Next Generation Wireless Communications NGWC for Logistics Applications

1
Next Generation Wireless Communications (NGWC)
for Logistics Applications

• Information Brief to the AIT Coordinating Group
  Workshop
• 20 February 2007

Bill Jarrett U.S. Army Logistics Innovation
Agency william.jarrett_at_hqda.army.mil 717-770-6919
or DSN 771-6919
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Background

• How did we get to this point?
• LIA fielded active RFID to achieve inside the
  box visibility in response to distribution
  problems in Desert Shield/Storm
• Transitioned responsibility to PM JAIT in 2003.
  Retained responsibility for new/enhanced
  capability development
• At the direction of the HQDA AIT Senior Steering
  Committee, began exploration of
  satellite/cellular enhancement to active RFID to
  provide on-demand visibility
• 3G RFID prototype combined aRFID with Iridium and
  GPS
• Technically feasible
• Size and cost prohibitive at the time
• NGWC is the next logical step
• Asset visibility requirements continue to be
  defined and refined
• Technology has evolved over time to meet this
  need
• NGWC integration with MTS CAISI will enable
  asset visibility at the tactical level

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NGWC Project Overview

• Vision
• On the net-centric, geographically and
  operationally distributed battlefield of
  tomorrow, the Joint War Fighter will have, at his
  disposal, a complete, accurate, and current view
  of the status of equipment, supplies, and
  materials across the entire spectrum of military
  logistics
• Objective
• Demonstrate global, near-real-time, asset
  visibility through the development of a suite of
  devices that harness the capabilities of existing
  and future communications technologies throughout
  the distribution enterprise from factory to
  foxhole
• Approach
• Open architecture, standards-based approach
• Integrate wireless mesh technology as the base
  communications architecture
• Integrate mesh solution to connect to various
  backhaul communications capabilities
• Anticipated Outcomes
• Enable Distribution Enterprise Total Asset
  Visibility
• Enable critical alert data transmission from
  platforms back into the U.S. Army STAMISs
  (prognostics)

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NGWC Is!

• an enhancement to the current active RFID nodal
  infrastructure.
• a COTS technology integration initiative focused
  on demonstrating capabilities that expand and
  enhance asset visibility beyond the fixed aRFID
  infrastructure, enabling on-demand global total
  asset visibility. (Technology Readiness Level 6)
• a spiral development effort focused on building a
  foundational capability and improving/expanding
  its capabilities based on a set of functional
  requirements.
• an open-architecture, standards-based, scalable,
  integrated enabler for TAV (CLOE compliant)
• a collaborative, requirements-based, effort
  focused on developing and integrating existing
  and emerging wireless communications technologies
  to attain DoD-wide total asset visibility.

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Assessment of Asset Visibility
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NGWC Collaborative Team
RF-ITV interface and fielding
Sponsorship
Interface for satellite connectivity (MTS)
Requirements Operational Testing
Interface for satellite connectivity (CAISI)
REQUIREMENTS
Engineering Support Task Execution Contract
Management
Requirements Operational Testing
Requirements Operational Testing
Collaboration on Supply Chain Integration
Requirements Operational Testing
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NGWC Technical Approach

• WE KNOW THAT..
• SatCom cellular connectivity is the key to
  Global, Real-Time Visibility
• SatCom cellular capabilities exist throughout
  the Distribution Pipeline from Factory to
  Foxhole in both commercial and military forms
• Mesh Network technology is a binding wireless
  communications technology that will enable
  tag-to-tag communications
• Mesh Network technology will enable logistics
  asset visibility data from mesh tags to access
  existing and emerging SatCom Cellular
  communications capabilities

• THEREFORE..
• NGWC will interface with the existing aRFID
  infrastructure to capitalize on its nodal
  capabilities
• NGWC will develop a DoD-specific mesh network
  solution that will enable tag-to-tag connectivity
  throughout the enterprise
• NGWC will develop an interface between the mesh
  tags and existing backhaul communications
  capabilities
• MTS
• CSS VSAT (CAISI Wireless)
• Commercial tracking solutions
• DoD IT assets (PCs)

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NGWC Mesh Data Interface
DoD Firewall
Data interfaces between existing backhaul
communication systems and DoD RF-ITV Server
ITV/TAV Customers
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NGWC Project Development

• Current Capabilities
• GPS
• Iridium
• aRFID (DoD Standard)
• Interface with RF-ITV Server
• Sensors (Temp, Humidity, Light)

• Under Development
• Integrate door contact sensor
• Mesh Network Communications
• IA/Encryption Solution
• Interface with CAISI Wireless CSS VSAT

• Future Integration
• Interface with MTS
• Interface with Commercial Tracking Systems (CONUS
  and OCONUS)
• Multiple Sensor Integration
• Event Management and Remote Programming
• Interface with CLOE initiatives
• Container Content Auto Update Features
• IA/Encryption Solution

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NGWC Business Case

• NGWC as an Asset Visibility Gap Filler (Immediate
  Focus)
• Real-time tracking condition monitoring in the
  operational/tactical battle space
• Early entry, highly mobile, volatile operational
  environments
• Austere Environments
• Host Nation/3PL supported operations
• Vehicle/Convoy ops (eliminates single point of
  failure for PM MTS)
• Real-time monitoring of life-limited assets
• Real-time automatic, dynamic, container/463L
  pallet locating and monitoring
• POE/POD Operations (Surface and Air)
• Supply Support Activity Operations (Yard
  Management)
• Asset management outside logistics operations
  nodes
• NGWC as a Binding technology enabler (Future
  Focus)
• Automatically and dynamically tracks containers
  with conveyances
• Automatically and dynamically provides warehouse
  material visibility
• Integrates supply transportation processes at
  the pallet level and above.
• Passive RFID integration with distribution
  process
• End-Item condition alert data transmission off
  platforms (CLOE Enabler for non-C2-enabled
  platforms)

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USTC/CENTCOM Operational Test

• Asset Tracking Requirements for Operational Test
• Container ID
• Container Location
• Geo-Fencing violation alert for misrouted assets
• Health/Condition Monitoring
• -heat
• -humidity
• -door contact
• -multi-spectral light

NGWC Test-Bed Devices
Operational Test Schedule Participation in
ConOps Development Ongoing Participate in
Capability Presentation (AOR) Nov 06
(Completed) Conduct Capability Demo (AOR) Feb
07 (Completed) Coordinate IA requirements Feb
07 (Ongoing) Develop OpsTest Devices TBD (90
days from approval) Conduct Operational
Test 4th Qtr FY07
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(No Transcript)