Waveforms like Wi-Fi, 4G/5G, and Bluetooth satisfy the general population’s basic wireless communication and information sharing needs, but the static nature of these fixed waveforms is vulnerable to instability. Decades often pass between updated versions of wireless protocols.
The ability to quickly conduct point-to-point communications across dynamic environments – from secure facilities to “the wild” – is integral to the national security mission. While U.S. government (USG) waveform names are lesser known to the general population, USG invests heavily in waveform development to meet these needs. But due to the broad nature of missions, waveform development can be slow, expensive, and repetitious. The waveform development and acquisition cycle may take years, which can make new waveforms obsolete before becoming fully operational in a rapidly changing world. Therefore, communications frameworks that can generate on-demand waveforms are especially attractive when the time and cost of developing new waveforms to meet fluid mission needs are prohibitively high.