# Harnessing the Potential of Emerging Technologies to Break Down Barriers in Tactical Communications
## 3 Emerging Technologies as Potential Candidates: Overview
Likewise, this type of network is configured automatically, which leads to a reduction in operating costs [47]. SDN benefits from network virtualization to better adapt to changes and increase network security by being more robust due to process automation, which is essential in the case of the military field [48]. In this sector, there is a large amount of data flow and applications that are handled, and thus, the requirement to reduce reaction time during missions is paramount. * **SDR:** This system uses software to process various tasks in the transceiver (modulation, demodulation, encoding, etc.) instead of traditional hardware components [49]. The typical SDR setup involves an RF interface connected to a computer that performs analog-to-digital and reverse conversions to send or receive signals [50]. In the military field [51], it is recognized as a great solution capable of shaping more powerful and flexible tactical radios since they have a design that allows radio communications in areas not covered by telecommunications infrastructures and provides firm and resistant connectivity on the battlefield. The next features for SDR are highlighted considering future military missions: 1. High \"probability of intercept\" also known as \"probability of interception\", within the ultra-wideband RF range. This improves detection capabilities and shortens response time. 2. High data throughput, enabling low latency and real-time services. 3. Ability to coordinate communications in real-time in various locations and combat operations. 4. Re-transmission of radio signals that overcomes physical obstacles, expands network coverage, and allows flexibility in entering radio networks operating in different RF bands. * **Reconfigurable intelligent surface (RIS):** This novel antenna, constructed from cost-effective meta-surfaces, possesses the capability to manipulate signals for desired reflections, greatly augmenting data transmission from the sender to the receiver. In [52], challenges for RIS can be found to understand the opportunities that a new antenna architecture offers to wireless communications. This proves beneficial in tactical scenarios to evade interference from enemy signals, serving as an effective anti-jamming technique [53]. Currently, there is not a designated RIS design tailored for tactical scenarios. * **Joint sensing and communications (JSC)**: New waveforms can perform both simultaneous functions [54]. This is applied specifically to radar systems. Radar can detect and identify targets, while communication transmits information between assets, giving us new enhanced radars [55,56]. In addition, we can include the internet functionality to obtain a new concept called \"Internet of radars\" [57]. * **AI-native air interface (AINAI)**: It delineates a revolutionary shift from the traditional approach to designing, standardizing, and developing communication systems. The aim is to provide an architecture with the most crucial data in the most efficient manner, taking into account the limitations of the existing hardware and radio environment [58]. Wireless communications are researching this new approach, which is a challenge for military communications. * **Non-coherent processing in massive MIMO**: It is one of the base technologies of the new radio (NR) defined by 5G for access. It consists of equipping base stations or terminals with multiple antennas. Advances in signal processing have raised a massive number of antennas, giving rise to massive multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) systems. As the number of antennas increases, we need to estimate and know more information about communication channels, complicating signal processing. For this reason, non-coherent processing techniques are emerging as a potential candidate associated with massive MIMO [59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64]. This is interesting for tactical scenarios since these techniques do not need pilot signals, where a lot of useful system information is carried. In this way, it reduces the risk of capture by the enemy.