Tactical Wireless Communications and Networks: Design Concepts and Challenges

Chapter 8

Open Architecture in Tactical Networks

Up to the 1980s, the defense industry believed that military networks should be based on proprietary protocols. With the increased complexity of tactical networks, swelled cost of design, development, and deployment, and the success of IP, the concept of an open architecture started to take root. This idea held fast since it would contain costs and leverage commercial capabilities. As time went by, tactical networks started to adapt open architecture concepts. One such integrated network is the software communications architecture (SCA) presented in Section 7.4 which promotes the use of APIs and modular software. In this chapter we will discuss the open architecture applicability to tactical networks from a wider perspective.

The success of open architecture within commercial wireless networks (specifically those with fixed infrastructure, such as 3G/4G/LTE¹) have significantly improved service and resulted in drastically reducing cost. Today, one can purchase a low-cost smart phone with multimedia services, travel internationally, then utilize said device for wireless service at nearly any other location. Even developing countries, which missed out on the wired, microwave, and satellite eras of telephony, now have excellent wireless infrastructure. The monumental success of commercial wireless networks is evident from the steep price drops of high quality services, prevalent connectivity, and compact end-user equipment with innovative ...