Self-adapted protocol for intra and inter-echelons communications

Nowadays, both military and civil emergency scenarios demand shared-situation awareness between the front-line elements, in order to maximize the effectiveness of the operations. This requires a communication system based on mechanisms that self-adapt to dynamic conditions and that are able to work under heterogeneous networks. The proposed Cognitive Routable Ad-hoc Network (CRAN) protocol allows efficient and distributed information sharing within the same hierarchy and between distinct hierarchical levels. The CRAN mechanisms contain the control plane, which includes the discovery mechanism and the autonomous adaptation when topology changes, and the data plane, which is responsible to forward tactical messages within the platoon. The evaluation results show that CRAN provides a fast knowledge forwarding with high message delivery and requires small bandwidth. This ensures real-time situation updates, improving operational reality awareness and more accurate decisions, improving the overall operation results.