Interface[s] Montréal

Index

Danny Collard

Ultra Electronics

Ad Hoc Networks

View the presentation [In French]

Danny Collard has been the Director of Engineering for the Tactical Communications Division at Ultra Electronics since September of 2002.
From 1985 to 2001, he successively held the positions of Design Engineer, Project Engineer, Senior Project Engineer and Director of Engineering at CMC Electronics (previously known as the Canadian Marconi Company). His experience is specifically related to the development of radios, commutators and multiplexers deployed in tactical communications systems. From 1979 to 1985, he worked as a software and materials Design Engineer at International Systcom/Novatel. In this capacity, he worked on the development of mobile radiophones, including the first cellular telephones.

Ad Hoc Networks
Various events over the last few years, such as war, natural catastrophes, acts of terrorism, etc., have exposed the fragile nature of our communications infrastructures. These systems, based on fixed installations and managed by centralised components, comprise many weak points and are highly susceptible to collapse. The capacity to implement alternative networks capable of transmitting multimedia information in just a few minutes has become an essential need at both the tactical and civilian levels. A newly emerging technology called Ad Hoc Networks would appear to respond to these recent concerns. These wireless networks are mobile, dynamic, stand-alone, and do not require infrastructures or access points. They do, however, bring about certain corollary problems relating primarily to security, broadcast delays and traffic loads. Solutions must be developed to counter these issues. Ad Hoc type nomadic networks will be used primarily for the deployment of tactical and public-security networks. Does this technology have applications across other services?