Demonstration of Delay and Constructive Modeling Effects in Distributed Interactive Simulation

摘要

A laboratory investigation examined the effect of Protocol Data Unit (PDU) transport delays and the use of constructive modeling of a human operator in the loop to determine how these variables might impact the outcome of tightly coupled Distributed Interactive Simulation (DIS) engagements between high- velocity entities. A series of simulated engagements between an air defense simulation (medium range surface-to-air missile) and an F-16 were conducted. Engagement outcome was evaluated for both a 0 ms transport delay (baseline) and a 100 ms delay condition (the maximum allowable within the IEEE standard). In addition, trials were performed under two different threat control conditions. In half of the trials, a live operator controlled the missile launch sequence, with a constructive model controlling the remaining trials. Analysis of the outcomes showed a dramatic effect of transport delay, with missile effectiveness dropping from 0.73 Pk (Probability of Kill) in the 0 ms delay condition to 0.00 Pk in the 100 ms delay condition. Differences between live operator and constructive threat model behavior were observed but did not significantly impact engagement outcome. Results suggest that the delays and architecture used in today's DID exercises create artifacts (e.g., position errors) that can affect test results and, potentially, lead analysts to draw erroneous conclusions. Approaches for improving DIS performance are discussed.