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Research Projects

The Center's staff, fellows and associates are involved in various interdisciplinary research projects. Select projects are listed below. Please note that access to details for certain projects may be restricted. Please contact info [at] c4ads [dot] org for more information.

Current projects:

Anticipated projects:

Previous projects:

 

Current Projects

Intent-Centric Paradigm

The Intent-centric Paradigm (ICP) is a research agenda within the field of cognitive science pursued under the direction of Dr. Newton Howard. ICP describes processes which describe how a rational agent understands and interprets the actions of other agents in a particular context at a particular time. Furthermore, it defines a number of principles, such as the bounded physical non-determinism principle, which states that a finite set of actions uniquely determines every possible situation. Studies in the theory of intention awareness are an integral part of the ICP.

Intent-oriented Process Design

This research analyzes cognitive, social and technical challenges to the formulation of an intent-oriented process design theory. These challenges are relevant to information system design and organizational design problems as well as general types of problems often termed ill-structured problems. Design has always sought to identify a closed model of an open system operating in an open environment. This work explores ways in which design can be closed and open at the same time—temporally closed as it operates but with an open system capacity for a better adjustment to changes in the physical environment. Intent-oriented process design is proposed as a method to address two issues: designing a process assuming an open system view of the interactive environment and designing stable processes that can change and adapt to environmental variations without losing their originating goals. In intent-oriented process design, intention awareness is a necessary condition and volition subsistence is a sufficient condition.

Models to Address Diplomatic, Information, Military, Economic (DIME) Factors for the Propagation/Evolution of Ideas Through Defined Populations

Non-traditional military operations such as peacekeeping and stabilization are becoming increasingly critical for the US Military. In support of these operations, CADS aims to develop, in conjunction with Applied Systems Intelligence, Inc., a computer application for predicting the effects of Diplomatic, Information, Military, and Economic (DIME) operations on the Political, Military, Economic, Social, Infrastructure, and Information (PMESII) status of the affected area. The application will draw on a number of existing models in a variety of fields, including economics, political science, and sociology. Soldiers in the field will gather data on the current state of the PMESII. This data, as well as historical data, will be used to make predictions which commanders can use to make tactical decisions.

Coalition Secure Management and Operations System (COSMOS)

In collaboration with key industry leaders, CADS provides services to the Coalition Secure Management and Operations System (COSMOS) project, which aims to facilitate information sharing among multinational military coalitions. By applying intent-based constructs to the Command and Control systems currently used by the United States Military, and by leveraging the Command and Control Information Exchange Data Model (C2IEDM) as a sharing medium, COSMOS will significantly enhance the ability for multinational military coalition partners to cooperate and collaborate.

GJXDM Implementations and Network Performance

The Global Justice XML Data Model (GJXDM) is an XML information sharing standard which has been adopted by a number of law enforcement and homeland security organizations across the United States. Because the GJXDM is a very large XML schema which has lengthy tag names and which is often used to encode very large documents with arbitrary attachments, GJXDM documents can place very heavy demands on a network. This project investigated GJXDM-specific network performance issues.

Advanced XML Security Lab (AXSL)

The Advanced XML Security Lab (AXSL) researches technologies relevant to XML Web Services and information security. AXSL aims to improve government and private sector information sharing initiatives and systems interoperability. AXSL's charter includes investigating threat scenarios and signatures that impact the deployment of XML Web Services and secure information exchange. Located in Washington, DC, AXSL aims to make XML Web Services and information security technologies commercially available.

AXSL main page

Clash of Perceptions

Examining the complexity of individual and collective interactions, this paradigm builds on cognitive science and informatics to explain the concepts of perception, misperception, misconception, perception prototypes and other related complex processes to better understand conflict situations. Discourse and language as system of systems are used to determine concepts, precepts and intentions.

Radicalization Watch Project (RWP)

The Radicalization Watch Project is an independent weekly broadcast focusing on radical network activities worldwide. One component of this project is a web site which provides users with a centralized repository of text, images, audio, and video which are related to the activities of (and in most cases are produced by) radical groups. The goal of this site is not just to make relevant information available, but also to facilitate collaboration on interpreting it. Authorized users will be able to browse, search, upload, and discuss content.

As envisioned by the Center's founder, Dr. Newton Howard, and Dr. Guidère, RWP is intended to provide security professionals with situational awareness of threat environments through indicators and pattern analysis, video exploitation and media analysis applying cultural intelligence methodologies. Designed to provide the requisite information to stay abreast of the latest terrorist threats, the database is available to intelligence, military and federal law enforcement agencies; U.S. government, state and local agencies, as well as corporations and non-governmental organizations.

National Data Exploration Capabilities

This program focuses on the requirements, tools and policies necessary for the successful implementation of large-scale data exploration efforts, yielding meaningful results while upholding legal and privacy considerations. With a mission to efficiently analyze massive heterogeneous data sources (such as text, audio and video) in multiple languages and produce actionable intelligence, NDEC crosses three distinct CADS thrust areas - Cognitive Studies, Information Sciences and Global Security.

National Data Exploration Capabilities main page

 

Previous research projects

Dimensions of Information Policy (DIP)
Area(s): Information Policy, Information Assurance education
Researchers: Dr. Newton Howard, Ammar Qusaibaty

Dynamic standard operating procedures (SOPs), rules of engagement, and codes of conduct, in tactical, operational, and strategic Information Operations (IO), are necessary to execute real-time, deceptive, defensive, and offensive missions. Information has to be evaluated on multiple dimensions (e.g. social, cultural, economic, and cognitive) before a deceptive, defensive, or offensive method is authorized and executed. The asymmetry of IO threats requires heterogeneous arsenal of weaponry that best match situations with actions. The IO doctrine needs further development to include informational context analysis of threats and hybrid weapons and processes.

This project develops a mathematical framework of Information Policy analysis based on seven dimensions: economic, cultural, cognitive, legal, etc. The framework applies a 5WH (Who, What, When, Where, Why, and How) paradigm to conduct information flow intelligence on information processing systems. Individuals, computer systems, networks, and organizations, are considered information processing systems consisting of multiple layers (e.g. command, control, communications, intention, etc.). The framework analyzes interactions among all different layers of information processing systems and among systems, and then generates objective measurements based on dynamic metrics to evaluate vulnerabilities, capabilities, intentions, threats and amities.

3-D Cognition
Area(s): Information Policy, Intelligence Analysis, Counterterrorism, Deterrence, Security
Researchers: Dr. Newton Howard, Ammar Qusaibaty

The project first investigates cognitive models consisting of multiple realities for agents. Secondly it extends Belief-Desire-Intention (BDI) models and Real-time Control System (RCS) reference architecture. Addressed are issues and challenges in applications and system design for:

  • Counterterrorism
  • Intelligence Analysis
  • Deterrence
  • Automatic software generation
  • Grid computing
  • Intrusion detection
  • Future computer architectures

"Parking Dilemma" - Situation Awareness and Intention Awareness
Area(s): Information Policy, Situation and Intention Awareness, Deterrence, Security
Researchers: Dr. Newton Howard, Ammar Qusaibaty

Explores the engineering limitations of Situation Awareness theory. Extends the applications of Situation Awareness theory. Examines the balance between situation awareness and intention awareness in system design. Suggests an expansion of situation awareness theory in general system theory.

Information Cognition for better intelligence
Area(s): Information Cognition, Software, GUI
Researchers: Dr. Newton Howard, Ammar Qusaibaty

Defines the concept of information cognition. Identifies the main problems/ characteristics of the intelligence processing cycle. Investigates the boundary of perception and "group think" during the analysis phase. Investigates the role of software and user interface in shaping perception and information cognition. Outlines a set of recommendations to improve quality of analysis, analysis accountability, and organization efficiency.

Deterrence assessment methodologies
Area(s): Counterterrorism, Deterrence
Researchers: Dr. Newton Howard, Ammar Qusaibaty

Formalizing the notion of deterrence, using a potential terrorist attack as a case study. The project created a model to determine best measures for dissuading a potential terrorist from attacking a target through a mix of security measures and deception. In 2004, CADS research team was involved in the DHS project which assessed deterrence measures employed on commercial ferry systems (for more information, see "Trying to Keep Nation's Ferries Safe From Terrorists", by Eric Lipton, New York Times, March 20, 2005). Next phase of the project is being developed.

Intent-Centric Warfare
Area(s): Security, Information Warfare, Intention Awareness
Researchers: Dr. Newton Howard, Ammar Qusaibaty

This is a research direction which investigates the future of warfare, extending the doctrine of Network-Centric Warfare Defines and investigates emerging technology challenges for C3I systems:

  • Cognitive computing (see DARPA 2004)
  • Self-Organizing Computers, Collaborative Cognition, Swarm Intelligence
  • Event-Oriented Reasoning, Experience-Oriented Reasoning, Episodic Ontology
  • Cognition-oriented simulators of Wars, Augmented Reality Wearable Computing, E-textiles technology (computer clothing),
  • RFID and Biometric Technology
  • Lattice Semantic and Natural Language Processing
Outlines conditions for future successful systems designs. Multiple projects are part of this initiative. The initiative is lead by a specialized lab within CADS.

GDPL application for armaments control
Area(s): Security, Defence Policy Laws
Researchers: Dr. Newton Howard, Ammar Qusaibaty

Global Defense Policy Laws (GDPL) is a rigid mathematics-based approach to maintaining the balance of power, which can work on multiple levels. This project is applying GDPL to on-the-ground capability assessment. Result: better standard operating procedures (SOPs) for weapons inspectors

Global Defense Policy Laws (GDPL)
Area(s): International Relations, Simulation and Modeling
Researchers: Dr. Newton Howard, Ammar Qusaibaty

Global Defense Policy Laws project introduces a mathematical approach to maintaining the balance of power and perception among countries. Research and analysis for this project have been published in Seeking Peace in Our Time: Toward Global Defense Policy Laws by Dr. Newton Howard. The book is currently being translated into other languages, including Arabic, French, and Russian. You can find the book at Amazon.com or see other publications by CADS authors.

XML and e-government challenges
Area(s): XML technologies, E-government
Researchers: Dr. Newton Howard, Ammar Qusaibaty, Kurt Eifling

The project is to investigate technical and social challenges for implementing e-government and information sharing. It examines how e-government technical architectures can be engineered to deliver transparency and accountability in Middle Eastern countries, using Egypt as a case study. It also explores common social, economic and political challenges during design and implementation phases. The deliverable is to recommend tactics and tools to address challenges. This project, as many others, involves a large number of international students familiar with the political process in the Middle East.

International Education and Capacity Building
Area(s): International Relations, International Aid, Education
Researchers: Dr. Newton Howard et al.

The Center for Advanced Defense Studies is actively pursuing a variety of projects that develop educational programs in Computer Science and Information Assurance worldwide. In addition to collaborative efforts with educational institutions in the U.S. and France, the Center focuses on developing relationships with research and education centers in the Middle East and South-East Asia, including University of Cairo and University of Kabul. Areas of concentration include curriculum development, instruction support, and infrastructure development.

Mobile "Sponge"
Area(s): Intelligence collection, information cognition, autonomous vehicles
Researchers: Dr. Newton Howard et al.

This project investigates information fusion, combining input from multiple sources (such as UAVs and static cameras) and processing it for a decision maker or an automatic route planner. The project has applications in a variety of situations, particularly in hostile urban terrain navigation.

The research team is developing a prototype with specific visualization and communication requirements, and is investigating possible sensors and modules that could help improve the accuracy of maneuvering and prediction.

Related items:
Unmanned Aircraft Systems Roadmap, 2005-2006

CyberBus
Area(s): Information assurance and cyber security education, computer forencics
Researchers: Dr. Newton Howard et al.

The Cyber Bus project is developing a mobile platform (special purpose van) equipped with the best computer forensic products available. This mobile lab presents a tool for training university students and law enforcement practitioners in Criminal Law, Networking, Computer/Network Security, Computer Forensics Techniques, and other related areas.

It provides students and law enforcement hands-on training and valuable skills to help fight cyber crime. For law enforcement agencies at the local and state level lacking the funds and the expertise to deal with computer-related crimes, the mobile lab provides the resource necessary to conduct such investigations.

Olfactory-based local and remote biometric identification
Area(s): Biometrics, Force Protection, Perimeter Defense
Researchers: Dr. Newton Howard, Sergey Kanareykin, Danielle Zeedick, CADS student researchers

The future of reliable detection and identification of people lies in the fusion of different sources of biometric data, because most individual methods (i.e., facial and gait recognition) demonstrate high error rates. Olfactory (smell) biometrics is an interesting addition to the array of biometric technologies because they are hard to counterfeit and confound, and potentially offer unique personal signatures. Implemented within a system of remote ground sensors, such biometric devices could significanlty increase long-range detection and tracking of personnel.

This project investigates olfactory biometric sensors providing personal identification. It will determine methods for unique personal identification, evaluate existing 'electronic nose' devices, and create a framework for developing remote ground-based olfactory sensor systems.

Integrated Justice Information Systems XML testing
Area(s): Integrated Justice, XML technologies
Researchers: Sergey Kanareykin, Tim Tickel, Ammar Qusaibaty, Mohammed Shatnawi, Danielle Zeedick

CADS team is working on a project undertaken by the Integrated Justice Information Systems (IJIS) Institute. The Institute, with the support of US Department of Justice and in collaboration with Georgia Tech Research Institute, has developed an XML-based language for exchange of justice information, Justice XML Data Dictionary (JXDD). This project represents a significant milestone in the process of developing appropriate standards for expressing the baseline data needs of the justice and public safety communities and their related partners. In that sense, it will become a reference benchmark for jurisdictions in the justice and public safety communities to use, in its entirety or in part, to fulfill their specific needs.

The CADS team is charged with testing implementations of GJXDD 3.0 and delivering a report on the GJXDD data model, performance, and scalability.

GJXDM National Virtual Help Desk
Area(s): Integrated Justice, XML technologies, Help Desk
Researchers: Sergey Kanareykin, Aleksandar Stefanovski, Philip Mak, Eswara Vommina

GJXDM is becoming widely used in the Justice and Homeland Security arena with some agencies being mandated to use the standard. Many developers are new to the concepts which has entailed the need for one point of contact for support. CADS team together with the Integrated Justice Information Systems (IJIS) Institute is developing a National Virtual Help Desk to help this transition for Department of Justice (DOJ).

Project goals:

  • Collect and organize GJXDM information, such as overview materials, samples, best practices, etc.
  • Develop and maintain a knowledge database
  • Maintain a website and phone support operation for developers in federal agencies and industry
  • Training students to be able to implement the standard

Prescription Drug Monitoring Program using GJXDM
Area(s): Integrated Justice, XML technologies, PMP
Researchers: Kurt Eifling, Sergey Kanareykin, Aleksandar Stefanovski

Prescription drug abuse has become rapidly growing problem. Having in mind that existing information systems do not provide information sharing, especially between states, the Integrated Justice Information Systems (IJIS) Institute together with CADS has started solving this problem. The project goals are:

  • Evaluate existing protocols and solutions for prescription drug monitoring
  • Develop a set of recommendations for improvement through information sharing
  • Create extensions for GJXDM to support the project objectives

This is an interdisciplinary project with applications in pharmaceutical industry and computer science

 

Anticipated research projects

Identifying Relationships Between Linguistic and Behavioral Patterns in Radical Organizations

The goal of this project is to apply a statistical technique known as factor analysis to the intelligence analysis domain. Crucially, it will make use of documents, speeches, announcements, and other information expressed in natural language by the groups under investigation, as well as reports of actions that these groups have taken. This methodology will apply factor analysis to discover which aspects of the texts are indicators of which types of action. After the system as been trained on texts for which the ensuing events are known, the characteristics of a new text can be compared with those of the previous texts in order to provide a number quantifying the extent to which it indicates the possibility of each type of action. Also, factor analysis can organize the text characteristics and action information into factors, which can be interpreted as the underlying cognitive processes which cause the production of the texts and the execution of the actions. This methodology is specifically designed to be automatic and not require significant time or expertise to carry out. Furthermore, the patterns it reveals are directly observable and understandable by humans.

Operations Representation Language (OSL)
Area(s): Intelligent Systems, Autonomous Vehicles, Software Engineering
Researchers: Ammar Qusaibaty, Sergey Kanareykin

Real-time planning and control systems for unmanned vehicles conducting Reconnaissance, Surveillance, and Target Acquisition (RSTA) in urban terrain combat operations require hierarchical environment simulation. A representation language to describe heterogeneous platforms, their operational specifications, their services to soldiers, doctrine, and METT-TC (Mission, Enemy, Terrain and Weather, Time, Troops and Civilians) variables, is a requirement for predicting and formulating real-time courses of actions.

This project studies the complexity of urban combat operations and using unmanned vehicles for RSTA. A formal representational language and a simulation engine will be developed, independent of platform specifications, to plan and control RSTA activities. This project utilizes time-based architectures that perform guided predictions based on knowledge repositories and reinforcement learning algorithms. The Operations Representations Language (OSL) is modular and extensible, facilitating the functions of system integration, vehicles technical evolution, and combat variables. The proposed simulation engine with OSL address challenges in synthetic environment, terrain and target representations, distributed networked sensor simulation, non-imaging sensor simulation, and real-time communications representation.

Applications of Advanced Ferroelectric Materials to UWB Radar and Communications Systems
Area(s): Radio Spectrum Utilization, Ultra Wide Band technologies
Researchers: Dr. Paul Schoessow, Dr. Alex Kanareykin

Ultra Wideband signals offer numerous advantages in radar and communications systems. Present applications are limited in part by the need for high power short pulse rf sources and for antennas capable of transmitting waveforms without distortion of their time-domain characteristics. For communications the use of UWB technology offers the potential of better LPI/LPD properties than conventional spread spectrum. Some recently developed ferroelectric compounds with high tunability and fast response times have potential applications to UWB power sources and antennas. The nonlinear properties of these compounds suggest their use in shock line based power sources, converting a monochromatic low frequency rf pulse to broadband via nonlinear wave sharpening and EM shock formation. These elements can be used as phase shifters in UWB antenna arrays, permitting real time control of the antenna pattern and output waveform shape.

This project will develop designs for shock line power sources and UWB antennas based on the properties of new ceramics we have developed. Initial work will be carried out using numerical simulations. Based on the numerical results prototype shock lines and antennas will be fabricated and tested.

Real-time Millimeter-Wave Imaging for Security Screening Applications
Area(s): Thermal Imaging, Radar technologies
Researchers: Dr. Alex Kanareykin, Dr. Paul Schoessow

Millimeter-wave imaging technology (using electromagnetic waves intermediate in frequency between microwaves and infrared light) is unsurpassed for the detection of concealed objects (such as weapons) hidden under the clothing. A class of existing systems based on this technology and using natural emissions from the body are limited to long exposures of 1-30 minutes, and so are only useful for stationary targets rather than subjects in motion. There is a pressing need to improve the time resolution of mm-wave imaging systems to less than 1 sec, hence permitting real-time security screening applications.

In this project a working prototype of a multi-channel 94 GHz imaging system will be designed and tested. The new system will provide real-time hidden weapon detection (for both metal and ceramic objects). The time resolution of this system is equivalent to that of a motion picture camera and can detect objects as small as an inch in size.

Point-to-Point Ultra Fast 1 Gbs 94 GHz Communication Link
Area(s): Wireless Networking, Wireless Network Propagation
Researchers: Dr. Alex Kanareykin

Use of mm-wave wireless technology offers many potential advantages for military applications. In addition to high data transfer speeds (1 Gbps) and long range (up to 10 miles) the systems can be made compact and power-efficient. The small antenna size also makes the technology very well adapted to mobile wireless data communications. The technology is being rapidly commercialized with the prospect of being able to use COTS hardware for its implementation. Comparable systems based on FSO (free-space optics) technologies provide comparable data bandwidth have the disadvantages of high cost, lower range (fog, rain and snow limit the distance) and less availability. In this project a 94GHz 1 Gbps point-to-point IP link will be designed and demonstrated. A 5-mile outdoor link will be installed and demonstrated inside the GWU campus area.

Handheld microwave security system for weapon detection
Area(s): Thermal Imaging, Radar technologies
Researchers: Dr. Alex Kanareykin
 The main goal of the Project is the creation of a low-cost environmentally clean small-sized handheld personal inspection device to detect different objects concealed under clothing and including both metallic and especially non-metallic weapons. Due to its low-cost and portability, the device described in this Project will have extensive commercial applications, for providing security in traditional terrorist soft target areas such as airports, subways and trains; public buildings etc.

The apparatus is based on a smart phased antenna array operating at a frequency of 30 GHz based on low-cost ferroelectric phase-shifters; the device contains an integrated microwave generator, signal processor and display. Our proposed apparatus permits an individual to be screened in less than 10 seconds.

The C3EQUIP system logo C3Equip
Area(s): Strategy, Military Science
Researchers: Dr. Newton Howard et al.

The purpose of the system is to increase battlefield sitational awareness and effectiveness while reducing the incidents of friendly fire. It leverages existing practices and augments military capabilities without changing methods.

  • C3Equip system enhances Command and Control functions by using dynamic and intelligent systems with natural language understanding capability, which are capable of translating operation orders (OPORDs), fragmentary orders (FRAGOs), and situation reports (SITREPs).
  • The data are qualified by cross-referencing all existing WOSF orders and identifying unit, troop, and equipment limitations with terrain, location, and time data.
  • The system provides intelligent access to disparate data, when information is time-critical. The required training is minimal.
  • The graphic interface allows users to identify and resolve conflicting orders, avoid friendly fire, and find solutions to target misidentification problems.
  • The program integrates the Data Analysis system with a WOSF module, Spatial-Temporal Protocol module, Spatial-Temporal Database module, and the User Interface module.

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