
Tactical Networks
How can tactical communication networks operate without failing in highly congested and contested environments? Our group strives to answer that question by developing advanced network and communications systems, particularly mobile and airborne networks. We conduct emulation, modeling, and simulation to develop new communication systems, for instance, a mobile network that can support communication even in a GPS-denied environment. Then we develop prototypes and perform flight tests to ensure proper performance in a tactical environment.
Featured Projects

networking
Prototype Airborne Contested Environment Communication Relay (PACECR)
A system enables aircraft to replace a satellite communications network.
Latest News
Laboratory Stories
It's good to know how far, how fast, and how reliably we can talk to someone in a tactical setting.
Joseph Rottner
Wireless Software Engineer
Communication Systems
Tactical Networks
I enjoy the mix of being hands on with day-to-day operations and of thinking longer term and helping communicate to sponsors what we are doing and why.
Joshua Van Hook
Engineer
Communication Systems
Tactical Networks
The most exciting part of my research is seeing simulations and concepts come to fruition in hardware.
YaYa Brown
Electrical Engineer
Communication Systems
Tactical Networks
Advancing Our Research
Featured Publications
Network performance of pLEO topologies in a high-inclination Walker Delta Satellite Constellation
Mar 4
IEEE Aerospace Conf. Proc., 4-11 March 2023, 188722.
Contingent routing using orbital geometry in proliferated low-earth-orbit satellite networks
Nov 28
2022 IEEE Military Communications Conf., MILCOM, 28 November - 2 December 2022.
Failure resilience in proliferated low earth orbit satellite network topologies
Nov 28
2022 IEEE Military Communications Conf., MILCOM, 28 November - 2 December 2022.