Problem Conceptualization & Resolution of Network Problems in Tactical Environment

The methods that has been historically developed and fielded for alarm and fault management in traditional communications networks do not provide adequate operational assurance for complex ad hoc tactical networks, especially for unskilled and inadequately trained operational personnel. Work on tactical network operations management that is proposed under A09-150 will use a novel approach that integrates the following key technologies: (a) Cognitive network and mission situation awareness; (b) Intelligent and highly visual network operator interface that is adaptable to the skill-levels of network operators; (c) Real-time spatio-temporal event correlation; and (d) Distributed multi-agent system (MAS) technology. These key technologies are embedded into the Multi-Agent Systems Based Situation Management (MAS-SM) architecture developed at Altusys. Our goal is to produce a technology that will significantly automate critical tactical network management processes, increase the cognitive decision-making power of network personnel and reduce the mission accomplishment time-frame. We have already shown an effective implementation environment for tactical situation awareness and decision support for the tasks that we addressed in the AFRL and MDA contracts using the Altusys’ real-time situation management technology and distributed multi-agent systems (MAS) implementation environment. Our plan is to investigate the feasibility of using the same implementation environment for the A09-150 contract.