In response to a request from the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, the committee studied a range of issues to help identify what strategies the Department of Defense might follow to meet its need for flexible, rapidly deployable communications systems. Taking into account the military's particular requirements for security, interoperability, and other capabilities as well as the extent to which commercial technology development can be expected to support these and related needs, the book recommends systems and component research as well as organizational changes to help the DOD field state-of-the-art, cost-effective untethered communications systems. In addition to advising DARPA on where its investment in information technology for mobile wireless communications systems can have the greatest impact, the book explores the evolution of wireless technology, the often fruitful synergy between commercial and military research and development efforts, and the technical challenges still to be overcome in making the dream of "anytime, anywhere" communications a reality.


Table of Contents


FRONT MATTER
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
1 PAST, PRESENT, AND FUTURE
2 TECHNOLOGY LIMITS, TRADE-OFFS, AND CHALLENGES
3 COMMERCIAL-DEFENSE SYNERGY IN WIRELESS COMMUNICATIONS
4 CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
BIBLIOGRAPHY
APPENDIXES
A BIOGRAPHIES OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS
B BRIEFERS TO THE COMMITTEE
C GLOSSARY