Integrated Development Environment (IDE) for the construction of a Federation Interoperability Object Model (FIOM)

Abstract

Advances in computer communications technology, the recognition of common areas of functionality in related systems, and an increased awareness of how enhanced information access can lead to improved capability, are driving an interest toward integration of current stand-alone systems to meet future system requirements. However, differences in hardware platforms, software architectures, operating systems, host languages, and data representation have resulted in scores of stand-alone systems that are unable to interoperate properly. Youngαs Object Oriented Model for Interoperability (OOMI) defines an architecture and suite of software tools for resolving data representational differences between systems in order to achieve the desired system interoperability. The Federation Interoperability Object Model (FIOM) Integrated Development Environment (IDE) detailed in this thesis is a toolset that provides computer aid to the task of creating and managing an interoperable federation of systems. This thesis describes the vision and requirements for this tool along with an initial prototype demonstrating how emerging technologies such as XML and Data Binding are utilized to capture the necessary information required to resolve data representational differences between systems. The material presented in this thesis has the potential to significantly reduce the cost and effort required for achieving interoperability between DoD systems.