Analyzing Communication Architectures Using Commercial Off-The-Shelf (COTS) Modeling and Simulation Tools

摘要

There are many initiatives focused towards the pursuit of information systems capabilities-hardware software, and architecture and other technologies that will markedly enhance the command and control (C2) function. The overarching purpose of this thesis is to provide joint task force communication planners with the tools for planning and managing the increasing communications demand. To this end, this project had two goals, compare the performance of two computer-aided modeling and simulation tools representing both ends of the cost ar complexity spectrum, and to provide a subjective evaluation. Four computer models were developed to simula Information Technology for the 21st Century (IT- 21) and Joint Tactical Information Distribution System (JTIDS) networks using OPNET Modeler/Radio, by MIL3, and EXTEND by Imagine That, Inc. Although assumptions wei made to simplify the models, simulation runs demonstrated that the network models developed using OPNET and EXTEND produced very similar and believable results. The JTIDS models results for data rate and message latency agreed within 3.5%. Similarly, IT-21 system models detected changes and trends caused by different system load The results indicate that low cost, commercial off-the-shelf modeling tools can be used to describe various networks used in joint operations.