Even with advanced collaborative technology, communication remains a critical component to mission success. With the shift towards network-centric warfare, standard radio communication needs to meet the needs of today's warfighter. A net-centric communication management suite called Multi-Modal Communication (MMC) had been developed. This integrated system captures, displays, records, and archives radio and text-based communication to better equip the warfighters. This study examined the performance associated with monitoring communication channels, with access to different tools. Operators monitored and responded to the occurrence of critical phrases presented during a 27-min communication-monitoring task. Communication performance was analyzed in regard to message detection, response accuracy, and time. Data showed that MMC provides a balance between the speed of radio listening and the accuracy and data-capturing capabilities of chat displays. MMC can be a beneficial tool to operators in its ability to increase intelligibly, while providing a persistent, searchable display that reduces perceived mental workload.
Abstract : Command and Control operators rely heavily on radio communications to efficiently plan, direct, coordinate, and control assets to successfully complete their mission. This communication intensive environment imposes a high degree of workload on operators thus resulting in failures of detection or comprehension of communication. Multi-Modal Communication (MMC) is a net-centric communication management suite that captures, visually displays, records, and archives radio communication thus allowing instant access to past communications as well as an increase in the intelligibility of current communication. This study examined the performance associated with monitoring multiple communication channels with access to different communication tools. In all experimental conditions, operators participated in a 10-minute communication & monitoring task in which they monitored and responded to the occurrence of critical phrases. Communication performance was analyzed in regards to message detection, response accuracy, and response time. Data showed that MMC can provide a balance between the speed of radio listening and the accuracy and data capturing capabilities of chat displays. MMC can be a beneficial tool to Command and Control operators in its ability to increase intelligibly while providing a persistent, searchable visual display of voice communication, which reduces workload while helping maintain situation awareness.
The Multi-Modal Communication (MMC) is a network-centric communication management suite developed to improve communication performance for Command and Control operators. This tool provides operators with the ability to manage communication from voice and text-based systems in a single intuitive, dynamic display. MMC captures, records, and displays radio and chat communications to the operator so that they have instant access and full control over all current and past information. In addition to aiding in the retrieval of information, speech intelligibility over the Radio channels is increased by spatially separating each of the radio channels to virtual locations around the operator via their headphones. The combination of these features provides operators with the tools necessary to monitor multiple communication channels for critical information and make quick and accurate decisions since it affords operators with greater situational awareness while also reducing their perceived mental workload.
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