A hybrid methodology of field-testing and simulation to develop tactical vehicle communication architectures with optimal performance

For years, antenna integration on tactical vehicles has been provided through field-test results and engineering experience. While this generally offers an adequate solution; test time, cost and schedule can often be reduced and better solutions can be obtained by incorporating computational electromagnetic (CEM) and cosite modeling into the antenna integration process. Modeling and simulation compliments field-testing in a hybrid approach. Analysis of extensive and complicated scenarios that are not easily field-testable can often be effectively simulated. Additionally, modeling allows for multiple variations of a test scenario to expand the solution space and show causal relationships between test entities (antenna-to-antenna or antenna-to-platform). This type of analysis can be used to answer "what-if" questions, thus providing new insight into test results. On the other hand, electromagnetic and cosite modeling is not a stand-alone practice. Field-testing is a critical component to the hybrid approach in that it incorporates the totality of a system in the testing process. In many cases the models may be simplified or given more detail based on collected field-test data. Field-testing also plays an important role in model validation and is extremely valuable as the final proof of the integrated solution. The hybrid approach of field-testing and simulation has been successfully applied to several army platform communication system integration projects. These projects will be used as examples to illustrate the important advantages of using the hybrid technique