Automated Techniques to Reduce Operator Workload at the Passive ASW and Human-System Interface

Automated Techniques to Reduce Operator Workload at the Passive ASW and Human-System Interface
Navy SBIR FY2005.1

Sol No.:	Navy SBIR FY2005.1
Topic No.:	N05-045
Topic Title:	Automated Techniques to Reduce Operator Workload at the Passive ASW and Human-System Interface
Proposal No.:	N051-045-0160
Firm:	Anacapa Sciences, Inc. 301 East Carrillo Street 2FL P. O. Box 519 Santa Barbara, California 93102-0519
Contact:	Robert Dick
Phone:	(805) 966-6157
Web Site:	anacapasciences.com
Abstract:	The proposed research will reduce the historically high operator workload in legacy passive ASW systems that arises from grossly inefficient human-system interfaces (HSIs). These problematic HSIs create high operator workload even when automation is applied to contact detection, classification and localization (DCL). We propose to resolve a substantive portion of the problem by leveraging off of new, innovative HSI technology that employs very high levels of display integration. This new technology - part of which is patented but freely available to the Navy - reduced operator workload in a passive DCL system by 50% - as judged by Navy SMEs. This advanced HSI technology is enabled by commercial advances in data representation, data management, and workload optimization technologies. *In Phase I of the proposed research, we will develop 5-10 major screen formats for passive ASW, each of which employs numerous innovative workload reduction HSI features and functions developed specifically for passive ASW. We will verify the feasibility of implementing these HSI formats and features within the sensor data architecture of the DD(X) Total Ship Computing Environment. And we will use Fleet ASW experts to verify the utility and usability of the formats and features for reducing operator workload in DD(X).
Benefits:	The proposed R&D will provide several direct benefits to the U.S. Navy; here are a few examples beyond the obvious benefit of providing a foundation for a powerful proof-of-concept demonstration in Phase II: One is the capacity to begin a development process immediately to reduce ASW operator workload aboard DD(X) and other passive ASW platforms, because the Phase I SBIR will provide a specific set of advanced HSI designs to kick off such development, even without the performance of a Phase II SBIR. Another benefit is a powerful demonstration of the practical utility of integrating ASW sensor and track data across currently stove-piped system architectures, which the Navy can use to mandate greater cooperation among its major contractors to achieve such integration. Another benefit is a practical approach to integrating workload optimization algorithms with innovative workload visualization HSIs to support both manual and semi-automatic workload balancing across all Undersea Warfare (USW) operators aboard DD(X) - which will result in manning reduction. Potential commercial applications in DoD focus on market domains involving passive sensing or imaging with either manual or semi-automated pattern recognition (detection and classification) of sensed/imaged entities. These markets include electro-optical (EO) and infra-red (IR) domains, as well as the obvious acoustic and electromagnetic domains. There are applications therefore to all Navy platforms (surface, subsurface, airborne, and fixed-station) that passively sense or image to perform surveillance; and all Army and Air Force surveillance systems for passive sensing or imaging. *Potential commercial applications in Industry include at least two extremely large markets: one is software for detecting network faults and performing fault management in Network Operating Centers (NOCs), which is functionally similar to performing passive ASW. Another is enterprise software for sensing, classifying, and responding to business-critical events; contexts here include supply chain management and manufacturing process management. While much of the "surveillance" software in both markets is very sophisticated, the HSI components are surprisingly primitive. There is a profound market need here for application of the results from the proposed R&D.

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