Telesonar network modeling and simulation

The Deployable Autonomous Distributed System (DADS) is a sensor system concept that has the potential to revolutionize the nature of undersea surveillance. Enabling this system is an underwater acoustic communications network linking the various DADS nodes. Space and Naval Warfare Systems Center (SPAWARSYSCEN) San Diego has tasked Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC) to model DADS concepts and simulate the acoustic telemetry and ranging (telesonar) network using the Optimized Network Engineering Tool (OPNET). This task includes: (1) modeling of the undersea acoustic telemetry and ranging (telesonar) handshake protocol developed by SPAWARSYSCEN San Diego, and (2) modeling the acoustic channel anticipated for DADS operating areas to include ambient noise and multi-access interference (MAI). This paper discusses the OPNET model, modifications made to represent the acoustic channel, measures of effectiveness utilized in simulation analysis, and the test scenario designed to simulate a scheduled at-sea demonstration of the telesonar modems