Design of a software defined radio-based tactical DSA network

Abstract

This paper presents the design for a prototype tactical dynamic spectrum access (DSA) mobile ad hoc network, where the network is organized into clusters operating on a single frequency. The frequency may be changed autonomously by the network in response to jamming or interference, after some frequency switching delay. The network node design is implementable on a software defined radio (SDR), such as the Nutaq PicoSDR. The contribution of this work is the prototype design and mapping of the design to the hardware and software architecture of the SDR, with a focus on the estimated delay in switching to a new frequency channel. The frequency switching delay is the result of systematic delays arising from the SDR platform, compounded by delays in the protocols enabling DSA, the gathering of sensing data from network nodes, and the dissemination of the frequency change command throughout the network.