Projects-12

Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency ATO - Connectionless Networks

Project Overview: DARPA ATO’s Connectionless Networks program is developing technology that will allow radio networks to send and receive messages without an initial link or previous sharing of routing information.

Phase 1 of the program was completed in FY04 and focused on addressing the Open System Interconnection (OSI) layers of a network. Phase 2, the current phase, focuses on turning designs into usable hardware and software. This phase includes the development and testing of new technologies. Phase 3, projected to begin in FY06 will include field demonstrations and an investigation of scalability.

CenGen Inc is currently assisting DARPA in the testing of new technologies developed and will also be involved in Phase 3’s field demonstrations and investigations.

The Connectionless Networks program is part of a continuing effort to develop technologies that enable high efficiency and low power radio communications. Connectionless Networks is needed to deploy large number of autonomous low duty cycle radios to troops. In order to save energy in the radios, the networks will exploit signal processing components, intelligent routing, and the availability of situational information. The program hopes to improve the energy bit level of current technologies 100-1000 times.