3D visualization of Theater-level Radio Communications using a networked virtual environment

Abstract

The military is heavily reliant on the transfer of information among various networks in day-to-day operations. Radio-based communications networks that support this volume of information are complex, difficult to manage, and change frequently. Communications network planners need a way to clearly visualize and communicate mobile operational network capabilities, particularly to network users. By using the DJS-Java-VRML simulation and modeling toolkit, visualizations of radio-frequency energy and radio path- profiling data can be quickly generated as 3D models. These animated 3D visualizations can be loaded into a networked virtual environment, so that communications planners can detect a variety of problems such as radio frequency interference and gaps in coverage. Planners can also brief senior staff, plan within their own staff, and collaborate with communications staff planners in distant locations using such virtual environments. DIS-Java-VRML visualization tools can provide a clear picture of the battle space with respect to the deployed communications architecture. The prototypes presented in this thesis demonstrate the ability to generate a shared visualization that can show a radio communications network in 3D. Such dynamic visualizations increase communications planning information bandwidth and yield more intuitive ways of presenting information to users. Higher information density in a more intuitive format enables better understanding with quicker reaction times. This thesis and the visualization tool discussed provide the foundation for fundamental improvements in visualizing radio communications environments.