Assessing the effects of multi-node sensor network configurations on the operational tempo

Abstract

The LPISimNet software tool provides the capability to quantify the performance of sensor network configurations by combining the information and physical domains. To combine the sensor network’s performance in a coherent context with a decision-maker, Boyd’s observe, orient, decide, act (OODA) loop is included along with its operational tempo. This thesis develops a new version of LPISimNet (LPISimNet(V)3) by correcting a code error and including a network comparison file. Additionally, this thesis evaluates the effects of different network configurations and size on the maximum operational tempo. Simulation results for a static network indicate that as the network size increases the rate at which decisions can be made declines. A prediction for further decline is presented based on the simulations. Also, dynamic network simulation results for a three-, four-, five-, and six-node network display the importance of node placement and network geometry to help offset network degradation due to range fluctuation between nodes. By surrounding the dynamic nodes of the network with static nodes, the maximum operational tempo can be bounded between an upper and lower limit, stabilizing the decision-making speed. Finally, the effect of electronic attack on the operational tempo is presented to display the robustness of a network.