C4ISR/Sim Technical Reference
Model Applicability to NATO Interoperability
October 2003
Francis H. Carr, The MITRE Corporation
ABSTRACT
The 1998 Computer Generated Forces (CGF) Conference included a paper [1] which
proposed a Technical Reference Model (TRM) for interoperability between U.S. Command,
Control, Communication, Computers, Intelligence, Reconnaissance, and Surveillance
systems (C4ISR)1 and Computer Generated Force simulations (Sim). This TRM characterized
the "type of information that is necessary to pass between C4ISR and CGF
systems". Since then, changes have occurred in technology for interfaces;
the uses for interfaces; and the Architecture(s) upon which they are based. In
addition, significant changes have occurred in the respective source and target
systems that these interfaces connect, namely C4ISR systems and simulations. Finally,
substantial interest has been expressed in the availability of C4ISR hosted simulation
components, as well as the integration and exchange of components between the
two domains. A recent Simulation Interoperability Standards Organization (SISO)
Simulation Interoperability Workshop (SIW) paper [2] has proposed substantial
changes to reflect the evolution of technology, supported systems, current interface
practices, and near term future uses for C4ISR—M&S interfaces.
This paper briefly describes the revised version of the TRM. It suggests when
and how to use the TRM in reference to NATO Command, Control, Communication, and
Intelligence (C3I) system to modeling and simulation (M&S) interoperability
or integration efforts. It shows the TRM's relationship to current NATO
models and standards in the C3I domain, as an aid to those concerned with interoperability,
integration, or standardization efforts between the two types of systems. The
paper explores the use of the TRM in light of NATO interoperability efforts, and
reflects on the relationship between the C4ISR/Sim TRM and NATO guidance documents/standards
such as the NATO C3 Technical Architecture (NC3TA), the NATO Common Operating
Environment (NCOE) Model (NCOM), and others.
Additional Search Keywords
Command, Control, Communication, Computers, and Intelligence (C4I); Command,
Control, Communications, and Intelligence (C3I), C4ISR/Sim Technical Reference
Model (TRM); C4ISR-M&S Interoperability; Information Systems Interoperability;
Simulation Infrastructure, NATO Interoperability
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