Tool for Assessing the Recuperation Time from an Electromagnetic Disruption for a Digital System

ABSTRACT:XL Scientific proposes to design and build the Restoration Time Measurement System (RTMS) a portable test system for assessing recuperation time for a computer network disrupted via high power electromagnetic (HPEM) radiation. RTMS will be a combined hardware and software solution that includes a custom software application that directly interfaces specialized computer network components for control and monitoring. RTMS will have the ability to simulate upset or damage of system components, measure the downtime while an IT team identifies and remedies the problem, record the results in a database, and then provide support for data compilation and reporting. XL Scientific has considerable combined experience performing research into the theory of recuperation time modeling, and has implemented recuperation time models appropriate to engagement-level modeling. We therefore understand the bounds and applications of the problem, and can provide a tailored system that is flexible and maintainable to maximize data collection, future utility, and interoperability with related systems.BENEFIT:The dearth of recuperation time data has affected AF studies as well as those performed in other military branches, and its pervasive it affects susceptibility, vulnerability, and lethality studies, modeling and simulation at the engagement and mission levels, as well as exercises and planning, weaponeering, tradeoff studies, and optimization. Having a good estimate of system recuperation time is as important as bounding the target system probability of effect. The Restoration Time Measurement System (RTMS) will allow AFRL/RDHE to collect recuperation time data much more easily, and in an automated and repeatable way, so that meaningful amounts of data can be collected each year. The system will also be flexible and maintainable so that it can be adapted to new PC and network hardware. Additional systems can be built to benefit other military branches in the same way. RTMS can also be used to study the impact of network partial functionality, such as in the cyber world to determine the impact of electronic attack or otherwise degraded communications. RTMS can also be used in the IT industry for training new staff, at least in identifying problem network components. Generally, RTMS will provide an overall better understanding of network operation or recuperation time for all of these applications.