A DIS Variant for Reducing Latency In Long-Haul Networks

The Distributed Interactive Simulation (DIS) protocol wastes bandwidth. This severely limits the number of network entities on bandwidth-constrained long-haul networks (LHNs). DIS is a fairly static protocol, in that it is difficult, time-consuming, and costly to add new types of vehicles and munitions to it. LHNs introduce transmission latencies that can adversely impact the stability of command and control feedback systems so crucial to Precision Strike. We propose a DIS variant that is much more bandwidth-efficient, that introduces less latency, and that accepts new entity and munition types more readily than does DIS. We propose to use an ARPA funded DIS extension, the Migratory Object Protocol, to overcome LHN-induced latency. This will enhance the fidelity of Precision Strike simulations.