Scalable Analysis Environment for Underwater Communication Networks

There is growing interest in the development of a capability to support extended unmanned underwater vehicle (UUV) operations by providing energy and communication services. The scope of this Subsequent Phase II proposal is to develop FINS, an advanced simulator for such systems, using the Joint Network Emulator (JNE)/EXata network modeling capability. FINS will provide Live, Virtual, and Constrictive (LVC) models to support development, experimentation, testing, and validation of algorithms, protocols, hardware, and operational scenarios in support of operations leveraging underwater and afloat communications and networks. In addition to high-fidelity and scalable models for underwater networks, FINS will also develop interfaces with live applications and hardware. Specific scenarios will be developed and analyzed to understand the impact of proposed architectures in support of diverse mission operations. In addition to support of other commercial and military programs, the proposed modeling environment will be specifically used to support the design and analysis of the protocols, software, and hardware systems being developed for the Forward-Deployed Energy and Communications Outpost (FDECO) Innovative Naval Prototype (INP).