RU2346337C1 - Simulator facility for naval crew training - Google Patents

Abstract

FIELD: physics, computer technology.

SUBSTANCE: invention refers to the sphere of training simulator construction immediately dealing with design of shipborne trainer simulators to be used for naval crew training. Simulator includes instructor workplace and set of trainee workplaces. System unit of the instructor workplace PC is connected to those of all the trainee workplace PCs through command-driven interface via line concentrator. Each trainee workplace control panel is equipped with training task data input device, electromechanical blocking lock excluding unauthorised access and monitors providing for display of tasks and solution connected to the PC system unit through user interface. The PC system unit is connected to power source switching unit and an uninterrupted power supply unit which enables operation and software environment saving even in case of supply disconnection and provides for simulation of contingency situation at trainee workplace on signal from the instructor workplace. The software environment includes multimedia simulator of the shipboard system of control over translocation of mobile objects and the shipboard systems conjugated therewith, software and case study database. The tasks assigned are transferred to the monitors and the trainee workplace control panels imitating that of the operator workplace of the shipboard mobile objects control system equipped with two monitors and data input device.

EFFECT: enhanced operational reliability combined with improved unauthorised access protection and high fidelity simulation of the actual system control processes.

11 cl, 1 dwg

Description

The claimed invention relates to program-oriented educational and technical means and is intended for use in the formation of professional skills of control operators, mainly moving objects from marine technical means.

Known software-oriented means of training operators (crews of ships, flight crews, drivers of vehicles, etc.) for actions in regular and emergency situations, in particular, simulators and training complexes for training operators of functional systems of marine technical equipment, such as ships, underwater apparatuses, etc., using the so-called “virtual reality” as part of the training manual, i.e. simulating by means of computing external conditions, the operation of functional blocks and functional relationships between them in quasi-real time, operator actions and feedbacks in the simulator-instructor-operator system / for example, US No. 5147206, 5204968 5659691, EP No. 0656613 /.

The purpose of such training is to develop operators' skills in managing the functional systems of an object of technology, control the training process of large groups of operators with a variety of situations that simulate the real conditions of use of the systems of the object of technology, the ability to evaluate the learning process, etc. / for example, US 5204968, 6254394 /.

Known unified multifunctional flight simulator / RF patent No. 2087037, pr. 28.10.1994, publ. 08/10/1997 / containing a computer system, a unified workplace for an instructor (RMI), a set of unified workplaces for a student (RMI) with the number of jobs in terms of the number of students in a group, a collective use screen, an information input device, a database of training scenarios, a database training results, with each unified RMI contains a display module of the trainee and a module of training of the student, the unified RMI contains a display module of the instructor and a module of paired training, will calculate The complete system contains software modules for the implementation of training scenarios, objective control of the trainee and objective control of the instructor. Due to the specifics of the industry, in the learning process multilateral interactions of students are not realized, which limits the amount of work skills and behaviors acquired by them in emergency situations. In addition, the software is not sufficiently protected from unauthorized access, which can lead to a malfunction of the simulator as a whole.

A well-known training complex for the training of crews of ships, namely, the marine intelligent simulator / RF patent No. 2251157, pr. 01.29.2003, publ. 04/27/2005, which contains a set of RMOs, a modeling unit, a training supervisor unit, a student’s actions assessment unit, a program control unit, vessel and environmental characteristics blocks, virtual reality tools, a learning outcomes documentation unit, a learner model block, training program adaptation tools for a specific user and an intelligent interface with which the learner and the training manager interact with other units of the simulator, and human ESA operators in relation to simulation models are compared using an automatic system. The known device improves the efficiency of the use of simulators by modeling the dynamics of the interaction of the vessel with the external environment in various operating conditions. A disadvantage of the known device should be considered the lack of protection against unauthorized access to the system.

A well-known training complex for the training of crews of ships (p. No. 2251157 RU), including a set of RMO according to the number of trainees, RMI, a command type interface, a user interface, a software environment, is selected as the closest analogue of the claimed invention.

The aim of the invention is to increase the reliability and degree of protection against unauthorized access, as well as to increase the reliability of the simulation of control processes of a real system in regular and emergency situations.

The goal is achieved by the fact that in the simulator complex for training crews of ships, which includes a set of RMO according to the number of trainees, RMI, a command type interface, a user interface, a software environment, in accordance with the invention, the RMO contains a system unit, peripheral devices in the control panel with a data input device (ATC), the first and second monitors, the control panel with the ATC connected to the system unit through the serial port, and the first and second monitors through the analog user interface RGB and digital The DVI interface, respectively, as well as a power switching unit connected to the control panel with air traffic control, the first and second monitors and through the network port to the system unit, the RMI contains a system unit, peripheral devices as part of a keyboard with a manipulator, a printer and a monitor connected to to the system unit, respectively, through a serial port, a parallel port and a video adapter, as well as a communication line concentrator, which, through a command-type interface, is connected to the system units of the RMI and each RMO, Ethernet standard, while RMI and each RMO are connected in parallel to an uninterruptible power supply connected to an external power source.

In addition, the RMO is connected to an uninterruptible power supply through the power switching unit.

In addition, the power switching unit is connected to the RMO system unit through a patch panel connected to the motherboard of the RMO system unit.

In addition, the control panel is made in the form of a simulator of the control panel of the operator of the shipboard control system for moving objects.

In addition, the ATC of the control panel includes a keyboard with a tactile button effect.

In addition, the ATC control panel includes a touch pad type "Touch Pad".

In addition, the control unit ATC is equipped with electromechanical type locks.

In addition, the ATC control includes indicators of the status of the control panel.

In addition, the software environment includes the Windows XP Professional operating system and the MSDN Library.

In addition, the software environment includes a multimedia simulator of the ship’s motion control system for moving objects and its associated ship systems with built-in regular programs for calculating the trajectories of bodies.

In addition, the software environment includes a database of situational tasks for training.

The structure of the simulator complex for the training of ship crews is shown in the drawing.

The training complex is a multi-terminal computer network serving both an instructor and a group of trainees and working in multi-tasking mode. Building a computer network according to the Ethernet standard involves connecting several computers to network adapters via cables or a patch panel and synchronizing the output of a signal from network adapters to it (structured network).

The training complex for training crews of ships contains a set of RMO 1 by the number of trainees and RMI 2. Each RMO 1 contains a PC system unit 3, peripheral devices as part of a control panel 4 with an input device (ATC) 5, the first 6 and second 7 monitors, and control panel 4 with ATC 5 is connected to the PC system unit 3 via serial port 8, and the first 6 and second 7 monitors are connected via the user interface - analogue interface RGB 9 and digital interface DVI 10. Power switching unit 11 is connected to control panel 4 with ATC 5, the first 6 and second 7 monitors and through the network port 12 to the PC system unit 3. Each RMO 1 is connected via the power switching unit 11 to an uninterruptible power supply 13 connected to an external power source (not shown in the diagram).

RMI 2 comprises a PC system unit 14, peripheral devices comprising a keyboard 15 with a Mouse 16, a printer 17 and a monitor 18 connected to the PC system unit 14, respectively, through a serial port 19, a parallel port 20 and a video adapter 21, and communication line concentrator 22, which is connected to the PC system unit 14 RMI 2 and through the command type interface 23 to the PC system unit 3 of each RMI 1. The system units of the PC 3 and 14 are made according to the Ethernet standard. RMI devices 2, namely, a PC system unit 14, a printer 17, a monitor 18, and a communication line concentrator 22, are connected to an uninterruptible power supply 24 connected to an external power source. All connections to the uninterruptible power supply are parallel, which ensures the supply of the same voltage to the inputs of the connected devices.

The hub of the communication lines 22 is intended for data compression, which is used to save space on the hard disks of the PC system unit 14 and increase the data transfer rate via the command type interface 23, in particular, the SCSI interface for transmitting data via direct memory access. The need for data compression is due to the nature of the training material (multimedia situational tasks), which is reproduced on monitors 6 and 7 on RMI 1 connected to the video adapter of the PC 3 system unit through the user interface - analogue interface RGB 9 (providing color rendering of the image) and digital interface DVI 10 - for receiving color text and graphic images. For maximum approximation of the training conditions to the actual operating conditions of the system, monitors 6 and 7 on RMI 1 are installed similarly to the screens at the post of the system operator - one above the other.

In RMI 1, the PC system unit 3 is understaffed with a switching panel 25, through which the power signal from the power switching unit 11 is supplied to the PC system unit 3. The switching panel 25 is installed in an empty space intended for fastening the bracket of the additional module to the case of the PC system unit 3. The harness this panel is connected to the connector PWR SW of the system board 26, which ensures the inclusion of the PC system unit 3 from the power switching unit 11 or the system board 26 (in particular, the base micro processor, random access memory, etc. from power supply through an uninterruptible power supply 13 when the PMO 1 is blocked from unauthorized access.

On each computerized RMO 1, the control panel 4 is made in the form of a simulator of the control panel of the operator of a shipboard control system for moving objects. ATC 5 of the control panel 4 is connected to the PC system unit 3 through the serial port 8, usually designed to connect the keyboard and the Mouse. At ATC 5, the following controls of RMO 1 are located:

- buttons “on / off” (POWER ON / OFF), with which the on / off devices PMO 1 for power supply (not shown in the diagram);

- a keyboard, with the help of which the task of the modes and input of data necessary for the operation of the PMO 1 is carried out (not shown in the diagram). The keyboard implements a matrix circuit for switching buttons with a tactile response effect. Information is transmitted via the keyboard to the PC system unit 3 via serial port 8 (Keyboard PS / 2). At ATC 5 of the control panel 4, a touch pad type touch pad (coding tablet) can be used to increase the speed of data input into a computer;

- electromechanical type locks - “POWER LOCK” (LOCK POW), “LOCK MODE” (LOCK MODE), “LOCK CANCEL LAUNCH”, preventing unauthorized access to controls on ATC 5 (locks on the diagram are not shown );

- status indicators (not shown in the diagram) of the control panel 4.

Power supply of ATC 5 with on-board DC voltages of 5 V and 27 V, as well as according to a signal from ATC 5 of other RMO 1 devices (50 Hz - 220 V), is provided from power supply switching unit 11, which provides the required parameters of their power supply, and also implements the switching procedure on / off RMO 1 similarly to the real ship control system for moving objects and generates a signal to turn on the PC system unit 3.

Upon receipt of a shutdown signal from ATC 5, the power switching unit 11 ceases to supply a power supply voltage of ~ 50 Hz - 220 V to the PMO devices 1, however, DC voltages of 5 V and 27 V continue to be generated until the unit 11 is supplied with uninterruptible power supply 13 power supply voltage ~ 50 Hz 220 V,

In the power switching unit 11, protection against short circuit by means of fuses is provided.

On the case of the power switching unit 11 there are indicators “NETWORK” (PWR) and “ON”. The glow of the “NETWORK” indicator (PWR) indicates that the power supply switching unit 11 is supplied with a power supply voltage of ~ 50 Hz 220 V and it generates voltages of 5 V and 27 V. The glow of the “ON” indicator indicates that the power switching unit 11 gives out power supply voltage ~ 50 Hz 220 V to the PMO device 1.

RMI 1 and RMI 2 are automated workstations based on IBM-compatible PCs with a productivity of at least Pentium III. Information interaction of workstations is organized on the basis of a homogeneous local area network according to the Fast Ethernet 100Base-TX IEEE 802.3u standard, which provides the highest possible data transfer rate of up to 100 Mbit / s due to data compression when using a hub installed on the RMI.

The software environment that provides the training complex includes an integrated Windows XP operating system. The software environment located on external storage media (devices for recording / reading on optical disks), including a multimedia simulator of the ship’s system for controlling the movement of moving objects and its associated ship systems with built-in standard programs for calculating the paths of bodies, a database of situational tasks for training using the capabilities of the Windows XP Professional operating system and the MSDN Library, you can perform work in accordance with the required educational and informational th model, prepare a training complex for use in a variety of teaching modes under the supervision of an instructor with simulated real-life situations, including the interactive mode, as well as to prevent unauthorized access to the system.

The training complex operates as follows. After the complex is connected to the network, the instructor at RMI 2, using the keyboard 15 with the “Mouse” manipulator 16, selects a specific task from the database of situational tasks for control objects entered into the memory of the PC system unit 14. The video signal through the video adapter 21 enters the screen of the monitor 18 RMI 2, and in parallel, through the hub of the communication line 22, encoding the video signal of the job, and the interface 23 is fed to the input of the PC system unit 3 of each RMO 1. The received signal is received in the RAM of the PC system unit 3, namely, to the motherboard 26 and through the user interface to the monitors 6 and 7 of the RMO 1. The student in accordance with the task enters the required data (solution) through the ATC 5 of the control panel 4 into the PC system unit 3, and sends a signal (solution) via the interface 2 3 on RMI 2. All RMI 1 work independently of each other, can perform various tasks with the possibility of synchronous receipt of decisions from all RMI 1 on RMI 2, which allows you to evaluate the speed of decision-making, their effectiveness, etc. in the dynamics of the learning process. By varying tasks by entering various parameters for calculating the trajectories of bodies using standard calculation programs, the instructor achieves the students to solve control problems in regular and emergency situations, develops management skills when there is a connection between RMO 1 and RMI 2. Using a multimedia simulator of a real control panel of a motion control operator object in the environment allows you to firmly consolidate the skills of managing a real system in various situations.

Training tasks in the event of a power outage using the power switching unit 11 allow you to simulate abnormal situations of blackout of the motion control system and malfunctions in paired systems detected by the status indicators of the control panel 4, while the successful solution of tasks to the subjects (under stress) increases the reliability of his work in real conditions due to the acquired ability to predict the results of their actions.

A full range of tasks for training at RMO 1 using the software environment allows you to perform:

- modeling of the functioning processes of the shipborne control system for moving objects for the formation of tasks for control objects, their preparation and use as intended, as well as the display of information identical to that produced by the real control system in all modes of its operation;

- reception of target designation data, navigation information, as well as data on the assembly of moving objects for their intended purpose, coming from RMI 2 in accordance with the training task being worked out;

- reception and execution of control commands received from the control panel 4 through the ATC 5;

- The solution of the real functional tasks of the shipboard control system for moving objects;

- documentation of the results of work, the formation of reports identical to those generated by the real control system and their transfer to RMI 2;

- monitoring the safety of software RMO 1.

RMI 2 provides the following functions:

- monitoring the performance of the training complex, its start and stop;

- management of the operating modes of the training complex;

- management of training modes for students;

- the formation, correction and expansion of the database of educational tasks;

- start and stop the execution of programs on RMO 1;

- preparation and input of the initial training conditions, their operational change and control of input values;

- modeling and transmission of targeting data, navigation information, individual for each RMO 1, as well as data on the assembly of moving objects for their intended purpose, identical to data from adjacent ship systems in accordance with the protocols of their interaction with the ship control system for moving objects;

- modeling of dynamic changes associated with the movement of objects in real time;

- operational management of the training;

- planning, accounting, control and analysis of the educational process;

- registration of students;

- control of the level of preparedness and training results;

- restoration of application software on RMI 1 and RMI 2 in case of damage.

The connection of RMI 1 and RMI 2 to the power supply is made through uninterruptible power supplies 13 and 24, respectively, of the UPS type with built-in rechargeable batteries. Thus, it is possible to ensure the normal functioning of the devices of the complex for at least 5 minutes in case of an unauthorized power outage or when the power parameters exceed the permissible limits, i.e. at the time necessary for an emergency shutdown and prevention of software destruction and data loss.

The training complex includes a stepwise hardware and software system for protecting information from unauthorized access, for which a number of restrictions are established at each workplace:

- restriction of access to the operating system, protected by passwords individual for each workplace;

- restriction of access to programs, protected by passwords, individual for each RMI 2, and on RMI 1 - also individual for each student;

- restriction of access to on / off and work on the RMO 1, protected by electromechanical locks to lock the controls on the ATC 5 with keys that are individual for each workplace.

The simulator incorporates a stepped software recovery system in case of damage.

If the application programs are damaged at RMI 1, it is possible to restore them with RMI 2, however, provided that the system software (operating system) remains operational.

To restore software in case of damage to the system software, it is possible to restore programs using CDs from a set of storage media. Each CD-ROM contains an image of the software installed on the PC of one of the workstations and having the appropriate settings depending on the type of workstation (RMI or RMO) and the number of the workstation (RMO from 1 to n). In the process of software recovery, automatic identification of PC equipment is performed, therefore, CDs from a set of storage media can only be used in PCs that are part of the simulator.

Thus, the achieved technical result when using the simulator complex is to prevent unauthorized access to the system, as well as in the hardware implementation of emergency situations simulation of real systems, which provides effective training based on a variety of tasks with varying degrees of complexity.

Claims (11)

1. A training complex for training crews of ships, including a set of workplaces for trainees by the number of trainees, instructor workstation, command type interface, user interface, software environment, characterized in that the workplace of the trainee contains a system unit, peripheral devices as part of the control panel with a data input device, first and second monitors, and the control panel with a data input device is connected to the system unit through a serial port, and the first and second monitors through the user interface, as well as the power switching unit connected to the control panel with the data input device, the first and second monitors and through the network port to the system unit, the instructor's workstation contains the system unit, peripheral devices as part of the keyboard with the Mouse, printer and monitors connected to the system unit, respectively, through a serial port, a parallel port and a video adapter, as well as a communication line concentrator, which is connected to the system via a command-type interface dark blocks of the instructor’s workstation and each student’s workstation, made according to the Ethernet standard, while the instructor’s workstation and each operator’s workstation are connected in parallel to the uninterruptible power supply connected to an external power source. 2. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that the student’s workplace is connected to an uninterruptible power supply through the power switching unit. 3. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that the power switching unit is connected to the system unit of the student’s workplace through a patch panel connected to the system board of the system unit of the student’s workplace. 4. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that the control panel is made in the form of a simulator of a control panel of an operator of a shipboard control system for moving objects. 5. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that the data input device of the control panel includes a keyboard with a tactile effect of the buttons. 6. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that the data input device of the control panel includes a touch pad type "Touch Pad". 7. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that the data input device of the control panel is equipped with electromechanical type locks. 8. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that the data input device of the control panel includes indicators of the status of the control panel. 9. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that the software environment includes the Windows XP Professional operating system and the MSDN Library. 10. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that the software environment includes a multimedia simulator of the ship’s motion control system for moving objects and its associated ship systems with built-in regular programs for calculating the trajectories of bodies. 11. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that the software environment includes a database of situational tasks for training.