ARRC Journal 2019 | Page 75

READY FOR TODAY – EVOLVING FOR TOMORROW Circa 2012-2013 a variation to WiFi known as ‘WiGig’ was tested with a view to increasing internet speeds. Where WiFi emits a frequency of 2.4 GHz to 5 GHz, WiGig was designed to function at 60 GHz. This small change enabled internet speeds of 40-50 GBps, a massive increase over the 7-8 GBps possible with WiFi. At the time, though, technology was lagging behind the concept, but this is no longer the case. In the case of WiGig the change in frequency also alters the way the signal behaves. It cannot pass through walls and it is reliant on specially paired devices within line of sight. This rules it out in the average home which functions with a single centrally located router. Within a headquarters, however, this could be an advantage. If the signal cannot pass beyond line of sight then the security of the information is increased and the electromagnetic footprint of the headquarters is reduced. The difficulty with WiGig, however, is the expense associated with purchasing hundreds of devices which are compatible with it. It would require a full technological refresh of the ARRC’s deployed headquarters, which may be deemed an unacceptable risk given the pace of technological change and the consequent appearance of newer, more effective, technologies. This initial glance at three different wireless technologies has highlighted that there is not yet an obvious contender to fill the requirement within the ARRC. Due to the clear requirement for a wireless headquarters, the Field Army Science and Technology (FAST) board have approved funding for the first year of a three-year ARRC proposed project to analyse all options. Their research will provide in-depth analysis into the three technologies explained above and more, with a view to delivering a wireless headquarters solution sometime during 2020-2021. Prior to this, however, the ARRC staff can likely expect to see experimentation and prototype networks in the headquarters as early as Exercise ARRCADE FUSION 2019. This initial glance at three different wireless technologies has highlighted that there is not yet an obvious contender to fill the requirement within the ARRC. Due to the clear requirement for a wireless headquarters, the Field Army Science and Technology (FAST) board have approved funding for the first year of a three-year ARRC proposed project to analyse all options. ABOUT THE AUTHOR Captain Jonny Dale is a seven-year veteran of the British Army and currently serves as the Communications Systems Capability Development Officer for the ARRC. In his previous assignment he served as the second-in-command of the 211th Signal Squadron in Stafford, England. Capt. Dale has led Signals units in support of various NATO enhanced Forward Presence (eFP) battlegroups in Estonia and Poland. A native of Northamptonshire, England, Capt. Dale holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Communications Management from the University of Lincoln. ALLIED RAPID REACTION CORPS 75