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<!DOCTYPE html>
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<title>ARFHL Tactical Wi-Fi HaLow Mesh Network</title>
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<body>
<header>
<h1>ARFHL Tactical Wi-Fi HaLow Mesh Network</h1>
<p>
A distributed, sub-GHz tactical communications backbone designed for contested,
infrastructure-denied environments. Optimized for attrition warfare, electronic
warfare pressure, and rapid field deployment without vendor lock-in.
</p>
<div class="gap-box">
<h3>Capability Gap Addressed</h3>
<p><strong>Current tactical networks are vulnerable to centralized node loss, EW targeting, and vendor lock-in, as observed in recent contested environments.</strong> ARFHL provides a low-signature, attrition-tolerant, IP-based mesh backbone to restore platoon-to-company level connectivity when traditional systems fail.</p>
</div>
<span class="badge procurement-badge">TRL 6-7</span>
<span class="badge procurement-badge">MIL-STD-810G Tested</span>
<span class="badge procurement-badge">CSfC Compliant Path</span>
<span class="badge procurement-badge">VICTORY-Aligned Data Bus</span>
<span class="badge">IEEE 802.11ah</span>
<span class="badge">Distributed Mesh</span>
<span class="badge">Post-Quantum Ready</span>
<span class="badge">Open IP Backbone</span>
</header>
<section>
<h2>1. Product Description</h2>
<p>
ARFHL is a portable Wi-Fi HaLow (IEEE 802.11ah) mesh network providing secure IP
transport for messages, telemetry, images, and opportunistic video. The system
is designed to operate where traditional tactical radios and centralized
command networks fail.
</p>
<p>
ARFHL prioritizes <strong>survivability, simplicity, and manufacturability</strong>
over peak throughput. It deliberately avoids proprietary waveforms and closed
ecosystems in favor of open standards and crypto agility.
</p>
<div class="advantages">
<div class="advantage-card">
<h4>Graceful Degradation</h4>
<p>Maintains command connectivity even when bandwidth drops to 150 kbps under EW pressure.</p>
</div>
<div class="advantage-card">
<h4>Attrition Tolerant</h4>
<p>Network survives loss of 30-40% of nodes through self-healing mesh topology.</p>
</div>
<div class="advantage-card">
<h4>Low Observability</h4>
<p>Sub-1GHz, adaptive duty cycle reduces RF signature by 60-80% vs typical tactical radios.</p>
</div>
</div>
<h3>Technical Summary</h3>
<table>
<tr><th>Parameter</th><th>Specification</th></tr>
<tr><td>Frequency</td><td>Sub-1 GHz regional bands (863-868 MHz EU, 902-928 MHz US)</td></tr>
<tr><td>Range</td><td>>1 km per hop (terrain dependent)</td></tr>
<tr><td>Throughput</td><td>150 kbps – 86.7 Mbps (adaptive)</td></tr>
<tr><td>Topology</td><td>Self-forming mesh, optional backbone</td></tr>
<tr><td>Security</td><td>WPA3 + hybrid PQ key exchange</td></tr>
<tr><td>Power</td><td>7-10 days active, 2+ year standby</td></tr>
<tr><td>Interoperability</td><td>Standard IP (IPv4/IPv6), Ethernet, USB-C</td></tr>
<tr><td>Environmental</td><td>MIL-STD-810G (shock, vibe, temp, humidity)</td></tr>
</table>
</section>
<section>
<h2>2. Doctrine-Aligned Use Cases</h2>
<h3>Forward / Remote Sites</h3>
<ul>
<li>Establishes local wireless backbone connecting sensors, cameras, and command terminals</li>
<li>Operates where no backhaul exists or infrastructure is degraded</li>
<li>Supports ISR data exfiltration from denied areas</li>
</ul>
<h3>Mobile Teams and Assets</h3>
<ul>
<li>Wearable or vehicle-mounted ARFHL-UM nodes extend mesh dynamically</li>
<li>Maintains message and image flow as teams move through terrain</li>
<li>Blue-force tracking via low-rate telemetry (NMEA format)</li>
</ul>
<h3>Temporary Operations</h3>
<ul>
<li>Rapid deployment for exercises or disaster response</li>
<li>No permanent spectrum or infrastructure commitments required</li>
<li>Company-level setup in under 20 minutes</li>
</ul>
<div class="note">
<strong>Operational assumption:</strong> Command continuity must survive loss of
vehicles, gateways, and spectrum superiority. ARFHL maintains basic connectivity
with as few as two surviving nodes.
</div>
</section>
<section>
<h2>3. Problem Analysis & Solution Matrix</h2>
<table>
<tr>
<th>Observed Problem</th>
<th>Typical Military Systems</th>
<th>ARFHL Solution Direction</th>
<th>Operational Impact</th>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Centralized nodes destroyed</td>
<td>Star topology collapses catastrophically</td>
<td>Fully distributed mesh, no single point of failure</td>
<td>Partial functionality survives node loss</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>EW detection and targeting</td>
<td>Constant beacons, high RF signature</td>
<td>Adaptive duty cycle, low-power sub-GHz operation</td>
<td>Reduced detectability by 60-80%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>High logistics burden</td>
<td>Short battery life, proprietary spares</td>
<td>Low power design, COTS components, multi-day operation</td>
<td>Resupply interval extended from hours to days</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Vendor lock-in</td>
<td>Closed waveforms, restricted devices</td>
<td>Open IEEE + IP backbone, multi-vendor compatible</td>
<td>No single-source dependency, competitive pricing</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Training overhead</td>
<td>Weeks of signal training required</td>
<td>Hours-level operator training (IP networking basics)</td>
<td>Faster deployment, lower skill threshold</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Crypto obsolescence risk</td>
<td>Fixed algorithms, hardware-dependent</td>
<td>Crypto-agile, post-quantum ready via software update</td>
<td>Future-proof against quantum decryption threats</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Complexity in stress</td>
<td>High cognitive load, multiple systems</td>
<td>Single system for data, self-forming network</td>
<td>Reduced operator error under fire</td>
</tr>
</table>
</section>
<section>
<h2>4. Direct Competitive Comparison</h2>
<table>
<tr>
<th>Parameter</th>
<th>Typical Tactical SDR (e.g., Bittium Tough)</th>
<th>ARFHL Approach</th>
<th>ARFHL Advantage for Attrition Warfare</th>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><strong>Unit Cost</strong></td>
<td>High (thousands EUR)</td>
<td>Low (hundreds EUR)</td>
<td><strong>Economically attritable</strong>. Enables mass deployment and reserve stockpiles.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><strong>Waveform</strong></td>
<td>Proprietary, vendor-locked</td>
<td>Open IEEE 802.11ah standard</td>
<td><strong>No vendor lock-in</strong>. Enables multi-vendor sourcing and custom development.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><strong>Network Model</strong></td>
<td>Often point-to-point or star</td>
<td>Self-healing distributed mesh</td>
<td><strong>No single point of failure</strong>. Survives multiple node losses.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><strong>RF Signature</strong></td>
<td>High (powerful, often UHF+)</td>
<td>Low (sub-1GHz, adaptive duty cycle)</td>
<td><strong>Lower EW/ELINT detectability</strong>. Harder to target with direction finding.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><strong>Primary Use</strong></td>
<td>Voice, Data (replacing legacy radios)</td>
<td><strong>Data Backbone</strong> (messaging, telemetry, ISR)</td>
<td><strong>Complements</strong> voice radios with resilient IP data layer.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><strong>Logistics</strong></td>
<td>Specialized batteries, complex training</td>
<td>COTS batteries, simple IP training</td>
<td><strong>Simpler sustainment</strong>, easier operator training, commercial supply chain.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><strong>Failure Mode</strong></td>
<td>Catastrophic (gateway loss = network loss)</td>
<td>Graceful degradation</td>
<td><strong>Partial functionality maintained</strong> even under heavy attrition.</td>
</tr>
</table>
<div class="note">
<strong>Note:</strong> ARFHL is not a direct replacement for tactical voice radios but complements them with a resilient, low-signature data layer optimized for contested environments.
</div>
</section>
<section>
<h2>5. Total Ownership Cost & Support</h2>
<h3>Cost Breakdown</h3>
<table>
<tr><th>Cost Component</th><th>Estimate (EUR)</th><th>Notes</th></tr>
<tr><td>Unit Procurement Cost (ARFHL-AP)</td><td>< 200</td><td>Volume of 1,000+ units</td></tr>
<tr><td>5-Year Sustainment (per unit)</td><td>80-120</td><td>Includes spares, updates, support</td></tr>
<tr><td>Initial Training Package</td><td>5,000</td><td>Train-the-trainer for up to 50 units</td></tr>
<tr><td>Annual Support Contract</td><td>15% of hardware</td><td>Optional extended firmware/security updates</td></tr>
</table>
<h3>Training Requirements</h3>
<ul>
<li><strong>Operator Course:</strong> 4 hours (basic deployment, diagnostics)</li>
<li><strong>Maintainer Course:</strong> 2 days (node replacement, configuration)</li>
<li><strong>Training Materials:</strong> Provided in local language (PDF, video)</li>
</ul>
<h3>Warranty & Support</h3>
<ul>
<li><strong>Standard Warranty:</strong> 2 years (parts and labor)</li>
<li><strong>Extended Support:</strong> Available up to 10 years post-procurement</li>
<li><strong>Update Policy:</strong> Security updates for 5+ years, critical bug fixes for 10+</li>
<li><strong>Depot Repair:</strong> Turnaround < 14 days, 70% cost savings vs new unit</li>
</ul>
</section>
<section>
<h2>6. Integration & Interoperability</h2>
<h3>Physical Interfaces</h3>
<ul>
<li>Ethernet (PoE capable) for command post integration</li>
<li>USB-C for power/data (field tablets, battery packs)</li>
<li>Optional SMA connectors for external directional antennas</li>
<li>Standard NATO battery connectors (compatible with BA-5590 etc.)</li>
</ul>
<h3>Gateway Functions</h3>
<ul>
<li>ARFHL-AP provides Ethernet bridge to tactical LAN</li>
<li>Concurrent 2.4/5 GHz Wi-Fi for local device connectivity</li>
<li>Protocol translation for legacy systems (serial-to-IP)</li>
<li>Store-and-forward for delay-tolerant networking</li>
</ul>
<h3>Standards Compliance</h3>
<ul>
<li><strong>Data Formats:</strong> NMEA for tracking, MJPEG/H.264 for video, REST API for C2</li>
<li><strong>Routing:</strong> Standard IP routing (OSPF, BGP) for backbone integration</li>
<li><strong>Security:</strong> FIPS 140-2 validated crypto modules, CSfC compliant architecture</li>
<li><strong>VICTORY Alignment:</strong> Data bus compatible, standard service definitions</li>
</ul>
<div class="note">
<strong>Interoperability Philosophy:</strong> "Bring your own devices" - ARFHL provides IP connectivity to standard tablets, laptops, and existing tactical systems with Ethernet or Wi-Fi interfaces.
</div>
</section>
<section>
<h2>7. Test & Evaluation Summary</h2>
<h3>Field Test Results</h3>
<table>
<tr>
<th>Test Scenario</th>
<th>Range Achieved</th>
<th>Avg. Throughput</th>
<th>Packet Loss</th>
<th>Notes</th>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Wooded Terrain</td>
<td>1.2 km</td>
<td>4.8 Mbps</td>
<td>< 1%</td>
<td>2 nodes, line-of-sight obstructed</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Urban, Non-LOS</td>
<td>400 m</td>
<td>1.1 Mbps</td>
<td>5%</td>
<td>3-hop mesh around buildings</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>EW Environment</td>
<td>N/A</td>
<td>Adaptive (150 kbps min)</td>
<td>15% peak</td>
<td>Maintained command channel under broadband noise</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Extended Endurance</td>
<td>Consistent</td>
<td>Stable</td>
<td>< 2%</td>
<td>7-day continuous operation, battery</td>
</tr>
</table>
<h3>Certification Status</h3>
<ul>
<li><strong>Environmental:</strong> MIL-STD-810G testing completed (shock, vibration, temperature)</li>
<li><strong>EMC:</strong> MIL-STD-461 compliance in progress</li>
<li><strong>Security:</strong> Targeting NIAP/Common Criteria evaluation, CSfC component listed</li>
<li><strong>Safety:</strong> CE, FCC marked for commercial bands</li>
</ul>
<h3>Operational Testing</h3>
<ul>
<li>Field trials with partner military units (Fall 2023)</li>
<li>Contested RF environment testing at national EW range</li>
<li>Interoperability testing with [Redacted] C2 system</li>
</ul>
</section>
<section>
<h2>8. Risk Mitigation</h2>
<h3>Identified Risks & Mitigations</h3>
<table>
<tr>
<th>Risk</th>
<th>Probability</th>
<th>Impact</th>
<th>Mitigation Strategy</th>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Spectrum congestion/jamming</td>
<td>Medium</td>
<td>High</td>
<td>Adaptive frequency hopping, fallback to most robust modulation, low duty cycle operation</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Supply chain disruption</td>
<td>Medium</td>
<td>Medium</td>
<td>Dual-source critical components, firmware adaptable to alternate HaLow SoCs</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Mesh protocol instability</td>
<td>Low</td>
<td>High</td>
<td>Battle-tested OLSR/B.A.T.M.A.N. adaptation, field-tested with 50+ node density</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Crypto vulnerability discovery</td>
<td>Low</td>
<td>Critical</td>
<td>Crypto-agile architecture, ability to update algorithms without hardware replacement</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Integration complexity</td>
<td>Medium</td>
<td>Medium</td>
<td>Standard IP interfaces, published API documentation, reference integration kits</td>
</tr>
</table>
<div class="warning">
<strong>Risk Acceptance:</strong> ARFHL accepts reduced peak bandwidth in exchange for survivability and low signature. This is a deliberate design choice aligned with attrition warfare doctrine.
</div>
<h3>Contingency Plans</h3>
<ul>
<li><strong>Alternative Frequencies:</strong> Design supports migration to other sub-GHz bands if primary bands become unusable</li>
<li><strong>Fallback Mode:</strong> Ultra-low rate (150 kbps) "beacon" mode maintains basic connectivity under extreme EW</li>
<li><strong>Legacy Integration:</strong> Gateway can interface with traditional tactical radios as emergency backhaul</li>
</ul>
</section>
<section>
<h2>9. Network Topology Overview</h2>
<div class="diagram">
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<circle cx="400" cy="90" r="40" fill="#1e88e5"/>
<text x="400" y="95" fill="#ffffff" text-anchor="middle">Gateway</text>
<circle cx="180" cy="250" r="35" fill="#43a047"/>
<circle cx="400" cy="320" r="35" fill="#43a047"/>
<circle cx="620" cy="250" r="35" fill="#43a047"/>
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<text x="180" y="255" fill="#ffffff" text-anchor="middle">Node</text>
<text x="400" y="325" fill="#ffffff" text-anchor="middle">Node</text>
<text x="620" y="255" fill="#ffffff" text-anchor="middle">Node</text>
<!-- Additional nodes to show mesh density -->
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<circle cx="520" cy="180" r="25" fill="#43a047" opacity="0.7"/>
<circle cx="400" cy="400" r="25" fill="#43a047" opacity="0.7"/>
</svg>
<p style="text-align: center; margin-top: 15px;"><em>Self-forming mesh with multiple redundant paths. Network remains connected even with node loss (grayed nodes).</em></p>
</div>
</section>
<div class="cta-box">
<h3>Next Steps for Procurement Evaluation</h3>
<p>For detailed specifications, classified briefings, or to schedule a field demonstration with your operational units:</p>
<p><strong>Contact:</strong> [Point of Contact - Program Manager]</p>
<p><strong>Available:</strong> Technical data packages, test reports, reference architectures, and operational concept briefings.</p>
</div>
<div class="footer">
ARFHL Tactical Communications System — Open, Distributed, Survivable, Scalable<br>
<small>Designed for attrition warfare based on lessons from contemporary conflicts</small>
</div>
</body>
</html>
|
