Modeling Communication Networks in a Real-Time Simulation Environment for Evaluating Controls of Shipboard Power Systems

TL;DR

This paper presents the development of a communication network component within a control evaluation framework, enabling simulation of communication conditions to assess their impact on shipboard power system controls.

Contribution

It introduces a communication network module in the CEF, allowing realistic testing of control systems under various communication scenarios in a shipboard environment.

Findings

Communication conditions significantly affect control performance.

Hardware-in-the-loop testing validates the module's effectiveness.

Enhanced simulation capabilities improve control system evaluation.

Abstract

Interest by the U.S. Navy in the development and deployment of advanced controls in future shipboard platforms has motivated the development of the Controls Evaluation Framework (CEF) for use in investigating dynamics present in complex automated systems. This paper reports on the implementation and investigation of a communication network component within the CEF. This implementation is designed to augment the CEF's available feature set, permitting the exploration of various communication conditions on advanced control performance. Results obtained from controller hardware-in-the-loop testing are presented and analyzed to demonstrate performance characteristics pertaining to the implemented module.