Scalability study of wireless tactical communications in support of a Marine Corps Expeditionary Brigade

Abstract

This thesis reports the findings of a simulation modeling the communications architecture used during Major System Demonstrations 1 (MSD-1) of the Extended Liftoral Battlespace (ELB) Advanced Concept Technology Demonstration (ACTD) and a suitable architecture for a large-scale battlespace. The simulation was accomplished with the use of a leading edge simulation tool, EXTENDTM, and the specifications inherent to wireless communications. Specifically, EXTEND was used to replicate the protocols that are inherent within the WaveLAN and VRC-99A systems. A feasible sized architecture was modeled utilizing scaling techniques, which simulated the operation of a Marine Expeditionary Brigade (MEB), covering a 2OOX2OO mile wireless tactical battlespace. This thesis further investigates the validity of a completely wireless tactical network versus the additional use of ground relays. This thesis demonstrates that the wireless tactical battlespace is scalable to satisfy the requirements of a Marine Expeditionary Brigade. Lastly, this thesis demonstrates the effects of an all WaveLAN architecture