Topology Control within the Airborne Network Backbone

Active topology management in the Airborne Network (AN) can provide improved overall network performance, efficiency, and scalability. Topology management and control in airborne networks are critical due to the high degree of platform dynamics involved. The RF links that form an airborne network must be capable of being established and reconfigured rapidly in response to aircraft joining and leaving the network, aircraft changing flight paths, and the changes in mission information flows, among other things. Additional technical challenges stem from the fact that the airborne nodes will use multiple directional and omni-directional antennas with differing antenna patterns. In this paper we present a Mission Aware Topology Control (MAToC) solution for the Airborne Network. MAToC is comprised of deliberative and reactive topology planning components. MAToC utilizes a distributed protocol for airborne nodes for adhoc exchange of respective flight plan. Deliberative mode planning uses the collected flight plan information to assign optimal power, channel and bore-sight direction to the airborne antennas. Deliberative MAToC uses graph coloring algorithms for channel and time slot assignment and uses geometric optimization methodology to assign antenna powers to maximize Signal to Interference and Noise Ratio (SINR). In the reactive mode, MAToC is responsible for link monitoring and link repair for, faulttolerant topology construction.