Athena-Tek Technologies: Edge Devices

Athena-Tek is Network Focused:

Athena-Tek designs and builds Edge Devices and integrates private 5G networks to solve Warfighter Training and Test & Evaluation Use Cases, including the Army’s Training Edge Device (TED).

Athena-Tek has supported the Army’s 5G force-on-force training soldier touch point (STPs) efforts for the last two years at Home Stations, Combat Training Centers, and Test & Evaluation Centers.

Athena-Tek supports DoD’s Next G developmental effort to enhance ground combat training with Augmented Reality/Virtual Reality with Mobile Edge Computing and Network Slicing.

Athena-Tek has supported the development of the expeditionary Live Virtual Constructive Command Center (XLCC), used by the Operational Test Command, for seven years.

Athena-Tek developed an ATAK-based Exercise Controller that can be used to characterize 5G Networks and manage Mesh networks during Training, Test & Evaluation use cases, including capturing panic button information for Land Navigation Training and Biometrics from a wearable device in case of soldier injury.

Athena-Tek has integrated a small form factor 5G SA/NSA network to test Training, Test & Evaluation use cases (“Zeus”).

Athena-Tek has developed a technology roadmap for the STAAR Program’s developmental efforts.

Edge Devices

XLCC – Expeditionary Live Virtual Constructive Command Center (XLCC)

This Exercise Controller (EXCON) is the equivalent of a Swiss Army Knife of Training, Test & Evaluation controller. Based on PEO STRI’s Live, Training, Transformation (LT2) Product line, this system leverages Core Assets from the CTIA architecture to build up on the Home Station Instrumentation System (HITS) with the added features to manage and control Data Collectors and Telemetry. The XLCC products and services include Network planning for Developmental or Operational Testing.

ATAK – Exercise Controller to Monitor Network KPIs, Soldier Panic Button, Mesh Operations, Soldier Biometrics

STAAR Technology Roadmap to Support Training, Test & Evaluation (5GT2E) – Network

Network Monitoring: Monitoring and controlling the RF spectrum during an Event; Control connectivity to the 5G or Mesh Network; Providing visibility to Network KPIs, sensor systems, plus all networked T&E subsystems: Radar; ARTIS Launch Complex stakeholders.
Network Slicing: From Core to Edge training/test control via Network slices leveraged by a single Core to manage multiple training/test events cost-efficiently. You can manage a test event at WSMR from TSMO Headquarters or Manage multiple Home Station Training events simultaneously from a single location. The Edge Device can also set priorities for the traffic to send back to the core based on network KPIs. The Edge Device can source the traffic through wired and/or wireless interfaces.
Enhanced Situational Awareness: Mesh Edge provides visibility to everyone and everything on the training/testing/battlefield. This feature provides for enhanced safety.
Extended Coverage: The 5G/4G network can be extended by leveraging the Meshing capabilities of the Edge Device. This reduces the number of base stations required. This reduces Capex and Opex costs.
Cell Edge KPI Access: The Key Performance Indicators provided by the Edge Device allow for intelligent data analytics via AI and machine learning. Multiple features will be developed via this capability: Image Rendering, Smart Data Collection, and Network Planning.
Roadmap supports 5G, Legacy Training Use Cases including Aviation and T&E.

STAAR Technology Roadmap to Support Training, Test & Evaluation (5GT2E) – Edge Device

Edge Device ARES is designed to meet use cases across multiple PEO STRI programs of record.
5G +Mesh
- 5G AR/VR: Core to Edge STAAR Network can serve to risk mitigate Tranche 1 efforts
- STE IS/LTS: The additional Meshing capability with peer-to-peer allows for enhanced force-on-force training.
Legacy Training Systems
- HITS: Can leverage the Edge Device Meshing capabilities to provide a self-forming/self-healing network for infrastructure-less squad-level training. The Edge Device architecture will also allow Home Stations to be ready for STE with the 5G capability, protecting initial investments.
- CTC-IS: Combat Training Center Training can use Mesh capabilities to enhance coverage and reduce Capex/Opex costs. Using the same edge device across Home Stations improves economies of scale for improved pricing.
- DRTS: Can use a single Edge Device for tank, dismounts, and aviation assets reducing Opex costs. The current system uses three different devices with three different technologies and RF spectrum requirements.
- JPMRC & JMRC: 5G network abides by 3GPP worldwide standards and the Edge Device can support frequency bands around the globe. These networks can be tech-refreshed with enhanced capabilities.

STAAR Technology Roadmap to Support Training, Test & Evaluation (5GT2E) – Network in a Box

Athena Tek’s Expeditionary 5G SA/NSA network operates in the CBRS (n48) band. It is capable of supporting up to 250 users. It leverages an integrated two-sector gNodeB with a single antenna system. The network operates with a 2Watt Microcell architecture giving you a 4 Km range in terrain such as Yuma Proving Ground in Arizona. This system setup requires the use of two external antennas. The current bandwidth is 20 MHz providing up to 40 Mbps capacity in the coverage area. This system has been used at Fort Bragg (NC), Fort Irwin (CA), Yuma Test Center (AZ), and locally in Orlando at the Big Oaks Ranch.

Zeus comes equipped with Thales Satellite connectivity to the Iridium network to get frequency authorization from Google SAS.

Training Edge Device (TED) – Ares III Under Development

4G Lab-Kit

Mesh

Athena-Tek is Solutions Driven

Athena-Tek designs Core, Access, Edge, and Distribution network subsystems for Training and Test and Evaluation use cases leveraging Modeling and Simulation tools.
Athena-Tek integrates multi-vendor subsystems into its edge devices to support the best-in-class training solutions.
Athena-Tek has demonstrated Training, Test & Evaluation use case solutions at the National Training Center, Fort Bragg, Fort Hood, Cold Regions Test Center, and Orlando.

Use Cases & Technologies

The use cases to be demonstrated using the STAAR’s 5G +Mesh capabilities are described below. The expeditionary network concept mentioned relates to Operational Testing (OT) and the need to provide an expeditionary network to support an OT event. The following technologies will be used: ARES Player Unit Radio/Training Edge Device (TED) developed by the STAAR program; two exercise controllers: Live, Virtual, Constructive, Command Center (XLCC), and ATAK variant; Instrumentation systems: ADMAS, Video Cameras and MILES used in OT.
The team will use two 5G networks, one from the STAAR program in Non-Stand-Alone (NSA) mode using bands n78 (5G) and B3 (4G/LTE) and a 5G Stand Alone (SA) network using the CBRS band n48. For the latter, Athena-Tek will demonstrate how Google SAS operates and can provide access to up to 150 MHz of spectrum.
The TED will transmit network Key Performance Indicators at the cell edge to be viewed in real-time in ATAK. The raw data will be available to analytics after the event to perform network characterization.
The TED will be integrated into an STE LTS Solution with the support of STAAR’s strategic partners, including CESI, CUBIC, SAAB, Boeing, and others.