Method For Incorporating High-fidelity Engineering Models Into Distributed Simulations

The proposed work will develop a concept for incorporating high-fidelity system performance models into SIMNET-like simulators for sensors. The models will include end-to-end modeling of sensor to virtual battlefield radiometric input and the transmission of sensor responses over a network. Sensor response modeling will include subsystem models of optics or antenna, transducer, signal and data processors, data transmission, and coupling to the platform controlling sensor position, line-of-sight direction and motion. The required sensor performance models, constrained to operate on workstation-class computers, provide real-time sensor responses. The concept consists of a system capable of building a robust Sensor Response Simulation (SRS) applicable to any desired sensor, but unconstrained with regard to execution time; plus algorithm development procedures to yield real time transformation algorithms between the virtual battlefield state and the sensor response. Phase I will prove concept usefulness and validity by delivering an SRS system prototype with a fully developed real-time sensor response model for the strategic DSP and another system representative of a tactical class sensor. Phase II deliverables will include the SRS system with integrated DIS or SIMNET interoperability and documented procedures for adding a simulator for any sensor. ANTICIPATED BENEFITS: The workstation-class system for building robust end-to-end sensor response simulations will have widespread application to sensor engineering, material acquisition, and C3 training of sensor effectiveness. All government and commercial enterprises involved in sensor system engineering, for any application from defense to environmental monitoring, will benefit from this technology.