Performance analysis of the augmented wireless sensor network testbed

Existing testing systems are not suited for testing of tactical hardware in complex battlefield configurations due to the increased complexity of sensors that include network interfaces and sensor fusion algorithms. We are developing a system for augmented testing of wireless sensor networks that supports virtual system configurations interacting with the real-time hardware in the loop. The testbed provides a realistic simulated representation of a tactical network that allows faithful testing of networked systems focusing on hardware in the loop sensors and sensor fusion systems. Systems can be tested using this method in a controlled repeatable environment not feasible in field testing. The system design combines dedicated high performance computing (HPC) resources with a scalable, high fidelity network emulation and a computer generated forces (CGF) model to virtually represent the tactical network, force movement, interactions, and communication loads to systems under test. The system is implemented using QualNet network emulation and OneSAF CGF running on a parallel Linux blade system and integrates sensors to the simulated virtual environment through wireless gateways and Ethernet connections. This paper presents the design framework, current implementation of the system, and real-time performance measurements.