via the connectivity interface.

[0020] A UE can also relay messages from one or more UEs to a base station via the Uu interface. For example, UEs may communicate bidirectionally with each other via device-to-device (D2D) communication. D2D communication may include a PC5 interface. Services supported in D2D communication are known as proximity services (ProSe). D2D communication between UEs is also known as sidelink communication. The Release 12 D2D standard supports the D2D discovery, network synchronization, resource management, and mobility management protocols necessary to support proximity services. D2D in LTE is available when UEs are within range of each other and the cellular band is unobstructed. Therefore, a UE may communicate indirectly with a base station by relaying through one or more additional UEs. However, a UE may be prevented from communicating directly with a base station and, similarly, may be denied D2D sidelink communication with a relaying UE.

[0021] The UE and the tactical radio may be coupled by a connectivity interface. For example, the connectivity interface may include a PC5 interface. The PC5 interface may be transmitted over one or more of a WiFi, Bluetooth, NFC, Ethernet, or USB connection. Depending on the type of UE and the type of tactical radio, an adapter may be required for transmission over the PC5 interface. For example, if the tactical radio includes an AN / PRC-162 tactical radio, an adapter may be required for the WiFi, Bluetooth, NFC, or Ethernet connection, but not for the USB connection.

[0022] Tactical radios and tactical waveforms are generally described in "A Comparative Analysis of Network Approaches For Tactical Wireless Communications, Validated By Joint Communication Simulation System (JCSS) Simulations: A Swedish Perspective" (Fredrik Maxen 2011) and "Techniques for Tactical Radio Operations" (Army Techniques Publication (ATP) 6-02.53), both of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties.

[0023] The tactical radio may be configured to communicate via waveforms. The waveforms may include one or more tactical wireless ad hoc network (MANET) waveforms, which are anti-jamming and capable of operating in tactical conflict environments. The one or more MANET waveforms may include one or more frequency bands. Similarly, the MANET waveforms may include multi-band frequency bands. For example, the tactical radio may include a first channel configured to support a first MANET and a second channel configured to support a second MANET. The first MANET may have different robustness compared to the second MANET. Furthermore, the first MANET may support different data rates and / or network throughput compared to the second MANET. One or more MANET waveforms may be used to transmit one or more PC5 messages between the tactical radios.

[0024] Each channel can simultaneously accept waveforms to improve signal redundancy or increase data transmission rates. Redundant connectivity may be established by transmitting the same communication over different channels. Increased data rate connectivity may also be established by transmitting a first packet of data over a first channel and a second packet of data over a second channel, where the first packet of data is different from the second packet of data (e.g., by demultiplexing and / or demultiplexing).

[0025] In an embodiment, the tactical radio is configured to communicate using a line-of-sight (LOS) waveform. The LOS waveform allows the tactical radio to establish two-way communications with other tactical radios that are within the line-of-sight of the tactical radio. In an embodiment, the tactical radio is configured to communicate using a beyond-line-of-sight (BLOS) waveform. The BLOS waveform allows the tactical radio to establish two-way communications with other tactical radios that are beyond the line-of-sight of the tactical radio. For example, the BLOS waveform may include, but is not limited to, satellite communications waveforms (e.g., Mobile User Objective System (MUOS) waveforms, Demand Assignment Multiple Access and Integrate (DAMA / IW) waveforms), commercial waveforms (e.g., Iridium), etc.), or waveforms reflected by the Earth's ionosphere (e.g., High Frequency (HF) waveforms, Wideband High Frequency (WBHF) waveforms, etc.).

[0026] The tactical radio may include any tactical radio, such as, but not limited to, a manpack, handheld radio, vehicle radio, or airborne radio. As can be appreciated, any combination of single, dual-channel, and multi-channel tactical radios can be used to create a network topology that is mission-specific. For example, the tactical radio may include an Army-Navy PRC-162 manpack. The PRC-162 manpack is a two-channel software-defined radio (SDR) capable of accepting two simultaneous anti-jamming waveforms (one waveform for each channel). The PRC-162 manpack may be configured to communicate in a first channel via a line-of-sight waveform and in a second channel via a beyond-line-of-sight (BLOS) satellite communications (SATCOM) waveform. As another example, the tactical radio may include a VRC-126 or VRC-127 radio with a high-frequency (HF) mission module. The VRC-126 or VRC-127 radio is a cable that accepts a line-of-sight waveform in the first channel and a BLOS high frequency (HF) waveform in the second channel.

[0027] The tactical radio may also include one or more of the following protocol layers: Proximity Services (ProSe) application layer, Internet Protocol (IP) relay layer, USB protocol layer, USB link layer, USB physical layer, mesh layer 1, mesh layer 2, and / or mesh layer 3. The tactical radio may be configured to communicate with the UE without adjusting the UE's protocol stack. In this regard, the UE's application layer may communicate with the tactical radio's IP relay layer. Any messages sent to and / or from the tactical radio over the connectivity interface may be sent to and / or from the UE's application layer.

[0028] Cellular nodes (e.g., UEs) in the network may be coupled with tactical radios capable of operating in contested areas. The tactical radios may be configured to communicate with other tactical radios via a tactical mesh ad hoc network waveform to restore a lost or denied cellular connection with a base station. For example, a first UE may communicate bidirectionally with a base station by relaying communications through a first tactical radio, a second tactical radio, and a second UE. The bridging range between tactical radios may vary depending on the link coverage range of the mesh waveform. As can be appreciated, the tactical radios may include any suitable transceiver for transmitting and receiving communications via a mesh waveform.

[0029] Referring now to FIG. 1 , a system 100 is illustrated in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. The system 100 may include one or more base stations 102. The system 100 may include one or more user equipment (UE) 104. The UE 104 may be configured to communicate with the one or more base stations 102 via a cellular waveform. The UE 104 may also be configured to communicate with other UEs 104 via a D2D sidelink. The system 100 may include one or more tactical radios 106. The UE 104 may be coupled to the tactical radios 106 via a connectivity interface. The connectivity interface allows the UE 104 to communicate bidirectionally with an associated tactical radio 106. The tactical radios 106 may be configured to communicate via a line-of-sight (LOS) waveform. The LOS waveform allows the tactical radios 106 to communicate bidirectionally with other tactical radios 106. Thus, the tactical radio 106 may relay communications with the UE 104 and subsequently to the base station 102 to establish a line-of-sight connection between the UE 104 and the base station 102 .

[0030] The tactical radio 106 may also be configured to communicate via a beyond-line-of-sight (BLOS) waveform. With the BLOS waveform, the tactical radio 106 may be configured to communicate bidirectionally with other tactical radios 106 that are beyond the line-of-sight of the tactical radio 106. Thus, a UE 104 that is beyond line-of-sight may communicate bidirectionally with the tactical radio 106. Furthermore, the tactical radio 106 may establish bidirectional communication between a UE 104 that is beyond line-of-sight and a base station 102.

[0031] The ProSe application layer of the tactical radio 106 may track the mesh network connectivity status of multiple tactical radios 106 in the network and may track the cellular connectivity status of the UEs 104 connected to the tactical radio 106. A combination of the mesh network connectivity and cellular connectivity strength is used to create a connectivity metric. Based on the connectivity metric, a route for establishing bidirectional communication may be established on an available base station 102. The available base station 102 may be line-of-sight or non-line-of-sight. The ProSe application layer may prioritize bidirectional communication based on data rate. For example, the ProSe application layer may prioritize direct cellular communication with a base station, then prioritize D2D cellular communication routed to a base station, then prioritize line-of-sight tactical relays to a base station, then prioritize non-line-of-sight tactical relays to a non-line-of-sight base station.

[0032] Each tactical radio 106 need not include bidirectional BLOS connectivity to establish bidirectional communications with a base station 102 that is beyond line-of-sight. If at least one node includes bidirectional BLOS connectivity, available BLOS data rates may be shared among multiple UEs 104. For example, a subset of tactical radios 106 may include a line-of-sight (LOS) tactical waveform on a first channel and a non-line-of-sight (BLOS) waveform on a second channel. With the BLOS waveform on the second channel, bidirectional BLOS connectivity may be established between a tactical radio 106 that is beyond line-of-sight and, subsequently, a base station 102 that is within line-of-sight. With the LOS waveform on the first channel, the tactical radio 106 may share communications with a tactical radio 106 that has established bidirectional BLOS connectivity with the base station.

[0033] As can be appreciated, the system 100 can include various configurations of base stations 102, UEs 104, and tactical radios 106.

[0034] For example, the system 100 may include a UE 104a. The UE 104a may be configured to communicate bidirectionally with a base station 102a via a cellular waveform. The UE 104a may be configured to communicate with a UE 104b via a D2D cellular waveform. If the UE 104a loses direct cellular communication with the base station 102a, the UE 104a may establish bidirectional communication with the base station 102a via D2D communication with the UE 104b. However, the D2D communication may be interrupted. The UE 104a may also be coupled to a tactical radio 106a via a connectivity interface for bidirectional communication with the tactical radio 106a. The tactical radio 106a may include a multi-channel radio configured to communicate within at least two channels. For example, the tactical radio 106a may be configured to communicate via a non-line-of-sight waveform in a first channel and a line-of-sight waveform in a second channel. The system 100 may also include a tactical radio 106b. The tactical radio 106b may be configured to communicate via a line-of-sight waveform. The tactical radio 106a may establish two-way communication with the tactical radio 106b via an LOS waveform. The tactical radio 106b may also be coupled to the UE 104b via a connectivity interface. Thus, the UE 104a may establish two-way connectivity with the base station 102a via the tactical radio 106a, the tactical radio 106b, and the UE 104b. However, the UE 104a may be prevented from establishing a connection to the base station 102a (e.g., due to opposing interference that prevents all cellular communication with the base station 102a, a kinetic attack on the base station 102a, etc.).

[0035] The system 100 may also include a tactical radio 106c. The tactical radio 106a may be configured to bidirectionally communicate with the tactical radio 106c via a BLOS waveform. For example, the BLOS waveform through which the tactical radio 106a and the tactical radio 106c bidirectionally communicate may include a BLOS SATCOM waveform (as shown) or a waveform configured to reflect off the ionosphere (e.g., a high frequency (HF) waveform, a wideband high frequency (WBHF) waveform, etc.). The tactical radio 106c may be coupled to the UE 104c via a connectivity interface for bidirectional communication with the UE 104c. The UE 104c may be configured to bidirectionally communicate with the base station 102b via a cellular waveform. Thus, the UE 104a may establish bidirectional communication with the base station 102a via the tactical radio 106a, the tactical radio 106c, and the UE 104c. See FIG. 1B for an example of such bidirectional communication.

[0036] In an embodiment, bidirectional communication between the UE 104a and the base station 102b is established in response to the UE 104a losing bidirectional communication with the base station 102a. For example, the UE 104a may lose bidirectional communication with the base station 102a when the UE 104a loses direct cellular communication with the base station 102a or when the UE 104a loses a D2D sidelink with the UE 104b. The UE 104a may also establish BLOS bidirectional communication with the base station 102b following the UE 104b losing bidirectional communication with the base station when the LOS waveform routes the UE 104a to the tactical radio 106b through the tactical radio 106a. Establishing BLOS bidirectional communication with the base station 102b following a loss of cellular communication or a loss of LOS communication may be preferable due to the higher data rates associated with cellular communication or the LOS waveform compared to BLOS communication.

[0037] System 100 may also include tactical radio 106d. Tactical radio 106d may be configured to communicate bidirectionally with tactical radio 106a via an LOS waveform. Tactical radio 106d may further be configured to communicate via a BLOS waveform. For example, the BLOS waveform communicated by tactical radio 106d may include a waveform reflected by the ionosphere, as shown. System 100 may also include tactical radio 106e. Tactical radio 106e may be configured to communicate bidirectionally with tactical radio 106d via a BLOS waveform. Tactical radio 106e may further be configured to communicate via an LOS waveform. For example, tactical radio 106e may communicate bidirectionally with tactical radio 106c via an LOS waveform. Thus, the UE 104a may establish two-way communication with the base station 102b via the tactical radio 106a, the tactical radio 106d, the tactical radio 106e, the tactical radio 106c, and the UE 104c. See FIG. 1C for an example of such two-way communication.

[0038] In an embodiment, two-way communication between tactical radio 106a, tactical radio 106d, tactical radio 106e, tactical radio 106c, and UE 104c is established following UE 104a losing two-way communication between tactical radio 106a, tactical radio 106c, and UE 104c. For example, tactical radio 106a and tactical radio 106c may communicate via a BLOS SATCOM waveform. Tactical radio 106d and tactical radio 106e may communicate via ionospheric reflections of the BLOS waveform. The BLOS SATCOM waveform may include a higher data rate than the ionospheric reflections of the BLOS waveform. Thus, proximity services applications may use higher data rate BLOS communication until such communication is lost.

[0039] Referring now to FIG. 2, a system 200 is illustrated in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0040] Proximity service resources may be allocated to a public land mobile network (PLMN). The Department of Defense network may be registered as a single PLMN. This is feasible because in authorized areas, all UEs 104 can be verified and gain access to proximity services from any cell tower in the network. In contested environments, mobile towers may not have the connectivity necessary to verify and provide service to the UE 104. In such cases, the UE 104 can obtain service only from towers that it is authorized to use.

[0041] The UE 104 may be provisioned to communicate on a local network (e.g., by LOS communication with a base station 102). If the UE 104 (e.g., UE 104a) establishes bidirectional communication with a base station 102 (e.g., base station 102b) over a BLOS waveform, the UE 104 must be provisioned in such a network. Furthermore, the UE 104 may be configured to communicate in multiple networks (e.g., by LOS and BLOS communication). If the two networks are independent, the UE 104 must be provisioned in both networks. For example, the base station 102a may be connected to a first network, and the base station 102b may be connected to a second network.

[0042] In an embodiment, the UE 104 may be provisioned for multiple networks by pre-planning. The UE 104 may be configured with multiple static configurations. Based on the network to which the UE 104 is connected, the proximity services application may select one of the multiple static configurations. In a further embodiment, the proximity services application may be configured to simultaneously manage two or more static configurations. By simultaneously managing two or more static configurations, the UE 104 may simultaneously connect to multiple networks (e.g., via base station 102a and base station 102b). Simultaneous connection to multiple networks may provide one or more of communication redundancy or improved data rates.

[0043] In an embodiment, the UE 104 may be dynamically provisioned in multiple networks. By dynamically provisioning the UE 104, the UE 104 does not need to be registered with the PLMN to access the services of that PLMN. For example, to dynamically authenticate the UE 104, the PLMN proximity server may verify the authenticity of the UE 104 by contacting the proximity server 202 of the UE 104's home network. This may be supported by bidirectional connectivity with both LOS and BLOS networks. The proximity server 202 may be coupled to a base station by an interface, such as, but not limited to, a PC4 or S1 interface. For example, the proximity server 202a may be coupled to the base station 102a, and the proximity server 202b may be coupled to the base station 102b. The base station 102b may receive a communication request from the UE 104a via BLOS routing (see, e.g., FIGS. 1B and 1C). Upon receiving the request, the proximity server 202b may request various authentication information from the proximity server 202a to dynamically authenticate the UE 104a. The proximity server 202b may receive authentication information from the proximity server 202a. Upon authenticating the UE 104a, the serving proximity server 202b may forward parameters or configurations to the UE 104a. The parameters may be forwarded over a BLOS or LOS network. The parameters forwarded by the serving proximity server may include, but are not limited to, a group identification (ID), a multicast address, radio resource parameters, or security parameters.

[0044] To support dynamic verification, a node 204 (e.g., a tactical radio 106) may be connected to the proximity server 202. The node 204 may be configured to communicate via a LOS or BLOS waveform. In this regard, the node 204 may communicate with other nodes 204 to relay information between proximity servers 202. The node 204 may be coupled to a proximity server via an interface, such as, but not limited to, a PC3 interface. For example, node 204a may be coupled to proximity server 202a to transmit various authentication information bidirectionally. Similarly, node 204b may be coupled to proximity server 202b to transmit various authentication information bidirectionally. The nodes 204a, 204b may communicate with each other bidirectionally via a BLOS SATCOM waveform. Thus, the proximity server 202a may communicate bidirectionally with the proximity server 202b to share authentication information of the UE 104. The proximity server 202a may also communicate with the proximity server 202b via a wired connection (not shown).

[0045] It should be noted that the particular order of steps in the disclosed methods above is an example of an exemplary approach. Based on design preferences, it is understood that the particular order of steps in the methods can be rearranged while remaining within the scope of the present disclosure. It is believed that the present invention and many of its attendant advantages will be understood from the foregoing description. It will also be apparent that various changes can be made in the form, structure, and arrangement of the components thereof without departing from the scope and spirit of the present disclosure. The forms set forth herein are illustrative embodiments thereof.

Claims

1. 1. A system comprising: a first user equipment configured to communicate bidirectionally with a first base station over a first cellular waveform; a first radio coupled to the first user equipment by a first connectivity interface for bidirectional communication with the first user equipment, the first radio configured to communicate via a non-line-of-sight waveform, the non-line-of-sight waveform comprising at least one of a satellite communications waveform, a radio frequency waveform, or a wideband radio frequency waveform; a second radio configured to communicate over the non-line-of-sight waveform, the second radio communicating bidirectionally with the first radio over the non-line-of-sight waveform; a second user equipment configured to couple with the second radio via a second connectivity interface to communicate bidirectionally with the second radio, wherein the second user equipment communicates bidirectionally with a second base station via a second cellular waveform, and the first user equipment communicates bidirectionally with the second base station via the first radio, the second radio, and the second user equipment; a first proximity server coupled to the first base station; a second proximity server coupled to the second base station; Equipped with the second proximity server is configured to dynamically authenticate the first user equipment by communicating with the first proximity server, and after authenticating the first user equipment, the second proximity server is configured to transfer one or more parameters to the first user equipment when the first user equipment communicates bidirectionally with the second base station via the first radio, the second radio, and the second user equipment. system.

2. 10. The system of claim 1, wherein the first user equipment communicates bidirectionally with the second base station in response to losing bidirectional communication with the first base station.

3. a third radio configured to communicate over a line-of-sight waveform, wherein the first radio is configured to communicate over the line-of-sight waveform, and the first radio communicates bidirectionally with the third radio over the line-of-sight waveform; and 3. The system of claim 2, further comprising: a third user equipment coupled to the third radio by a third connectivity interface for bidirectional communication with the third radio, wherein the third user equipment communicates bidirectionally with the first base station over a third cellular waveform, and the first user equipment communicates bidirectionally with the first base station over the first radio, the third radio, and the third user equipment.

4. 4. The system of claim 3, wherein the first user equipment communicates bidirectionally with the second base station following the third user equipment losing the bidirectional communication with the first base station.

5. the first user equipment includes at least two static configurations: a first static configuration for the first base station and a second static configuration for the second base station; 3. The system of claim 2, wherein a proximity services application of the first user equipment or the first radio selects the second static configuration when the first user equipment loses connectivity with the first base station.

6. the first user equipment includes at least two static configurations: a first static configuration for the first base station and a second static configuration for the second base station; 2. The system of claim 1, wherein a proximity services application of the first user equipment or the first radio is configured to manage the at least two static configurations for simultaneously connecting with the first base station and the second base station.

7. The system of claim 1 , wherein the non-line-of-sight waveform comprises the satellite communications waveform.

8. The system of claim 1 , wherein the non-line-of-sight waveform comprises at least one of the high frequency waveform or the wideband high frequency waveform.

9. 1. A system comprising: a first user equipment configured to communicate with a first base station over a cellular waveform; a first radio coupled to the first user equipment by a first connectivity interface for bidirectional communication with the first user equipment, the first radio configured to communicate over a first line-of-sight waveform; a second radio configured to communicate over the first line-of-sight waveform, the second radio communicating bidirectionally with the first radio over the first line-of-sight waveform, and the second radio further configured to communicate over the first non-line-of-sight waveform, the first non-line-of-sight waveform comprising at least one of a satellite communications waveform, a radio frequency waveform, or a wideband radio frequency waveform; a third radio configured to communicate over the first non-line-of-sight waveform, wherein the third radio is configured to communicate bidirectionally with the second radio over the first non-line-of-sight waveform and the third radio is configured to communicate over a second line-of-sight waveform; and a fourth radio configured to communicate over the second line-of-sight waveform, the fourth radio communicating bidirectionally with the third radio over the second line-of-sight waveform; and a second user equipment coupled to the fourth radio by a second connectivity interface, wherein the second user equipment communicates bidirectionally with a second base station over a second cellular waveform, and the first user equipment communicates bidirectionally with the second base station over the first radio, the second radio, the third radio, a fourth radio, and the second user equipment; a first proximity server coupled to the first base station; a second proximity server coupled to the second base station; Equipped with the second proximity server is configured to dynamically authenticate the first user equipment by communicating with the first proximity server, and after authenticating the first user equipment, the second proximity server is configured to transfer one or more parameters to the first user equipment when the first user equipment bidirectionally communicates with the second base station via the first radio, the second radio, the third radio, the fourth radio, and the second user equipment. system.

10. the fourth radio is configured to communicate over a second non-line-of-sight waveform; the second non-line-of-sight waveform comprises at least one of the satellite communications waveform, the radio frequency waveform, or the wideband radio frequency waveform; the first radio is configured to communicate over the second non-line-of-sight waveform; the first radio bidirectionally communicating with the fourth radio over the second non-line-of-sight waveform; 10. The system of claim 9, wherein the first user equipment communicates bidirectionally with the second base station by way of the first radio, the fourth radio, and the second user equipment.

11. the first non-line-of-sight waveform comprises at least one of the high frequency waveform or the wideband high frequency waveform; The system of claim 10 , wherein the second non-line-of-sight waveform comprises the satellite communications waveform.

12. 12. The system of claim 11, wherein the first user equipment establishes two-way communication with the second base station via the first radio, the fourth radio, and the second user equipment when the first user equipment loses two-way communication with the second base station via the first radio, the second radio, the third radio, the fourth radio, and the second user equipment.

13. a fifth radio configured to communicate over a third line-of-sight waveform, wherein the first radio is further configured to communicate over the third line-of-sight waveform, the third line-of-sight waveform comprising at least one of a satellite communications waveform, a radio frequency waveform, or a wideband radio frequency waveform, and wherein the first radio communicates bidirectionally with the fifth radio over the third line-of-sight waveform; 10. The system of claim 9, further comprising: a third user equipment coupled to the fifth radio by a third connectivity interface for bidirectional communication with the fifth radio, the third user equipment configured to bidirectionally communicate with the first base station over a third cellular waveform, the first user equipment communicating bidirectionally with the first base station over the first radio, the fifth radio, and the third user equipment.

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