Wireless ISW communications to boost situational awareness
Intra-soldier wireless communications would connect various soldier-borne equipment so warfighters can better access and share situational awareness information.
The Defense Department's Rapid Reaction Technology Office is looking for hardware and software to enhance intra-soldier wireless (ISW) communications to connect various soldier-borne equipment so warfighters can better access and share situational awareness information.
An ISW specification is being developed by the military to securely and seamlessly connect helmet-mounted displays, radios, headsets, radio push-to-talk (PTT) switches and various other body-worn sensors for warfighters in small units across a broad spectrum of operations.
Based on initial evaluations of data rates, power consumption, range and security, officials determined that ultra-wideband was the most viable wide-area personal network technology for ISW applications.
The overall vision is to develop this technology to the point that other Army and DOD programs could leverage the capability to allow for wireless communication amongst different components using a variety of industry standard interfaces.
The Rapid Reaction Technology Office will conduct collaborative tabletop experiments to examine operational concepts and ramifications of potential technical solutions. Selected participants will brief government technical and materiel development communities and receive feedback from academia, industry and other interested parties related to cost, schedule and performance for the tactical environment.
TTX is planned for summer 2019. More information is available here.