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Distributed simulation of realistic unmanned systems at FFI. Lars S. Løvlie Lars-Sundnes.Lovlie@ffi.no. Outline. Motivation / Applications System architecture Current status Feature wishlist / future work. Introduction.
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Distributed simulation of realistic unmanned systems at FFI Lars S. Løvlie Lars-Sundnes.Lovlie@ffi.no
Outline • Motivation / Applications • System architecture • Current status • Feature wishlist / future work
Introduction • 7 peopledoing full time researchspecificallyonunmanned systems • Project management: Halvor Bjordal, Lorns Bakstad • Involved in otherNato STO groups • SCI-186 (finished), «Architectures for ops. withmanned/unmanned systems» • SCI-ET-004 (just starting), «Simulation and analysisoffutureops. withmanned/unmanned air and groundvehicles» • Bothchaired by Morten Hansbø (FFI) • Disclaimer: Started at FFI in Marchthisyear • Backgroundin materials science / semiconductors • Materials for hightemperature / highpowerelectronics • Solar cells
Motivation 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 • Simulation • Visualization • Increaseunderstanding • Evaluation • Measurements • Qualitativeevaluations • Field tests • Fieldlab • RAVEN • FACNAV • C2ISR
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.
Exampleapplications 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
Raven B usefulaltitude (AGL) • Radio shadow, need • higher altitude aircraft • relay aircraft Shameless plug of Norwegian nature
Exampleapplications (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
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) Groundcontrolstation Vehicle simulator Sensor simulator
UAS simulator Groundstation BMS / CSD Cursor-on-target STANAG 4586 Com-sim. (link quality) Platforms VSM Sensor sim. Vehicle sim. Synchronization (HLA) Other sim.
UAS simulator «Groundstation» BMS / CSD Cursor-on-target «STANAG 4586» 1:1 Platforms «Sensor» sim. Vehicle sim. Synchronization (HLA) Other sim.
Featurewishlist / 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
Featurewishlist / 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)
Raven UAV in VBS2 (640x480). Questions?
System architecture • Communications will follow UAV-related STANAG’s • 4609 & 4545 for video/images, 4586 for control signals Groundcontrolstation