Concepts, applications and analysis of a submarine based wireless network

摘要

As Information Technology tools continue to improve, we must take advantage of this wave by developing wise solutions to help automate many daily tasks presented onboard submarines. Java based applications and Commercial-Off- The-Shelf (COTS) technology provides us low cost solutions that increase the availability and mobility of the information we seek. Small pen based computers and wireless LANS allow us to create dynamic and distributable applications that can route paperwork or fight casualties. It is imperative we take full advantage of these technologies in the design of our new submarines as well as in retrofit of our older ones. This thesis attempts to solve a key task, Damage Control (DC) communications, by designing a Java based application known as SWIPNet (Submarine Wireless Prototyped Network). This virtual grease board application uses multicast sockets to send standard DC and crew reports to all wireless handhelds that participate in a casualty. A proposed Virginia class wireless network, known a Non Tactical Data Processing System (NTDPS), was then analyzed to determine network efficiency in the presence of a SWIPNet and 14 other submarine type network loads. Demonstrations have proven that SWIPNet provides a more efficient way to communicate and can function effectively on the NTDPS.