Enhancing wireless communications with software defined networking

In defence and emergency operations, integration between multiple wireless networks offers the choice of selecting the connection best suited to the type of information transferred, while at the same time expanding the coverage area in regions where only certain networks are available. Without effective command and control systems, response units at the operational edge, where critical real time information is generated and consumed, become “information islands”. Controlling network traffic at higher echelons, in order to make better use of the limited network bandwidth available, improves the situational picture at the control centre and competence of emergency response units on the field. Traffic prioritization, remote network control, and multiple radio integration are three important criteria we are considering in the design of a two-level hierarchical software defined networking architecture for wireless networks, which expand on other SDN properties such as network agility, scalability, and programmability. We have built a prototype with multiple radio interfaces that can provide backhaul for response units by selecting the interface with the highest available throughput, where both policies and configuration can be programmed remotely. Even if our primary use case is geared towards emergency services, military communications challenges share many of the characteristics of emergency operations.