The CECOM Radio Access Point (RAP) providing integrated voice, video, and data service for the warfighter

Abstract

The US Army CECOM Radio Access Point (RAP) is a HMMWV mounted assemblage of transmission and switching equipment that supports voice, data, and video users in the brigade and forward area. It provides both local switching and network access to the ATM backbone, as well as direct support for users on the move. The RAP will support all of the Army 21 requirements for both user and network mobility, network survivability, and security with the RAP itself on the move. The paper opens with a detailed presentation of the RAP functional and operational requirements. The paper then presents a discussion of the high level design of the RAP, including the ATM access to the Army backbone, RAP to RAP communication provided by the ATM, and finally the interconnection of the N-ISDN to the ATM network to provide access to the ATM network as well as to support radio based network access. The design also includes an interconnection of classic Internet Protocol (IP) gateway to support the IP user population including (but not limited to) those of the Army's Tactical Internet.