This project is developing an innovative Artificial Intelligence (AI) toolkit interface to OPNET Modeler, a COTS simulation engine, to configure and optimize network configuration and operations in the field. This toolkit will allow rapid design and optimization of communications networks without requiring the user to have programming skills or knowledge of the underlying OPNET Modeler simulation engine. There is currently a great need for any solution that will dramatically reduce the complexity of network configuration due to the great quantity and diversity of information that must be analyzed, as well as the short decision cycles. The resulting system will provide the capability for less experienced network engineers to perform efficient and effective network engineering and ongoing operations, with the end result being reduced costs, increased operational efficiency, and improved robustness.

TNAPS+ to XML Translator Installation & Demos

2005 January: TNAPS+ TO NETWARS XML Translator Video Demo

Demo of TNAPS to NETWARS Translation (2 of 2) (2005-01-19) (10 MB)

2005 January: TNAPS+ TO NETWARS XML Translator Plug-In Installer

This TNAPS+ to NETWARS XML translator is a NETWARS Plug-In that provides functionality for translating TNAPS+ 6.0 files to a NETWARS 2004-2 XML from within NETWARS 2004-2.

Plug-In Installer for Translator (2005-01-19) (10 MB)

TNAPS+ Converter Installation Documentation (2005-01-20)

2005 January: Translation Examples for Lessons 3-5,9

TNAPS+ Source File 2004-2 XML File Size

Lesson 3.0 Lesson 3.0 XML (89 KB)

Lesson 4.0 Lesson 4.0 XML (2.8 MB)

Lesson 5.0 Lesson 5.0 XML (3 MB)

Lesson 9.0 Lesson 9.0 XML (3.3 MB)

Demonstration
The following three videos demonstrate the TNAPS+ to NETWARS translation process. The first video shows the TNAPS+ file in the TNAPS+ program to provide an overview of the information in the source file. The second video shows how one performs the translation in NETWARS, and then shows the results of the translation in NETWARS. The third video is a continuation of the second, showing the Verify Link Consistency component.

AVI format (using TSCC Codec)*:

Demo of TNAPS to NETWARS Translation (1 of 2) (2004-10-14) (3 MB)

Demo of TNAPS to NETWARS Translation (2 of 2) (2005-01-19) (10 MB)

Real Player format:

Demo of TNAPS to NETWARS Translation (1 of 2) (2004-10-14) (1.7 MB)

Demo of TNAPS to NETWARS Translation (2 of 2) (2004-10-14) (7.8 MB)

* If you experience difficulty playing these video files, see AVI File Information for more information on how to view these files.

Requirements:

Windows 2000, NT, or XP operating system

256 MB of RAM

OPNET Netbiz, Modeler or ODK 8.1.A for TNAPS 6.0 translator & INCOT Wizard functionality

Military personnel can obtain Netbiz via a DISA (www.disa.mil) program called NETWARS (www.disa.mil/main/prodsol/netwars/). To obtain NETWARS please contact Louis Caplan, the NETWARS Configuration Manager at (703) 882-1775 or CaplanL@ncr.disa.mil.

Documentation
This Beta Release of INCOT is not fully documented, however the following information is relevant.

TNAPS 6.0 to OPNET Conversion video

If you experience difficulty playing video files, see AVI File Information for more information on how to view.

See the Installation Guidelines for details on installing and starting INCOT.

User documentation is available; this is complemented by a video showing the new Wizard interface. The Wizard is an extension of the Task Manager concept in NETWARS.

Standalone INCOT Installation & Demos

2005 January: INCOT Standalone Wizard Video Demos

INCOT Wizard Demonstration (2005-01-19) (12 MB)

Importing an XML file created by INCOT Wizard (2005-01-19) (3 MB)

2005 January: INCOT Standalone Release

The Final Release of INCOT as of 2005 January is available in the INSTALL file

INCOT2_Final_Release_2005-01-19_Standalone (2005-01-19) (8 MB)

The tools included with INCOT are:

· Geosynchronous Satellite Azimuth and Elevation Angle Calculator

· TNAPS+ 6.0 to OPNET/NETWARS Converter

· Intelligent Network Configuration Optimization Wizard. The Wizard is an extension of the Task Manager concept in NETWARS.

· Import TNAPS Equipment Catalog

User Manual:

See the User documentation for details on installing and using INCOT.

Requirements:

Windows 2000 or XP operating system

256 MB of RAM

Video Demos

INCOT Wizard Demonstration (2005-01-19) (12 MB)

Importing an XML file created by INCOT Wizard (2005-01-19) (3 MB)
Geosynchronous Satellite Azimuth and Elevation Angle Calculator demo video

Geosynchronous Satellite Azimuth and Elevation Angle Calculator demo video 2

If you experience difficulty playing video files, see AVI File Information for more information on how to view.

Publications

Richards, Robert A. and Coskun Tasoluk (2004) “Intelligent Network Configuration Optimization Toolkit (INCOT)”, MILCOM 2004, Monterey, CA, October 31-November 3, 2004.

Richards, Robert A. (2004) “A Tool for Automating Network Layout and Importing Legacy TNAPS+ Networks”, OPNETWORK 2004, Washington, D.C., August 30-September 3 2004.

Richards, Robert A. and Coskun Tasoluk. (2003) "An Automated Intelligent System for

Designing Communication Networks", OPNETWORK 2003, Washington, D.C.,
August 25-29, 2003.

Richards, Robert A. (2003) "An Intelligent Tool for Network Configuration and Optimization",
2003 IEEE Aerospace Conference Proceedings, Editor: David A. Williamson, IEEE Catalog Number: 03TH8652C ISBN: 0-7803-7652-8; Big Sky, Montana, March 8-15 2003.

INCOT Phase II Final Report

2005 January 20

INCOT Phase II Final Report

Presentations
and Demonstrations

2005 October: Military Technology Conference 2005 (MilTech2)

Final presentation with narration on each slide & videos with narration.

MilTech2 Presentation FINAL.zip

2004 November: MILCOM Conference 2004

The following PowerPoint file was presented at the 2004 MILCOM Conference
02 November 2004.

MILCOM Presentation.ppt

· This presentation includes notes that provide more details and refers to the following video files:

1. Mission Organization Requirements INCOT2 beta v0.5.avi (1571 KB)

2. Wizard Demo.avi (862 KB)

3. Wizard Demo XML in OPNET.avi (585 KB)

4. TNAPS+ Import Using ODK.avi (720KB)

5. TNAPS +6.0.avi (3075 KB)

6. TNAPS to XML to NETWARS.avi (8864 KB)

7. Verify Links.avi (1038 KB)

If you experience difficulty playing these video files, see AVI File Information for more information on how to view these files.

2003 August: OPNETWORK Conference

The following PowerPoint file was presented at the 2003 OPTNETWORK Conference
29 August 2003.

OPNETWORK Presentation.ppt

· This presentation includes notes that provide more details and refers to the following video files:

1. Review terrain profile between antennae.avi (64 KB)

2. Automatically determine microwave antennae locations.avi (44 KB)

3. INCOT2_beta_v0.5demo.avi (1571 KB)

4. Organization_Configuration.avi (647KB)

5. TNAPS_+_import.avi (720 KB)

If you experience difficulty playing these video files, see AVI File Information for more information on how to view these files.

2002 August: Phase II Alpha Release

· The following file presents the workflow presented for an early version of the alpha release of the Phase II Prototype.

· Alpha pre-release as of 2002-08.avi (5.5 Mbytes)

If you experience difficulty playing these video files, see AVI File Information
for more information on how to view these files.

2002 February 26: INCOT/NETWARS Potential Integration Presentation

· The following PowerPoint file presents a potential integration idea for using INCOT to enhance NETWARS:

· INCOT / NETWARS Potential Integration.ppt

· This presentation includes notes that provide more details and refers to the following video files:

1. Movie1.avi (850 KB)

2. Movie2.avi (550 KB)

If you experience difficulty playing these video files, see AVI File Information
for more information on how to view these files.

Phase I Prototype

2001 November: Phase I Presentation

The following PowerPoint file presents the 13 November 2001 presentation of the Phase I Prototype that occurred at AFRL, Rome is provided below.

Presentations\Phase I prototype briefing.ppt

The following AVI files follow the workflow presented in the Phase I Prototype presentation. Some of the AVIs include narration.

Drill down to deployment location.avi

Select the closest pre-built generic network.avi

Adjust sub-network locations.avi

Add or remove components via customized palette.avi

Verify links.avi

Automatically determine satellite uplink location.avi

Review terrain profile between antennae.avi

Automatically determine microwave antennae locations.avi

· If you experience difficulty playing these video files, see AVI File Information
for more information on how to view these files.

Details for Automatically determine satellite uplink location.avi

In this demonstration the user has already placed the default network at the location of interest. Now the user needs to find an unoccluded location for the satellite uplink to see a geosynchronous satellite. The user can test the current location via OPNET capabilities, if the present site is occluded the user can drag the uplink to a new location and test again. This process could be repeated until an unoccluded location is found by trial and error.

INCOT automates this process. Via the Relocate Satellite Dish icon; INCOT first tests the current uplink location, either verifying that it is unoccluded or determining that it is. In the verified case the uplink will not be moved and the user is informed that the present location is satisfactory. In the occluded case, INCOT will search automatically for the unoccluded location closest to the present location; once this is determined INCOT will move the uplink to this unoccluded location.

In this situation the uplink is blocked by a nearby hill and needs to be moved. INCOT automatically determines the closest nearby location that is satisfactory and then INCOT moves the uplink to this location.

TaskGuide Version of INCOT

Video of TaskGuide INCOT showing both Mission Requirements and Organization Configuration workflows:

Mission Requirements Video.avi (21,872 KB)

Organization Configuration Video.avi (14,399 KB)

AVI File Information

Files in AVI (audio video interleave) format are prepared using the Camtasia Codec.
The Camtasia Codec provides higher quality and smaller files, however in order to utilize the compression provided by this software, it may be necessary to install the Camtasia codec (.exe install or .zip install) before viewing the movie files. The movies may also be viewed using Camplay.exe (also available in a ZIP file). CamPlay does not need to be installed, simply double –click on CamPlay.exe after it has been downloaded.

For answers to questions or additional help, contact

Robert Richards, Ph.D.

Stottler Henke Associates, Inc.

951 Mariner’s Island Boulevard, Suite 360

San Mateo, CA 94404

www.stottlerhenke.com
(650) 931-2700
Email

Coskun Tasoluk

Stottler Henke Associates, Inc.

951 Mariner’s Island Boulevard, Suite 360

San Mateo, CA 94404