1. HPC use in Testing Ad Hoc Wireless Sensor Networks
Ken LeSueur
Redstone Technical Test Center
April 22, 2009

2. Wireless Sensor Network Testbed
Need: Realistic testing of wireless tactical networks
Networked sensors and sensor fusion systems
Networked systems require the network to stimulate the system, unlike stand alone systems that can be tested in isolation
A real-time network emulation with interfaces to real systems that forces perception and response as they would in the real world
Current test methods are not adequate for testing tactical wireless network hardware in realistic battlefield environments 2

3. Proposed Approach Proposed Approach
Combine
Parallel computing resources
Scalable, high fidelity network emulation
Computer Generated Forces (CGF) model
Testing of sensor hardware is facilitated by Network emulation that will allow interfacing of sensor hardware with virtual components to produce operationally realistic numbers of network nodes
5,000 to 10,000 for a future Brigade Combat Team 3

4. Example of Multi-Layered Network4

5. Example of Multi-Layered Network
UAS
Networked
Missiles
UGV
Sensors
UGS 5

6. Tactical Scenario Tactical Scenario 6 6 NLOS-LS EO/IR Node Gateway
Track Msg (WNW)
Detection Msg
EO/IR
Node
Track Message (SRW)
Gateway
Node 6 6

7. Tactical Scenario Tactical Scenario 7 7 NLOS-LS EO/IR Node Gateway
Detection Msg
EO/IR
Node
Track Message (SRW)
Gateway
Node 7 7

8. Tactical Scenario Tactical Scenario 8 8 NLOS-LS Fire Msg (WNW) EO/IR
Detection Msg
EO/IR
Node
EO/IR Command Msg
Gateway
Node 8 8

9. General Requirements Real-Time Operation
Interface to real tactical network hardware
Real-Time Operation
Parallel Implementation to scale for large number of nodes
Support for Military standard Joint Tactical Radio
Systems (JTRS)
Soldier Radio Waveform (SRW)
Wideband Networking Waveform (WNW) 9

10. Test Bed Design Test Bed Design
Sensor
Hardware
HWIL
Interface
Network
Simulation
(QualNet)
Wireless Network
Interface
In-band Stimulation
Node Positions
On Terrain
Physical
Stimulator
Computer
Generated
Forces
Model
(OneSAF)
Infrared
Visible
Seismic
Acoustic 10

11. Unattended Ground Sensor Example
Tactical
Unattended
Ground
Sensor
QualNet Network Simulation
Gateway
Node
SRW Wireless Interface
Ethernet
In-band
Acoustic/Seismic
Stimulation
HPC
Node Positions
On Terrain
OneSAF 11

12. Delivery/Integration
System Configuration
Delivery/Integration
August 2009 12

13. Subsystem Test & Analysis Branch Facilities
Distributed Test Control Center (DTCC) /
High Performance Computer (HPC) Labs
Capabilities:
Spans from Pure Simulation to Hardware Integration
Utilizing HWIL Assets for both Lab and Field Environments
Classified and Unclassified Networking and Computing
92+ Microprocessors and Access to HPC Resources
Advanced Multi-User KVM Switching to All Computers
Fiber Links to All RTTC Labs and Ranges
Defense Research & Engineering Network (DREN)
Connection (OC-12 with OC-3 Guaranteed)
Host of Simulation, Visualization, Network Monitoring
and Data Recording Software Suites
Video Processing, Recording and Distribution
Simulated Tactical Radio Communications Capability
HPC Control Area
HPC Lab
Bullets:
DTCC
DTCC

14. Initial Testbed Efforts
Results
Initial Testbed Efforts
Analysis of scalability of Network emulation and HWIL testing/simulation
Analysis of performance as a function of fidelity (path loss modeling, terrain model, interference modeling, jamming/attacks, power/battery model, data acquisition, etc.) 14

15. Test Setup
Test Setup
Purpose: Evaluate number of Nodes, number of processors, and simulation complexity on real-time testing.
HWIL interfaces linking live video Server/Client
UDP Generator Rude/Crude used for quantitative measurements
512 kbps UDP/Video Stream
wireless protocol
2 Mbps wireless subnets
Monitor Real-time performance while adjusting number of nodes, subnets, and background traffic 15

16. HWIL Interface HWIL Interface
- Virtual Node
- Simulated Node 16

17. Performance Data Performance Data17

18. Performance Data 18

19. Performance Data Cont. 19

20. Conclusion Conclusion
Using the scenarios outlined in this testing, approximately 750 simulated wireless network nodes can be simulated on a two processor computer while simultaneously interfacing to two external HWIL networked systems passing live streaming video
Parallel efficiency is approximately 65% for a node scenario running on 2 processors (Expand when HPC delivered)
Performance thresholds can be measured but the results are highly scenario dependent 20