Extensible Modeling and Simulation Framework Extensible 3D Graphics (X3D) Don Brutzman MOVES Institute, Naval Postgraduate School Andreas Tolk VMASC, Old Dominion University (ODU) Joint Synthetic Battlespace (JSB) Technical Exchange Hanscomb AFB, 12 November 2003

Recommendations for a Framework ensuring Interoperability, Reusability, & Composability

12 November 2003 XMSF/X3D Overview, JSB Technical Briefings 3 A Framework for Interoperability, Reusability, and Composability Without the necessary management processes, technical solutions are point solutions in time only valid until the next change (update, upgrade, etc.) Alignment of Management is necessary To Enable meaningful interoperability on the simulation system level, composable models on the conceptual level are necessary Common Conceptual Modeling is necessary

12 November 2003 XMSF/X3D Overview, JSB Technical Briefings 4 Recommended Solution for JSB Three columns of JSB 1. An overarching Engineering Approach applicable to existing and future simulation components including migration concepts; 2. Establishing a Resource Repository comprising these Components and the necessary Meta-Models; 3. Alignment of the Management Processes

12 November 2003 XMSF/X3D Overview, JSB Technical Briefings 5 JSB Column 1 – A Common Engineering Approach Requirements for the Integration Framework  Support Future Emerging Simulation Needs  Applicable for Future Components  Migration for Legacy Components  Supporting Integration of Real World Components (C4ISR, Platforms, Sensors, etc.) The JSB Integration Framework must be a conceptually stable solution independent from technical implementations, but commercially supported

12 November 2003 XMSF/X3D Overview, JSB Technical Briefings 6 The MDA embraces technical implementations and standards, such as web services, XML, EJB, SOAP, CORBA, etc. JSB Column 1 – A Common Engineering Approach Recommended Backbone – Application of the Model Driven Architecture (MDA) of the Object Management Group (OMG)  Implementation independent Modeling based on the Unified Modeling Language (UML)  Implementation independent Data and Object Modeling based on the Common Warehouse Meta-Model (CWM)  Implementation independent Repository Description based on the Meta-Object Facility (MOF)

12 November 2003 XMSF/X3D Overview, JSB Technical Briefings 7 The MDA connects conceptual and implementation level of the components => Bridging Management and Implementation JSB Column 1 – A Common Engineering Approach The model hierarchy of the Model Driven Architecture (MDA)  Platform Independent Model (PIM); conceptual model resulting from requirement analysis (“What to model”)  Platform Specific Model (PSM); implementation oriented version (“How to implement”)  Code/Implemented Component PIM PSM Code

12 November 2003 XMSF/X3D Overview, JSB Technical Briefings 8 JSB Column 2 – Resource Repository Level of Interoperability DescriptionExamples Technical Level Connectivity established to exchange bits and bytes Physical Connections, Network Layers Syntactical Level Data can be exchanged in standardized formats HLA OMT, CORBA IDL, DIS PDU, XML, WSDL Semantic Level Data in its contexts can be exchanged (unambiguous understanding of data) Reference Data Models (C2IEDM) Pragmatic Level Information, I.e., data and its use in the component, can be exchanged Reference Models in UML XMI, or MOF Conceptual Level Common view of the world, system-of-systems wide conceptual model Common Conceptual Models (in UML, XMI, or MOF)

12 November 2003 XMSF/X3D Overview, JSB Technical Briefings 9 JSB Column 2 – Resource Repository The Resource Repository must comprise not only the component, but also the meta-data describing the component on the various levels of interoperability Recommendation: Use the MDA as the Framework for the JSB Repository  Component as Code (executable)  Include PSM (“White Box” of implementation without having to enforce open source)  Include PIM (Contribution to the Common Conceptual Model)  Gradual Development of a common conceptual view of the mission space of JSB

12 November 2003 XMSF/X3D Overview, JSB Technical Briefings 10 JSB Column 3 – Aligning Management Processes Common Data Engineering as the first Step:  Data Administration – Managing Information Exchange needs, I.e., which data are where in which format WSDL and UDDI support Data Administration  Data Management – Managing of unambiguous interpretation, I.e., which data mean what C2IEDM/Generic Hub support Data Management  Data Alignment – Managing of mapping of data sources to data targets, I.e., is all necessary data available XML enables efficient Data Alignment  Data Transformation – Technical mapping of source data format to target data format XSLT enables Data Transformation

12 November 2003 XMSF/X3D Overview, JSB Technical Briefings 11 JSB Column 3 – Aligning Management Processes  Each project must be embedded into the overarching JSB processes  Each project reuses JSB components (mandatory)  Each project contributes to the JSB components (at least on the conceptual level by adding with its PIM to the Common Conceptual View of the JSB Mission Space)  All projects are orchestrated by an Overarching Integrated Product Development Team JSB orchestrates the heterogeneous implementations by aligning conceptual contributions to enable homogeneous training and support to operations

12 November 2003 XMSF/X3D Overview, JSB Technical Briefings 12 Initial Recommendations What is necessary to enable a fast JSB start avoiding running into dead ends? 1. Use open standards in an orchestrated way 2. Establish an independent advisory board 3. Document management processes for evaluation and deriving of a guide 4. XML Namespace Management as a requirement for common data engineering 5. Start to develop PIM for the Common Conceptual View of the JSB Mission Space 6. Participate actively in open standard communities efforts for JSB (OGC, OMG, SISO, W3C, Web3D)

12 November 2003 XMSF/X3D Overview, JSB Technical Briefings 13 Contact NPS Don Brutzman Code UW/Br, Naval Postgraduate School Monterey California USA voice fax

12 November 2003 XMSF/X3D Overview, JSB Technical Briefings 14 Contact ODU Andreas Tolk Virginia Modeling Analysis & Simulation Center Old Dominion University Norfolk, VA (voice) (fax)

12 November 2003 XMSF/X3D Overview, JSB Technical Briefings 15 Contacts XMSF Don Michael Don Andrzej Kapolka Mark Katherine Morse David Ryan Andreas Bowen