Information Flow: Tactical Network Design and Bandwidth Management

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

2. 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

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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

6. Background - Tactical Communications Network Communications Architecture (MSE) • 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) Texas A&M University - U.S. Army

7. Background - Command Posts Tactical Entities MAIN REAR • 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 Texas A&M University - U.S. Army

8. Background - Army Battle Command System (ABCS) MCS MCS MCS ASAS AFATDS CSSCS Information Systems • “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 Texas A&M University - U.S. Army

9. Put it all together … Tactical Entities MCS MCS MCS ASAS AFATDS CSSCS Communications Architecture (MSE) MAIN REAR Information Systems Operational Conditions Texas A&M University - U.S. Army

10. 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

11. 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

12. 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

13. 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

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

15. 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

16. Questions? • If we have time … fire away! • Otherwise: • http://www.cs.tamu.edu/people/ { hillj | carverc | surdu } • http://www.cs.tamu.edu/faculty/pooch • { hillj | carverc | surdu | pooch }@cs.tamu.edu Texas A&M University - U.S. Army