Architectural issues for integrating tactical radio access networks in civilian infrastructure

We investigate architectures where a tactical radio subsystem can integrate in civilian systems. The idea is that civilian communication infrastructure should be used wherever it is available. One such possibility may be found in the proposed next generation wireless communication system UMTS, where the definition of a radio network subsystem (RNS), encapsulating all the features of wireless mobile communication has been proposed. We adopt this design paradigm to see if it is possible to find a low cost military network (by maximal use of civilian network technology and communication applications). The idea is to within the framework of an RNS, encapsulate also features specific to tactical wireless communications, a tactical radio access network (TRAN). Based on UMTS we describe two system concepts for designing a TRAN and analyze the architectures