IDA-NET: an intelligent decision aid for battlefield communications network configuration

The authors discuss the development of a research prototype expert module called the intelligent decision aid network expert module (IDA-NET). In IDA-NET, a two-phase genetic algorithm approach is used to provide an intelligent mobile subscriber equipment (MSE) network configuration. MSE provides communications support for a typical five-division corps in an area of up to 15,000 square miles. Based on the predefined mission requirements, IDA-NET determines which components are needed to support the mission, how many of each component type is needed, and the locations where the backbone components should be placed in the battlefield to support the communications customers. The approach to developing the network expert module is given, and recent successful network configuration results are outlined