| Much like the flight simulators used to train pilots,
“Software virtual networks” provide a robust platform
to conduct network testing and operations training with
unprecedented levels of realism. SVN’s can be built
that enable the evaluation of new technologies rapidly
and at much lower cost than previously possible.
Scalable Network Technologies (SNT), a Los Angeles-based
provider of software for mobile wireless networks, will
launch this new technology under the brand name EXataTM
on November 17th at MILCOM 08. MILCOM is an annual gathering
of the world’s elite military and government communications
subject matter experts for advancing the latest ideas
in technology.
From Testing to Training
The military does not yet know if the future on-the-move
communication networks that have so much promise will
perform as needed to support network-centric operations.
That’s the question that EXata technology is designed
to answer. EXata SVN’s are ready-made platforms that
can be used for conducting highly realistic testing
and training. The technology advancement that enables
EXata to deliver this realism is referred to as true
or real-time emulation - an exact digital replication
of a physical wireless network. Any hardware, software,
or human user connected to an EXata SVN is not able
to discern a difference between real networks and components
and their virtual (emulated) replacements. They interact
exactly as if they were in the deployed network – including
the effects of terrain, weather conditions and buildings,
as well as dynamic mobile elements.
New Testing Paradigm Displaces Complex,
Costly Testbeds
Network testing is incredibly complex and costly because
scientifically rigorous studies require repeated trials.
Being able to start and stop trials - as well as pause
and modify parameters on the fly - is necessary to efficiently
conduct such experiments. EXata SVN’s displace the traditional
model of physical testbed evaluation by leveraging the
flexibility and low cost of simulation to produce the
highly accurate, highly detailed results of a testbed.
Furthermore, the EXata SVN can stay in service throughout
the lifecycle of the system to provide increasing levels
of detail and realism as the project demands. Future
best-of-breed network testing and evaluation solutions
will incorporate hybrid systems of simulated, physical
(real), and emulated components into a single evaluation
platform for scalable and realistic network experimentation.
Proficiency Training, War Gaming Updating,
and TTPs
EXata SVN’s can improve warfighter and commander training
in a number ways – development of proficiency in using
on-the-move communication systems, bringing realistic
communication scenarios to war gaming, and assisting
military planners to modify tactics, techniques, and
procedures (TTPs) for network-centric operations.
EXata brings to the realm of training the ability to
exercise personnel in using on-the-move communications
to maximum advantage in critical situations. The SVN
enables signal officers and warfighters to experience
system failures - such as loss of communication assets
or the system not performing as expected - and work
out solutions in real time. Exposing military personnel
to frustrations and threats in the safety of a virtual
context enables development of skills to deal with breakdowns
and mitigate the impact on their mission success.
Another area EXata can improve training is in war gaming.
War gaming systems typically assume perfect communications,
meaning that a message sent by entity A to entity B
is assumed to be received instantaneously and with 100%
reliability. Anyone who uses a cell phone understands
that fallacy. EXata SVN’s inject realistic communication
infrastructure and environmental effects into constructive,
live or virtual war gaming systems to better prepare
commanders and warfighters for reliance on network-centric
systems.
A third training application that stands to benefit
from EXata SVN’s is military planning for network-centric
operations. By exposing commanders and fighting units
to a realistic representation of mobile communications
infrastructures, in the context of activities they will
engage, effective and appropriate modifications to TTPs
can be implemented to increase warfighter effectiveness.
The same virtual network can then be employed to train
warfighters and commanders on the modified TTPs.
What Makes Real-Time Emulation Possible?
EXata breaks new ground in speed and fidelity compared
to the current class of simulation and emulation systems.
The underlying computer code, known as the kernel, is
built with patent-pending computationally efficient
code that dramatically increases speed and accuracy
on any computing platform. EXata is the only emulation
system that can use advanced parallel processing to
digitally represent every layer in the wireless communications
protocol “stack.” EXata also produces superior predictability
of actual performance. As a result, many more potential
solutions can be tested and evaluated, allowing engineers
to solve more problems with fewer technical compromises. |
