Information Flow: Tactical Network Design and Bandwidth Management University XXI Texas A&M University University of Texas United States Army

Texas A&M University - U.S. Army Agenda Introduction –Motivation –Collaboration –People Background –Tactical Communications Network –Command Posts –Army Battle Command Systems Problem and Requirements Implementation Conclusion

Texas A&M University - U.S. Army Introduction - Motivation The United States Army wants to improve the use of information systems to achieve tactical advantage over potential adversaries Various information systems are already deployed with Army units, and as the Army modernizes its forces and updates its doctrine, new uses for these existing information systems are developed Simultaneously, the Army is investigating applications of new and emerging information technologies in the tactical arena These new capabilities and new systems place increasing and uncoordinated demands on the tactical data network, resulting in a bandwidth management crisis

Texas A&M University - U.S. Army Introduction - Collaboration Force XXI –The U.S. Army’s vision of future heavy-force combat –Focus on information dominance University XXI –Cooperative effort between Texas A&M University, The University of Texas, and the U.S. Army –Apply the fruits of academic knowledge, experience, and research in information systems to the military domain “Know your enemy, know yourself, and in a hundred battles you will never be in peril.” - Sun Tzu

Texas A&M University - U.S. Army Introduction - People The Principal Researchers represent a unique convergence of military and information technology experience –LTC John M. D. Hill - Armor Officer, Simulation, Graphics and GUIs, Planning Support Systems –LTC Curtis A. Carver, Jr. - Signal Officer, Networks, Adaptive Information Systems –MAJ John R. “Buck” Surdu - Infantry Officer, Acquisition Corps, Simulations, Planning Support Systems –Dr. Udo W. Pooch - Former Marine Corps, extensive experience in Simulation, Networks, Information Systems –Mr. Willis Marti - Former Army, extensive Information Systems implementation experience

Texas A&M University - U.S. Army Background - Tactical Communications Network Mobile Subscribe Equipment (MSE) components and links –Node Center (NC) –Large Extension Node (LEN) –Small Extension Node (SEN) V1 model V2 model –High-Speed MUltipleXer Card (HSMUX) Communications Architecture (MSE)

Texas A&M University - U.S. Army Background - Command Posts Three division command posts plus a support command: –Assault CP (DTAC) - two SENs –Main CP (DMAIN) - two SENs –Rear CP (DREAR) - connects through the LEN –Division Support Command - connects through the LEN Three Maneuver Brigades plus two separate brigades –Each Brigade TOC and Brigade Rear CP gets one SEN Three Separate Battalions (MI, ADA, Signal) –Each get one SEN Tactical Entities MAINREAR

Texas A&M University - U.S. Army Background - Army Battle Command System (ABCS) “A system of systems” - merged stovepipes –Maneuver: Maneuver Control System (MCS) –Intelligence: All Sources Analysis System (ASAS) –Fire Support: Advanced Field Artillery Tactical Data System (AFATDS) –Logistics: Combat Service Support Computer System (CSSCS) –Air Defense: Air and Missile Defense Planning and Control System (AMDPCS) –Others MCS ASASAFATDSCSSCS Information Systems

Texas A&M University - U.S. Army Put it all together … Communications Architecture (MSE)Tactical Entities MAINREAR Operational Conditions MCS ASASAFATDSCSSCS Information Systems

Texas A&M University - U.S. Army The Problem There is no mechanism for prioritizing the information flows or for determining the best allocation of available communication system resources to support particular operational conditions. There is no ability to examine the impact of new capabilities or new information systems –High-resolution network simulation are too low-level and don’t account for the flows from information systems –Can’t attribute network traffic to specific flows between information systems. Can’t afford to send the Division communications structure, Command Posts, and information systems to the field every time an experiment is desired.

Texas A&M University - U.S. Army The Requirements The planners need a tool for designing the tactical data network to meet the expected data bandwidth requirements of current and future battlefield information systems. This tool must be able to simulate the flows on the data network over time for different communications configurations and different operational conditions The tool must have a good model of the information flows to be able to predict network performance.

Texas A&M University - U.S. Army The Implementation - Summary Component Modeling –Tactical Data Network at the message aggregate level –ABCS Systems as flow producers –Tactical Entities change missions based on operational condition The Information Flow Drivers - between systems –Routinely generated information flows For example, ASAS database download every two hours –Other information flow patterns Modeled as distributions, table-lookup, or burst schedule. Statistics Visualization and Capture –Planner can observe the effects of changes on the overall system and “drill-down” to detailed statistical information.

Texas A&M University - U.S. Army The Implementation - Summary Flexibility –Segregation of Information Systems, Tactical Entities, and Communications Network –Flow drivers are parameterized to allow configuration of each flow, and the system allows for replacement by more accurate models as real data is captured –The planner can use the graphical user interface to change the setup of any component in the system

Texas A&M University - U.S. Army Screen Capture

Texas A&M University - U.S. Army Conclusion The Information Flow tool will enable planners to rapidly determine viable configurations based on actual mission requirements and current systems capability New and proposed systems can be added to the model and planners can determine the effects on the overall system This will result in more effective utilization of the available bandwidth and assist in determining prioritization of information flow in the future

Texas A&M University - U.S. Army Questions? If we have time … fire away! Otherwise: – { hillj | carverc | surdu } – –{ hillj | carverc | surdu | pooch