May 8, 2012 – ASTi recently updated a Telestra audio and communications system running simulated F/A-18F Super Hornet engine models at the Patuxent River Naval Air Station (NAS) Manned Flight Facility in St. Mary's, MD. An ASTi engineer worked alongside an active-duty U.S. Navy F/A-18 pilot to adjust sounds produced by the engine model to better replicate the actual cockpit environment.

During the update process, the pilot identified a need for additional aural cues caused by air resonating around the aircraft based on airspeed and altitude. Using the pilot's input, ASTi's engineer was able to tune the model quickly and efficiently with the agile model development software. The ability of the ASTi sound system to position sounds at various locations within the cockpit further enhanced the simulation. Due to the ASTi updates, the simulator is slated to be used for carrier approach training.

ASTi also conducted on-the-job training for the site's engineering staff during the one-day trip. The customer's proficiency with ASTi's software allowed them to perform final tuning, as well as handle any future maintenance tasks.

The F/A-18E/F Super Hornet is a twin-engine, multi-mission fighter jet developed for a variety of combat operations. ASTi has provided the simulated communications and aural cue systems for the F/A-18 training program since 1989. ASTi has been providing networked communications and aural cue solutions to Pax River NAS facilities for over a decade.

Other ASTi installs at Patuxent River:
ASTi Updates Base-wide Communications System at Patuxent River NAS
ASTi Provides Network Comms for US Navy "Network of the Future"

For more on NAS Pax River see:
http://cnic.navy.mil/Patuxent/index.htm

Apr 16, 2012 – ASTi recently installed a Telestra 4 communications and aural cueing system on a unique type of fast jet simulator: the ATFS-400 Phoenix flight simulator from Environmental Tectonics Corporation (ETC). The ATFS-400 is a centrifuge-based platform simulator which adjusts its cockpit module's position on multiple axes to realistically simulate the physical forces of high-speed flight.

The platform also features a modular, reconfigurable cockpit which can be changed to simulate one of several supported airframes such as the F-15, F-16, and others. Instead of sitting idle, any cockpit not attached to the motion platform can be used in its fixed configuration, allowing simultaneous training alongside the pilot in the centrifuge.

ASTi was originally contracted to provide audio and comms for a single cockpit with two instructors. Shortly before its demonstration to the U.S. Navy, however, ETC asked ASTi to triple the sound and communications capability of the Telestra system to accommodate additional aircraft simulations.

ASTi responded by expediting hardware production, and accelerating model development. An application engineer from ASTi traveled on-site to support ETC in the days leading up to the demonstration. The ASTi engineer tuned models in real-time based on pilot feedback, and suggested solutions to challenges that ETC considered impossible given the compressed timeline. As many requirements were still evolving during system installation, ASTi's on-site support was critical to the demonstration's success.

For more information on ETC: http://www.etctacticalflight.com

Apr 16, 2012 – In February, the Redstone Test Center and Aviation Flight Test Directorate at Redstone Arsenal, AL received an ASTi systems upgrade including six (6) new audio communications systems. These systems bridge live radio traffic to the Flight Test Control Center, and provide radio communications for 84 operators.

In April, the Redstone Test Center extended the system's ACENet audio network from a remote mountain antenna site to their facility with more than 15 miles of fiber optic cable. At the remote site, a single ACE-RIU audio device connects to a live URC-200 military radio, and bridges radio traffic from remote aircraft to the facility's DIS network. The ASTi system remains at the Test Control building, along with ASTi's remote configuration and management software.

ASTi has plans to further augment this installation to add its Remote Radio Control capability to the Center's existing system. Using only a web browser, system administrators will be able to control remote radios' presets, squelch, frequency and volume from the Test Control building. This upgrade will simplify the system architecture by replacing an older radio control application, and unify the Test Center's radio and communications infrastructure.

For more information about this installation, please visit:
http://www.asti-usa.com/news/2012/0227.html

For more information about Remote Radio Control:
http://www.asti-usa.com/radiorc/index.html

Apr 09, 2012 – Advanced Simulation Technology, inc. (ASTi) exhibited at the World Aviation Training Conference & Tradeshow (WATS), in Orlando, Florida, at booth #300. ASTi is the leading supplier of COTS Level D sound and communications systems to the simulation and training market. Over the past year, more than 10 full-flight simulators (FFS) fitted with ASTi Telestra 4 sound and communication systems were certified to Level D, with a greater number expected to become certified over the next year. Included in last year's count is a system that went from proposal to certification in just under 8 weeks, demonstrating the responsiveness of the ASTi production and engineering teams, and its ability to meet aggressive schedules.

Enhance Training with ASTi's Automated Radio Environment
At WATS, ASTi will focus on meeting the next-generation requirements for providing a realistic radio environment, as defined in the ICAO9625 3rd edition. ASTi will demonstrate their Commercial Automated Dynamic Radio Environment (CADRE) product, which provides an immersive radio simulation environment for training flight deck crews.

CADRE uses sophisticated voice disguise and radio voicing audio effects which allow automated text-to-speech-based role-players and the instructor to represent air traffic control (ATC) and other aircraft within the environment. Other solutions have attempted to implement similar Speech Recognition-based (SR) solutions with little success due to the limited performance of SR, particularly when faced with crew from various countries.

Sound and Communication Solutions Continue to meet Level D Requirements
With an enhanced tool set and new modeling capabilities, the Telestra 4 continues to meet existing certification requirements demanded by Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) FAR Part 60 and the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) equivalent. Combining the ability to provide precise audio control with its engineering team's growing knowledge base, ASTi has significantly reduced tuning effort during certification.

Please visit Booth #300 for a demonstration of CADRE, and to learn how the system can provide a realistic radio environment for your simulator.

For more information on WATS: http://halldale.com/wats-2012/

Mar 06, 2012 – Advanced Simulation Technology inc. (ASTi), the predominate solution provider for networked voice and simulated radio communications to the DoD, demonstrated their latest product offerings and serious game technologies at the GameTech Conference, during March 28-30, 2012, in Orlando, FL. ASTi's exhibit, located in Booth 1, featured:

Serious Radios for Serious Games
Voisus simulated radios integrated into serious games such as Bohemia Interactive's Virtual Battle Space 2 (VBS2^TM) interactive training system for an immersive military training experience. Voisus in-game radio and intercom capabilities offer:

• Communications modeling with frequency, AM/FM, and modulation parameters
• Radio effects such as crypto tones and antenna noise
• Location based audio effects for in-range communication to nearby players, no more shouting across the desk.
• Vehicle-based radios are automatically acquired when entering and exiting vehicles.
• DIS support for interoperability with military simulators integrating Live-Virtual-Constructive (LVC) training.
• Simple key-press controls make ASTi comms a seamless addition to the game.

Voice Communication Solutions for PCs and Tablets
ASTi's Voisus Thin Client is a voice communications application for computer and tablet users. Thin Client provides networked access to: simulated radios, live radio over IP, intercom chat lines and conference calling. Customized MIL radio GUIs also available.

Voice Capture and Replay
ASTi's Simscribe voice capture and replay tool for game-based training applications increases the training benefits during after-action-review (AAR) and live, virtual and constructive (LVC) events. Simscribe integrates directly into VBS2^TM in-game AAR recording and playback features with intuitive operation.

Tactical Radio Simulators
ASTi's radio simulator products are an ideal solution for trainers requiring hands-on radio experience. The radio simulators provide the realistic look, feel and function of live MIL radios, but at a fraction of the cost. Radio simulators are available in hardware versions for maximum physical realism or software applications for maximum economy.

ASTi GameTech Presentation: Serious Communications for Serious Games
ASTi engineer, Ross Kukulinski, presented "Serious Communications for Serious Games" at the conference session entitled "Game Technologies for DoD".

Feb 27, 2012 – ASTi recently fielded upgrades to Telestra 4 communications systems at the Redstone Test Center and Aviation Flight Test Directorate, Redstone Arsenal, Alabama. These ASTi systems bridge live radio traffic to the Flight Test Control Center, and provide radio communications for 84 operators across 6 platforms.

Operators inside the Flight Test Control facility use radios connected to the ASTi systems to communicate with the live radios inside military helicopters. The ASTi Telestra platforms and URC-200 radios are installed in trailers allowing Flight Test personnel to relocate to remote test areas.

ASTi engineering staff performed the upgrades, and provided and provided a complete fielding services package, including: software upgrade installation, validation and testing between live radios and networked ASTi Telestra 4 systems and a training course for new technical and operational staff.

The ASTi systems have been in operation for over 5 years and the continued support affirms ASTi's commitment to ongoing programs.

More on the Redstone Test Center.

Feb 15, 2012 – ASTi recently fielded seven Voisus Server systems for communications and radio over IP bridging at the Mission Training Complex (MTC) in Camp Dodge, Iowa. Camp Dodge MTC trains the Army National Guard soldiers on Army Mission Command Systems.

The MTC facility now has 80 operators with networked voice communications using ASTi's Voisus Thin Client. The operators have access to simulated radios, radio-over-IP, intercoms, and VoIP point-to-point and conference calling.

ASTi's Radio Bridge provides the ability to bridge audio from eight live radios into their battalion and brigade exercises. These exercises create a realistic training environment with complete maneuver, logistics, fires, unmanned aerial system (UAS) views, intelligence, and after action review (AAR).

ASTi demonstrated the ability to integrate in-game voice communications into serious games such as Bohemia Interactive's Virtual Battle Space 2 (VBS2^TM) using Voisus simulated radios, extending the realism for Live-Virtual-Constructive (LVC) training. ASTi's Simscribe capture and replay tool is fully compatible with VBS2's AAR functionality. ASTi also demonstrated the PRC-117F software radio panel on a customer supplied tablet for future use.

Camp Dodge MTC received a complete operations training course and ASTi will provide technical support for ongoing help desk assistance.

More on Voisus Thin Client.

More on the Iowa National Guard.

Feb 03, 2012 – ASTi recently fielded upgrades to Radio-IP Bridge communications systems that support a network connecting several United States Air Forces in Europe (USAFE) bases. The product upgrades enable USAFE staff to use a web interface to remotely monitor and control military air-ground radios that are dispersed across Europe. The fielding work was performed by ASTi engineering staff at the USAFE Warrior Preparation Center (WPC) in Einsiedlerhof, Germany. ASTi provided a complete fielding services package, including: remote radio control kit installation, validation testing between live radios and networked ASTi Radio-IP Bridge systems and training courses for technical and operational staff.

The WPC depends on ASTi products to provide the core radio-over-IP capability for the program known as the USAFE Remote Radio Network (URNN). The URRN is a critical component of the WPC's training programs for front line combat jobs, including Tactical Air Control Party Specialists (TACPs) and Joint Terminal Air Controllers (JTACs). ASTi Radio-IP Bridges connected to the URRN integrate voice communications between combat aircraft flying over Germany, Italy, England and Belgium with virtual and constructive simulators located across Europe and the United States.

This live-virtual linkage realizes a host of benefits for the Air Force:

• Seamless radio communications coverage between live aircraft and ground assets and networked simulator-based training facilities.
• Conservation of live radio usage: any number of training center operators can share common access to radio assets through network connections. For example, traffic from a single ground-based radio in Belgium can be accessed by scores of airmen and soldiers using ASTi Voisus Thin Client networked voice applications running on their computers.
• The addition of ASTi remote radio control allows system administrators to use a web interface to reach across the network to a distant facilities and adjust radio settings, including: channel preset, frequency, AM/FM, squelch, power, and security modes. They can also monitor radios across the network to check: front panel settings, received signal strength, internal health reports, radio software version, and installed options.
• This powerful remote management capability allows the Air Force to operate and monitor radios and quickly diagnose communications issues using minimal, centrally-located staff.

ASTi has provided networked voice solutions to the WPC since 2006.

More information about ASTi Radio-IP Bridge and Remote Radio Control.

More information about the USAFE Warrior Preparation Center.

More information about Tactical Air Control Party specialists.

Feb 01, 2012 – ASTi's Voisus Thin Client product now incorporates Auto Radio Tuning, an innovation that enables operators to instantaneously establish voice communications with any simulated radio on the network, simply by clicking in a realtime list of "who's online".

Auto Radio Tuning replaces the traditional manual tuning method, where operators were required to have prior, detailed knowledge of radio settings (frequency, AM or FM, crypto and frequency hop fills) in order to tune their radios. It also eliminates the work needed to preconfigure radios by filling them with pre-planned, coordinated settings prior to use. Users can now use the Auto Radio Tuning feature on-the-fly to discover other networked radios and tune in with one click. This is a critical enhancement for operators like training event directors or system administrators who need to quickly establish impromptu voice comms.

Operation is straightforward: Operators simply use Voisus Thin Client software to access a list of active radios on the network, and then click on the radio with which they wish to communicate. Auto Radio Tuning uses the selected radio's settings to automatically configure the operator's local radio. In a fraction of a second, the operator is in-tune with the remote radio, and ready to communicate.

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Voisus Thin Client is a modular, ready-to-deploy networked voice communication product which incorporates simulated radio, intercom and direct and conference calling features that fill critical communications requirements for military, civil and commercial users. Contact ASTi for more information.

Jan 12, 2012 – ASTi recently completed a full sound system update to meet FAA FAR Part 60 regulations on a Boeing Next-Generation 737 full flight simulator for a leading flight training services provider. The project's aggressive schedule ensured the simulator attained Level D and Ready for Training (RFT) certification merely 8 weeks following ASTi's receipt of the request for proposal. ASTi's ability to meet such an ambitious deadline is testament to the responsiveness and adeptness of its engineering and production departments.

During recommissioning of the previously-idle simulator, engineers discovered that its 90s-era sound system failed to meet current FAA Sound Qualification Test Guide (QTG) criteria. ASTi worked closely with the on-site engineering team to replace the substandard equipment with ASTi's Telestra 4 development software and integrated Level D toolset. ASTi's previous experience designing Level D audio systems for the NG737 airframe expedited host ICD development and implementation. The contractor's engineering team in Miami, FL replaced all of the simulator's original speakers with high-performance speakers to ASTi's specification.

ASTi engineers traveled to Miami to perform final system integration and tuning over a period of only three days. The sound QTG was re-run with the FAA during simulator certification testing, and all resultant sound pressure level plots fell within the +/-5dB tolerance prescribed by the regulations.

While this schedule was exceptional, this project demonstrates the flexibility of ASTi's Telestra 4 toolset—specifically, those elements targeted at Level D performance—the experience of the ASTi engineering team, and the cohesive nature of the ASTi organization.