Communications Modeling - QualNet & EXata 

Network Centric Forces – Battlefield Scenarios and Network Conditions Combined for Accurately Simulation Network Centric Warfare

By Scalable Network Technologies

QualNet

QualNet is high-fidelity simulation software for predicting network performance. It performs accurate simulation of network devices, transmitters, antennas, terrestrial characteristics, and human interactions, all at real time speed. Because of QualNet’s super-efficient paral­lel kernel, it can support high fidelity network models while still maintaining fast simulation speeds, even for large-scale networks.

EXata

EXata is a wireless emulator that lets you evaluate on-the-move communication networks faster and with more realism than any other emulator. EXata creates a digital network replica that interfaces with real networks in real time, using real applications. Software, hardware, human, and Internet-in-the-loop connections enable ultra-realistic communication over all layers of the network. No more assuming “perfect communications” in your net-centric operations planning — get the real picture with EXata first.

Network Centric Forces

Network Centric Forces is a comprehensive network centric warfare simulation package that realistically models the interrelation of network conditions and the virtual battlefield to predict battle outcomes. NCF combines the power of QualNet and EXata with VR-Forces, MÄK’s toolkit for generating and executing battlefield scenarios. Network Centric Forces simulation improves warfighter and commander training and operational readiness in three ways:

War Gaming

Most war gaming systems 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 knows that’s a myth. By modeling the communications infrastructure, NCF can show the realistic effects of on-the-move communications on the battlefield.

Proficiency Training

When you’re on the move, your communications infrastructure is dynamically changing. NCF allows you to model this dynamic environment so that signal officers and warfighters can learn the capabilities of the communications infrastructure as well as how to handle performance degradations and system failures. Exposing warfighters to these frustrations and threats in a virtual context enables development of strategies to cope with these situations and mitigate their impact in advance of actual deployment.

Updating TT&Ps

In network centric warfare, the warfighter is the network. By simulating a highly realistic communications environment, NCF gives military planners the detailed information they need to modify their Tactics, Techniques, and Procedures (TT&Ps) for network-centric operations. In a network-centric communications-chain, each entity in the chain of command assumes new communication-specific TT&Ps in addition to existing TT&Ps. For instance, once a target has been spotted by a man on the ground, the commander might request visual confirmation from an intelligence satellite or UAV, all within minutes or seconds.