File:Collaborative applications used in a wireless environment at sea for use in Coast Guard Law Enforcement and Homeland Security missions (IA collaborativeppl109452311).pdf

This thesis analyzes the potential impact of incorporating wireless technologies, specifically an 802.11 mesh layer architecture and 802.16 Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing, in order to effectively and more efficiently transmit data and create a symbiotic operational picture between Coast Guard Cutters, their boarding teams, Coast Guard Operation Centers, and various external agencies. Two distinct collaborative software programs, Groove Virtual Office and the Naval Postgraduate School's Situational Awareness Agent, are utilized over the Tactical Mesh and OFDM network configurations to improve the Common Operating Picture of involved units within a marine environment to evaluate their potential impact for the Coast Guard. This is being done to increase the effectiveness and efficiency of Coast Guard units while they carry out their Law Enforcement and Homeland Security Missions. Through multiple field experiments, including Tactical Network Topology and nuclear component sensing with Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, we utilize commercial off the shelf (COTS) equipment and software to evaluate their impact on these missions.

Subjects: IEEE 80211 (Standard); Wireless communication systems; United States; Mesh; Othorgonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM); Groove virtual office; Situational awareness multi agent system; Internet; Nodes; Wireless; IEEE 802.11; IEEE 802.16; Peer to peer relationships; Collaborative environment; Common operating picture; Tactical network topology; Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory; Tactical satellite; Deepwater