Focus Areas
The Networks and Communication Systems Branch provides technical services and conducts research and development in the area of, well, networks and communication systems. Specifically, much of our work includes the investigation of mobile wireless networks having dual-use military and civilian applications. Military use cases often require more specialized focus and effort to support more stressed and autonomous use cases. Outcome from our work generally has broad application due to the fundamental scientific approaches taken; however, we generally delve into the following focus areas.
Next Generation Network and Communication System Architectures
We provide cross-disciplinary subject matter expertise in the design, development, and evaluation of next generation communication and network system architectures. With myriad of design choices and competing tradeoffs facing next generation applications and supporting networking architectures we provide both working engineering knowledge and advanced analysis regarding intersystem tradeoffs tailored to meet specific mission requirements.
Mobile and Wireless Networking Research
We perform both basic and applied research in emerging areas of mobile and wireless communication and networking research. This includes focused research in related areas such as routing, autoconfiguration, multicasting, anycasting, data transport, and applications for use in challenged and dynamic networking environments. We also work directly within appropriate standards bodies and technical communities to leverage other technical work and to improve transition potential for needed technologies. We develop and utilize test tools and methods appropriate to carry out our efforts including the following: network and protocol simulation, analytical tools, dynamic system emulation, visualization, distributed data generation and collection, and dynamic system visualization.
Network Data Transport Research
We perform research and develop needed protocols to better support challenged DoD networking environments and applications. This includes a concentration on both real-time and less delay sensitive solutions. Most of our work had been contributed to the open standards process to aid in broad community transition and use.
Network Traffic Management and QoS
We perform research and development to help improve traffic management and Quality of Service (QoS) approaches within DoD networks. Our main emphasis is applying this work to wireless networks in more challenged environments.
Next Generation Network Application Design
We perform research, prototyping, and development in next generation applications to aid in our research and better support system design efforts. Examples of sub-areas include the following: Voice over IP (VoIP) for wireless networks, video streaming in disadvantaged networks, collaborative applications (chat), multicast and IPv6 extensions.
Wireless Communication Technology
When suitable we perform research and support projects dealing with fundamental wireless communication technologies including: next generation waveforms, UWB, LPI/D, secure communications, MAC layer design, and networkable wireless devices.
System Integration and Instrumentation
We have expertise dealing with challenging and unique system integration and instrumentations issues.