Terrain Database Correlation Assessment Using an Open Source Tool

Configuring networked simulators for training military teams in a distributed environment requires the usage of a set of terrain databases to represent the same training area. The results of simulation exercises can be degraded if the terrain databases are poorly correlated. A number of methodologies for determining the correlation between terrain databaHowever, there are few computational tools for this task and most of them were developed to address government needs, have limited availability, and handle specific digital formats. The goal of this paper is thus to present a novel open source tool developed as part of an academic research project.Comment: 12 pages, I/ITSEC 201

Experiences on Evaluating Network Simulators: A Methodological Approach

International audienceThere exists a variety of network simulators, used to imitate the protocols, nodes, and connections in data networks. They differ in their design, goals, and characteristics. Thus, comparing simulators requires a clear and standardized methodology. In this paper, based on a set of measurable and comparable criteria, we propose an approach to evaluate them. We validate the suggested approach with two network simulators, namely Packet Tracer and GNS3. In that regard, a test scenario is put forward on the two simulators, both in Linux and Windows environments, and their performance is monitored based on the suggested approach. This paper does not propose a method for selecting the best simulator, but it rather supplies the researchers with an evaluation tool, that can be used to describe, compare, and select the most suitable network simulators for a given scenario

Evoplex: A platform for agent-based modeling on networks

Agent-based modeling and network science have been used extensively to advance our understanding of emergent collective behavior in systems that are composed of a large number of simple interacting individuals or agents. With the increasing availability of high computational power in affordable personal computers, dedicated efforts to develop multi-threaded, scalable and easy-to-use software for agent-based simulations are needed more than ever. Evoplex meets this need by providing a fast, robust and extensible platform for developing agent-based models and multi-agent systems on networks. Each agent is represented as a node and interacts with its neighbors, as defined by the network structure. Evoplex is ideal for modeling complex systems, for example in evolutionary game theory and computational social science. In Evoplex, the models are not coupled to the execution parameters or the visualization tools, and there is a user-friendly graphical interface which makes it easy for all users, ranging from newcomers to experienced, to create, analyze, replicate and reproduce the experiments.Comment: 6 pages, 5 figures; accepted for publication in SoftwareX [software available at https://evoplex.org

An architecture for embedded system communication

Time is a major constraint in the development of most embedded systems. In many cases, the development of embedded software is directly dependent on the development of the embedded systems. This calls for a development framework that enables embedded software and hardware to be developed in parallel. In an attempt to solve the problem, a concept prototype hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) simulation methodology has been proposed and implemented at the Ohio State University for the TMS320LF2407A DSP board. We build on top of that HIL system by rewriting the low level device drivers that allow data and control information to be set simultaneously, thus, creating a software abstraction layer over various devices available on the DSP board. The device drivers allow data access at the processor and the pin level for the devices on the DSP board. This abstraction simulates external devices in a transparent manner using a device driver library that provides the same programming interface to the device simulators as to real devices. Also, it allows for the testing of both real and simulated hardware connected to the DSP board as a part of the embedded system. The main advantages of the framework are rapid prototyping, unit testing and monitoring. We also modify the existing serial line protocol and perform a comparison between the new and the existing protocol and show that the new protocol is efficient for large data transport. This protocol allows for the effective utilization of serial line bandwidth when the DSP board is used for signal processing or voice based applications. We present the virtual testbed as a software development tool. We conclude by exploring the future directions for the applications

e-minesafe Safety and Training Simulator. The integration of knowledge and skills to achieve safe human responses

The Joint Coal Board (JCB) is concerned about the number of accidents and fatalities associated with the operation and maintenance of equipment in the New South Wales coal industry. In the last decade, equipment has become more sophisticated and the manner in which work is organised and performed in the industry has changed significantly. Therefore, through its Health and Safety Trust, the JCB commissioned a consortium comprising Mine Site Technologies and the School of Mining Engineering at the University of New South Wales to research the introduction of equipment training simulators into the industry. The research is planned to be undertaken in four stages. This report presents the outcomes of the first two stages. It recommends the development and testing of an interactive, immersive, virtual reality prototype simulator providing true to life imagery. The simulator will be modular in design such that various items of equipment can be plugged in as required. It is proposed that the evaluation of the prototype simulator be based on a continuous miner and a roof bolter, with the option to add a dump truck. This is because a high accident rate is associated with these items of equipment. Most of the research undertaken on the project to date has focused on these machines. The research has confirmed that JCB Simulators have a huge potential to improve: Mine Safety Productivity Business Performanc

Developing a grid computing system for commercial-off-the-shelf simulation packages

Today simulation is becoming an increasingly pervasive technology across major business sectors. Advances in COTS Simulation Packages and Commercial Simulation Software have made it easier for users to build models, often of large complex processes. These two factors combined are to be welcomed and when used correctly can be of great benefit to organisations that make use of the technology. However, it is also the case that users hungry for answers do not always have the time, or possibly the patience, to wait for results from multiple replications and multiple experiments as standard simulation practice would demand. There is therefore a need to support this advance in the use of simulation within today’s business with improved computing technology. Grid computing has been put forward as a potential commercial solution to this requirement. To this end, Saker Solutions and the Distributed Systems Research Group at Brunel University have developed a dedicated Grid Computing System (SakerGrid) to support the deployment of simulation models across a desktop grid of PCs. The paper identifies route taken to solve this challenging issue and suggests where the future may lie for this exciting integration of two effective but underused technologies

A Virtual Testbed for Embedded Systems

Hardware-In-the-Loop (HIL) Simulation is a simulation approach in which a hardware embedded processor is connected to the simulation computer that simulates the electrical/mechanical devices controlled by the embedded processor. By using a real-time simulation computer and special-purpose hardware for connecting to the embedded processor, this method of simulation can be very precise but is costly. We are proposing an alternative method, HIL simulation with a network link, in which the device under test (the embedded processor) communicates with the simulation computer over a network connection (in our case a serial line) instead of through special-purpose hardware. We present an abstraction layer that facilitates the simulation of external devices. An earlier prototype had been developed for a 16-bit TMS320LF2407A DSP from Texas Instruments. We generalized the approach to the more advanced 32-bit TMS320F28335 DSP. We have made the changes in the DSP abstraction layer to enable more features and provide more flexibility to the programmer. For example, we introduced a shadow interrupt vector to make the simulation layer more general. We developed various scenarios to measure the performance of the system. In particular, we measure round-trip time and through-put for the communication between the simulator and the DSP. Also we rewrote the serial line drivers on the DSP to incorporate different working scenarios and to invoke the timers on the DSP for measuring the execution time. Our work helps to judge the performance of the system and to identify the application domains for this approach