1. Distributed simulation of realistic unmanned systems at FFI
Lars S. Løvlie

2. Outline Motivation / Applications System architecture Current status
Feature wishlist / future work

3. Introduction
7 people doing full time research specifically on unmanned systems
Project management: Halvor Bjordal, Lorns Bakstad
Involved in other Nato STO groups
SCI-186 (finished), «Architectures for ops. with manned/unmanned systems»
SCI-ET-004 (just starting), «Simulation and analysis of future ops. with manned/unmanned air and ground vehicles»
Both chaired by Morten Hansbø (FFI)
Disclaimer: Started at FFI in March this year
Background in materials science / semiconductors
Materials for high temperature / high power electronics
Solar cells

4. Motivation Theoretical analysis Field tests Simulation Visualization
Support analysis and synthesis of concepts and solutions for manned-unmanned combined operations
Theoretical analysis
Modelling
Architectures, solutions, functionality
Concepts of operation (CONOPS)
Operational activities (TTP-tactics, techniques and procedures)
Capabilities & goals: Measures of Merit
Theoretical evaluation and validation
Field tests
Field lab
RAVEN
FACNAV
C2ISR
Simulation
Visualization
Increase understanding
Evaluation
Measurements
Qualitative evaluations
Simulation a natural part of research workflow
Start with hypothesis based only on theory/intuition, test with simulations and validate in the field

5. Goals for the simulator
Provide effective visualization and scientific inspiration
Both aircraft (UAS) and ground (UGS) systems
Evaluation of concepts and solutions
both quantitative (logging) and qualitative analysis
Support research on complex issues
From BIG (organisational, concepts) to small (tactical, technical and human issues)
Distributed, modular and flexible
Functionality located at several locations/workstations (e.g. navigation and payload op.)
Currently uses DIS, will use HLA
Use existing components as much as possible
Little custom development, mostly integration of existing systems
Use NATO standards (STANAG) for communication (control + data)
Allows HW-in-the-loop with existing ground station, autopilot, platforms, etc.

6. Applications

7. Example applications Challenges which can be studied in simulations
Environmental
Snow cover, precipitation, cloud coverage, wind
Topographical
Link coverage in mountainous terrain (radio shadows)
Technical
Ground station usability, endurance, navigation, automation/autonomous operation, usefulness of particular technical solutions prior to practical implementation
Organizational
optimal geographical distribution of UAS, operator/platform ratio, integration with C2-systems & CSD

8. higher altitude aircraft relay aircraft
Raven B useful altitude (AGL)
Radio shadow, need
higher altitude aircraft
relay aircraft
Shameless plug
of Norwegian nature

9. Example applications (cont’d)
Norway currently operates low-altitude UAV’s
Communication relay operation will be advantageous
Currently a bit «exotic» for practical use => simulations
Must be studied in field tests
Low temperature operation
Salt and fresh water operations
Icing conditions
Long term reliability and lifetime
...
Crucially: Field testing always required to validate simulation results

10. Simulator Ground control station Vehicle simulator Sensor simulator
Develop plugins for
Ground control station (currently Maria, planning purchase of COTS)
Vehicle simulator (X-Plane, a serious game flight simulator)
Sensor simulator (VBS2, video transmission + sensor control)
Ground control station
Vehicle simulator
Sensor simulator

11. Com-sim. (link quality)
UAS simulator
Ground station
BMS / CSD
Cursor-on-target
STANAG 4586
Com-sim. (link quality)
Platforms
VSM
Vehicle sim.
Sensor sim.
Synchronization (HLA)
Other sim.

12. Synchronization (HLA) Other sim.
UAS simulator
«Ground station»
BMS / CSD
Cursor-on-target
«STANAG 4586»
1:1
Platforms
Vehicle sim.
«Sensor» sim.
Synchronization (HLA)
Other sim.

13. Feature wishlist / todo-list
Realism: Challenges with using e.g. VBS2 as image generator
Sensor has advanced features (e.g. much more advanced than Raven B)
Extremely good contrast images
High resolution (can be changed somewhat)
Noiseless sensors and radio reception => crystal clear images
All of the above will be changed for the worse
Need a communication simulator for generating link-issues
Long distance, loss of line-of-sight, weather, etc.
Will start with very simple simulator (link / no link), expand with time

14. Feature wishlist / todo-list (cont’d)
Implement much better autopilot for vehicle simulator
Have successfully used hw-in-the-loop (ArduPilot) in related activity
Fully STANAG compatible communication
Considering COTS software library (Instrument Control AB)
Image analysis station
Already have an in-house prototype analysis station in our field lab
Will create a set up for analysis of simulated data with COTS software
Use generated real time video in various image analysis techniques (detection, classification, scene reconstruction, ++)
Generate simulated data for input to a coalition shared database (CSD)

15. Raven UAV in VBS2 (640x480).
Questions?

16. Backup slides

17. System architecture Communications will follow UAV-related STANAG’s
4609 & 4545 for video/images, 4586 for control signals
Ground control station

18. Raven UAV in VBS2 (640x480).