A common tactical internet performance model architecture

This paper describes a general-purpose, common, tactical internet (TI) performance model architecture. The architecture is currently the standard modeling and simulation configuration for performance modeling on the Applique program´s Digitized Battlefield Communications Model (DBCM). The architecture allows comparisons between competing solutions at most levels in the protocol stack. Applique and other programs have selected the Optimized Engineering Tools (OPNET^TM), a COTS package from MIL 3, Inc., as the modeling tool kit to support a general performance model architecture. The Applique DBCM model architecture takes advantage of several of OPNET^TM´s standard models and allows for a nearly unlimited number of custom models to be included around the “core” models. The architecture includes IP and transport layer modeling, including an allowance for non-standard transports, as well as traffic sources, link, and physical layer models. The core models are high fidelity models that are based on applicable RFCs and other standards. Other models, such as link layer models, need not always be modeled to this same high level of fidelity as they need only to conform to an interface standard with the core. This allows the modeler to choose the appropriate level of fidelity for the portions being developed to meet the goals of that particular study. The primary benefit of this common architecture is that a standard set of core models and scenarios can be used to evaluate different transports, routing protocols, link, and RF layer models. Standardization helps eliminate many of the independent variables when comparing simulation results from different companies and agencies, as well as different efforts within the same company