ASYNCHRONOUS
TRANSFER MODE (ATM) SIMULATION
This simulation provides for the
evaluation of networks using ATM techniques, the Broadband-Integrated Service
Data Network (BISDN) standard for wide area networks, to meet the demand of a broad
set of user requirements. The
simulation can provide for Variable Bit Rate (VBR) and Constant Bit Rate (CBR)
services. The different ATM adaption
sublayers are simulated (convergence and segmentation, and reassembly
sublayers) as well as the ATM sublayers (virtual channel switching and virtual
path switching). The routing algorithm
implemented in this virtual circuit oriented system is a saturation
algorithm. The user can perform
analysis of average cell delay per virtual circuit as well as the overall
performance of the communications system.
PACKET
SWITCH NETWORK SIMULATION
Simulation of the Packet Switched
Network includes backbone and access packet switches, and host subscribers
connected directly to a packet switch, or to a LAN connected to a packet
switch. It was designed to meet a broad
range of data communications requirements.
Protocols are modeled in detail, along physical lines, to characterize
each layer. Dynamic shortest path first
routing algorithm permits network evaluation under changing load and stress
conditions. The simulation was designed
to overlay the Circuit Switch Network simulation so that voice and data loading
can be assessed under specified conditions.
The model includes instrumentation to facilitate analysis of network
performance measures, including throughput and response time.
CIRCUIT
SWITCHING SIMULATION
Simulation of the Circuit Switched
Network includes backbone and access circuit switches, and mobile and fixed
voice and data subscribers. The simulation was designed for evaluation
of network performance under a broad range of loading and environmental stress
conditions. Adaptive flood search
routing and signaling algorithms and protocols are modeled in detail, along
physical lines. The model includes instrumentation
to analyze the capacity of the network under realistic stress conditions,
including dynamic link error rates generated from the connectivity simulations
described above.
LOCAL
AREA NET (LAN) ETHERNET SIMULATION
Simulation of a LAN based on IEEE
802.2 and 802.3 standards. The
simulation is designed to allow a wide range of input subscriber
characteristics. Protocols at the
Logical Link Control Layer, the Media Access Control sublayer, and the Physical
layer are modeled in detail to enable evaluation of ethernet performance. Instrumentation provides measures of message
delays, and clock time of colliding messages and identification of their
sources.
DISTRIBUTED
QUEUE DUAL BUS (DQDB) SIMULATION
The DQDB simulation provides for the
evaluation of a very flexible high speed subnetwork for interconnection of
clusters of users within a local area.
The simulation provides for two kind of services: the Queue Arbitrated (QA) and the
Pre-Arbitrated (PA) services, which allow for a free mix of connectionless and
isochronous transmission services. The
Distributed Queue Dual Bus algorithm to access and interface with the busses is
simulated in detail. The request (by priority)
and busy bits are provided for in this simulation. The user can use this basic cell structure in this simulation to
predict average delivery time for messages under different traffic stress
conditions.
ATM/MULTIPLE
DQDB/GATEWAY SIMULATION
This simulation provides for
analyzing the end-to-end performance of multiple (up to 50) DQDB local area
networks interconnected by an ATM wide area network via gateways. The simulation, based upon statistics and
user input parameters, switches from a high resolution ATM model to a low
resolution ATM model. The gateway can
handle both: The ATM Constant Bit Rate
(BCR) and the Variable Bit Rate (VBR) translation to the corresponding DQDB
Pre-Arbitrated (PA) and Queue-Arbitrated (QA) services.
OPTIMIZATION
SITING SIMULATION
The Antenna Position Optimization
Model enables the operator to use the capabilities of the General Simulation
System (GSS) Optimization Subsystem and the enhanced Fast propagation
Prediction System (FPPS) to seek improved positions. An improved position is one at which the node has better overall
connectivity on its set of links than that which existed at the starting
position. Starting positions may be
taken from a network deployment/laydown, or they may be specified at new
locations. The electronic interference
environment may be benign or hostile,
including the presence of dynamic threat jammers that are moving.
TERRAIN
& FOLIAGE DATA MANAGEMENT SYSTEM
An off-line data management system
using standard U.S. Government (NIMA) DTED to generate a terrain and foliage
databases over a flexible area of interest for fast execution by the Fast
Propagation Prediction system. Includes
coordinate conversion using multiple grid zones and grid zone crossing
algorithms.
MOBILE
TELEPHONE SIMULATION
A mobile subscriber radio telephone
simulation incorporating central nodes as well as access networks to show affiliation,
migration and connectivity in a dynamic situation. Detailed models of the mobile subscribers and their telephones,
the radio access units and the other nodes account for migration within and
across central node communities.
Determination of connectivity is based on receiver operating
characteristics taken from radio specifications or laboratory data, and PSI's
Fast Propagation Prediction System, which accounts for rough terrain and
foliage, with interference as defined by the user. Operational dynamics such as movement and downtime due to
equipment failure are also modeled.
MOBILE
AND FIXED TELECOMMUNICATIONS SIMULATION
This capacity simulation provides
for calculating call setup time and grade of service for a circuit switched
system using an adaptive routing algorithm to select and allocate communication
resources between source and destination subscribers. The system uses an inband signaling scheme for access nodes and
an out-of-band signaling scheme for backbone nodes to establish the
connections. The routing information is
transmitted on a dedicated channel.
This simulation can take input files from both/either the Dynamic VHF
Mobile Radio Telephone simulation and/or the UHF Multichannel Radio
Connectivity simulation. This simulation
contains the following models: Subscriber Model, Node Model, and Link Model.
MOBILE
RADIO COMMUNICATION NETWORK MANAGEMENT SYSTEM SIMULATION
This is a capacity data distribution
system simulation using access:
Frequency Division Multiple Access (FDMA), Time Division Multiple Access
(TDMA), and Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA). It uses a virtual dedicated circuit scheme to allocate
communication resources between communication radio units to satisfy user needs. It also uses a centralized control net for
synchronization purposes for frequency allocation. This timeslot message level simulation contains detailed models
of network management algorithms as well as distributed routing algorithms in
order to predict system performance under interference, traffic, and movement
stress conditions.
DYNAMIC
UHF RADIO DATA NETWORK CONNECTIVITY SIMULATION
This simulation calculates
connectivity based on the receiver operating characteristics taken from radio
specifications or laboratory data, and PSI's Fast Propagation Prediction system
which accounts for propagation path losses in rough terrain, with interference
as defined by the user. Unit and
interferer movement are modeled. This
simulation contains the following models:
Radio Model, Antenna Model, E-M Environment Model, and Dynamic
Interference Model.
DYNAMIC
VHF MOBILE RADIO TELEPHONE SIMULATION
This simulation provides for
potential connectivity of mobile radios with a group of radio access points as
a function of time under interference conditions. Connectivity is calculated based on antenna gains, receiver
operating characteristics, environment noise values, interference, and
propagation path losses. The following models
are contained in this simulation: Network Control Model, Interference Model,
Radio Model, Antenna Model, and Environment Model. This simulation generates output data that can be used as input
to the Mobile and Fixed Station Telecommunication Simulation.
RF
DATA NETWORK CONNECTIVITY SIMULATION
PSI has built a number of simulations of data distribution systems using multiple access (TDMA, FDMA, CDMA) spread spectrum radio terminals deployed across various organizational levels. These simulations are based on various real-world situations, with movement and interference scenarios between critical incidents to determine network management and relay requirements. Individual messages are generated as traffic from host system models based on data communications requirements input by the user. Determination of connectivity is based on receiver operating characteristics taken from radio specifications or laboratory data, and PSI's Fast Propagation Prediction System, which accounts for propagation path losses in rough terrain and foliage, with interference as defined by the user. Operational dynamics such as movement and downtime due to equipment failure are also modeled.
SENSOR
DATA COMMUNICATIONS SIMULATION
A collection of GSS models used to
predict sensor message traffic requirements under realistic aircraft scenario
and threat situations. Includes host
platforms, sensors, decision processes, radio terminals, nodes, relays and
network control facilities. It flies
large numbers of individual aircraft, which can be either fixed or rotary
wing. User creates corridors and enters
information governing when flights start.
Decision rules include add and drop track information, and coasting of
tracks based on system specifications or other specifications desired by the
user.
NETTED FULL SPECTRUM SENSOR (NFSS) OPERATIONS
MANAGEMENT SYSTEM (OMS)
The
NFSS-OMS allows engineering decision-makers to perform tradeoffs in sensor
requirements and design parameters, and to support staff officer decisions in
real-time mission planning and execution.
The system contains a full suite of state-of-the-art ground based and
air delivered multi-intelligence sensors to provide full coverage of the MASINT
spectrum. The architectural design of
NFSS-OMS provides needed modules to ensure that tasking and missions of
disparate MASINT operational sensors are coordinated by the NFSS-OMS. The architecture also provides a Common
Operating Picture of the battlefield with the information derived from the
sensor systems. Sensor coverage maps
are generated automatically based on user specified parameters depicting the
areas of the battlefield covered by each sensor system. The NFSS-OMS supports connections with
sensor systems for sensor report collection, processing, data fusion and
graphical display. NFSS-OMS uses non-linear
optimization to support mission planning for both pre and post deployment to
optimize sensor emplacement, tasking, and information gathered. Interfaces with other sensor management and
control systems are supported to expand sensor fusion and deployment
deconfliction capabilities.
A simulation incorporating very
detailed contention access packet radio protocol submodels to investigate the
effects of various broadcast network protocols on user traffic. Protocols include Aloha, slotted Aloha,
nonpersistent, and P-persistent CSMA.
Models include user conversations, message processors, packet
processors, node switches, signal processors, transceivers, and the
electromagnetic environment.
SINGLE
CHANNEL RADIO NETWORK SIMULATION
This simulation was designed for
evaluation of system performance under a broad range of network configuration,
data loading, and environmental conditions.
The model permits simultaneous multinet simulation under combinations of
jamming stress including pulse, sweep, and broadcast jammers and self
interference from either the same or a different radio network. Instrumentation is provided to measure
reliability, throughput, response time, and other measures of performance, for
terminals connected directly to the single radio. For applications that provide higher layer protocols, the model
interfaces at the bit error rate level.
MULTICHANNEL
RADIO COMMUNICATIONS CONNECTIVITY SIMULATION
A simulation incorporating a large
network of multichannel microwave radio links.
It is used to determine the connectivity of a network with directional
links in a dedicated point-to-point mode carrying multiple 16 Kbit channels. Directional antenna, interference,
transceiver, and signal processor models are used to investigate new antenna
and signal processing designs to minimize the effects of mutual and external
interference.
UHF
MULTICHANNEL RADIO CONNECTIVITY SIMULATION
This simulation calculates the
connectivity of a network that uses directional antennas for interconnecting
nodes. Connectivity is based upon:
antenna gains, transmitter line losses, frequency of operation, receiver noise
figure, receiver bandwidth, ambient noise, propagation path losses and
interference power levels. This
simulation generates output data that can be used as input to the Mobile and
Fixed Station Telecommunications Simulation.
This simulation contains the following models: Network Control Model, Radio Model, Antenna Model, Environment
Model, and Interference Model.
MULTICHANNEL
RADIO LINK SIMULATION
Simulation is based on the Network
Capacity simulations described above.
The simulation permits investigation and analysis of degradation
mechanisms, system responses to disturbances, and the effectiveness of
switching and routing algorithms in minimizing susceptibility. It also permits analysis of system
performance when subjected to specific interference waveforms. The simulation aids in quantifying switching
performance susceptibility in terms of measures of performance.
AIR
DEFENSE COMMAND AND CONTROL SIMULATION
Simulates communications network
protocol layers in conjunction with radio network simulations described
above. The simulation interfaces with
other simulations to provide controlled access to the UHF media, and
highly-reliable data transmission service.
The simulation will enable analyses relevant to the reliability,
throughput, and response times of C2 systems and weapon systems.
FIRE
SUPPORT COMMAND AND CONTROL SIMULATION
Simulates a link layer protocol running in conjunction with the Single Channel Radio Network simulation described above. The simulation interfaces with Fire Support C2 simulations to provide controlled access to the VHF media, and highly-reliable data transmission service. The simulation will enable analyses relevant to the reliability, throughput, and response time of the Single Channel Radio CNR supporting Fire Support C2 systems.
EFFECTS
BASED OPERATIONS (EBO) / INTEGRATED AIR DEFENSE SYSTEM (IADS) SIMULATION
PSI
built a proof of concept simulation of an Integrated Air Defense System (IADS)
for an Effects Based Operations (EBO) effort in AFRL Rome NY. The scenario provided with the EBO-IADS
simulation is reasonably complex and uses Bosnia as the theater of operation. The scenario contains movement paths (flight
paths in this case); airplanes with UHF jammers, airplanes with early warning
receivers and self-screening jammers; red force ground UHF networks, radar
sensors, C2 units, and fire units with their own targeting radars; ground-based
coalition radios; Pedistal Mounted Stinger missiles; Bosnia contour map; and a
reference grid. Interaction of these
elements occurs in a very natural and realistic manner. Dynamic interaction with the scenario within
the simulation supports scenario changes in real time and on-the-fly “what-if”
analysis.
The Joint Semi-Automated Force (JSAF) simulation is used for large war gaming and large, man-in-the loop exercises of Command and Control (C2) systems and operations. JSAF had no communications modeling capability and always assumed perfect communications, however communications are essential to actual operations and to emerging Network Centric Warfare (NCW). The tactical heart of NCW is Link-16 that is currently provided by JTIDS/MIDS radios. As part of an AFRL multi-team effort, PSI interfaced its Link-16 Simulation with JSAF, which is a large, complex simulation maintained by Joint Forces Command (JFCOM). The Link-16 Simulation is a component of the Network Management System (NMS) built by PSI for the Link-16 Tactical Data Link (TDL). The merger of the Link-16 Simulation and JSAF leveraged prior investments by the Air Force, and was therefore developed for substantially less funding and in significantly shorter time than had the effort been started from scratch. An HLA interface was defined and built to support platform position updates and transmission requests from JSAF into the Link-16 Simulation, and to handle transmission responses to JSAF. The Link-16 NMS was used to define an operationally significant scenario and to define Link-16 networks to demonstrate full integration operability. The Link-16 Simulation computes accurate and fast radio propagation calculations over 3D terrain for the various transmitter power levels being used. The Link-16 Simulation provides visualization of terrain, terrain coutours and political boundaries, and dynamic visualization of platform movements, and RF-link and Link-16 network connectivity. The Link-16 Simulation adds communications to the JSAF C2 functions to realize true C3 operations.
ELECTRONIC SUPPORT FOR FUTURE FORCE (ESFF)
ESFF
is a SIGINT sensor capability within an Unattended Ground Sensor (UGS) package
or Tactical SIGINT Payload (TSP) of an Unattended Airborne Vehicle (UAV). ESFF capability was developed as a Science
and Technology Objective (STO). To meet
the ESFF STO requirements, PSI developed the SIGINT Model Suite to test and
evaluate ESFF’s capabilities. The SIGINT
Model Suite is used to support the system algorithm development and performance
analysis. The ESFF sensor model
supports the dynamic Ad-Hoc coordination process for performing Time Difference
Of Arrival calculations (TDOA). These
models were used in the Future Combat, Command, and Control (FCC2) and Unit of
Action Concept Experimentation Program (UACEP) experiments held at the Unit of
Action Maneuver Battle Lab (UAMBL), Ft. Knox in May 2001 and April 2002
respectively, the OF/FCS C4ISR experiment in December 2002, the UACEP
experiment in May 2003, the UADEV1 experiment in October 2003, the UADEV2
experiment in January 2004, the IE04 experiment in June 2004, the UADEV3
experiment in September 2004, and the Omni Fusion Build 1 and Build 3
experiments in January and October 2005.
These experiments were live virtual simulations with soldiers in the
loop interacting with the output of the simulated sensor systems. This provided an excellent environment where
the value of ESFF to the soldier could be analyzed. The results of the UAMBL experiments demonstrated that the
information provided by ESFF was valuable to the soldier and became a key part
of deploying their other sensor systems.
The SIGINT Model Suite uses the HLA standard. To interface with legacy distributed virtual simulation
environments such as the DIS environment, an HLA/DIS gateway was developed as
part of the SIGINT Model Suite.
DEFENSE
INFORMATION OPERATIONS PLANNING TOOL (DIOPT)
PSI
demonstrated an approach to using automated tools to create the Defensive
Information Operations Planning Tool (DIOPT) simulation that can be deployed
quickly in support of Information System (IS) operational management,
specifically to minimize system vulnerabilities. Given the operational plans for deploying an IS, a simulation of
the IS can be constructed using predeveloped models represented by icons. These models can be parameterized and thus
tailored to the specific scenarios to be represented. The IS planner can construct and modify the simulated IS network
by interconnecting IS nodes and links that the planner understands. Models of threats to the IS system can then
be used to assess the vulnerabilities of the system to various types of
attacks. This can afford a planner the
ability to determine how the IS architecture can be improved to reduce
vulnerabilities, particularly to mission critical tasks, and to predetermine
best courses of action to counter an attack.
The DIOPT effort represented a broad proof-of-concept approach that
demonstrated the feasibility of achieving multiple objectives including: design of hierarchical models of typical IS
equipment to demonstrate how they can be interconnected to create a meaningful
running simulation during operations; building of Smart Network Models, represented by icons, for Higher Level
Modelers and Analysts to quickly build smart network models; assessment
and minimization of IS vulnerabilities and simulation of various attacks;
real-time collection and analysis of IS architecture information through interfaces
to the IS network resident intrusion detection systems; IS real-time detection
and countering attacks via interfaces to live equipment and agents; on-screen,
real-time alarms to further investigation to aid in the rapid determination of
the best courses of action to be taken.
JOINT RANGE EXTENSION GATEWAY (JREG) SIMULATION
The
Joint Range Extension Gateway (JREG) is a communications gateway/router using
long-haul communication links to transfer data between JTIDS/MIDS RF networks.
Link-16 networks such as JTIDS are Line-of-Sight (LOS) and would require
airborne relays to communicate Beyond Line-Of-Sight (BLOS). The JRE provides
the JTIDS with BLOS capability via multiple types of long-haul media such as
UHF and SHF satellites and landline.
JREG consists of an important set of capabilities and is being deployed
with greater frequency. JREG
considerations often factor into Joint Information Communications Officer
(JICO) planning of Multi-TADIL Networks
(MTNs). MIL-STD 3011 provides the
standards for the Joint Range Extension Application Protocol (JREAP) that is
used by JRE gateways. For this effort
PSI researched the various capabilities and modes of operation of JREAP and
defined and built a simulation architecture and models in support of JREG functionality. PSI focused on development of requirements
and simulation architecture for JRE models that are associated with
point-to-point interfaces to Link-16 terminals and to Satellite Ground Stations
(Appendix B of 3011). A detailed JREG
processor model and associated initialization and statistics collection models
were built and integrated into a simulation framework designed to exercise the
JREG model. The JREG simulation
contains “stub” models to serve as interfaces to JTIDS terminals and to Satellite
systems. These models support TADIL-J message traffic generation to exercise
and assess the JREG model. The
interfaces between the “stub” models and the JREG model were designed such that
the JREG model could easily be interfaced to detailed models of JTIDS and
Satellite systems.
UHF TACTICAL SATELLITE COMMUNICATIONS SIMULATION
Satellites
play an increasingly important role in military operations for reach-back, BLOS
tactical communications, and support of newer high bandwidth needs such as video
imaging from UAVs, etc. USAF ACC and
C2ISR staff has stated that the addition of satellites is critically important
to JTIDS/MIDS planning and simulation.
To this end, PSI architected, designed and built preliminary models for
satellite constellations, radios, and for environmental factors such as
weather, noise, etc. The geostationary
UHF Follow-on (UFO) satellite constellation and associated ground stations were
modeled along with propagation and weather affects. UFO satellites are most important to tactical communications and
are used for Joint Range Extension (JRE) of Link-16 Tactical Data Links
(TDLs). Communications traffic and
protocols were modeled after the 25 KHz Demand Assigned Multiple Access (DAMA)
protocol. Models were built to handle
incoming and outgoing X.25-type packets, link budget calculations including
effective isotropic radiated power, receiver antenna gain and noise levels for
earth stations and satellites. The
propagation model computed propagation of up and down links, and another model
handled the affects of rain attenuation on links. Traffic generation models were used to stimulate the satellite
models and statistics models accumulated performance measurements.
LINK-11 HF TERMINAL PLANNING TOOL
After
Link-16, Link-11 is the next most important Tactical Data Link (TDL) network to
support. Link-11 operates in both the
HF and UHF radio bands. PSI had fast,
robust and validated radio and propagation models for UHF communications and
networking, however newer models were needed for HF Link-11 propagation. Therefore, PSI built HF radio and
propagation models needed to support HF and developed Link-11 Terminal models
and HMIs associated with weather and solar condition inputs. PSI also developed models for analysis and
reports. In building these new models,
PSI explored the full set of Link-11/11B operating modes (RF, cable connected,
etc.), the 6011C message set used by Link-11, and Joint Information
Communications Officer (JICO) operations and planning functions. The PSI Link-16 Planning Tool served as the
basis for building the Link-11 HF Planning Tool. Link-11 radio operation is completely different from Link-16. Each Link-11 unit is referred to as a
Participating Unit (PU). Each network
requires a Network Control Station (NCS).
The typical operation (assumed for this design) is to have the NCS poll
each Picket (non-NCS PU) in the network for information that needs to be
sent. The Network Cycle Time (NCT) is
the term used to describe the time it takes to complete the polling cycle
once. This time is dependant on network
activity and is different for each cycle.
The radios compute their own NCT value based on the time between when
they are polled. The Link-11 HF
Terminal Planning Tool supports interactive deployment of Link-11 platforms on
dynamic movement paths, assignment of Link-11 PU radio and antenna parameters,
input and modification of environmental parameters including noise, required
SNR, sunspots, etc. The Planning Tool
also supports interactive building of Link-11 Nets and visualization of HF RF
and Link-11 network connectivity.
ARCHITECTURE ASSESSMENT TOOL (AAT)
The
AAT is a combination of a planning tool and simulation that is used to assess
the impact of passing TCP/IP messaging through the Link-16 Tactical Data Link
(TDL). The Global
Strike Task Force requires an adaptive and responsive force that can go into a
theater with selected elements from different organizations tailored to carry
out desired objectives. A
single network cannot solve this huge problem.
Different types of networks are needed and many are being
developed. It has become apparent that
an assessment of the desired Joint/Coalition communications architectures are
needed immediately. The AAT is a step in this direction. The use and importance of IP communications
is growing as Network Centric Warfare (NCW) expands, while Link-16 is the
tactical heart of NCW. The AAT combines
elements of the PSI Link-16 Network Management System with a PSI simulation and
models of SINCGARS TCP/IP communications.
A gateway model is used to interconnect TCP/IP traffic with the Link-16
network. The AAT can be used to define
and size Link-16 networks to support TCP/IP traffic. AAT simulation traffic generation and analytical capabilities can
then be used to assess the performance of TCP/IP over Link-16 and the impacts
on other Link-16 networks and trade-offs in network and gateway design. The AAT is intended to serve as a framework
for adding new communications and networking models such as satellites, Joint
Range Extension, Common Link Integration Processing (CLIP), and emerging
Airborne Networking (AN) capabilities including airborne routers.
SIGINT ELECTRONIC COLLECTION PLANNING TOOL
This
planning tool optimizes flight paths for platforms collecting SIGINT data, and
determines the positions of waypoints that maximized a given SIGINT collection
measure while meeting constraints such as total fuel, total distance and time,
and maximized distance from threats that could detect and neutralize the
mission. A user can specify waypoints
by interactively placing points for the flight path on a map. Alternatively, the user can specify just the
starting and ending points of the flight path and the number of desired
waypoints, and let the system find the optimal locations of the other
waypoints. Different target types can
be loaded into the system.
Visualization of the flight paths, terrain, and foliage, rivers, towns
and road networks is provided. Terrain
contours are derived from NIMA’s WGS-84 terrain databases. The SIGINT collection-planning tool uses
PSI’s FPPS to determine radio path losses over the 3D terrain. A SIGINT sensor model includes detailed and
accurate antenna models and data, a radio receiver model that determines the
quality of signal reception in different bands. A collection control and evaluation model for the sensor
determines the pattern of frequencies tracked, the duration of each, and the
effectiveness of the collection process over given time intervals. An aircraft platform model determines the
changes in flight direction, speed and altitude over time that influenced
signal detection events.