System of Systems Approach to Derive a Common Framework (ComFrame) for Optical Sensors and Communications Models

Emerging threat scenarios require identification of challenging targets, as well as high bandwidth and secure communications, from complex multi-domain systems of systems (space, air, land, sea, and undersea). These systems comprise diverse platforms, including new and legacy platforms. Legacy platforms require increased capability within current highly constrained system (e.g., Size, Weight and Power (SWaP) constraints for optical aperture growth). For longer term, future platforms, the need is for multifunction active transmitters and receivers (e.g., Anti-Access/Aerial Denial applications). Presently there does not exist a sufficient modeling framework to address this need. The Common Framework (ComFrame) presented in this paper helps assess sensor and communications model effectiveness within planned platform constraints for complex multi-domain systems of systems.