Simulation and Analysis of Mobile Ad hoc Network Technology in the US Marine Corps Infantry Battalion

A mobile ad hoc network (MANET) is an autonomous communications system of mobile nodes equipped with radio transmitters and receivers. This research explores three critical challenges faced by communications planners in employing MANET technology within the US Marine Corps infantry battalion. First, we examine and quantify the ability of MANETs to support communications between highly mobile units operating in potentially rugged terrain over long distances with relatively low-power radios. We also analyze the ability of MANETs to use intermediate nodes to overcome the inherent range limitations of higher frequencies. Finally, we consider the challenge of allocating bandwidth to MANET systems to enable sufficient throughput rates. To explore these challenges, we conduct a rigorous comparative analysis using various network simulation and optimization techniques. We develop a network formulation to model key aspects of communications systems, and then simulate and gauge network performance in environments ranging from low-fidelity, theoretical representations to realistic, high-fidelity combat scenarios. We quantify the benefit that MANETs can provide to tactical communications networks over traditional point-to-point networks. We also quantify the value of the use of unmanned aircraft systems (UASs) as airborne nodes in MANETs, a capability especially useful in communications scenarios involving rugged terrain and large distances. We also find that due to MANET fragility in high-loss environments, tactics may need to be modified to support the full use of MANET communications. To our knowledge, we are the first to rigorously examine and quantify the value of MANET technology within the Marine Corps infantry battalion.