Scenario based analysis of dynamic TDMA ad-hoc tactical battlefield networking

This paper describes the performance of dynamic TDMA ad-hoc networking within a tactical scenario simulation. The tactical scenario involves a Swedish mechanized battalion drawn up for armed combat and then responding with a high speed movement to counter an enemy airdrop. The TDMA ad-hoc networking is based upon orthogonal domain multiple access (ODMA) managed by unified slot allocation protocol (USAP) and distance vector routing. The traffic includes voice, situational awareness (SA), and Internet protocol (IP) data associated with battlefield digitization. A terrain database was used for modeling the propagation at 300 MHz with updates for nodal movements every second. Link closure was based upon performance of the Rockwell Collins software defined radio (SDR) and bandwidth efficient adaptive modulation (BEAM). The simulation showed that it is feasible to support the scenario with ad hoc networking.