September 02, 2008 – ASTi recently delivered seventeen Synapse Workstation network voice communication systems to the Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division (NAWCAD) at Patuxent River NAS. The Synapse Workstations were installed at several sites across the expansive base, replacing existing ASTi systems that was in service for over seven years. NAWCAD facilities receiving new ASTi systems include:

• Air Combat Environment Test and Evaluation Facility (ACETEF)
• Advanced System Integration Laboratory (ASIL)
• Surface/Aviation Interoperability Laboratory (SAIL)

The new communications systems are connected to the Global Information Grid (GIG), the DoD network backbone, for inter–communication with ASTi–equipped flight simulators at Patuxent River and other ASTi systems at NAWC sites such as Point Mugu NAS and China Lake NAWS.

These latest generation Synapse systems incorporate several key features that are critical to NAWC communications requirements:

• Security and Information Assurance: The ASTi system configuration at Patuxent River is designed to meet Navy guidelines for connection to multiple networks, operating at multiple security levels. Also, Navy system administrators reported that information assurance (IA) accreditation, which is required prior to device connection to the GIG, went smoothly because the ASTi systems are built on Red Hat Enterprise Linux® — the most certified operating system available.
  
  
• ACENet Audio Distribution: ASTi has developed a highly elegant method of distributing digitized audio and control signals between central processing nodes and endpoint digital–analog modules. Product–named ACENet, this audio distribution innovation employs standard Ethernet switch technology and facilitates use of port–based VLANs for greater configurability and flexibility and fiber media for increased security and distance. This enabled the Navy to install the new ASTi system without significant changes to their infrastructure, saving time and money.
  
  
• ASTi ACE Studio and Remote Management System: The system is comprised of 17 network host nodes, called Targets that are installed across a huge facility. The entire system can be configured and managed over the network using a single ASTi ACE Studio system, installed at a tech control site. ACE Studio incorporates a powerful suite of ASTi software applications offering network–based configuration, management and monitoring utilities. Also included is ASTi’s Remote Management System (RMS), which provides complete visibility and control of the ASTi systems via a specialized web server built into every Target. Navy system administrators can access RMS from any point on the network using a standard web browser.
  
  
• Backward compatible with older ASTi ancillary hardware: The new system was installed to update an ASTi system installed around 2001. ASTi designed the new Synapse system with compatibility to the legacy operator hardware. This meant that the Navy was able to save a significant amount of money by reusing their large inventory of cables, headsets, and control panels.

The system is now fully integrated and operational. The Navy is successfully using it for critical voice communications in distributed test events involving sites across the United States.

For more information, please visit: Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division
Related ASTi News from 2001: ASTi Provides Network Comms for US Navy

Image Courtesy of NAVAIR