Supporting the maritime information dominance: optimizing tactical network for biometric data sharing in maritime interdiction operations

Abstract

This research intends to improve information dominance in the maritime domain by optimizing tactical mobile ad hoc network (MANET) systems for wireless sharing of biometric data in maritime interdiction operations (MIO). Current methods for sharing biometric data in MIO are unnecessarily slow and do not leverage wireless networks at the tactical edge to maximize information dominance. Field experiments allow students to test wireless MANETs at the tactical edge. Analysis is focused on determining optimal MANET design and implementation. It considers various implementations with varied antenna selection, radio power, and frequency specifications, and two specific methods of integrating Department of Defense biometric collection devices to the wireless MANET, which utilizes a single (WR) MPU4 802.11 Wi-Fi access point to connect secure electronic enrollment kit II (SEEK II) biometric devices to the MANET, and tethers each SEEK device to a dedicated WR using a personal Ethernet connection. Biometric data is shared across the tactical network and transmitted to remote servers. Observations and analysis regarding network performance demonstrate that wireless MANETs can be optimized for biometric reach back and integrated with biometric devices to improve biometric data sharing in MIO.