Tactical wireless networking in coalition environments implementing an IEEE 802.20 wireless end-user network utilizing FLASH-OFDM to provide a secure mobile extension to existing WAN

Abstract

This thesis will focus on the area of 802.20 wireless networking as a feasible "last mile" solution to wireless access in a tactical coalition environment and will be implemented into a series of experiments. Implementation will primarily utilize Flarion's FLASH OFDM (Fast, Low-Latency Access with Seamless Handoff Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing). Current and future military and homeland security forces, conducting operations in a tactical environment, require instant access to data. Wireless data requires a reliable air-link resource anchored to a viable service platform. Flarion's FLASH-OFDM wireless air-link mimics the performance of a high-speed wireline environment. Through Flarion's Radio Router base station and mobile data terminal, a Radio Access Network is created. It connects directly to a standard IP Packet Data Network forming a wireless data network. Utilizing this network environment, this thesis intends to document the implementation of a limited objective experiment (LOE) in support of homeland security and the War on Terrorism (WOT), specifically, the testing of an IEEE 802.20 network enabling US and key foreign partners to integrate mobile wireless local area network (WLAN) technologies into a surveillance and target acquisition network program.