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<!DOCTYPE html>
<html lang="en">
<head>
<meta charset="UTF-8">
<title>ARFHL Tactical 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. ARFHL provides secure transport for messages,
telemetry, images, and opportunistic video using open standards and a survivable
mesh architecture.
</p>
<span class="badge">IEEE 802.11ah</span>
<span class="badge">Sub-GHz</span>
<span class="badge">Post-Quantum Ready</span>
<span class="badge">No Vendor Lock-In</span>
</header>
<section>
<h2>1. Product Description</h2>
<p>
The ARFHL system is a portable Wi-Fi HaLow (IEEE 802.11ah) mesh network designed to
function in environments where no existing communications infrastructure can be
assumed and where electromagnetic conditions are hostile.
</p>
<p>
Unlike centralized tactical radios or SATCOM-dependent systems, ARFHL operates as
a <strong>self-forming, self-healing distributed network</strong>. Each node may act
as an endpoint, relay, or gateway without manual RF planning.
</p>
<h3>Key Characteristics</h3>
<ul>
<li>Sub-GHz operation for extended range and terrain penetration</li>
<li>Graceful degradation from Mbps to kbps under jamming or low SNR</li>
<li>Peer-to-peer mesh with optional backbone formation</li>
<li>Standard IP transport for interoperability with civilian and military devices</li>
<li>Designed for low electromagnetic signature and intermittent connectivity</li>
</ul>
<h3>Technical Specifications (ARFHL-AP)</h3>
<table>
<tr><th>Feature</th><th>Specification</th></tr>
<tr><td>Standard</td><td>IEEE 802.11ah (Wi-Fi HaLow)</td></tr>
<tr><td>Frequency</td><td>Sub-1 GHz (regional bands)</td></tr>
<tr><td>Data Rate</td><td>150 kbps – 86.7 Mbps (adaptive)</td></tr>
<tr><td>Range</td><td>>1 km (terrain dependent)</td></tr>
<tr><td>Modulation</td><td>OFDM (BPSK, QPSK, 16/64/256-QAM)</td></tr>
<tr><td>Topology</td><td>Mesh / Star / Relay</td></tr>
<tr><td>Security</td><td>WPA3 + Hybrid Post-Quantum Key Exchange</td></tr>
<tr><td>OTA Updates</td><td>Supported (air-gapped capable)</td></tr>
<tr><td>Power Profile</td><td>Low-power, multi-day active, multi-year standby</td></tr>
</table>
</section>
<section>
<h2>2. Concept of Operations (CONOPS)</h2>
<h3>Mission Context</h3>
<p>
ARFHL is intended for platoon to battalion-level operations in environments where:
</p>
<ul>
<li>Fixed infrastructure is absent or destroyed</li>
<li>Spectrum is contested or actively jammed</li>
<li>Command nodes are subject to targeting</li>
<li>Logistics resupply is uncertain</li>
</ul>
<h3>Operational Flow</h3>
<ul>
<li>Nodes are deployed manually, by vehicle, or by personnel</li>
<li>Network self-forms within seconds without RF planning</li>
<li>Traffic prioritization ensures command and text traffic survives first</li>
<li>Images and video are transferred opportunistically</li>
<li>Network continues operating despite loss of individual nodes</li>
</ul>
<h3>Supported Traffic</h3>
<ul>
<li>Encrypted text messaging and command data</li>
<li>Still images (UAV, body-worn cameras)</li>
<li>Low-frame-rate situational video (best-effort)</li>
<li>Sensor and telemetry data</li>
</ul>
</section>
<section>
<h2>3. Threat Model and EW Survivability</h2>
<h3>Threat Assumptions</h3>
<ul>
<li>Wideband and narrowband jamming</li>
<li>RF direction finding and emitter geolocation</li>
<li>Node capture and physical compromise</li>
<li>Intermittent connectivity and network partitioning</li>
</ul>
<h3>Survivability Measures</h3>
<ul>
<li>Sub-GHz operation reduces path loss and required transmit power</li>
<li>Adaptive duty cycling minimizes RF emissions</li>
<li>No constant beacons or centralized control traffic</li>
<li>Distributed routing avoids decapitation failures</li>
<li>End-to-end encryption with forward secrecy</li>
</ul>
<h3>Limitations (Explicit)</h3>
<ul>
<li>Not designed for sustained high-definition video streaming</li>
<li>Not a replacement for long-range SATCOM</li>
<li>Performance degrades under continuous broadband jamming</li>
</ul>
</section>
<section>
<h2>4. Training and Documentation</h2>
<p>
ARFHL is designed to minimize training burden under combat conditions.
</p>
<ul>
<li>Operator training: hours, not weeks</li>
<li>No RF engineering background required</li>
<li>Quick-reference cards for field use</li>
<li>CLI and GUI manuals for signal officers</li>
</ul>
<p>
Documentation includes:
</p>
<ul>
<li>Operator handbook</li>
<li>Signal officer configuration guide</li>
<li>Security and crypto management manual</li>
<li>Maintenance and field repair instructions</li>
</ul>
</section>
<section>
<h2>5. Manufacturing and MRL Roadmap</h2>
<h3>Design Philosophy</h3>
<ul>
<li>COTS silicon where survivable</li>
<li>Open firmware architecture</li>
<li>No export-restricted proprietary waveforms</li>
</ul>
<h3>Manufacturing Readiness Levels</h3>
<table>
<tr><th>MRL</th><th>Status</th></tr>
<tr><td>MRL 3–4</td><td>Functional prototypes validated in lab and field trials</td></tr>
<tr><td>MRL 5</td><td>Pilot production using contract electronics manufacturers</td></tr>
<tr><td>MRL 6</td><td>Low-rate initial production with environmental testing</td></tr>
<tr><td>MRL 7+</td><td>Scalable production leveraging civilian supply chains</td></tr>
</table>
</section>
<section>
<h2>6. Security Architecture</h2>
<ul>
<li>WPA3 baseline security</li>
<li>Hybrid classical + post-quantum key exchange (e.g., X25519 + Kyber)</li>
<li>Algorithm agility via firmware updates</li>
<li>No mandatory cloud or subscription services</li>
<li>Supports air-gapped operation</li>
</ul>
<p>
Security design prioritizes survivability, crypto agility, and rapid field updates
over static, hard-coded solutions.
</p>
</section>
<section>
<h2>7. Network Topology Overview (SVG)</h2>
<div class="diagram">
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<text x="400" y="105" fill="#ffffff" text-anchor="middle">Gateway</text>
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<text x="600" y="255" fill="#ffffff" text-anchor="middle">Node</text>
</svg>
</div>
</section>
<div class="footer">
ARFHL Tactical Communications System – Open, Distributed, Survivable
</div>
</body>
</html>
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