An Extensible, Ontology-based, Distributed Information System Architecture

reportActive / Technical Report | Accession Number: ADP021722 | Open PDF

Abstract:

The AFRL-sponsored Adaptive Sensor Fusion ASF program produced a software framework, the eXtensible Distributed Architecture XDA, which facilitates the construction of scalable, flexible distributed systems. XDA is based on a simple ontology mechanism that enables the definition and maintenance of high-level object models to capture the shared semantics necessary for interoperability. This ontology based approach strikes a balance between having enough expressiveness to capture complex semantic interactions between components and being succinct enough for efficient, cross platform implementation. Shared object models can evolve and can be refined incrementally through standard, object oriented reuse mechanisms of inheritance and containment. XDA has been applied to sensor fusion and visualization. Additionally, XDA is being used to construct a database abstraction layer to access multiple, heterogeneous databases. xDA ontology objects can be persisted and can be retrieved with location transparency using an object-based query language. This capability allows objects residing in shared resources to be accessed uniformly by collaborating applications in a distributed environment. Keywords Ontology, domain model, system evolution, distributed system.

Author(s):
Chao, Alan I. ; Krikeles, Basil C. ; Lusignan, Angela E. ; Starczewski, Edward
Author Organization(s):
ALPHATECH INC BURLINGTON MA
Descriptive Note:
Conference paper
Supplementary Note:
Presented at the Proceedings of the International Conference on International Fusion (6th) Volume 1: FUSION 2003, held in Cairns, Queensland, Australia on 8-11 July 2003. Pub. in the Proceedings of the International Conference on International Fusion (6th) Volume 1: FUSION 2003 p642-649, July 2003. This article is from ADA442007 Proceedings of the International Conference on International Fusion (6th). Held in Cairns, Queensland, Australia on 8-11 July 2003. Volume 1: FUSION 2003
Pagination:
0008

Security Markings

DOCUMENT & CONTEXTUAL SUMMARY

Distribution:
Approved For Public Release
Distribution Statement:
Approved For Public Release; Distribution Is Unlimited.

RECORD

Collection: TR
Identifying Numbers
Contract/Grant Number(s):
F30602-98-C-0292, F30602-01-C-0045
Monitor Series:
AFRL
 Subject Terms
Joint Capability Areas:
JCA_5_Command and Control; JCA_5.2_Understand; JCA_5.2.3_Share Knowledge and Situational Awareness; JCA_5.5.2_Task; JCA_5.5_Direct; JCA_4.1_Deployment and Distribution; JCA_6_Net Centric; JCA_JCA_4.1.2_Sustain the Force; JCA_6.1_Information Transport; JCA_6.4.1_Secure Information Exchange; JCA_3.2_Engagement; JCA_3_Force Application; JCA_3.2.1_Kinetic Means; JCA_4.3_Maintain; JCA_6.2.3_Core Enterprise Services; JCA_6.4_Information Assurance
Modernization Areas:
Quantum Science and Computing
Communities of Interest:
Materials and Manufacturing Processes
Descriptor(s):
*NETWORK ARCHITECTURE, *SENSOR FUSION, INFORMATION SYSTEMS, INTEROPERABILITY, SEMANTICS
Field(s)/Group(s):
Information Science, Cybernetics
Keyword(s):
*ONTOLOGY, COMPONENT REPORTS, ADAPTIVE SENSOR FUSION, XDA(EXTENSIBLE DISTRIBUTED ARCHITECTURE)
Report Date:
2003 Jan 01
Creation Date:
2006 Feb 15