An Innovative Approach to Minimizing Bandwidth Usage for Mobile Military Database Synchronization

The soldier on the modern battlefield needs to retrieve critical information in a timely manner while operating in a highly mobile environment. The information, above all, has to be timely and accurate for his needs. The soldier also cannot rely on a commercial communications infrastructure, so data networking features must be developed around existing military communications networks. There are several additional system requirements imposed on the soldier beyond that of any analogous commercial equivalent. These additional requirements are: security of the communications link, weight/power of the mobile station, ruggedness of the system, interoperability with legacy systems, ease of use, and visual organization. The combination of all of these conditions results in a unique system solution. Until recently, technology was not at a sufficient maturity level to allow for battlefield information to be presented to front-line commanders in a timely fashion. Orders were transmitted over secure voice transmissions or data facsimile to lower echelon commanders. In limited areas or at higher echelons, custom battlefield management systems existed to transmit unique mission data around the battlefield to semi-portable ruggedized Unix computer systems. With the emergence of future wearable computing platforms for the front-line soldier, digital information will now be able to be transmitted and received by units at the front-line of battle. These systems will allow the platoon leader to transmit digital pre-formatted messages, such as a call for fire (an artillery request), directly to rear area command and control software systems, which will then activate the appropriate military units to take action. These systems will also be able to receive digital operational orders from commanders at rear areas. Other unique features are envisioned, such as: still imagery capture, image transmission and retrieval, on-line help files and integrated mapping features. All of these features will be provided on a system that is ruggedized, secure and wearable, with interoperability with present rear area battlefield information systems and future distributed battlefield systems. While proposed portable information systems provide a quantum leap forward in achieving the modern digital battlefield goals, they still fall short in database retrieval of critical information from rear areas. Some of these planned devices are also larger and heavier than desired for certain battlefield missions. For this reason, the Army is exploring both the means to retrieve database information over a wireless link in a timely fashion and the use of handheld devices as a means to process and display this information. Just as a mobile executive today can retrieve the day’s critical business information, the soldier of the future on the battlefield will be able to retrieve critical information that will allow him to win the battle quicker and with less casualties for friendly forces.