UAV Seminar Series

Using Commercial Software for Mission Planning & Operations

Introductions

Matt Halferty – Director, Asia Pacific

– US Army Officer - West Point

Jim Head – Partner Manager, Asia Pacific

– Masters Degree Strategic Studies – RSIS Singapore

Nate McBee – Aerospace Systems Engineer, Asia Pacific

– Masters Aerospace Engineering - Univ. of Tennessee

Dan Honaker – Aerospace Systems Engineer, Asia Pacific

– Masters Aerospace Engineering - Univ. of Colorado

Agenda

Introductions

Intro to STK – Product Overview

– Software Demonstrations

Aircraft Test and Evaluation – Model Based Engineering

– Software Demonstrations

Break (~15 Min)

Acquisition Engineering – Cost Management

– Automated Trade Study Tools

Mission Planning & Ops – Custom Applications

– Post Mission Analysis

– Imagery Exploitation

Q&A Wrap Up

Analytical Graphics, Inc. (USA): a global aerospace standard – 45,000+ global software installs – 700+ user organizations worldwide

Provider of COTS software since 1989

– Space mission design & engineering – Satellite operations – Space situational awareness

Validated astrodynamics, 16 patents, 75+ developers

AGI Global Overview

AGI Software Building Blocks

Spatial mechanics engine

– Precision mapping of time and

space

Advanced vehicle motion

– Advanced satellite propagation

Payload and environment modeling

– Configure sensors, communications, terrain, buildings, atmosphere

Analysis tools

– Analyze the relationships of objects over time

– Evaluate quantitative and qualitative measures

Display

– Visualize complex system mechanics in dynamic 3D

• COTS software for space,

defense, and intelligence

• Model your system

• Analyze your mission

• Convey your results

Systems Tool Kit Summary

AGI Analysis Solutions

Desktop applications Stand-alone or integrated:

Software components Modular capability libraries: – Enterprise integration

– Thin clients

– Servers

– Web Services

– System and mission design

– Analysis

– Simulation

– Operations

Application engine Mission-specific applications and work flows

Serve

In Support of the Enterprise…

STK is a toolset for…

– Engineers, mission analysts, operators and decision makers

And workgroups that…

– Design, engineer, and operate mission systems Across programs/platforms/departments/agencies

Integrated, served or stand alone

Integrate

Share

Convey

Deploy

STK For UAV Systems Design

Current Problems

Wouldn’t It Be Great If…

Create Systems Models

Aircraft Model

Environment

Model

Communications

Model

• Improper planning reduces reliability

and availability

• Up to 30% of all failed UAS missions

are due to comms failure

• Dynamic problem with many

variables

• Different communications systems

expose different problems

Evaluating mission success

• As UAS numbers increase they need

to be easier to operate

• Models need to be flexible and

validated

• Need to be able to convey complex

concepts easily

• A single route is not the best result

Sensor Model Aircraft Model

Environment

Model

Communications

Model

Creating a complete representation

Sensor Model Aircraft Model

Environment

Model

Communications

Model

Navigation

Model

Threat Model

Acoustic Model Radar Model Line of Sight Airspace Geometry

Planning an ISR mission

Sensor Model

Aircraft Model

Environment

Model

Communications

Model

Acoustic Model

Automation

• Incorporate layers that represent

mission effectiveness

• Display results in a format already

familiar

• Allow for flexibility in mission plan for

tactical

• Apply automation to suggest mission

plans

Executing an ISR mission

Sensor Model Aircraft Model

Environment

Model

Communications

Model

• Add models into mission to aid in

operations

• Allow operators to focus on mission

• Enhance mission situational

awareness

• Evaluate mission success

Threat Model

How do we do this?

Aircraft Model

Sensor Model

Airspace Geometry

Line of Sight Radar Model Environment Model Threat Model

Navigation Model

Acoustic Model

Communications

Model

Automation

Aircraft Mission Modeler

Performance Driven Models

3D Edit Flight Paths on the Fly

Common Procedure Library

Holding Patterns

Takeoff/Landing & VTOL/Hover

Fuel Management

Aircraft Model

System Design – Sensors

What can your systems see?

– Dynamic environment

– Number/type of platforms

– Number/type of sensors

– Target constraints

Terrain

RCS

Complex detection

– Visual

– IR (GSD)

– RF

– Search/Track Radar

– Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR)

– GMTI (flexible constraints)

Use the right sensor for the mission

Sensor Model

Imperfect RF Enviroment Analysis

Terrain blockage

Rain, clouds, fog

Gaseous absorption

Foliage / Urban

Custom loss plug-ins

Receiver Transmitter

Vertical Plane

Path

2 Slant Plane

Paths

Environment Model

What is my Comm Environment?

– Modelling Comm Effects

– Specify the RF environment model

Number of Nodes

– Transmitters / receivers

– Multi-hop links

Predicting the link quality

– Detailed emitter patterns, modulators, spectral

filters, etc.

– Link budget (BER, Eb/No, C/N, etc.)

– Interference / jamming

– Link performance over large areas

Evaluate Alternate Asset Usage

System Design- Communications

Communications Model

Radar Modeling

Pulsed & Continuous Wave

SAR

Filters

Gaseous absorption

Polarization

Custom Antennas

Radar Cross Section

Sun Noise

Earth Noise

Rain Loss and Noise

Troposphere Loss and Noise

Desired Signal

Polarization

Radar Model

How Are These Models Available?

Desktop Application Development Kits

STK Advanced Demonstration

ADVANCED Modeling Capabilities

Sensor Models Model sensor geometry & pointing

Comms & Radar Models Model RF propagation & interference

Environment Models Model terrain, atmosphere & space

Vehicle Motion Models Model vehicle position and attitude

Models

Calculate system performance Measure against mission objectives

Explore trade space Analyze system design

Evaluate system relationships Measure system impact

Simulate mission Analyze system behavior in theater

Simulate

3D object representations Position, orientation & articulation

Analyze results Graphs, reports, images & videos

Mission environment Terrain & imagery

2D and 3D visualization Vehicles, routes, sensors & analysis

Analyze

Customize Your Interface!!

Sensor Boresight

View Window

Aircraft Gauges

User Interface Plugins & External Integration Options

STK Aircraft Test & Evaluation

Detailed Systems Modeling

STK for Model Based Systems Engineering

Aircraft Model

Sensor Model

Communications

Model

Systems architecture

Model Complete Systems

Aircraft Model

Sensor Model

Communications

Model

End-to-end system design

Quick turn post

flight analysis

Test event monitored in

real time

Automated

Documentation

Schedule

optimized using

new timelines

Test event simulated in

STK Test schedule

generated in Core

Example: Test and Evaluation

Example Case Study : Mojave Flight Test

Issue

Loss Of Signal During Aircraft Ground Taxi to End of Runway

Loss of Signal at Northeast Part of Flightpath; Particularly in the Turn and At Max Altitude of 50Kft

Fixes

Moved Receive Antenna Location On Building Roof – Fixed Taxi Issue

Adding Low Noise Amplifier to the Receive Antenna Produced Much Improved Signal at Northeast Part of Flightpath

Narrowed Bandwidth on Receiver to Improve Signal-to-Noise Ratio

Downlink Communication Issues

S-Band Blade Antenna Location

What System Do I Use?!

Antenna Considerations

– Which Antenna to use?

Antenna Data

– Manufacturer Data

– Test Chamber Data

– General Assumptions

Communications

Model

What System Do I Use?!

Antenna Considerations

– Which Antenna to use?

Antenna Data

– Manufacturer Data

– Test Chamber Data

– General Assumptions

Model it in STK!!!!

Communications

Model

What Else Can I Model?

Flight Path – Aircraft Mission Modeler

– External Ephemeris

– 3D Aircraft Model

Antenna – Manufacturer Data

– Built in Models

– Plugin Models

RF Environment – Propagation Loss Models

– Weather

– Terrain

– Custom Plugins

STK Test/Evaluation Demonstration

Demonstration - Aircraft RF Jamming

Flight Path – Aircraft Mission Modeler

– External Ephemeris

– 3D Aircraft Model

Antenna – Manufacturer Data

– Built in Models

– Plugin Models

RF Environment – Propagation Loss Models

– Terrain

– Custom Plugins

RF Jamming

Break

Acquisition Engineering

Systems Modeling & Trade Studies

Trade-study/AOA Applications

Acquisition

– Performance versus cost trades

Engineering design

– Performance versus measures of effectiveness

Test and Evaluation (T&E)

– Test design / test point density optimization

Mission planning

– Maximize effectiveness / minimize risk

Decision support

STK/Analyzer & Model Center

Perform trade studies on STK scenarios

Vary one or many STK parameters and study resulting effects

Automate complex trade studies

Monte Carlo probabilistic analysis

Optimizer Extension finds best solution

STK/Analyzer Demonstration

UAV Surveillance along NK/SK Border

Xmit/Rcvr System Selected

Where to Position Comm Tower?

PROBLEM:

APPROACH:

Use Analyzer to Vary Tower Position (Lat/Lon)

Analyze Max C/N Ratio (Max C/N Along Aircraft Route)

STK Analyzer Demonstration

ModelCenter

TruePlanning

STK

What is ModelCenter?

Rhapsody

ModelCenter Interface

Component Tree Displays variables

Analysis View Displays wrapped models as boxes

Link Editor View Displays links between

components

Server Browser Displays components wrapped on Analysis

Servers

ModelCenter Outputs

ModelCenter Off the Shelf Plug-ins

Product Design • Given design parameters, predicts

performance characteristics:

• How much will it weigh? • How high can it fly? • What will it cost?

• Useful for designing hardware • Wrap your code or use plugins:

System/Mission Simulation • Given performance characteristics,

predicts how a system will react to

various stimulus over time: • Hit rate? • Access times? • Throughput?

• Useful for designing systems • Wrap your code or use plugins:

SolidWorks

• STK

•Extend

• Vensim

• Aceit

• Arena

• Flames

• Magic Draw

• OpNet

• ProModel

• Rhapsody

• ANSYS

• LS-DYNA

• Price

• Seer

• CAD

• Matlab

• Mathcad

• Excel

•Fluent

•Nastran

STK Model Center Demonstration

Mission Planning & Operations

Customization Options

AGI Analysis Solutions

Desktop applications Stand-alone or integrated:

Software components Modular capability libraries: – Enterprise integration

– Thin clients

– Servers

– Web Services

– System and mission design

– Analysis

– Simulation

– Operations

Application engine Mission-specific applications and work flows

Customizing STK

User Interface Plugins

– Customized Toolbars/Menus/Utilities

– .NET Platform

External Utilities

– Use STK Engine COM Object Model

Customizing STK Demonstration

Route Designer

– Automatically Avoid Building Geometry

– Import GIS Data

– Deconflict Options

Customizing STK Demonstration

UAV Line of Sight Planner

– Automatically Adjust UAV Route Altitude

– Maintain LOS to Control Station

– Avoid Terrain

– Mitigate Comm Breaks

AGI Analysis Solutions

Desktop applications Stand-alone or integrated:

Software components Modular capability libraries: – Enterprise integration

– Thin clients

– Servers

– Web Services

– System and mission design

– Analysis

– Simulation

– Operations

Application engine Mission-specific applications and work flows

Custom Application Example / Demo

Custom Application

– Generalized Workflow

– Custom Algorithms Exposed

– Ease of Use / Quicker Adoption by Users

Quick Development – STK/Engine Example

Apps

– STK Development Training

– Fully Documented API Object Model

– Help is …. Helpful!!

Flexibility

– .NET Support

– Java Libraries

– Unix

Advanced Application Design

Custom Application

– Target Import

– Areas of Interest

– No-Fly Zones

– Automated Route Design With Deconfliction

Deployable

– Easy to Use

– Reduced Training Time

– Fully Customizable For Updated Needs

Click To Play

Web Application Design

Custom Application

– Target Import

– Areas of Interest

– No-Fly Zones

– Automated Route Design With Deconfliction

Deployable To Everyone!!!

Click To Play

Mission Planning Web Application

Mission Planning & Operations

Post Mission Analysis

Exploiting the Data

Sensor Model

Mission Data

Environment

Model

Imagery and Video Archive

• Begin with traditional imagery request

techniques

• Incorporate models to infer

information about the imagery

• More accurate images returned

based on request

• Faster image retrieval

Video Exploitation / Demo

Data Fusion

– Quick Search for

Desired Video

– Custom Interface

– Easy to Use!!

Interoperable

– Imagery Data

– Video Data

– GIS Information

Wrap-Up

ISR Mission Planning

System Modeling

Concept of Operations

Custom Applications

Interoperability

Resources

AGI Website

– White Papers

– Case Studies

– Software Resources

– Blogs

– Forum

– Events

www.agi.com

Thank You!!

www.agi.com