SEDRIS Background
 

A common representation of the physical environment is a critical element in modeling and simulation (M&S) and is a necessary precondition for the interoperability of heterogeneous simulations. The level of interoperability achieved depends heavily upon the degree of consistency, completeness, and unambiguous definition of environmental data. Previously, no uniform and effective standard mechanism existed for describing, reusing, and interchanging environmental data among M&S applications. Additionally, data sharing rarely occurs between the operational and simulation communities even though each community uses representations of the same physical aspects of the real world.

Without an effective interchange mechanism, most simulated environment database interchange continues to be accomplished by point-to-point unique conversions between two applications, as shown in the figure for "n" networked simulations. Each arrowhead shown in the figure is a unique conversion software module.

Conversion of one system's data to another format is based upon rigidly defined database format specifications for both the source and target M&S system. Because of the differing proprietary database formats, each conversion requires the development of a customized data converter software application. These point-to-point solutions are expensive, time consuming, and often unreliable. To meet the specific implementation needs of the target system, the converted database usually undergoes several additional conversions before a useable run-time format is obtained. Each conversion adds to the risk of data loss or corruption. Additionally, the number of unique conversions increases geometrically with the number of sources involved. Development and maintenance of these conversion software modules is cost-prohibitive. Based on these factors, a new solution to support the efficient interchange of simulated environment databases was required. The SEDRIS project was initiated to address these issues.

The SEDRIS project was conceived and implemented to capture and provide a complete (terrain, ocean, atmosphere, and space) data model of the physical environment, access methods to that data model, and an associated interchange format. These SEDRIS developed mechanisms facilitate interoperability among heterogeneous simulations by providing complete and unambiguous interchange of environmental data. The range of M&S applications addressed in the SEDRIS development includes training, analysis, and system acquisition and supports visual, computer generated forces, and sensor perspectives. Additionally, SEDRIS provides a standard interface for geographic information systems, which are key components in the generation of complex integrated databases for simulation applications. The data interchange specification supports the pre-runtime distribution of source data, three-dimensional models, and integrated databases that describe the physical environment for both simulation and operational use.

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Last updated: November 24, 1998