An Integrated Software-Defined Battlefield Network Testbed for Tactical Scenario Emulation

Abstract

Software-Defined Network (SDN) based battlefield network consists of network providers, such as Satellite Communication (SATCOM) systems and Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), and users as battlefield entities. Battlefield entities, commonly equipped with multiple terminals, can obtain multiple communication links for multiple applications and system robustness. To better utilize the network resources and improve the communication performance for such network, we developed an integrated Software-Defined Network emulation testbed to support various tactical scenarios. In our continuing research, our proposed framework couples SDN and Multi-Path TCP (MPTCP) with a smart agent for real-time traffic optimization based on the Flow Deviation Method (FDM). In this paper, we enhance the testbed with greater control over traffic generation, ampler visualization options, dynamic link management to simulate network events, and support of larger topologies. Iterative experimentation, regression testing, and comparative analysis attest to the functionality and scalability of our integrated testbed, in support of further research and study on battlefield network and other tactical network environments.