Development Of An Advanced Cybersecure Radio For Small Unmanned Ground Vehicles

The Space and Naval Warfare (SPAWAR) Systems Center (SSC) Pacific is developing a prototype cybersecure network radio for the Man-Transportable Robotic System (MTRS) MK2 Mod 0 explosive-ordnance-disposal (EOD) robot that will also be compatible with the Advanced EOD Robotic System (AEODRS) Increment-2 robot. Both programs of record are managed by the Naval Surface Warfare Center (NSWC) Indian Head EOD Technology Division (IHEODTD).This paper describes SSC Pacific's solution, the MTRS/AEODRS Radio for Cybersecure Operation with Network Integration (MARCONI) system. MARCONI is a modular networking radio developed based on the Joint Communication Architecture for Unmanned Systems (JCAUS), which is being defined by the Joint Ground Robotics Enterprise (JGRE). The system architecture includes a Payload Host Module, which provides translations and interfaces to the other modules, a Communication Module based on frequency-shifted and amplified 802.11n wireless technology with ad hoc networking, and a Cybersecurity Module, which uses the latest technologies including Tactical Key Management to meet the unique requirements for unmanned systems.