Comms and Aural Cue System

The P-8A Poseidon simulator contains two trainers that can operate independently or coupled as a Weapon Systems Trainer. The Operational Flight Trainer (OFT) simulates the aircraft’s flight deck, and the Weapons Tactics Trainer (WTT) simulates the aircraft’s rear, where surveillance workstations are located.

To accommodate multiple trainer modes, ASTi developed a complex software model accommodating 19 operators and over 200 simulated radios. The OFT contains two Telestra servers that provide radio communications and environmental cues, while the WTT contains three servers. Each trainer is assigned its own set of radios. During coupled mode, the five servers share radio clients over the network, operating as a single entity. As a result, OFT and WTT operators can communicate with each other as they would in a real P-8A aircraft.

High Fidelity Radio Modeling

Provide a custom radio model with a range of realistic effects.

ASTi developed a high-fidelity radio model with the following capabilities:

• Line-of-sight (LOS) propagation effects
• Irregular terrain effects
• High frequency (HF) environmental factors
• Satellite communication (SATCOM)

ASTi used its built-in radio modeling capabilities to simulate the full suite of mission and flight deck radio communication assets. ASTi also developed a simulated custom ARC-210 radio, which includes a frequency-scanning state machine. This machine accurately reproduces real equipment behavior, including scan frequency order, rate, dwell time, and press-to-talk (PTT) logic.

Complex Instructor and Student Role-Player Capabilities

Provide an expansive Instructor Operator Station (IOS) allowing instructors to role-play with students during an exercise.

ASTi developed a powerful IOS supporting a wide range of capabilities:

• Extensive role-playing assets: the IOS draws from a large pool of communication assets, including LOS, SATCOM, and HF radios.
• Voice disguise: role-players can apply sound effects to transmitted audio in real time.
• Automated text-to-speech (TTS) transmission: client radios instantly relay audio using integrated TTS.
• Wide selection of sound files: the IOS provides scenario-appropriate radio chatter from a library of sound files. Role-player assets on specific frequencies transmit this audio on specific frequencies in specific locations.
• Background noises: instructor radio transmissions may include background environmental sounds, increasing realism.
• Direct communication with students: instructors can override the client operator’s comm panel, providing feedback during the exercise.

Model Verification and Acceptance Testing

Test and verify large, complex communications models through multiple release cycles.

To streamline the model verification and acceptance testing, ASTi developed the Test Bench Tool (TBT) for the P-8A program. TBT reduces testing time by almost 75 percent. The TBT facilitates accurate, reliable, and repeatable model acceptance testing. This application stores and recalls state data that drives the models through an extensive matrix of test conditions. It then stores and processes test results, creating a summarized final report document.

Support for Diskless Operation

Provide diskless server operation to meet rigorous DoD security requirements.

ASTi configured Telestra servers in the P-8 simulation to run in a diskless mode without a hard drive. This process requires booting over the network from a central server. The simulation includes extensive record and replay functions to support MAP simulation and after-action review requirements. As a result, Telestra servers record and replay audio over the network using an iSCSI-based storage area network array. To support the MAP simulation, the servers can record over 20 streams of audio and replay selected streams.

ASTi developed a custom communication panel to simulate the following Mission Audio Panel (MAP) capabilities:

• Binaural audio asset distribution
• Control and mixing of up to 36 communication assets (i.e., radios, intercom stations, navigation aids, HF sonar audio)
• Simulation of MAP record/replay capabilities
• Simulated security interlock functions and asset-by-asset security level control

The MCW uses a common junction box interface with control and logic for a binaural headset, oxygen mask, external speaker, and PTT button.

To simulate aircraft panels, ASTi created a custom model for flight deck assets. This model includes the Flight Deck Audio Control Panel (FDACP) and Flight Deck Mission Control Panel (FDMCP) for three operators. A derivative of the original 737 panel, the FDACP manages 16 independent communication assets. The panel supports stereo audio and can simulate PTT, audio routing, asset selection, and audio mixing capabilities. The FDMCP allows instructors to select and manage mission assets for the flight deck crew and simulates security interlock features similar to MAP functions. Audio from each crew member is routed to a binaural headset and overhead speaker with headset and handset microphone inputs, as shown below: