HPC use in Testing Ad Hoc Wireless Sensor Networks

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

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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

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Example of Multi-Layered Network
Example of Multi-Layered Network
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Example of Multi-Layered Network
Example of Multi-Layered Network
UAS
Networked Missiles
UGV
Sensors
UGS
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Tactical Scenario
Tactical Scenario
Track Msg (WNW)
Detection Msg
EO/IR Node
Track Message (SRW)
Gateway Node
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Tactical Scenario
Tactical Scenario
Detection Msg
EO/IR Node
Track Message (SRW)
Gateway Node
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Tactical Scenario
Tactical Scenario
Fire Msg (WNW)
Detection Msg
EO/IR Node
EO/IR Command Msg
Gateway Node
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General Requirements

• 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)

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

• Infrared
• Visible
• Seismic
• Acoustic

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Unattended Ground Sensor Example
Tactical Unattended Ground Sensor
QualNet Network Simulation
Gateway Node
SRW Wireless Interface
Ethernet
HPC
In-band Acoustic/Seismic Stimulation
Node Positions On Terrain
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System Configuration
Delivery/Integration August 2009
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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

HPC Lab
HPC Control Area
Bullets
DTCC
DTCC
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Initial Testbed Efforts
Results

• 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.)

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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
• 802.11 wireless protocol
• 2 Mbps wireless subnets
• Monitor Real-time performance while adjusting
  number of nodes, subnets, and background traffic

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HWIL Interface
HWIL Interface
- Virtual Node
- Simulated Node
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Performance Data
Performance Data
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Performance Data
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Performance Data Cont.
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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
  1000 node scenario running on 2 processors
  (Expand when HPC delivered)
• Performance thresholds can be measured but the
  results are highly scenario dependent

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