Ad-hoc Fleet Communication Network Topology Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current systems fail to prevent the detection of the number of vehicles in a fleet by communication signals, which can compromise military operations.
Innovation Solution
A method involving a fleet router that forms an ad-hoc communication network using relatively short range VHF signals between vehicles, with network topology determined by surveillance information, allowing messages to be routed efficiently without revealing the total number of vehicles.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If traditional long-range communication signals are used between all vehicles and ground station, then communication coverage is improved, but the number of detectable communication signals increases revealing fleet size
Solution Approach 1:
The communication system is segmented into two distinct parts: long-range ACARS communication for ground station connectivity and short-range VHF communication for inter-vehicle communication. This segmentation allows the fleet to maintain comprehensive communication coverage while minimizing the number of long-range signals that could be detected by adversaries, thereby hiding the true fleet size.
Solution Approach 2:
A fleet router is introduced as an intermediary vehicle that acts as a relay between the ground station and other fleet members. The ground station communicates only with the fleet router using long-range ACARS signals, while the router distributes information to other vehicles using short-range VHF signals. This intermediary approach reduces the number of detectable long-range communication signals from multiple vehicles to just one.
2Object-generated harmful factors
If short-range VHF signals are used between vehicles, then detectability of fleet size is reduced, but communication range is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The communication system divides responsibilities between two types of signals: short-range VHF for local inter-vehicle communication and long-range ACARS for ground station connectivity. This segmentation allows short-range signals to be used extensively within the fleet without compromising detection, while the limited number of long-range signals maintains overall communication coverage through the fleet router.
Solution Approach 2:
The fleet router serves as an intermediary that bridges the gap between short-range and long-range communication. It receives long-range ACARS signals from the ground station and redistributes information to other vehicles via short-range VHF signals, effectively extending the communication range without requiring other vehicles to transmit long-range signals that could be detected.
3Productivity
If ad-hoc network topology is used with surveillance information, then communication efficiency is improved, but network complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The ad-hoc network implements self-service through automatic topology discovery using existing surveillance information. Each vehicle independently determines the network topology and routes messages based on discovered routes without requiring centralized control or complex manual configuration. This self-organizing approach improves communication efficiency while keeping individual vehicle complexity manageable.
Data Source
AI summary
An ad-hoc secure communication network and methods of communicating with a fleet of vehicles using the ad-hoc communication network is provided. The method includes communicating relatively long range communication signals to a fleet router. The fleet router is a select one of the vehicles in the fleet. The method further includes forming an ad-hoc communication network between the fleet vehicles to communicate relatively short range communication signals between the vehicles in the fleet. Wherein each vehicle in the fleet uses surveillance information to determine the network topology and each vehicle routes messages based on the discovered network topology.