The 3G wireless technology in tactical communication networks

Third generation mobile systems are seen as the technology to bring new broadband services to the mobile user. This paper discusses UMTS/GPRS technologies applying to tactical communication networks. A detailed description of the 3G technologies is provided, and their application in military environments is studied in depth. The paper discusses the introduction of new services into military networks, which improves tactical effectiveness, while also dealing with major improvements in spectrum efficiency, capability and functionality compared with today´s non-voice mobile services. The schemes and mechanisms for controlling the traffic in order to achieve the per-hop behavior is still an open problem in the military wireless environment. GPRS and UMTS can provide military with access to many different demanding tactical services. Nevertheless, in order to preserve the unique characteristics of military systems, a number of vital issues have to be carefully addressed, including security mechanisms and fraud detection. Thus, the UMTS/GPRS tactical network is a challenge for military telecommunication. It will provide a massive boost to mobile data usage and usefulness. Although many problems are still not solved, for instance effective radio access schemes and traffic management, the information that can be transferred in this tactical network environment is very useful except for communications and for the command and control systems.