Tactical Networks Research Articles

Combined Hub Location and Service Network Design Problem: A Case Study for an Intermodal Rail Operator and Structural Analysis

In intermodal transportation, hubs are facilities that perform switching, sorting, connecting, and consolidating functions between many origins and destinations. Hub location problems (HLP) accordingly involve the location of hubs but include abstract network design decisions as well. In the past, the strategic location decision and the more tactical network design decision, in the form of a service network design problem (SNDP), have been considered separately. However, the SNDP is based on an existing hub network and the HLP could benefit from a more detailed network design. For this reason, this paper presents the combined hub location and service network design problem (C-HL-SNDP), which considers the strategic and tactical planning dimensions in an integrated manner. In a case study of a German intermodal operator, the paper shows that integrated modeling can be used to produce very good and realistic solutions that generate added value. The combined model with a classical HLP approach is compared and a structural analysis of the solution properties is performed. With this, it can be shown that the different consideration of economies of scale and economies of density lead to fundamentally different solutions.

Propagation Attenuation Maps Based on Parabolic Equation Method.

Modern wireless communication systems use various technological solutions to increase the efficiency of created radio networks. This efficiency also applies to radio resources. Currently, the utilization of a radio environment map (REM) is one of the directions allowing to improve radio resource management. The REM is increasingly used in emerging mobile ad-hoc networks (MANETs), in particular military tactical networks. In this case, the use of new technologies such as software-defined radio and network, cognitive radio, radio sensing, and building electromagnetic situational awareness made it possible to implement REM in tactical MANETs. Propagation attenuation maps (PAMs) are crucial REM elements that allow for determining the ranges of radio network nodes. In this paper, we present a novel algorithm for PAM based on a parabolic equation method (PEM). The PEM allows determining the signal attenuation along the assumed propagation direction. In this case, we consider terrain topography to obtain a more realistic analysis. Then, we average the adjacent attenuation profiles defined for the selected directions in places where attenuation has not been calculated. To this aim, linear regression is applied. Finally, we define several metrics that allow for the accuracy assessment of determining the PAM as a function of its dimensions.

Series Editorial: Military Communications and Networks

Making good decisions in a timely manner is intrinsic to the success of military operations. Critical decisions need to be reliably communicated and executed, and may depend on efficient processing of information from multiple sources. Thus, there are tough requirements on military communications and networks, such as tactical networks, operating in the face of adversaries toward the limits imposed by physics. In this context, the articles in this issue cover important topics of cloud processing at the tactical edge, resistance to jamming, and radio communication beyond line of sight.

Quantifying the Performance of Cloud-Oriented Container Orchestrators on Emulated Tactical Networks

Kubernetes is the de facto industry standard for orchestrating containerized applications in clouds. Performance analyses of Kubernetes are often conducted in resource-rich environments on the enterprise or data center level. At the tactical edge domain, network resources are scarce and therefore at the opposite end of the spectrum when compared to resources available to enterprises or data centers. Computing resources (e.g., mobile or edge devices) are typically interconnected via wireless communications links that are characterized by limited bandwidth, low reliability, high latency, and frequent disconnections. This experience article describes lessons learned in constructing a suitable emulation environment for experimentation, and our findings and recommendations for running Kubernetes in tactical networks.

D-CEWS: DEVS-Based Cyber-Electronic Warfare M&S Framework for Enhanced Communication Effectiveness Analysis in Battlefield.

Currently, in the field of military modernization, tactical networks using advanced unmanned aerial vehicle systems, such as drones, place an emphasis on proactively preventing operational limiting factors produced by cyber-electronic warfare threats and responding to them. This characteristic has recently been highlighted as a key concern in the functioning of modern network-based combat systems in research on combat effect analysis. In this paper, a novel discrete-event-system-specification-based cyber-electronic warfare M&S (D-CEWS) was first proposed as an integrated framework for analyzing communication effects and engagement effects on cyber-electronic warfare threats and related countermeasures that may occur within drones. Accordingly, for the first time, based on communication metrics in tactical ad hoc networks, an analysis was conducted on the engagement effect of blue forces by major wireless threats, such as multi-layered jamming, routing attacks, and network worms. In addition, the correlations and response logics between competitive agents were also analyzed in order to recognize the efficiency of mutual engagements between them based on the communication system incapacitation scenarios for diverse wireless threats. As a result, the damage effect by the cyber-electronic warfare threat, which could not be considered in the existing military M&S, could be calculated according to the PDR (packet delivery ratio) and related malicious pool rate change in the combat area, and the relevance with various threats by a quantifiable mission attribute given to swarming drones could also be additionally secured.

Research on Space Rapid Response Launch System based on Data Link

Abstract Space rapid response launch system based on data link is relying on high orbit communication satellites and low orbit comprehensive constellation, to construct the data link tactical time-sensitive network space-based plane, with features of full coverage, wide area interconnection, machine interconnection, flat networking and mobile disturbance rejection, to provide the wide-area multi-field, ocean-sea container, multi-batch rapid response launch capability. This paper has carried out the research on application requirements in combination of the data link and the space rapid response launch, the basic structure of space rapid response launch system based on data link, and the adaptive design method of the rocket and launch unit, so as to promote the generation of multi-domain self-organizing collaborative launch capability.

Sustainable supply chain network design: A case of the glass manufacturer in Asia

Traditionally, profit maximization was the major objective for many businesses. However, due to growing stakeholders’ pressure and awareness about the social and environmental impacts of supply chain activities, many companies are now focused on optimizing their profits, while reducing negative impacts of their activities on planet and society. While sustainable development requires concurrent and balanced consideration of social, environmental and economic dimensions, unbalanced approaches have been adopted both in real world practices, and in academic literature. We contribute to the stream of research in the literature that tries to address this gap. We propose a multi-objective mixed-integer programming (MOMIP) model for sustainable supply chain network design (SSCND), encompassing economic, environmental, and social objectives. Both strategic and tactical network design decision variables are considered, including location, size, and technology type of facilities, along with determining the flow of materials and transportation modes. The Normalized Normal Constraint Method is applied to generate evenly distributed Pareto frontiers. The case of a glass manufacturing company in Asia is used to demonstrate applicability of the model and solution procedure to real-world problems. Non-dominated solutions are analyzed, and a more sustainable and balanced network design alternative is proposed, which outperforms the current network configuration in terms of all three dimensions of sustainability. Managerial implications and future research directions are discussed.

Proxy-Based Hierarchical Distributed Mobility Management for Tactical Networks

An important requirement in a military domain is a highly reliable mobility management method, especially when components of the networks are moving in tactical network environments. To increase reliability, the mobility management technology of the tactical network should be able to reflect the characteristics of the tactical network, such as a limited environment, failure, and hierarchical unit structure. In this paper, we propose a proxy-based hierarchical distributed mobility management scheme, which is highly focused on tactical networks. Considering the characteristics of tactical networks, the proposed scheme is composed of the following: 1) a proxy-based method, 2) a distributed mobility management method that synchronizes a mobility database between entities, and 3) a method of managing mobility by dividing the tactical network into upper and lower layers. Mathematical analysis and modeling and simulation results demonstrate that the method outperforms the existing state-of-the-art method in overcoming entity failure, handover cost, and delay in tactical environments.

Training of cyber defense agents in tactical inter-organizational networks by using federated learning

Malware used in advanced persistent threats often establish a covert channel. By means of such a channel, the malware can communicate with external Command & Control servers or send classified data to a server controlled by the attacker. In military networks, these covert transmissions are a security problem with significant impact on the success of a military operation. Mobile agents in combination with machine learning are particularly suitable to detect and mitigate these type of attacks. However, a mobile agent needs to be trained before its deployment. In this paper, a concept is defined how federated learning can be used to train the mobile agents in tactical networks if the training data is distributed on the nodes of a tactical network. Furthermore, we propose an algorithm to select the nodes that are involved in the training. The proposed concepts and methods are evaluated regarding their efficiency. The evaluation considers in particular federated learning in the inter-organizational tactical networks because multinational armed forces are often involved in modern military operations.

A Bayesian Inference Model for Dynamic Neighbor Discovery in Tactical Networks

This paper introduces a Bayesian Inference model for dynamically changing the neighbor discovery parameters in order to minimize the time to recover from long radio link disconnections in tactical networks. We start with the hypothesis that given a multi-layer tactical system, we can use the in/out chains to learn the distribution of changes in the radio data link with an increasing confidence as time goes by. Moreover, we propose that a static neighbor discovery configuration (e.g., hello time, aggregation time, and so on) in dynamic networks can never be optimal and that it is possible to calculate the close to optimal neighbor discovery configuration dynamically. Thus, we introduce a Bayesian Inference model composed of a Markov-Chain-Monte-Carlo (MCMC) and a Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM) to compute a dynamic configuration by learning the probability distribution of the link conditions (computed using the in/out model) and adapting the configuration parameters dynamically according to this distribution. Our hypothesis was verified with numerical calculations using different patterns of link data rate change. The quantitative analysis suggests that at the tactical edge dynamic control signaling can improve connectivity in ever-changing network scenarios.

Enhancing network link state estimation by incorporating passive packet pair measurement into the Mockets transport protocol

Thanks to their limited network footprint, passive approaches to bandwidth estimation are particularly interesting when applied to resource constrained network environments such as tactical networks. Regrettably, passive approaches are typically afflicted by lower accuracy when compared to active bandwidth detection techniques that operate by saturating the pipe or otherwise injecting probing traffic. To overcome this limitation, we designed Passive Packet Pair (P3), a passive version of the packet pair bandwidth estimation mechanism. P3 assesses the bandwidth available over the end-to-end path by measuring differences in the inter-arrival times of packet pairs or trains produced at the transport protocol level starting from application-generated traffic. This paper presents P3 and discusses its integration with Mockets, a communications middleware that provides transport protocol capabilities to applications running in tactical networks, and SENSEI, a passive monitoring and network awareness platform. Finally, the article discusses the results of experiments run in a virtual environment with the goal of evaluating the accuracy of P3 under different system conditions.

Contextual information aware optimal communication in radio networks in considering the pervasive computing -A literature review

The modern tactical network demands a highly dynamic communications environment that involves autonomous platforms and systems. In order to achieve the full potential of modern technologies, it is critical to ensure the critical data finds the optimum path at the right time in a highly aggressive environment employing secure and best possible available communication path or network resources. Moreover, Contextual information aware optimal communication, such as the power of the radios, battery level, distance among the radios, and maximum and minimum data rates of the radio aware optimal path selection, remains an unresolvable research area. The mentioned limitation engenders various complex challenges in mission-critical networks. Therefore, contextual information-aware optimal communication in radio networks is a priority demand raised as a primary objective for military communication research. In this paper, we have performed a comprehensive review of various proposed methodologies to achieve the objective, followed by a critical comparative analysis to anticipate the state of the mentioned research area that leads to a future research direction for military researchers.

Fault-Tolerant Embedding Algorithm for Node Failure in Airborne Tactical Network Virtualization

Airborne tactical networks (ATNs) are driving the promising development of Internet of Battle things by enabling efficient information sharing, which is impeded by the network ossification problem that is deep-rooted in the tightly coupled network architecture. As a solution, network virtualization (NV) can break the tight coupling between applications and network infrastructure, providing a more flexible and scalable architecture for ATNs. With complex interference and malicious attacks, the application of NV is challenged by network failures when instantiating multiple virtual networks on a shared substrate network, which is known as survivable virtual network embedding (SVNE). However, existing SVNE algorithms, mostly designed for wired networks, are not necessarily optimal for the virtualization of ATNs due to the complex wireless interference. To this end, a fault-tolerant SVNE algorithm, termed SVNE-FT, is proposed to recover virtual networks from single node failure (end or switching node failure) under the wireless interference. To end node failure, SVNE-FT firstly adopts a novel node ranking approach to select reliable substrate nodes for virtual nodes and then remaps the failed virtual nodes, affected by node failure, by releasing part of the substrate paths to improve the resource utilization. In addition, to switching node failure, it adopts the improved pre-configured cycle (p-Cycle) technology to augment the reliable link mapping with differentiated p-Cycles that protect switching node from node failure and reduce the resource consumption of backups. Numerical simulation results reveal that SVNE-FT outperforms typical and latest heuristic SVNE algorithms under the complex interference of ATNs. For instance, average acceptance ratio of virtual networks improves at least 12%.

RDMST- A Novel Distributed Topology Control Algorithm for Low Probability of Detection Mobile Communication Networks

One aim of a military tactical network is to Lower the Probability of Detection, LPD, in order to hide the network from a possible adversary. Whilst there are numerous ways that communications can be hidden from an adversary the approach used in this paper is to minimise the transmitted power of the network's radios, whilst keeping the radios connected. Results from previous simulation experiments demonstrated the potential efficacy of these algorithms. In this paper we have implemented these algorithms into mobile radios and performed field trials to determine whether the LPD algorithm would transfer over into a more realistic environment. Problems associated with the noisy wireless medium were overcome and promising results obtained. This paper describes the field trials of the LPD algorithm, discusses some emerging issues, and presents the results from these trials.

TNT: A Tactical Network Test Platform to Evaluate Military Systems Over Ever-Changing Scenarios

This paper addresses the challenge of testing military systems and applications over different communication scenarios with both network conditions and user data flows changing independently. We assume that systems developed to handle ever-changing communication scenarios are more likely to be reliable and robust during real military operations. Therefore, we propose the Tactical Network Test (TNT) platform to automate the evaluation of military systems and applications over real military radios using a reproducible test methodology. TNT has four main goals (i) the creation of QoS-constrained data flows; (ii) the execution of models to change network conditions; (iii) the automation of experiments to quantify the performance of military systems over ever-changing communication scenarios; and (iv) the monitoring of quantitative metrics and performing data analysis. Our platform was used to execute experiments in a VHF network by sending uniformly distributed data flows during seven different communication scenarios, either generated by a stochastic model or mobility models. The experimental results are used to discuss the military system’s performance by quantitative analysis using network metrics, and the test scenario characterization using mobility metrics.

Unmanned Agricultural Tractors in Private Mobile Networks

The need for high-quality communications networks is urgent in data-based farming. A particular challenge is how to achieve reliable, cost-efficient, secure, and broadband last-mile data transfer to enable agricultural machine control. The trialed ad hoc private communications networks built and interconnected with different alternative wireless technologies, including 4G, 5G, satellite and tactical networks, provide interesting practical solutions for connectivity. A remotely controlled tractor is exemplified as a use case of machine control in the demonstrated private communication network. This paper describes the results of a comparative technology analysis and a field trial in a realistic environment. The study includes the practical implementation of video monitoring and the optimization of the control channel for remote-controlled unmanned agricultural tractors. The findings from this study verify and consolidate the requirements for network technologies and for cybersecurity enablers. They highlight insights into the suitability of different wireless technologies for smart farming and tractor scenarios and identify potential paths for future research.

„Tactical Networks” as Agents of Social Transformation and Cultural Resilience in the Post-Yugoslav Region

In the context of the post-Yugoslav region, arts and culture organizations in the civil sector are still facing challenges in achieving sustainability, since critique of the dominant system of values is a part of their social engagement. Inadequate financial and organizational conditions for the work of the independent cultural scene are drivers of its engagement in cultural policy and political action, mostly through intensive collaborative platforms and tactical networks that promote the critical function of culture in social production. Based on two different examples of tactical networks, one from Serbia, the other from Croatia, this article detects different uses of strategic essentialism (Gayatri Spivak) as well as these strategies' consequences for the sustainability and resilience of these tactical networks.

A highly reliable embedding algorithm for airborne tactical network virtualization

The evolution of airborne tactical networks (ATNs) is impeded by the network ossification problem. As a solution, network virtualization (NV) can provide a flexible and scalable architecture where virtual network embedding (VNE) is a key part. However, existing VNE algorithms cannot be optimally adopted in the virtualization of ATN due to the complex interference in air-combat field. In this context, a highly reliable VNE algorithm based on the transmission rate for ATN virtualization (TR-ATVNE) is proposed to adapt well to the specific electromagnetic environment of ATN. Our algorithm coordinates node and link mapping. In the node mapping, transmission-rate resource is firstly defined to effectively evaluate the ranking value of substrate nodes under the interference of both environmental noises and enemy attacks. Meanwhile, a feasible splitting rule is proposed for path splitting in the link mapping, considering the interference between wireless links. Simulation results reveal that our algorithm is able to improve the acceptance ratio of virtual network requests while maintaining a high revenue-to-cost ratio under the complex electromagnetic interference.

Delay aware downlink resource allocation scheme for future generation tactical wireless networks

<span lang="EN-US">For a very long time protecting physical border integrity is considered to be a challenging thing. Government organizations must provide trade operations for economic growth and at the same time must prevent malicious activity. A different resource such as drones, sensors, and radars are used for monitoring border areas which must be communicated to the remote border security force. Efficient wireless communication is required for communicating information. However, these devices cannot connect to a centralized network directly; thus, are connected in an ad-hoc fashion to connect centralized server. Different tactical network applications require different quality of service (QoS); hus efficient resource scheduling plays a very important role. Existing resource scheduling adopting deep learning and reinforcement techniques fails to meet the quality of experience (QoE) of the user and doesn’t assure access fairness among contending users. Further, require network information in prior and induce high training time. For overcoming research issues, this paper presents a delay-aware downlink resource scheduling (DADRA) technique for future generation networks. The optimization problem of reducing buffer overflow and improving scheduling QoS performance is solved using a genetic algorithm with an improved crossover function. Experiment outcome shows DADRA achieves much better throughput, slot utilization, and packet failure performance when compared with standard resource allocation technique.</span>

Implementation for Soldier Communication Based on Session Initiation Protocol: A Systematic Literature Review

In tactical networks, group conversation programs are needed, which includes positioning and sharing of information (Situational Awareness information) and Push-to-Talk voice conversation. VoIP has a kind of protocol in order that conversation with the IP network (internet) can engage with every other (connect). There are numerous protocols that have emerged, however together with the improvement of conversation that requires performance and decrease costs, the VoIP protocol emerged, particularly SIP or Session Initiation Protocol. The capability of the SIP protocol can be very appropriate to be used as communication amongst army forces in forested battle areas. The purpose of this paper is to provide an entire and primarily based totally analysis, now no longer best of strategies however additionally of information sources, objectives, date ranges, sorts of information, information frequency, and size accuracy. The paper additionally identifies a few last troubles to be solved as destiny instructions for SIP-primarily based totally soldier communications programs research. There are sixteen recent research on soldier communication from 2016 to 2021 with the shape of a scientific literature review.