Alaska Link-16 Coverage Analysis and Network Modeling using STK Chetan Desai Lt. Peter Buikema Pg 1 of 17
Corporate Overview ProLogic Inc, a software systems development and engineering services company Founded in 1995 8(a) and SDB Certified (Graduation December 2007) Offices in West Virginia, Pennsylvania, and Washington, DC area Mixed Model Business - Products and Services USAF our largest customer FY03 revenue of $15 million Financially stable and profitable since inception Prime on most contracts; sub on few large acquisitions Top Secret Clearance DoD and National Agency Cleared personnel STK Business Partner - Solution Provider ESRI Business Partner, SEDRIS Associate Core Competencies Geospatial Technologies GIS, Visualization, Modeling & Simulation Knowledge Management Testing, IV&V Pg 2 of 17
Overview Link 16 Overview Newest Generation of Tactical Data Link technology provides high-capacity, multifunctional, secure, jam-resistant capability for exchange of fixed format and voice messages Thousands of units being deployed to provide technical and operational capabilities Project Goals Concept demonstration of Visual Computing based analytical capability Planning for optimum placement and networking Determine coverage and closure within operational scenarios Pg 3 of 17
Considerations Visualization high fidelity, interactive, realistic, intuitive Concept demonstration using software and standalone (PPT) Evaluate Coverage LOS Constraints Terrain, Earth Communications Constraints Distance, Link 16 Comms characteristics Closure - communication network access and planning Higher order communications modeling and environmental impacts What-if analysis sites down, AWACS, GUI Analyst tool vs. scientific tool, user vs. task oriented Pg 4 of 17
Demonstration Environment Alaska statewide Terrain, DTED 1 Maps, CADRG Imagery, selected location Planned Link-16 sites Fighter Aircraft for the scenarios AWACS to support coverage gaps AEGIS Cruiser to support coverage gaps Communication modeling Pg 5 of 17
Terrain Maps Imagery Base Data STK Implementation STK Terrain for computations STK 6.0 PDTT/PDTTX for large terrain, map, imagery visualization Pg 6 of 17
Link 16 Sites Link 16 fixed facilities Link 16 communication parameters STK Implementation Facilities at known locations Receivers and Transmitters Pg 7 of 17
Link 16 on platforms Fighters AWACS AEGIS Cruiser STK Implementation Aircraft Ship Receivers and Transmitters Pg 8 of 17
Link 16 Communications Transmitters and receivers STK Implementation Constellation of sites and platforms Chains for representing Link 16 closure Plug-in script for access computation Pg 9 of 17
Line-of-Sight Using DTED 1 terrain ~90 meter posting; 1.5 Gb STK Implementation AzEl masks for each site At altitude At range Pg 10 of 17
Dynamic (Temporal) Analysis Scenarios based on fixed sites Role of AWACS, AEGIS, Fighters in providing closure Scenario evaluation Planning process STK Implementation Access visualization Highlighting of closure gaps Site enable/disable Coverage expansion using AWACS, AEGIS Pg 11 of 17
Site/Coverage Planning Coverage Analysis AzEl masks Closure Analysis Line-of-Sight Temporal Access Network availability Visualization Situational Awareness GUI Pg 12 of 17
Big Button GUI Provides user access to pre-created sites and air/sea platforms Supports visual displays of AzEl masks Provides dynamic link closure computations and visualization within userdefined scenario Pg 13 of 17
Video Production Issues Approach Outcomes Video 1 Pg 14 of 17
2 videos Video 2 Video 3 Pg 15 of 17
Summary Leveraged STK 6.0 (Pre-release) capabilities to handle large terrain and texture (maps and imagery) datasets Demonstration uses STK/PRO, AVO, Connect, Chains, and Comm modules Modeled Link 16 Communications First order effects including Line-of-Sight constraint and range domes based on transmitter ranges Second order effects including antenna patterns and actual transmitter/receiver models possible, but not fully explored Developed scenarios to evaluate: Site locations Gaps in coverage Dynamic communication closure Demonstrate coverage gaps being filled by additional sites or air/sea platforms Developed big button GUI to facilitate easy-to-understand concept demonstration Power Visual Computing based demonstration of advanced analytical capabilities Pg 16 of 17
Acknowledgements Support from ESC/NI2 Project Management Lt Peter Buikema Assistance from Staff Josh Lane and several others Pg 17 of 17