INTELLISENSE SYSTEMS INC — Department of Defense SBIR Phase I: A20-110

Description

To address the Army’s need for a localized high-bandwidth wireless secure mesh network, Intellisense Systems, Inc. (Intellisense) proposes to develop a new Wide Area Multigigabit Extensible Radiofrequency Sensor (WAMERS) network based on an optimal combination of free-space optics (FSO) and millimeter-wave (mmWave) communication links. The WAMERS network forms a localized resilient hierarchical high-bandwidth wireless mesh network (WMN), leveraging the combined advantages of FSO and mmWave communication. The inherently high-bandwidth and highly directional nature of FSO maximizes network throughput and mitigates interference between WMN backbone nodes. At the same time, the beamsteering and high-bandwidth advantages of mmWave are leveraged for wireless communication with a collection of radio frequency (RF) sensors. Optionally, mmWave communication links may be provisioned for WMN backbone communication in poor weather conditions such as fog or rain, adding to the resiliency and redundancy of the wireless mesh network. The WAMERS network includes digitization of RF spectrum into packetized intermediate frequency (IF) and offers optional use case extensions by adding local storage and support for remote or edge software applications. In addition to high bandwidth, the use of FSO and mmWave communication links minimizes the potential for RF sensor network self-interference. Security is addressed at multiple layers. Digitized RF spectrum data will be encrypted using AES-256 or higher, and link encryption will be supported. A third layer of security is provided by the highly directional FSO and mmWave communication links, which are difficult to detect and intercept. Specifically, the innovation in hybrid integration of optimal FSO and mmWave communication links will enable the Army to achieve greater than 10 Gbps mesh network capacity with a migration path towards 100 Gbps. As a result, this centralized network enables the Army to efficiently monitor, maintain, control, and collect data from RF sensors distributed across the White Sands Missile Range. In Phase I, Intellisense will demonstrate the feasibility of the WAMERS network by fully vetting the network through design, simulation, evaluation, and analysis. In Phase II, Intellisense plans to develop a WAMERS network prototype that interfaces with commercial off-the-shelf technologies, demonstrating the high bandwidth capabilities of the localized high bandwidth secure mesh network.