About STOC II

Virtual Environment Training (VENT)

The JANUS Virtual Environment Based Training system allows for both 3D immersive environment training and more traditional computer based training to be delivered in one software package. Our systems can be tuned to provide the most appropriate training type for each component, concept and software application. Typically, hardware components located in a shelter are best trained using a virtual environment training system whereas conceptual information is best delivered using more traditional two dimensional training techniques. Our virtual environment training system has several advantages over traditional CBT systems. For example, in place of multiple graphical frames used to build a training module, a single 3D model can be used. Each object in the 3D model is developed so its controls and displays can be accessed by the training material. This capability allows for a fully interactive training module to be developed using scripted training material similar to a flowchart or storyboard used in more traditional CBTs. The advantage is that there is only a need to create a single graphic, in this case the 3D model of the shelter and its components. JANUS has developed a library of models and corresponding component level training material.

Our process uses a straightforward methodology for the development of training. The virtual environment based training is structured to provide Familiarize, Skill Acquire, Practice and Validate modules.

This model allows for different levels of training to be offered to the various skill levels of soldiers that will be operating and maintaining a particular system. By providing targeted training for each soldier, the JANUS simulation based training system optimizes the training time spent by each soldier. Our training delivery schedules typically are developed for the Primary Operator, Secondary Operator, Supervisor and Planner/Manager. This design allows for a skills based approach that builds on simpler skills before attempting to train more complex ones.

Collaborative Training

JANUS is currently researching and developing the next generation of computer-based training systems. These will add considerable dynamic and collaborative capabilities to the VENT system, allowing students to interact and train with the equipment in simulated scenarios in real-time, with or without the observation and input of an instructor.

The collaborative training capabilities are added through two new components and some additional capabilities to the existing student VENT. The VENT engine gains a network interface that allows high-level training events to be sent over the network. For example, when a particular piece of equipment has been configured and brought on-line, a collaborative training scenario could be configured to send out a notification that the status of that piece of equipment has gone from red to yellow to green. If at a later time, the battery on the equipment fails, either due to elapsed time or due to an instructor-injected failure for training purposes, the status of the equipment in the student VENT would move to red.

The first additional component to the system is an Instructor Console and Server (ICS). The ICS maintains a logical model of the system-level interactions in the scenario, an equipment and system status matrix to track the progress of each student in the collaborative scenario, a logical view of the scenario, a virtual classroom manager/scenario builder to help the instructor fill the spots for each scenario with students who need or want to complete the scenario, and a simple interactive display to allow the instructor some control over the student's virtual training environment.

The second additional component is the Envision™ Scenario Display (ESD). The ESD takes advantage of JANUS' scenario-based military visualization system, Envision™, and connects to the ICS to retrieve geospatial information on the scenario, such as geographic location of the nodes in the scenario and status of any student and simulated network nodes in the scenario. The scenario data is then displayed in the normal Envision™ three-dimensional battlespace view.

Modeling & Simulation

Capabilities:

• Traffic Profile and Scenario Development
• Spectrum Modeling and Analysis
• Communications Planning and Visualization
• High Level Architecture Compliance (HLA)
• High/Low-Fidelity Model Development
• Model Integration, Testing, Verification, Validation, and Analysis
• Experimentation Support (SAF, OTB, HLA, DIS)

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