DARPA Packet Radio Network

From
Revision as of 12:56, 3 December 2004 by 141.20.21.142 (talk)
Jump to navigation Jump to search

Motivation

Much of today‘s wireless technology (see Wireless Networks) is based on the inspiration, ideas and concepts that have been developed at the DARPA PRNet Project. The fundamental problems of mobility and adhoc networking are still the same as 30 years ago, so it is worth having a look on the first solutions which finally led to what we know as wireless networks today.

Overview

In 1973, the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) initiated research on the feasibility of using packet-switched radio communications to provide reliable computer communications. This development was motivated by the need to provide computer network access to mobile hosts and terminals, and to provide computer communications in a mobile environment. The DARPA PRNET has evolved through the years (1973-1987) to be a robust, reliable, operational experimental network. Capabilities have been increased step by step as new algorithms were developed and implemented. During 14 years of development the DARPA PRNET has been in daily use (experimental purposes) for about 10 years. The DARPA PRNET projects includes network devices, routing protocols and protocols for automatic distributed network management.


Hardware

The Packet Radio (PR) was the main component of a PRNet.

Communication

Error Handling

Routing and Network Management

The routing protocols used in PRNet are designed to enable reliability, speed and correctness and thus include network management facilities. Routing can be split up into two main protocols: forwarding and transmission.

Forwarding

Transmission