Exploiting dynamic source routing to enable undersea networking over an ad-hoc topology

The standardization of network protocols and interfaces will significantly enhance the capabilities of autonomous undersea vehicles (AUVs) as they become more commonplace. A range of AUV systems are emerging, each with different strengths and attributes, and the ability for these to be cooperatively deployed requires that standard interoperability protocols be established. This paper provides an overview of an effort called AUSNET (Autonomous Undersea Systems Network). AUSNET addresses the requirements imposed by the need for ad-hoc self forming networks that can operate in the low-bandwidth undersea environment. AUSNET is focusing on the creation of a network capability based on dynamic source routing (DSR), including the application programmer interface (API) between the network drivers and the autonomous undersea applications using these drivers. The goal is to create a robust and efficient set of standard protocols and specifications that can be adopted by the UAV community to enable interoperability to be achieved rapidly and cost effectively.