Communications on The Move

[weatheredskies]

Have you guys heard of Communications on the Move? I think it's something worth paying attention to.

Regarding maritime and mobile sat comm, the defense industries esp. the US Military have invested in what they call communications-on-the-move technology.

COTM is basically autotracking satcom and - in theory - other long-range NLOS communications on moving platforms. Current Terrestrial UHF/VHF used for NLOS communications is basically screwed once you're on the move, hence the need for an autotracking satcom system.

Pretty much every major defense electronics company in the US has been developing systems for that (e.g. LM, Hughes, Raytheon, L-3, Rockwell Collins) in response to an ongoing bidding contest on portions of the Army's WIN-T (Warfighter Information Network - Tactical) future communications backup. WIN-T is supposed to in the end integrate multiple communications modes (SATCOM, LOS Radio, long-range UHF/VHF, bouncing stuff off aircraft and drones etc pp) in both stationary and mobile platforms, autoswitching between modes to always ensure a live connection. It's a 10-billion dollar project that's currently entering Increment 2 LRIP, with LM recently winning the contract to deliver the equipment for this increment.

Regarding implementation, the 10th Mountain Division has deployed ten MRAPs with a COTM system from Rockwell Collins (MobiLink) in Afghanistan several times over the past couple years for live troop trials / proof-of-system. The USAF has bought several dozen L-3 ArcLight systems for COTM backbone linking.

Currently, Australia is looking to use it for defense systems (ships) to cover their coastline.

Here are some links that might interest you:

US Military using Satellite On-The-Move
http://www.globalsecurity.org/space/systems/sotm.htm

Characteristics of COTM
http://www.milsatmagazine.com/cgi-bin/display_article.cgi?number=865821769

and applications of the technology:

http://www.newsat.com/eNews/protecting-australian-borders-with-communications-on-the-move-cotm.html

http://www.milsatmagazine.com/cgi-bin/display_article.cgi?number=1820534170

 

[W.G.Ewald]

From your second link:

A major consideration when deploying larger OTM (On-The-Move) MILSATCOM networks, consideration must be given to the methodology that is used in conjunction with the speed spectrum(emphasis added).

Is spread spectrum meant there?

I can't seem to grasp the idea that comms are degraded by movement in the first place.

In the US there is a proposed law that drivers can't use cell phones while moving. Maybe it's supposed to apply to military as well.