South Australian research and development company, Consunet, has successfully completed its Next Generation Technologies Fund (NGTF) project commenced through Trusted Autonomous Systems in 2019. 

Distributed aUtonomous Spectrum Management – known as DUST – utilises machine learning and artificial intelligence to plan and allocate radio spectrum usage to achieve optimised spectrum utilisation in congested and contested environments.

DUST has applications in both terrestrial and satellite communications, delivering advantages for Defence through real-time, predictive understanding of the electromagnetic spectrum for manoeuvrability across all battlefields – air, land, sea and space.

Consunet’s Chief Engineer, Shane Reschke, explained the applications of the project into Electromagnetic Battle Management.

“As this collaborative project shows, effective transition of DUST research and development successes into the EMBM capability fast-tracks capability delivery for Defence,” said Mr Reschke.

“The DUST technology transferred so far has been well received, and our development team looks forward to further integration of advanced DUST components to drive spectrum operations efficiency.”

Chief Scientist at Consunet, Dr Don Gossink, believes the project’s success is the start of exciting research and development into future spectrum management capability.

“The DUST project has demonstrated world-leading efficiency dividends through the application of advanced techniques to forecast future spectrum, detect anomalies, plan and share spectrum. The ability to dynamically manage and adjust spectrum access enables rapid spectrum manoeuvre,” said Dr Gossink.

“Whilst the scientific advances are exciting, it is the applications in the commercial and defence domains that are most stimulating.

“In addition to continuing research and development, the next phase of our work will further realise leap-ahead products and capabilities.”

A collaboration between Consunet, Defence Science and Technology Group (DSTG), the University of Sydney and RMIT University, DUST has successfully been incorporated into the proposed Joint Air Battle Management System for AIR6500.

Lockheed Martin Australia’s AIR6500-1 Engineering Technical Lead, Mark Elbrow, explained Consunet worked with Lockheed Martin closely on the project to integrate DUST.

“Consunet has worked with Lockheed Martin Australia for over three years and bring a wealth of Australian developed AI and cyber security spectrum management expertise to Defence’s Joint Air Battle Management System – AIR6500-1 program,” said Mr Elbrow.

“We greatly value Consunet’s ongoing partnership, the robust discussions, analysis, and problem solving which supports marturing the proposed AIR6500-1 solution for Defence.”

Learn more about Consunet’s DUST