End-to-end network modeling and simulation of integrated terrestrial, airborne and space environments

Northrop Grumman Information Technology (IT) TASC has developed a comprehensive modeling, simulation and visualization capability that includes space, airborne, and terrestrial environments to support the analysis of mission driven end-to-end communications solutions for intelligence, military operations, homeland security, and other needs from the government or commercial sectors. The end-to-end network modeling (EENM) and simulation capability includes all layers of the protocol stack and it supports a wide range of technologies. Moreover, the EENM incorporates specialized modeling tools to represent adequately atmospheric and propagation impairments that affect wireline, wireless/RF, and free-space optical transmission. The framework architecture was specifically adopted to facilitate the integration and inter-operation of models developed internally by Northrop Grumman IT, commercial products, and some models specifically designed by external R&D centers. This paper describes the framework architecture, the modeling, simulation, and visualization capabilities, and presents an example of the analysis capabilities