Maritime Operations Defence Research Summer Vacation Scholarships

Here are the Maritime Operations projects for Australian Defence Science and Technology Organisation (DSTO) Scholarships. DSTO is offering 68 university students $4,050 tax-free each for a 12-week research project in the Summer Vacation Scholarship Program. Applications can be made online and close 19 July 2009, with the projects running from late November 2009 to mid February 2010 accross Australia.

The Projects

MOD 01 Developing of a generic model for ambient ship noise

To implement an initial radiated noise model for ships that can be embedded in ship tracks so as to produce a far field spectrum for calibration of ship sonars - leading to an eventual real-time system using GCSS / TESS and operational trialling

Literature search, development and implementation of model. Mathematical modelling; literature review. programming in JAVA or C++; Interest in modelling and GIS displays

Maritime Operations Division ATP Sydney

MOD 02 Investigate the deployment and sustainment options for an amphibious task force.

The Australian amphibious capability will be greatly improved with the introduction of two large amphibious ships. These ships will support more helicopters and landing craft than have previously been possible. This study will use simulation and other appropriate operations research techniques to determine an appropriate mix of helicopters and landing craft for amphibious operations.

Conduct a feasibility study for different simulation packages.

Determine variables including limiting constraints for elements within an amphibious system. Produce simulation.

Operations Research / Mathematics/ Physics/ Computer science Java programming experience and knowledge of the entire software engineering lifecycle

Very good communication, interpersonal and writing skills. Distinction Average preferred.

Maritime Operations Division ATP Sydney

MOD 03 World model for autonomous underwater exploration

Investigation of strategies for efficient representation and update of a ‘world model’ for the underwater environment to be incorporated into a robotic vehicle.

Applicant will be required to undertake theoretical studies into processes by which parameters describing the underwater environment (bathymetry, bottom type, currents, obstacles) can be represented and modified efficiently in the context of an exploratory autonomous underwater vehicle (a ‘scout’) that is tasked with mapping an unexplored underwater area and maintaining a ‘safe route to exit’ as it explores.

Applied mathematics, physics, mechatronics, computer science

Well-developed programming skills are essential

Position would suit an applicant with an interest in artificial intelligence and ocean research

Maritime Operations Division ATP Sydney

MOD 04 Automation of hydrographic survey Investigation of strategies for autonomous survey of coastal waters using an autonomous surface vehicle fitted with a bathymetric sonar.

Applicant will be required to undertake theoretical studies into the efficiency of autonomous survey operations. The work will be based on optimisation algorithms and probabilistic models of hydrographic sensor performance and the marine environment. This work is a continuation of a previous SVS project

Applied mathematics, physics, mechatronics, computer science

Well-developed programming skills are essential and exposure to optimisation algorithms would be beneficial

Position would suit an applicant with an interest in ocean research

Maritime Operations Division ATP Sydney

MOD 05 Enhancements of DSTO AIS Recording Systems

DSTO collects position data broadcast by vessels through the Automatic Identification System (AIS). DSTO currently records this data through a system that consists of java programs to receive and rebroadcast data streams, and to collect and database the information. The information is stored in MySQL databases that are becoming large. Depending on the skills and interests of the summer student, this project will look at improving and optimizing one or more of internally developed tools and systems: 1. Data stream redirection software 2. MySQL databases, including storage, replication/redundancy and query optimization 3. Database and stream management software 4. Geospatial presentation of ship current and historic data (using NASA Worldwind GIS System­java version). 5. Historical analysis toolboxes (MATLAB Based) Software Development and database development and management

Computer Science/Software Engineering OR Mathematics/Physics with strong computing component. Java Programming (essential), Database (essential) MATLAB (desirable)

The successful applicant will require initiative to understand our existing systems and work with the DSTO team to identify and develop system improvements.

Maritime Operations Division ATP Sydney

MOD 06 Scenario Generation and Control Development

The Virtual Maritime System (VMS) is a modeling and simulation framework with a particular focus on the maritime combat system centric domain. The VMS is currently based on a distributed simulation standard (the High Level Architecture (HLA)) that is 10 years old. In that time the HLA has been updated and new simulation standards have appeared. One new simulation standard is the Test and Training Enabling Architecture (TENA) (http://www.tena-sda.org)

This project will explore the implementation of VMS using TENA. This activity will have several tasks: Evaluating the differences/similarities between HLA and TENA Comparing the VMS to existing TENA object models for similarities Porting existing VMS software written to work with the HLA to work with TENA Possibly developing middleware to allow a simulation model to transition between VMS/HLA and VMS/TENA with no modifications Writing a report providing an introduction to TENA for those experienced with HLA and advice on porting from HLA to TENA

Presentation of work performed during employment.

Software engineering Software development experience with C++ Experience with CORBA (TENA is heavily CORBA based)

Experience with software development best practices (source code management, build systems, release management).

Maritime Operations Division DSTO Edinburgh SA

MOD 07 Cloud Computing Research and Development

Cloud computing is a style of computing in which dynamically scalable and often virtualized resources are provided as a service over the Internet. Users need not have knowledge of, expertise in, or control over the technology infrastructure in the "cloud".

The project will explore the implementation of Cloud Computing onto a small cluster of computers in the ANZAC Combat Systems Integration Laboratory (ACSIL)'s development and production environments. The activity will have several tasks: For a small set of candidate architectures, evaluate the relative merits of using each Present the evaluation to a small working group of MOD staff Install the selected architecture onto a cluster of computers Integrate, and where applicable, develop solutions to integrate higher-level job and task management functions into the architecture Contrive and implement policies to govern the management and operation of jobs within the cloud. Present the work performed during employment.

Familiarity with Distributed Computing principles and practices.

Experience with software development best practice (source code management, build systems).

Experience with C/C++.

Maritime Operations Division DSTO Edinburgh SA

MOD 08 Scenario Generation and Control Development

DSTO has recently embarked on an ambitious project to construct its own Scenario Generation and Control (SGC) program, which can be used to create and drive simulations in the ANZAC Combat Systems Integration

Laboratory (ACSIL). The ACSIL has a combination of simulated and actual Maritime platform hardware and is used regularly for human-in-the-loop experimentation.

The SGC programme of work is at a relatively early stage; there exists a unique opportunity for a motivated Summer Vacation

Student to get involved in extending the extant capabilities of this work by adding additional platform controller mechanisms. The software program is based on Java, JavaScript and Groovy, and operates as a Web Service; it features a novel time-line based viewing mechanism for developing scenarios.

This project will explore different types of advanced platform behaviours to be folded into the SGC programme of work. Using a DSTO-developed specification for the characteristics of scenario ‘background traffic’, this open-ended activity will involve several tasks: develop, implement code and visualisations of surface traffic in shipping lanes, with pre-defined behaviours based on the relative times of day, etc develop, implement code and visualisations of air traffic in air lanes, with aircraft traversing at pre-defined intervals based on the relative time of day, etc develop, implement code and visualisations of ‘fishing fleets with pre-defined behaviours based on the relative times of day, clustering together and moving as a single unit, etc present the work performed during employment.

Software engineering Software experience with Java/JavaScript/C++ Experience with, and an interest in high-level real-world simulations

Experience with, and an interest in developing GUI controls

Experience with software development best practices (source code management, build systems)

Maritime Operations Division DSTO Edinburgh SA

MOD 09 Integration of Google Earth with Simulation Tools

The project aims to develop a tool that can act as a bridge between an entity level simulation tool and the public domain software Google Earth. An entity level simulation is used to generate war games and is able to represent most military platforms and people.

The reason for this is to enable the use of Google Earth as the common view into the simulation. Using Google Earth has the benefit of any data available in the public domain for Google Earth can be made available during the simulation, making a more immersive simulation possible. The project will aim to enhance and develop on top of some initial prototype work to produce a more robust tool for use in the simulation environment at DSTO Sydney.

Development of a tool to integrate simulation with Google Earth to be utilised during entity level simulations Software Engineering, IT, Computer Science, Geospatial Information C/C++, Google Earth

Maritime Operations Division ATP Eveleigh (Sydney)

MOD 10 GIS Package for Amphibious Assault Toolset

The Amphibious Operations Group has been working on an Amphibious Assault Toolset to aid in the planning and conduct of beach and helicopter assaults. The student will be working towards adding a GIS element to the existing toolset

The project will involve researching GIS user requirements, conducting a study on relevant, existing GIS packages, develop/incorporate an appropriate GIS solution and demonstrate/review its functionality with the end user

Computer Science / Software Engineering Java programming experience and knowledge of the entire software engineering lifecycle

Very good communication, interpersonal and writing skills. Distinction Average preferred

Maritime Operations Division ATP Eveleigh (Sydney)

MOD 11 Development of User Interface for Force Protection Games

FPG have in the past been conducted as table-top exercises, however there is an opportunity to develop a software driven version of the FPG.

The student will be required to analyse the project requirements of developing a software driven FPMG and develop a solution to those requirements. Options for further extension of the interface should be considered e.g. remote access, instant messaging, recording tools

Software Engineering Programming, Human Factors Maritime Operations Division ATP Eveleigh

MOD 12 WebREP integration and support

WebREP is a web-based environmental and geospatial information management tool that provides key information to planners and warfighters. Enhancing WebREP with new and innovative algorithms and adding support for new data sets requires modification to the existing code base. WebREP has been requested for use in the TTCP / NATO REP10 trial in June 2010.

Programming and application support; integration of new data types and web services.

Computing - programming and web design/development

Understanding of Services Oriented Architectures and geospatial data structures

Maritime Operations Division ATP Eveleigh (Sydney)

MOD 13 Enhance real-time monitoring and display of resource consumption in component-based cluster software applications

Starting with a distributed component architecture which runs concept sonar processing applications the project is to improve the amount of information available on how the limited system resources (including memory and network bandwidth) are being allocated and consumed from being system-wide (recorded per-computer) to being per-component.

Upgrading various server software components of our in-house component architecture to support monitoring their individual consumption of CPU, memory and network bandwidth.

Enhance or replace the existing real-time monitoring tool to include the more detailed statistics. Given a generic test application, investigate and optimise for the performance penalty caused by the monitoring. Manage software using a version control system. Document changes made using comments and design documents.

Computer Science or Software Engineering, with understanding of operating systems, distributed computing and IP networking

Competence in programming in C++ Strong familiarity with Linux or UNIX environment and tools including shell scripts and the Eclipse IDE

Understanding of the CVS version control system

Desirable familiarity with Qt graphical toolkit and/or Java

Able to operate a standard desktop environment including Microsoft Windows and Office

Maritime Operations Division HMAS Stirling WA

MOD 14 Investigate the utility of Virtual World technology for early concept exploration

Virtual world technology is now being applied to many role rehearsal and scenario exploration tasks across a wide range of disciplines. More recently military organizations have been exploring the use of the technology because of the relatively low cost and for the diversity and richness of experiences using these tools. This project will produce exemplar submarine control spaces in a number of available virtual world technologies. These will then be used to examine metrics that might be applied to measuring the relative performance of people in these spaces and how that might translate to real world implementations

The students will build exemplar submarine control rooms using two or more available virtual world technologies (e.g. Open Simulator and Open Cobalt) and at varying levels of fidelity. Using metrics devised for the purpose the students will then quantify the utility of the models produced in evaluating performance of operators in the virtual spaces. Output of the project will be virtual world models of submarine control spaces, an assessment of the maturity of the technologies used and a comparison of the utility of the designs produced.

Human Factors, Computer Graphic Design Basic programming skills, experience creating virtual world or gaming content.

Maritime Operations Division HMAS Stirling WA

MOD 15 Adaptive beamforming for sonar audio

Sonar audio is an important tool used by sonar operators to assist in classifying contacts. Adaptive beamforming is a preferred processing technique for obtain high quality sonar audio. Using adaptive beamforming technique to improve the quality of sonar audio is still at its infancy stage. In this project, we shall test and compare different adaptive beamforming algorithms using simulated and recorded data, and recommend an appropriate algorithm for sonar audio.

Testing and comparing different adaptive beamforming algorithms using simulated and recorded data

Signal processing Programming in Matlab Prefer 3rd year Engineering students.

Maritime Operations Division HMAS Stirling WA

MOD 16 Investigate the use of a time stepping simulation for Monte Carlo study

To support the purchase of the future submarines to replace the Collins submarines, DSTO will be performing analytical studies using simulations. Simulations provide insight into the effectiveness of any proposal under various threats and under different environmental contexts. To have confidence in the result, it is essential to measure the outcomes under numerous starting conditions and contexts in a Monte Carlo fashion.

A set of criteria will be given to the student. The duty of the student is to learn how to use a commercial time stepping simulation VR-Force (http://www.mak.com/products/vrforces.php), and to attempt to use it for traditional Monte Carlo study. In the process identify and quantify any limitations of the tool against given criteria.

Operation research / Statistic, Modeling & simulation/ Computing. Basic desktop and programming skill.

Maritime Operations Division HMAS Stirling WA

MOD 17 New sensor technology for submarine sonar

This project will involve working in the future underwater acoustic sensors group at HMAS Stirling in WA. The focus is to investigate new sensor technology that can be used for submarine sonars. Current work done covers new sensor materials, re-configurable and smart sensor electronics and sensor characterization and calibration at our on site acoustic facility.

The applicant will be expected to participate in one or all of these existing work areas depending on their subject of specialization and interest. The work would be more suited to the experimental scientist.

Physics, Engineering Computing 3rd year Physics or Engineering students

Maritime Operations Division HMAS Stirling WA

MOD 18 Multi-Sensor Data Fusion for Tracking with Bearings-Only Measurements

When tracking a target using sensors that measure only the approximate bearing to a target, the use of data collected from multiple geographically separated sensors can drastically improve our accuracy. In this project, the student will investigate a data fusion scheme which can be used to track a single target using information from multiple bearings-only sensors. This scheme involves the use of Kalman filters and particle filters to process the sensor data. The project requires using Matlab to analyse the performance of the algorithm on simulated tracking scenarios, and to compare its performance to standard multi-sensor fusion schemes. - Understanding literature on the algorithm - Implementation and testing of algorithm in Matlab - Produce a report and give a seminar on the results

Engineering (Electronic or Computer Systems), Mathematics, Statistics Matlab programming Strong mathematical, analytical and problem solving skills

Maritime Operations Division HMAS Stirling WA

MOD 19 Open Architecture CMS Representative

Computing Environment Development - Generic combat system models and test functions

Contribute to the development of a representative combat system computing environment based on open architecture design philosophies and development practices by designing and developing generic combat system models and test functions. Participate in the research and design of generic information flow and functional architecture models for a generic combat system Research and use model driven tools to help with developing UML models and code generation. Participate in the development of UML models to represent the generic information flows and functional architecture for a generic combat system. Develop combat system test functions based on the information and functional models developed for a generic combat system

Software Engineer/Computer Scientist Knowledge of UML, C++ and JAVA

Maritime Operations Division DSTO Edinburgh SA

MOD 20 Open Architecture CMS Representative

Computing Environment Development - Generic Sensor Interface and test functions

Contribute to the development of a representative combat system computing environment based on open architecture design philosophies and development practices by designing and developing generic sensor interfaces and test functions. Participate in the research and design of generic information flows and interface functionality for a generic sensor interface into the combat system Research and use model driven tools to help with developing UML models and code generation. Participate in the development of UML models to represent information flow and interface functions of a generic sensor interface. Develop the interface code and test functions to test the design of the generic sensor interface.

Software Engineer/Computer Scientist Knowledge of UML, C++ and JAVA

Maritime Operations Division DSTO Edinburgh SA