New approach to the modeling of Command and Control Information Systems

Abstract

Probability of military activities successes in great degree depends on the qualities of their tactical planning processes. A very important part of tactical planning is the planning of a command and control information systempsilas (C2IS) communication infrastructure, respectively tactical communication networks. There are several known software tools that assist the process of tactical planning. However, they are often useless because different armies use different information and communication technologies. This is the main reason we started to develop a simulation system that helps in the process of planning tactical communication networks. Our solution is based on the well-known OPNET modeler simulation environment, which is also used for some other solutions in this area. In addition to the simulation and modeling methodologies we have also developed helper software tools. TPGEN is a tool which enables the user-friendly entering and editing of tactical network models. It performs mapping from C2IS and tactical communication network descriptions to an OPNET simulation modelpsilas parameters. Because the simulation results obtained by an OPNET modeler are user-unfriendly and need expert knowledge when analyzing them, we have developed an expert system for the automatic analysis of simulation results. One of outputs from this expert system is the user-readable evaluation of tactical networkspsila performances with guidance on how to improve the network. Another output is formatted to use in our tactical player. This tactical player is an application which helps when visualizing simulation and expert system results. It is also designed to control an OPNET history player in combination with 3DNV visualization of a virtual terrain. This developed solution, in user-friendly way, helps in the process of designing and optimizing tactical networks.