EXata Network Modeling and Communications Effects Server for VR-Forces
MAK and Keysight (formerly known as Scalable Network Technologies) have worked together over many years to integrate VR-Forces with Keysight’s Qualnet and EXata network modeling applications for various customer applications. Either Keysight tool can serve as a Communication Effects Server for VR-Forces – modeling the behavior of the radio network and adjudicating whether messages between VR-Forces entities should be successfully received based on the specific capabilities of the devices, composition of the network, and the effects of weather and terrain.
QualNet and EXata are complementary tools. QualNet, a simulation engine, is typically used earlier in the product lifecycle for analysis of network alternatives, design and development. EXata, an emulation engine, is often used later in the product lifecycle in testing, training and operations.
MAK and Keysight’s mutual customers typically create their battlefield scenarios in VR-Forces GUI – laying down entities and tactical graphics and assigning plans and tasks. VR-Forces publishes entity locations and other state to EXata or Qualnet through HLA, In the Keysight tools, users configure and associate specific radios, devices, and signal parameters with the VR-Forces entities, and add other communications assets, such as towers, satellites, relays, transmitters, and mobile ad-hoc networks - creating a full digital twin of the network environment. During scenario execution, VR-Forces has the built-in ability to query the external Communications Effects Server – again through HLA messages – to determine whether a message should be delivered, or whether it should be blocked or distorted given the current conditions of the simulated network. The Keysight products model the effects of network congestion, jamming, and of destroyed or damaged equipment on the reliability and performance of the network.
The Keysight tools use MAK’s VR-Link to implement their ability to connect to VR-Forces through the HLA protocol.
