Advanced Networking

In a net-centric battlespace, mission-specific communications over a network must occur immediately. Adaptive networking strives to provide assured communications for on-the-move systems, develop self-forming and self-adjusting tactical networks, and achieve mission self-aware network capability.

Objectives

The rapid pace of future network-centric warfare will require the time to configuration mission-specific communications protocols to decrease from weeks and days to hours and minutes. Autonomous, dynamic adaptation of protocols in the field will also be required to minimize the effects of plan deviations. Our goal is to:

• Provide assured communications for on-the-move systems, including manned and unmanned systems.
• Develop self-forming and self-adjusting tactical networks.
• Achieve mission self-aware network capability.

Key Technologies

We have developed biologically inspired algorithms to evolve and make networks more adaptable. Combined with faster-than-real-time mission planners and automated policy implementations, our approach has developed highly flexible, robust, mobile, network architectures that reliably support forces on the move.

Rapidly determining policy and mission-specific configurations for ad hoc network edge and core equipment—like classifier, policy or shaper, and buffer management—are ongoing problems but key to a successful network-centric paradigm. No set of equipment configurations works for all scenarios. We are developing innovative algorithms that automatically discover configurations on- and off-line, and we have already developed an advisory capability that rapidly and accurately provides nominal settings.

With the implementation of cognitive frameworks, components, and structures, we are able to autonomously and/or collaboratively monitor network operations. This enables a shared link state, cross-layer awareness, and cross-layer protocol to ensure optimal network operations—at rest and on the move.

Technologies under development include:

• Agile, directional networking
• Cross-layer control/optimization
• Architectures for cognitive networks
• Faster-than-real-time simulations for on-the-move system evaluation
• Network planners based on Communication Planner for Operational and Simulation Effects with Realism and and Warfighter Information Network-Tactical planner
• Algorithms for efficient network operations (active and passive)
• Machine-ready policy implementation

Applications and Transition Opportunities

Our advanced-networking technologies provide strong discriminators for network-based programs. Lockheed Martin partners can take advantage of the reduced manning for network operations and offer dynamically adaptable networks for battlefield applications.

Technologies ready for transition include:

• Agent-Based Resource Allocation
• Network Modeling and Simulation, Network planning tools, and network Visualization
• Virtual Network Simulator for Training Network Managers
• Policy Languages and Constructs
• Routing Algorithms

Advanced Networking is one of several Business Areas for the Embedded Processing Laboratory