"A Perspective on achieving Interoperability of Synthetic Environments"
Bernard Lalonde, CAE

Complex mission simulators include a wide range of subsystems (visuals, sensors, map displays, computer generated forces, etc.) which internally rely on several Synthetic Environmental (SE) representations of the world. The runtime Synthetic Environments are usually derived from common GIS environmental and satellite data; however, the runtime SE representations utilize unique (usually proprietary) runtime formats that are generated by distinct tools/processes which in turn are subject to specific constraints/limitations. The lack of a common runtime interoperable synthetic environment data model has been a constant impediment to networked training and mission rehearsal requiring fully-correlated, dynamic, persistent synthetic environments.

In order to achieve full interoperability, the industry must go beyond just the packaging/formatting of source environmental data, and move towards runtime SE semantic interoperability, i.e. the simultaneous handling of the packaging and the meaning of runtime SE data. Semantic interoperability requires that simulation applications share a common dictionary that assigns and defines meaning to runtime SE data. This can be achieved by the means of a specification or by adding data about the data (aka metadata), linking each data element to a controlled, shared vocabulary from which meanings can be combined and composed.

This panel provides an introduction to the many levels of conceptual interoperability as they apply to runtime synthetic environments; the Common DataBase (CDB), the SEDRIS and the OGC specifications will be used as examples. The panel will explore and discuss the benefits that ensue from each level of interoperability.